Luke 3:19-14 10And the crowds asked him saying, “What then should we do?” 11And answering he said to them, “Let the one who has two tunics share with the one who has none, and let the one who has food do likewise.” 12And tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are instructed to do.” 14And soldiers also asked him saying, “And what should we also do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort or blackmail anyone and be satisfied with your wages.”
People from different walks of life went out to the desert to hear John and be baptized by him. They are described in three different groups. The first group is inclusive of the crowds. They realized their helpless situation, as shown in the question of verse 10. Who could possibly escape God’s wrath? What could they do? They came to John to hear the solution. John answers each group actions they can do. For the general crowds, they could show their sincerity in repentance by taking care of those who lack clothing and food. Basically, they needed to not be selfish but show love and concern for the less fortunate. The new kingdom the Messiah was about to bring would be characterized by compassion. Repentance is not simply a change of mind but must be shown by action.
The next group was the tax collectors, who were notorious for taxing more than they were required and keeping it for themselves. A good example of this is Zacchaeus in chapter 19. John’s simple answer to them was to only collect what they had to. They needed to be honest and sincere. Integrity would also be an important quality of those who wished to be part of the coming messianic kingdom. Taxes have their purpose if they are equitable and the funds used properly. Disciples must remember that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven, but we also must obey those in authority over us as citizenship of earthly kingdoms. Whatever job we have, we must do it by the rules of both God’s kingdom and the earthly “kingdoms” of which we are a part.
The third group was the soldiers who did not want to be left out. Luke does not specific whether these were Romans soldiers or some of the various Jewish soldiers who would have helped keep the piece in the area or come from the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. Historically, the pay of soldiers, guards, and police has usually been low and even inadequate. The temptation is strong to extort people or require bribes as part of the job. John knew the rumors and practices of soldiers and so tells the soldiers to be content with what they get paid. He wanted them to satisfied with their place in life, which might require faith and trust in God’s provision and careful stewardship when the income was not much. Jesus’ kingdom would require people to seek God’s kingdom first and trust God to provide for daily bread and daily needs. Those who serve in various positions of authority must not take bribes to do their job. God is watching their honesty and integrity.
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