The Source of John's Baptism - Luke 20:4

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus, “taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, and could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him, and it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, And spoke unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority do you these things? or who is he that gave you this authority? And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me”, and in chapter twenty and verse four of his book Luke shared how Jesus asked a question about, “the baptism of John” where we read:

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

The verse reads, “The baptism of John, ...” Luke began with the words, “the baptism” or “the immersion and submission which was a purification rite by which men on confessing their sins were bound to spiritual reformation and obtained the pardon of their past sins and became qualified for the benefits of the Messiah's kingdom soon to be set up” “of John” which means “belonging to John the Baptist whose name means Jehovah is a gracious giver and was the son of Zachariah and Elizabeth and the forerunner of Christ”. Luke shared how Jesus referred to “John” who “Baptized” people who repented of their sins.

The verse continues, “... was it from heaven, or of men?” Luke added the words, “was it from heaven” or “was the baptism of John from the region above the sidereal heavens and the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”, “or of men” which means “or pertaining to human beings”? Luke shared how Jesus asked the “religious leaders” from where the “baptism of John” originated - “from heaven or people”.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus questioned the “religious leaders” concerning the “baptism of John”. He knew His question would certainly put the “leaders” in a quandary because they never accepted “John the Baptist's” ministry as valid. We will see how they answered Jesus in our next verse, but for now let us keep in mind that Jesus the “all-knowing” God was questioning them, and though His desire is to have a personal relationship with every person, He knew there were many who refused to receive Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”. Those who are wise will begin to understand who God is and yield their lives to the One who knows all things the way they truly exist.

Next time we see Luke share how the religious leaders, “reasoned with themselves”, 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".