Chapter
Verse

Luke 3:21

ESV Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened,
NIV When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened
NASB Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened,
CSB When all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. As he was praying, heaven opened,
NLT One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened,
KJV Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
NKJV When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.

What does Luke 3:21 mean?

Curiously, Luke does not give details about Jesus' baptism; he simply notes that it happened. The other three gospel writers give more time and detail to the event. Since Mark (Mark 1:9–11) and Matthew (Matthew 3:13–17) produced their accounts before Luke's, it's possible Luke felt their description of Jesus' baptism was enough. The simple phrase "when Jesus also had been baptized" implies the original reader—established early on as a believer (Luke 1:3–4)—had some knowledge of the event already. The only details Luke offers (Luke 3:22) are those that continue to establish the point made by John the Baptist: that Jesus is the Promised One sent by God (Luke 3:16–17).

Luke uses the expression "all the people" in reference to those baptized. This is the same style used by Matthew (Matthew 3:5–6) and Mark (Mark 1:5). This is not a literal claim that every single living person was baptized before Jesus. Rather, it's a reference to John's fame in that region (Mark 11:29–32). In this case, it suggests Jesus' baptism occurred at the height of John the Baptist's popularity.
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