Luke 3:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

John offers counsel to three distinct groups of individuals: the general populace, tax collectors, and soldiers. He encourages the ordinary people to practice charity, instructing that anyone with two coats should share with those in need. He advises tax collectors to refrain from collecting beyond what is required, cautioning them against extortion. Likewise, he urges soldiers not to engage in theft but to be satisfied with the wages provided by their sovereign. Observe how John motivates the ordinary individuals—who are not inherently wicked—to pursue goodness by extending kindness to others, while also guiding tax collectors and soldiers to avoid wrongdoing.

Blessed Luke introduced three groups to John: the crowd, the tax collectors, and the soldiers. Just as a skilled physician prescribes the appropriate treatment for different ailments, the Baptist offered valuable guidance tailored to each lifestyle. He advised the people to demonstrate compassion as they pursued repentance, directed the tax collectors to refrain from excessive taxation, and wisely encouraged the soldiers to avoid wrongdoing and to find satisfaction in their pay.

The Holy Baptist responded to everyone based on their individual circumstances, yet his message was consistent for all: he advised tax collectors not to extort beyond what is due, and soldiers not to engage in false accusations or seek to profit through plunder. He taught that soldiers earn their wages through service, and it is unnecessary to resort to theft for sustenance. While these instructions pertain to specific roles, the overarching principle of mercy applies universally. It serves as a general command that is essential for every endeavor, relevant in all eras, and binding for everyone.

They inquired, having been instructed to produce deeds that reflect true repentance.

It is evident that the words spoken by John the Baptist stirred the hearts of those listening, prompting an immediate response: And the people questioned him, saying, ‘What shall we do?’ Those who sought guidance were filled with trepidation.

What then are the fruits befitting repentance? This was the natural inquiry from the Jews to John. What sentiments and what state of heart does the Messiah truly desire? What is it that He seeks from us? The baptized inquired. Are long prayers, strict vows, generous sacrifices, and frequent purifications what He requires? What should we do? (Lk. 3:10). John, as the forerunner to the master of love, responded, “Nothing is asked of you except true love for your neighbor. This is what the Messiah cherishes: if you have two coats, offer one to someone in need; if you possess an extra loaf of bread, give it to the hungry. Remember a brother in distress: share what you can. This is the expectation of the Messiah. The kingdom of the Messiah is the realm of love.”

The Gospel writer Luke notes that many ordinary people were deeply influenced by John's preaching and inquired about what they could do to repent for their past transgressions and evade impending judgment. In reply, the Baptist emphasized acts of compassion and generosity toward the needy, encouraging charitable deeds. He conveyed a similar message to the tax collectors and soldiers who approached him with the same inquiry; however, he also called each group to renounce the specific sins associated with their respective roles.

The Pharisees, confident in their self-perceived righteousness, along with the skeptical Sadducees, departed from John without experiencing repentance or undergoing baptism, instead nurturing resentment towards the powerful preacher. In contrast, John's message resonated profoundly with the crowds: those who approached him were transformed, immersing themselves in the waters of the Jordan as a testament to their change of heart (were baptized), and sought the prophet’s guidance on how to bear the appropriate fruits of their repentance, asking, “What shall we do?”

The significant difference between John's message and that of the rabbis became evident in the responses he provided to those who questioned him. If the rabbis felt endangered by flames, what judgment did they believe awaited the everyday individuals?

The crowd, perplexed by the seriousness of the prophet's message, inquired about how they should act to produce fruit in keeping with repentance and to enter the kingdom of the Messiah. The Evangelist succinctly conveys John's responses, noting that he imparted a multitude of teachings to the people (Luke 3:18); however, he highlights only the essential aspects of those responses. John emphasizes that actions rooted in love and compassion are necessary, as the kingdom he proclaimed is defined by love and mercy.

Perplexed by the forerunner's grave admonitions, the crowd inquired about how they might produce fruits that reflect true repentance and gain entry into the kingdom of the Messiah. John, as the herald of the heavenly Teacher full of love and mercy, replied: Let those who possess two coats share with the needy, and let those who have food do likewise. This emphasizes that only genuine love for one's neighbor is required, something anyone can demonstrate in simple yet profound ways. Such a standard of living appeared to conflict with the responsibilities of tax collectors, who not only failed to help the impoverished but also extracted taxes from them on behalf of the Roman authorities.