Soldiers Asking of John - Luke 3:14

Luke the physician wrote how multitudes came to John to be “baptized”, and “the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answered and said unto them, He that has two coats, let him impart to him that has none; and he that has meat, let him do likewise. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you”, and in chapter three and verse fourteen of his book Luke shared how, “the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, and what shall we do?” where we read:

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.

The verse reads, “And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do?” Luke began with the words, “and the soldiers” or “and the military active service men” “likewise demanded of him” which means “in the same manner and way inquired, interrogated and asked John”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring, proclaiming and asking”, “what shall we do” which means “what are we military personnel to make ready, prepare and produce”? Luke shared how men who were in the military desired to know how they were to respond to John's words.

The verse goes on to say, “And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.” Luke continued with the words, “and he said unto them” which means “and John uttered, declared and proclaimed to the soldiers”, “do violence to no man” or “do not shake thoroughly, make to tremble or terrify any person”, “neither accuse any falsely” which means “nor and in no way accuse wrongfully, calumniate or attack anyone by malicious devises”; “and be content” or “and possess unfailing strength, defend, ward off and be satisfied” “with your wages” which means “with the soldier's pay, allowance, support or wages”. Luke shared how John gave the soldiers two things to do in response to his preaching: “Do not terrify people” and “be satisfied” with their wages.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we discover the direction John gave to the “military personnel” who were questioning how they should respond to his teaching. Soldiers held positions of power and authority, and they could easily abuse that power with people. They were instructed not to do so, and they were told to “be satisfied” with their wages. God desires for all people to understand any authority they enjoy has been given by Him, and they should never abuse people with it. Also, God supplies the monetary remunerations people have for “protecting” others. Abuse and complaints were to be replaced with “care” and “satisfaction” and when a person chooses to align with God through His Son Jesus, they understand the “source” of the “power” they obtain as well as the “wages” they are given.

Next time Luke shares how, “all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".