Luke 3:10-11
And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This question, "What then shall we do?" is more than just a simple inquiry; it's the raw, authentic cry of a soul awakened to its need for change. It signifies the turning point where hearing about God’s coming judgment ignites a genuine, desperate desire not for more information, but for practical direction towards salvation and a life that truly reflects repentance.
John the Baptist has just delivered a fiery sermon, calling the crowds "offspring of vipers" and warning them that the axe is laid at the root of the trees, meaning judgment is imminent. He urges them to produce "fruits worthy of repentance" rather than relying on their heritage as Abraham's descendants. In response to this intense message, the people are genuinely moved and ask, "What then shall we do?" to escape God's coming wrath and prove their repentance is real.
You've heard the message, felt the conviction, and now there's a stirring in your soul. What next?
John the Baptist had just delivered a powerful message to the crowds. He warned them about the coming judgment and called them to a repentance that produced real change, not just empty words. He even called some of them 'offspring of vipers' to shake them out of their complacency!
In the face of such a stark message, the people didn't just turn away. They asked, 'What then shall we do?' This question is a profound sign of genuine conviction. It’s the sound of someone realizing they can't keep going as they are, and they desperately need guidance. This isn't just about avoiding punishment; it's about seeking a new way of life.
This question echoes through history. Think of the crowds on the day of Pentecost, hearing Peter's message and crying out, 'Brothers, what shall we do?' (Acts 2:37). It's the same urgent plea for direction when the reality of sin and the need for God truly hit home.
John didn't just tell them to feel bad; he told them to do good. What does that practically look like?
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John's response to the people's question, 'What shall we do?', wasn't a complex theological treatise. Instead, he gave them practical, life-altering instructions that demonstrated real repentance.
For the general crowd, he said, 'He who has two coats must share with one who has none, and he who has food must do likewise.' This wasn't about giving away everything, but about sharing abundance out of compassion. For the tax collectors, he commanded, 'Collect no more than you are authorized to do.' And for the soldiers, he instructed, 'Do not extort money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.'
These commands show that true repentance isn't just an internal feeling; it’s an outward transformation that affects how we treat others, how we handle our finances, and how we conduct ourselves in our jobs. It's about ceasing to do evil and learning to do good, by living justly and mercifully in every area of life.
Understand the original words
chitōn · Greek Noun
A basic garment worn next to the skin; in biblical contexts, it represents essential clothing and personal property, often used to illustrate the basic requirements for life and the call to Christian charity.
The crowds' question, 'What then shall we do?', arises from John the Baptist's urgent call to repentance in a time of great expectation and Roman occupation. It reflects a genuine desire for guidance on how to live justly and righteously in preparation for God's coming judgment.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
John the Baptist Preaches
John the Baptist begins his ministry in the Judean wilderness, calling people to repentance and baptizing them in the Jordan River. His powerful preaching challenges the religious and social status quo.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus Begins His Ministry
Shortly after John the Baptist's ministry begins, Jesus is baptized by John and then begins his own public ministry, calling disciples and teaching throughout Galilee.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Ministry, Crucifixion, and Resurrection
Jesus' ministry continues, marked by miracles, teachings, and opposition from religious leaders. His crucifixion and resurrection form the central event of early Christianity.
c. 30 AD
Pilate Governs Judea
Pontius Pilate serves as the Roman prefect of Judea during this period. His administration is often marked by tension with the Jewish populace, culminating in the trial of Jesus.
This passage shows a very similar, profound reaction to preaching where people, convicted of sin, ask Peter, 'Brothers, what shall we do?' highlighting the universal human response to confronting one's sin and seeking God's way forward.
Matthew 3:8John the Baptist's immediate call for 'fruits worthy of repentance' directly follows his warning of judgment, showing that the people's question in Luke 3:10 is a natural outgrowth of understanding the seriousness of his message.
Luke 19:8The response of Zacchaeus, a tax collector, 'Look, the half of my goods I will give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold,' provides a concrete example of the kind of 'fruits' John expected, directly answering the 'What shall we do?' question with specific actions.
James 2:14-17This passage emphasizes that true faith must be accompanied by actions, mirroring John the Baptist's insistence on 'fruits worthy of repentance' rather than mere words, showing that genuine belief always leads to demonstrable change.
barnesLuke 3:10: "And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?"
What shall we do, then? - John had told them to bring forth fruits appropriate to repentance, or to lead a life which showed that their repentance was genuine. They very properly, therefore, asked how it should be done, or what "would be" such a life.
calvinLuke 3:7-14: "Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?"
- And when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, Offspring of vipers, who warned you that ye might flee from the wrath to come? 8. Yield then fruits worthy of repentance. 9. And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our fathers: for I say to you, that God is able to raise, f…
This question, "What then shall we do?" is more than just a simple inquiry; it's the raw, authentic cry of a soul awakened to its need for change. It signifies the turning point where hearing about God’s coming judgment ignites a genuine, desperate desire not for more information, but for practical direction towards salvation and a life that truly reflects repentance.
John the Baptist has just delivered a fiery sermon, calling the crowds "offspring of vipers" and warning them that the axe is laid at the root of the trees, meaning judgment is imminent. He urges them to produce "fruits worthy of repentance" rather than relying on their heritage as Abraham's descendants. In response to this intense message, the people are genuinely moved and ask, "What then shall we do?" to escape God's coming wrath and prove their repentance is real.
John the Baptist has just delivered a fiery sermon, calling the crowds "offspring of vipers" and warning them that the axe is laid at the root of the trees, meaning judgment is imminent. He urges them to produce "fruits worthy of repentance" rather than relying on their heritage as Abraham's descendants. In response to this intense message, the people are genuinely moved and ask, "What then shall we do?" to escape God's coming wrath and prove their repentance is real.
"And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”" — This question, "What then shall we do?" is more than just a simple inquiry; it's the raw, authentic cry of a soul awakened to its need for change. It signifies the turning point where hearing about G…
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