Luke 3:12

Luke 3:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
• English Standard Version (ESV)Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?"
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”
• New Living Translation (NLT)Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”

Context of Luke 3:12

10“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. 11John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13“Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 14Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

Luke 3:12 word by word

ἦλθον δὲ καὶ τελῶναι βαπτισθῆναι καὶ εἶπαν πρὸς αὐτόν· διδάσκαλε, τί ποιήσωμεν;Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thenδέde · thenG1161
• cameἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• publicansτελώνηςtelōnēs · tax collectorG5057
• to be baptizedβαπτίζωbaptizō · to baptizeG907
• saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• untoπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• Masterδιδάσκαλοςdidaskalos · teacherG1320
• whatτίςtis · which?G5101
• shall we doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160

Cross-references for Luke 3:12

• Luke 7:29(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.
• Luke 15:1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.
• Luke 18:13“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
• Matthew 21:31“Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.

Commentaries on Luke 3:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Then came also publicans - He next instructs the tax-gatherers in the proper discharge of their duty: though it was an office detested by the Jews at large, yet the Baptist does not condemn it. It is only the abuse of it that he speaks against. If taxes be necessary for the support of a state, there must be collectors of them; and the collector, if he properly discharge his duty, is not only a useful, but also a respectable officer. But it seems the…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12The publicans - See the notes at Matthew 5:47. There is reason to think that the “publicans” or “tax-gatherers” were especially oppressive and hard in their dealings with the people; and that, as they had every opportunity of exacting more than they ought, so they often did it, and thus enriched themselves. The evidence of repentance in them would be to break off their sins in this respect, and to deal justly.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12even tax collectors: In the first century, many people strongly disliked tax collectors. They were known for taking extra money and were seen as working for the Roman rulers, who were widely hated.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 10-1410-14. What shall we do then?--to show the sincerity of our repentance. (Also see on Mt 3:10.)Read the comment

Topics related to Luke 3:12

• Baptism
• Honesty
• Publicans
• Righteousness

In the dictionaries

• Demand
• Mary
• Reprove
• Unquenchable
• Violence
• Wages
• Antediluvian Patriarchs
• Jesus Christ
• John the Baptist
• Luke, the Gospel of

Commentaries on Luke 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings