Luke 3 is a jump of about 18 years from the end of chapter 2 (from age 12 to age 30 – Luke 3:23), so Luke sets the historical context again (3:1-2). Notice how John’s ministry is introduced “the Word of God came to John son of Zechariah”. This is the pattern for introducing many of the OT prophets (Hosea 1:1, Joel 1:1, Jonah 1:1, Micah 1:1, Zephaniah 1:1, and Zechariah 1:1). Here comes the last of the prophets before “all mankind will see God’s salvation” (Luke 3:6)! People wondered if John himself might be the Messiah (3:15), but John answers, no, “someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (3:16, NLT). The stage was thus set for the coming King. Then one day Jesus comes to John and is baptised, and God shows who he is, sending the Holy Spirit on him like a dove and with an audible voice proclaiming him to be his “beloved Son”. Jesus is both the baptiser in the Holy Spirit, and one who is full of the Holy Spirit. He is God – who imparts the Holy Spirit – but he is also a human being like us. As a human being, he is the perfect model of the Spirit-filled life.
