Luke 3:15

15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.

Luke 3:15 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
English Standard Version (ESV)
15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ,
New Living Translation (NLT)
15 Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah.
The Message Bible (MSG)
15 The interest of the people by now was building. They were all beginning to wonder, "Could this John be the Messiah?"
American Standard Version (ASV)
15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether haply he were the Christ;
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
15 People's hopes were rising as they all wondered whether John was the Messiah.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
15 Now the people were waiting expectantly, and all of them were debating in their minds whether John might be the Messiah.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
15 The people were waiting. They were expecting something. They were all wondering in their hearts if John might be the Christ.

Luke 3:15 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 3:15

And as the people were in expectation, of the coming of the
Messiah;
Daniel's seventy weeks being now accomplished, the sceptre being departed from Judah, and the Romans having the government in their hands, from whom they hoped for a deliverance by Christ; and all men mused in their hearts of John; whether he were the Christ,
or no;
about which they had many reasonings and debates: some doubting of it, others ready to believe it, from his extraordinary birth, the singular holiness of his life, the power and efficacy of his doctrine, the new ordinance he administered, the restoration of religion by him, the freedom he took in reproving the vices of men, and the apt answers he gave to the questions now put to him. And that the Messiah was born, though he was not, as yet, made manifest, they might conclude, not only from the fulfilment of several prophecies, but from the song of Zacharias, the declaration of Simeon and Anna in the temple, and of the wise men that came from the east; and John appearing in such an unusual manner, they were ready to hope that he was the person; though they did not consider that he was of the tribe of Levi, and not of Judah; from which latter the Messiah was to spring; but this might be unattended to by them, and Satan might have an hand in it to hide the true Messiah from them.

Luke 3:15 In-Context

13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.
16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Matthew 3:1
  • 2. John 1:19,20; Acts 13:25
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