THE MESSAGE OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST ON REPENTANCE: MAINLY FROM

ST LUKE’S GOSPEL CHAPTER 3

Verse Message Comment

7 Brood of vipers, who warned you If we follow Satan, we become Satan’s
to flee from the wrath to come? “sons” or children. Satan is the old
serpent.
8 Bear fruits of repentance and do Our Lord cursed the fig tree because he
not begin to say to yourselves, found nothing but leaves (Mark 11:13f).
‘We have Abraham as our father’ Membership of the People of God is not
… For God is able to raise up enough to save us if we do not repent.
children to Abraham from these Contrast perhaps “Look to the rock from
stones. which you were hewn … Look to
Abraham your father, and to Sarah who
bore you.” (Isaiah 51:1f)
9 Even now the axe is laid to the “As the tares are gathered and burned
root of the trees… Every tree that in the fire, so it will be at the end of the
does not bear good fruit is cut age.” (Matthew 13:40).
down and thrown into the fire…
11 He who has two tunics, let him “Is not this the fast that I have chosen:
give to him who has none; and he … to share your bread with the hungry”
who has food, let him do likewise. and to cover the naked? (Isaiah 58:6f)
Application: do I love others
practically?
13 [Tax collectors], collect no more These men were “tax farmers” and
than what is appointed for you. collaborators with the hated Romans.
Application: am I honest?
14 [Soldiers], do not shake anyone These men were Jews, not Roman
down for money, or accuse them soldiers. Perhaps they were Temple
falsely, and be content with your guards.
wages. Applications: am I greedy? Do I judge
others?

WHAT IS REPENTANCE?

Greek μετανοια (metanoia) is literally, a change of mind. It starts from the mind or
heart, but it is also practical, a change of behaviour.

Hebrew “shubh” is a turning back or casting away, a practical change of

direction. For an example, see Ezekiel chapter 18.

“The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the
father bear the guilt of the son... But if a wicked man turns from all his sins … and
does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.” (18:20f)

“Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get
yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.” (18:31)

(With acknowledgements to Charles Scobie, “John the Baptist” SCM 1964)