Luke 3:10

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Luke 3:10 in the King James Version captures a pivotal moment in the ministry of John the Baptist. Following his powerful call to repentance and warning about divine judgment, the crowd responds with a direct and urgent question.

Context

This verse is situated within the account of John the Baptist's preaching in the wilderness, immediately after he has challenged his listeners, including Pharisees and Sadducees, to "bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance" (Luke 3:8). John's message was not merely about feeling sorrow for sin, but about demonstrating a changed life through tangible actions. The people's question, "What shall we do then?", shows that they understood his call required a practical response and were seeking specific guidance on how to live out this repentance.

Key Themes

  • Repentance in Action: The verse highlights that true repentance involves more than just acknowledgment of sin; it demands a change in behavior. The people's question confirms this understanding.
  • Seeking Guidance: The crowd's inquiry demonstrates a genuine desire to know God's will and how to align their lives with the message of salvation preached by John.
  • Practical Righteousness: John's subsequent answers (in the verses that follow) provide concrete examples of righteous living relevant to different groups, emphasizing generosity, integrity, and contentment (see Luke 3:11-14).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase translated "What shall we do then?" is ti oun poiēsōmen? (τί οὖν ποιήσωμεν;). The word poiēsōmen is in the aorist subjunctive, which can imply a deliberative or urgent question about what action should be taken. The particle oun ("then" or "therefore") links the question directly back to John's preceding statement about bearing fruit, underscoring that the action they seek is the "fruit" of repentance.

Reflection

The question posed in Luke 3:10 remains relevant today. When confronted with the call to repentance and faith, a natural and necessary response is to ask, "What does this mean for how I live?" This verse encourages believers not just to understand biblical truth intellectually, but to seek practical ways to walk in a manner worthy of their calling and produce fruit that demonstrates a transformed heart. It prompts us to examine our own lives and ask how our faith should translate into concrete actions of love, justice, and righteousness in our daily interactions.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 2:37 (6 votes)

    ¶ Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do?

  • Luke 3:14 (5 votes)

    And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse [any] falsely; and be content with your wages.

  • Acts 16:30 (4 votes)

    And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

  • Luke 3:8 (3 votes)

    Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

  • Acts 9:6 (2 votes)

    And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

  • Luke 3:12 (2 votes)

    Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?