Help QuickNav Adv. Options
NLT

NLT

Click to Change

Return to Top

Return to Top

Printer Icon

Print

Copy
Copy Options
Format by: Verse Paragraph
Strong's
Red Letter
Audio Bibles
Copy Options
Cite Print
The Blue Letter Bible

Luke 3 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

Choose a new font size and typeface
Audio Bibles
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
(Mat 3:1–6; Mar 1:2–6; Jhn 1:19–23 )

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:1

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:1 - It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler[fn] over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler[fn] over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:2

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:2 - Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:3

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:3 - Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:4

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:4 - Isaiah had spoken of John when he said,
“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming!
Clear the road for him!

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:5

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:5 - The valleys will be filled,
and the mountains and hills made level.
The curves will be straightened,
and the rough places made smooth.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:6

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:6 - And then all people will see
the salvation sent from God.’”[fn]
(Mat 3:7–12; Mar 1:7, 8; Jhn 1:24–28 )

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:7

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:7 - When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath?

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:8

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:8 - Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:9

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:9 - Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:10

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:10 - The crowds asked, “What should we do?”

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:11

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:11 - John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:12

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:12 - Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:13

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:13 - He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:14

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:14 - “What should we do?” asked some soldiers.
John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:15

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:15 - Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:16

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:16 - John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with[fn] water; but 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.[fn]

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:17

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:17 - He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:18

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:18 - John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:19

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:19 - John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee,[fn] for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for many other wrongs he had done.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:20

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:20 - So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.
The Baptism of Jesus
(Mat 3:13–17; Mar 1:9–11; Jhn 1:29–34 )

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:21

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:21 - One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened,

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:22

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:22 - and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.[fn]”
The Ancestors of Jesus
(Gen 5:1–32; 11:10–26; Rth 4:18–22; 1Ch 1:1–4, 24–27, 34; 2:1–15; Mat 1:2–16 )

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:23

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:23 - Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry.
Jesus was known as the son of Joseph.
Joseph was the son of Heli.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:24

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:24 - Heli was the son of Matthat.
Matthat was the son of Levi.
Levi was the son of Melki.
Melki was the son of Jannai.
Jannai was the son of Joseph.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:25

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:25 - Joseph was the son of Mattathias.
Mattathias was the son of Amos.
Amos was the son of Nahum.
Nahum was the son of Esli.
Esli was the son of Naggai.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:26

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:26 - Naggai was the son of Maath.
Maath was the son of Mattathias.
Mattathias was the son of Semein.
Semein was the son of Josech.
Josech was the son of Joda.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:27

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:27 - Joda was the son of Joanan.
Joanan was the son of Rhesa.
Rhesa was the son of Zerubbabel.
Zerubbabel was the son of Shealtiel.
Shealtiel was the son of Neri.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:28

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:28 - Neri was the son of Melki.
Melki was the son of Addi.
Addi was the son of Cosam.
Cosam was the son of Elmadam.
Elmadam was the son of Er.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:29

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:29 - Er was the son of Joshua.
Joshua was the son of Eliezer.
Eliezer was the son of Jorim.
Jorim was the son of Matthat.
Matthat was the son of Levi.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:30

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:30 - Levi was the son of Simeon.
Simeon was the son of Judah.
Judah was the son of Joseph.
Joseph was the son of Jonam.
Jonam was the son of Eliakim.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:31

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:31 - Eliakim was the son of Melea.
Melea was the son of Menna.
Menna was the son of Mattatha.
Mattatha was the son of Nathan.
Nathan was the son of David.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:32

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:32 - David was the son of Jesse.
Jesse was the son of Obed.
Obed was the son of Boaz.
Boaz was the son of Salmon.[fn]
Salmon was the son of Nahshon.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:33

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:33 - Nahshon was the son of Amminadab.
Amminadab was the son of Admin.
Admin was the son of Arni.[fn]
Arni was the son of Hezron.
Hezron was the son of Perez.
Perez was the son of Judah.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:34

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:34 - Judah was the son of Jacob.
Jacob was the son of Isaac.
Isaac was the son of Abraham.
Abraham was the son of Terah.
Terah was the son of Nahor.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:35

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:35 - Nahor was the son of Serug.
Serug was the son of Reu.
Reu was the son of Peleg.
Peleg was the son of Eber.
Eber was the son of Shelah.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:36

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:36 - Shelah was the son of Cainan.
Cainan was the son of Arphaxad.
Arphaxad was the son of Shem.
Shem was the son of Noah.
Noah was the son of Lamech.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:37

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:37 - Lamech was the son of Methuselah.
Methuselah was the son of Enoch.
Enoch was the son of Jared.
Jared was the son of Mahalalel.
Mahalalel was the son of Kenan.

Tools

Unchecked Copy Box Luk 3:38

Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 3:38 - Kenan was the son of Enosh.[fn]
Enosh was the son of Seth.
Seth was the son of Adam.
Adam was the son of God.
See the NLT Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).
NLT Footnotes
Greek Herod was tetrarch. Herod Antipas was a son of King Herod.
Greek tetrarch; also in 3:1c.
Isa 40:3-5 (Greek version).
Isa 40:3-5 (Greek version).
Isa 40:3-5 (Greek version).
Or in.
Or in the Holy Spirit and in fire.
Greek Herod the tetrarch.
Some manuscripts read my Son, and today I have become your Father.
Greek Sala, a variant spelling of Salmon; also in 3:32b. See Ruth 4:22.
Some manuscripts read Amminadab was the son of Aram. Arni and Aram are alternate spellings of Ram. See 1 Chr 2:9-10.
Greek Enos, a variant spelling of Enosh; also in 3:38b. See Gen 5:6.
NLT

Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Full copyright information is provided here. Visit the New Living Translation website.

For more information on this translation, see the NLT Preface.

BLB Searches
Search the Bible
NLT
  [?]

Advanced Options

Other Searches

Multi-Verse Retrieval
x
NLT
Daily Devotionals
x

Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness.

Daily Bible Reading Plans
x

Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.

One-Year Plans

Two-Year Plan

Luke Chapter 3 — Additional Translations:

King James Version New King James Version New International Version English Standard Version Christian Standard Bible New American Standard Bible 2020 New American Standard Bible 1995 Legacy Standard Bible Amplified Bible New English Translation Revised Standard Version American Standard Version Young's Literal Translation Darby Translation Webster's Bible Hebrew Names Version Latin Vulgate Morphological Greek New Testament Textus Receptus Smith Van Dyck Arabic Bible Open New Arabic Version Reina Valera 1909 Reina-Valera 1960 Bible in Basic English Chinese Traditional Union Espanol Moderno Korean Holy Bible Louis Segond German Luther Russian Synodal Translation Sagradas Escrituras