Specificity of Luke’s description of the mission of John the Baptist. An analysis of Luke 3:3–9,16–17

Abstract

The aim of this article is to highlight Luke’s editorial work in Luke 3:1–20, when he refers to John the Baptist. Undoubtedly, in his Gospel, the activity and teaching of the son of Zechariah are subordinated to Jesus, whom John the Baptist calls “the mightier”, the one who “is coming”. One can surely notice that the Evangelists look at John and his ministry in various ways. While telling the story of John the Baptist and Jesus, Luke selects and “edits” the materials available to him in order to emphasise the significance of Jesus and His mission. He focuses not so much upon the truth that the last of the Old Testament prophets is the predecessor of the Messiah, but rather upon God’s salvation that is drawing near. It could well be that he did this to contribute to a proper relationship between John’s disciples and the community of the early Church.