The crowd's question, "What then shall we do?" isn't just a general inquiry about repentance; it's a direct response to John's severe warning that judgment is imminent. They're not asking how to feel repentant, but how to act in a way that will save them from the coming axe.
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.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
John the Baptist has just fiercely rebuked the crowds, calling them a brood of vipers and warning them that judgment is imminent unless they produce "fruits worthy of repentance." The people, confronted with this harsh but urgent message, naturally ask for practical guidance on how to truly turn from their sins and escape God's coming wrath. This question prompts John to give specific instructions to various groups about living justly and mercifully.
You've heard the message, felt the weight of your sin, and now a crucial question hangs in the air. What comes next?
John the Baptist’s preaching was powerful, cutting through the noise and directly addressing the people's hearts. It wasn't just a sermon; it was a divine invitation that stirred deep conviction. When the crowds heard him call for repentance and warn of coming judgment, they didn't just passively listen. They responded with a question that’s a hallmark of genuine spiritual awakening: 'What then shall we do?'
This isn't a casual inquiry. The original Greek suggests a repeated, earnest seeking. It's the sound of souls realizing they're exposed to God's wrath and desperately wanting to escape. This question signifies the shift from simply hearing about sin to feeling its consequences and actively seeking a path forward. It's the moment when awareness turns into a desire for action, a turning point towards God.
What does 'repentance' actually look like in real life? John gives us practical, life-altering answers.
John the Baptist didn’t leave the people hanging with just a question. His response was immediate and practical, detailing what 'fruits worthy of repentance' looked like for different people.
For the general crowd, it meant sharing. If you had two coats, give one to someone who has none. If you had food, share it generously. This wasn't about abstract theology; it was about tangible acts of mercy and justice. It meant moving from self-interest to selfless generosity, demonstrating that the heart’s change had overflowed into one’s possessions and relationships.
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For the tax collectors (publicans), it meant integrity. Don't demand more than what’s legally owed. Their repentance wasn't about quitting their job, but about doing it honestly, without the usual greed and oppression.
For the soldiers, it meant justice and contentment. No violence, no false accusations, and being satisfied with their wages. Their repentance involved ceasing harmful abuses and exercising authority responsibly.
John’s message was clear: true repentance isn't just feeling sorry; it’s actively doing differently, reflecting God’s character in our specific life circumstances.
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.
telōnai · Greek Noun
A public official, often a Jew, appointed by the Roman government or their agents to collect various taxes; they were frequently despised by their fellow Jews as collaborators with the Roman occupation and often known for extortion and corruption.
baptisthēnai · Greek Verb
The outward sign of repentance and identification with the message of a prophet or the gospel; it signifies a washing away of old ways and a commitment to a new life of righteousness.
didaskale · Greek Noun
A term of respect used for one who instructs; in the Gospels, it is frequently applied to Jesus, acknowledging his authority as a master or teacher of divine truth and law.
The people asking John 'What then shall we do?' shows they were deeply moved by his message and aware of their own spiritual need, seeking concrete actions to demonstrate genuine repentance in a time of significant political and religious expectation.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist begins his public ministry in the wilderness of Judea, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins and calling people to prepare the way for the Lord.
c. 27-30 AD
Herod Antipas Rules Galilee
Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, rules as tetrarch over Galilee and Perea during John the Baptist's ministry. His later actions would lead to John's imprisonment and execution.
c. 27-30 AD
Roman Prefecture of Judea
Judea is under direct Roman rule, with Pontius Pilate serving as prefect. This Roman presence creates a backdrop of political tension and foreign occupation.
c. 27-30 AD
Jewish Sectarianism and Expectation
The Jewish people are divided into various religious and political factions (Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots), with a widespread expectation of a coming Messiah.
This passage echoes the same earnest seeking of direction from the crowd after hearing Peter's sermon, mirroring the people's desperate question to John the Baptist about how to respond to God's call.
Matthew 3:8John's command to 'bear fruit in keeping with repentance' directly precedes the crowds' question in Luke, showing that their 'What then shall we do?' is a direct response to needing practical steps for genuine change.
Acts 16:30Similar to the Philippian jailer's urgent plea, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?', this question reveals a soul gripped by the reality of judgment and seeking a path to escape God's wrath.
Luke 3:12-14These verses show John's specific answers to different groups (publicans and soldiers), illustrating the practical, life-oriented guidance that the people were seeking when they asked their general question.
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…
The crowd's question, "What then shall we do?" isn't just a general inquiry about repentance; it's a direct response to John's severe warning that judgment is imminent. They're not asking how to feel repentant, but how to act in a way that will save them from the coming axe.
John the Baptist has just fiercely rebuked the crowds, calling them a brood of vipers and warning them that judgment is imminent unless they produce "fruits worthy of repentance." The people, confronted with this harsh but urgent message, naturally ask for practical guidance on how to truly turn from their sins and escape God's coming wrath. This question prompts John to give specific instructions to various groups about living justly and mercifully.
John the Baptist has just fiercely rebuked the crowds, calling them a brood of vipers and warning them that judgment is imminent unless they produce "fruits worthy of repentance." The people, confronted with this harsh but urgent message, naturally ask for practical guidance on how to truly turn from their sins and escape God's coming wrath. This question prompts John to give specific instructions to various groups about living justly and mercifully.
"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.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher,…" — The crowd's question, "What then shall we do?" isn't just a general inquiry about repentance; it's a direct response to John's severe warning that judgment is imminent. They're not asking how to *fee…
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Last reviewed October 2026
