Luke 3:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

The crowds asked Yochanan, "So then, what should we do?"

Berean Standard Bible:

The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”

American Standard Version:

And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then must we do?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} the people^{G3793} asked^{G1905} him^{G846}, saying^{G3004}, What^{G5101} shall we do^{G4160} then^{G3767}?

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Luke 3:10

Luke 3:10 is set within the narrative of John the Baptist's ministry, which takes place in the historical context of Second Temple Judaism around the 1st century CE. John is a prophet who emerges in the wilderness, calling the people of Israel to repentance and preparing the way for the coming of Jesus Christ, as foretold by the prophets of the Hebrew Bible.

In this verse, the people are responding to John's fiery preaching about the need for repentance and his warnings against complacency, especially the presumption of religious privilege based on their ancestry as children of Abraham. The question "What shall we do then?" reflects a sense of urgency and a desire for concrete action in light of the coming judgment that John speaks about. The people are seeking practical steps to live out their repentance and to align their lives with the demands of God's kingdom.

The themes present in this verse include the call to moral reform, the need for genuine faith expressed through action, and the anticipation of God's imminent judgment and salvation. John's subsequent responses in the following verses provide ethical instructions tailored to different groups—tax collectors, soldiers, and the general crowd—demonstrating that true repentance involves social justice, honesty, and contentment, rather than merely ritual observance. This reflects the broader biblical theme that God requires both personal righteousness and social equity as evidence of a transformed heart.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3793
   There are 170 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὄχλος
   Transliteration: óchlos
   Pronunciation: okh'los
   Description: from a derivative of ἔχω (meaning a vehicle); a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot:--company, multitude, number (of people), people, press.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1905
   There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπερωτάω
   Transliteration: eperōtáō
   Pronunciation: ep-er-o-tah'-o
   Description: from ἐπί and ἐρωτάω; to ask for, i.e. inquire, seek:--ask (after, questions), demand, desire, question.
   
4. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
6. Strong's Number: G5101
   There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίς
   Transliteration: tís
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4160
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ποιέω
   Transliteration: poiéō
   Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
   Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3767
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὖν
   Transliteration: oûn
   Pronunciation: oon
   Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.