Luke 3 10

Luke 3:10 kjv

And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

Luke 3:10 nkjv

So the people asked him, saying, "What shall we do then?"

Luke 3:10 niv

"What should we do then?" the crowd asked.

Luke 3:10 esv

And the crowds asked him, "What then shall we do?"

Luke 3:10 nlt

The crowds asked, "What should we do?"

Luke 3 verses

Luke 3 10 Meaning

Luke 3:10 records a pivotal question from the people who had heard John the Baptist's stern message of repentance and coming judgment. Having been told to "bear fruits worthy of repentance," their collective inquiry, "What shall we do then?", signifies a deep conviction and a sincere desire for practical, tangible actions to demonstrate a transformed life. It indicates a readiness to move beyond mere theological assent to concrete ethical and behavioral change.

Luke 3 10 Context

Luke 3:10 follows directly from John the Baptist's uncompromising message of repentance (Luke 3:1-9). John had previously warned the crowds, including Pharisees and Sadducees, not to presume upon their ancestry ("Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.'"), for God could raise up children for Abraham from stones. He sternly declared that the "axe is laid to the root of the trees" and any tree not bearing "good fruit" would be cut down and thrown into the fire. This stark pronouncement of impending judgment and the call to bear "fruits worthy of repentance" pierced the hearts of the multitude, leading them to inquire precisely what those "fruits" entailed in practical terms. Their question reveals a dawning understanding that true repentance required more than just baptism; it demanded a fundamental change in their way of life, something beyond mere religious ritual or inherited privilege.

Luke 3 10 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple coordinating conjunction. It links this question directly as a response to John's preceding powerful and challenging message. It shows a continuous narrative flow and an immediate reaction.
• the people (οἱ ὄχλοι - hoi ochloi): This phrase, meaning "the crowds" or "the multitudes," emphasizes that it was not just a few individuals but a substantial group affected by John's words. Their collective inquiry underscores the widespread impact of his preaching and a general conviction across different segments of society.
• asked him (ἐπηρώτων αὐτὸν - epērōtōn auton): The Greek verb is in the imperfect tense. This tense often conveys a continuous, repeated, or persistent action in the past. It suggests that the people did not just ask once but perhaps continually, eagerly, or as various segments of the crowd came forward with the same earnest inquiry. This shows their genuine and insistent desire for guidance.
• saying (λέγοντες - legontes): A present participle indicating the content of their asking. It merely introduces the direct quotation.
• What shall we do then? (Τί οὖν ποιήσωμεν - Ti oun poiēsōmen): This phrase is rich with meaning.
  • What (Τί - Ti): The interrogative pronoun, a straightforward inquiry about content.
  • then (οὖν - oun): This particle is crucial. It acts as an inferential connector, meaning "therefore," "accordingly," or "in that case." It clearly links their question as a direct logical consequence of John's earlier proclamation ("bear fruits worthy of repentance"). It essentially means, "In light of what you have just told us about the coming judgment and the need for genuine repentance, what specific actions are now required of us?"
  • shall we do (ποιήσωμεν - poiēsōmen): This is an aorist active subjunctive, first person plural. The deliberative subjunctive in Greek expresses a question or deliberation about what one "should" or "must" do. It conveys an earnest seeking of direction and a desire to act accordingly. It's not just a casual question but an appeal for practical ethical instruction.
• Words-group analysis: "What shall we do then?" encapsulates a critical turning point for the audience. It reflects a profound conviction of sin and judgment, moving them from passive listening to active engagement and a yearning for tangible repentance. This question signifies a shift from merely observing religious rituals or relying on ethnic identity to acknowledging personal accountability and the need for an altered way of life in response to divine truth. It's a hallmark of true spiritual awakening – seeking concrete ethical and moral application of spiritual truths.

Luke 3 10 Bonus section

The question in Luke 3:10, along with the subsequent responses of the tax collectors and soldiers, illustrates a fundamental step in spiritual transformation: the move from intellectual assent to active discipleship. It highlights John the Baptist's effectiveness as God's forerunner, preparing hearts not just for baptism but for a radical shift in values and behavior required for the Kingdom of God. The specific nature of their question signifies a recognition that repentance is not solely internal or ritualistic but necessarily translates into tangible actions and a changed lifestyle that aligns with God's righteousness.

Luke 3 10 Commentary

Luke 3:10 encapsulates the profound impact of John the Baptist's confrontational preaching. The crowd's question, "What shall we do then?", is not a dismissive retort but an earnest plea for guidance, born out of genuine conviction by his severe warning of judgment and the call to bear "fruits worthy of repentance." It reflects a realization that their existing religious practices or Abrahamic lineage alone were insufficient. This question demonstrates that John successfully moved his hearers from mere theological understanding to an active, practical demand for concrete ethical living. His subsequent specific answers to the crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers (Luke 3:11-14) reveal that true repentance has real-world implications, demanding justice, generosity, and integrity in daily life, anticipating the Kingdom ethics that Jesus would more fully expound.