Luke 3 and 4

1. 3:1-9; 15-17 How did John the Baptist prepare the way for Christ?
   Comments:
   v. 3 He preached a baptism of repentance for remission of sins.
   v. 8 – He preached the importance of bearing fruit.
   v. 16 – He prophesied of one coming who was greater than he was, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Though the fire is one of judgment, it is also a cleansing fire, one that separates believers from unbelievers.
   From William Hendricksen’s commentary: “Making paths straight, filling valleys, bringing mountain and hills low, making rough ways smooth” refers to breaking down every barrier between people and the Messiah. John helped “smooth” the way to the Son of God.
2. 3:10-14 What advice did John give to people about their sins?
   Comments: CB Note: The question they ask, “What shall we do then?” may be more about bearing fruit than sin.
   v. 10 To the people: Share with the needy – both clothing and food
   v. 13 To the tax collectors: Don’t extort money
   v. 14 To the soldiers: Don’t intimidate or accuse false; be content with your wages.
3. 3:18-20 Why were John’s good tidings bad news to Herod?
   Comments: John rebuked him for living with his brother’s wife, Herodias. Herodias had been married to her father’s half-brother, Herod Philip. Their daughter was Salome. Then she took up with another half-uncle, Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Galilee.
4. 3:21-23 What was revealed at Jesus’ baptism? How old was he?
   Comments: That He was the Son of God, who was pleased with Jesus. Jesus was 30 years old at the time.
5. 3:23-38 List not more than five men from the genealogy of Christ and tell of their significance in Jewish history.
   Comments: v. 31 – David – 3rd king of Israel; v. 32 – Boaz, David’s great-grandfather by Ruth; v. 33 – Judah – The 4th son of Jacob, and the one through the Messiah would come; v. 36 – Shem – Son of Noah through whom the tribes of Israel would come. Matthew’s genealogy in Chapter 1 is Joseph’s ancestry, through David’s son Solomon. This one is Mary’s, through David’s son Nathan.
6. 4:1-13 What experience did Jesus go through immediately after His baptism? How did he deal with it?
   Comments: Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted, then he fasted for 40 days. The devil tempted him to 1) turn stones to bread; 2) worship him; 3) throw himself off the temple to prove his divinity. Jesus answered each time with a scripture: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Deuteronomy 8:3); “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve (Deuteronomy 6:13); and “You shall not tempt the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 6:16).
7. 4:14-32 How was Jesus received in the region of Galilee? In his hometown of Nazareth? In Capernaum?
   Comments: v. 15 – In Galilee, he was glorified by them all. vv. 16-30 – In Nazareth, first they marveled at his gracious words,  then they grew angry enough to throw him off a cliff,  after being compared unfavorably to Gentiles. vv. 31-37 – In Capernaum they were astonished at how he spoke with such authority.
8. 4:16-21 What did He claim for Himself in the Nazareth synagogue?
   Comments: That he was the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 61:1.2.
9. 4:33-42 List some of the good works He performed in Galilee.
   Comments: vv. 33-35 – He cleansed a man with a demon; v. 38 – He healed Simon’s (Peter’s) wife’s mother. v. 40 – He healed diseases, cast out demons.
10. 4:43-44 What did Jesus consider His most important work?
    Comments: To preach the kingdom of God.