Luke 3:12
New International Version
Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

New Living Translation
Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”

English Standard Version
Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”

Berean Standard Bible
Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

Berean Literal Bible
And tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?"

King James Bible
Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

New King James Version
Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”

New American Standard Bible
Now even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what are we to do?”

NASB 1995
And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”

NASB 1977
And some tax-gatherers also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?”

Amplified Bible
Even some tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked, “Teacher, what are we to do?”

Christian Standard Bible
Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?”

American Standard Version
And there came also publicans to be baptized, and they said unto him, Teacher, what must we do?

Contemporary English Version
When tax collectors came to be baptized, they asked John, "Teacher, what should we do?"

English Revised Version
And there came also publicans to be baptized, and they said unto him, Master, what must we do?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Some tax collectors came to be baptized. They asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?"

Good News Translation
Some tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what are we to do?"

International Standard Version
Even some tax collectors came to be baptized. They asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?"

Majority Standard Bible
Even tax collectors came to be baptized. ?Teacher,? they asked, ?what should we do??

NET Bible
Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what should we do?"

New Heart English Bible
Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what must we do?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said to him, Master, what shall we do?

Weymouth New Testament
There came also a party of tax-gatherers to be baptized, and they asked him, "Rabbi, what are we to do?"

World English Bible
Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And there also came tax collectors to be immersed, and they said to him, “Teacher, what will we do?”

Berean Literal Bible
And tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?"

Young's Literal Translation
And there came also tax-gatherers to be baptised, and they said unto him, 'Teacher, what shall we do?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And publicans came to be immersed, and said to him, Teacher, what shall we do?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the publicans also came to be baptized, and said to him: Master, what shall we do?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now the tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?”

New American Bible
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?”

New Revised Standard Version
Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And there came also publicans to be baptized, and they said to him, Teacher, what shall we do?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And Tax Collectors came also to be baptized, and they were saying to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And the publicans also came to be immersed, and they said to him: Teacher, what shall we do?

Godbey New Testament
And the publicans came also to be baptized, and said to him; Teacher, what shall we do!

Haweis New Testament
Then came also the farmers of the taxes to be baptised, and they said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

Mace New Testament
the Publicans likewise came to be baptized, and said to him, master, how are we to act?

Weymouth New Testament
There came also a party of tax-gatherers to be baptized, and they asked him, "Rabbi, what are we to do?"

Worrell New Testament
And there came also tax-collectors to be immersed, and they said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?"

Worsley New Testament
And there came publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Mission of John the Baptist
11John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13“Collect no more than you are authorized,” he answered.…

Cross References
Matthew 21:31-32
Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. / For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Matthew 5:46-47
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? / And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?

Mark 2:15-17
While Jesus was dining at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Him and His disciples—for there were many who followed Him. / When the scribes who were Pharisees saw Jesus eating with these people, they asked His disciples, “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?” / On hearing this, Jesus told them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Luke 5:29-32
Then Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus at his house. A large crowd of tax collectors was there, along with others who were eating with them. / But the Pharisees and their scribes complained to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” / Jesus answered, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ...

Luke 7:29-30
All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John. / But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.

Matthew 9:10-13
Later, as Jesus was dining at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. / When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” / On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ...

Luke 19:1-10
Then Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. / And there was a man named Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, who was very wealthy. / He was trying to see who Jesus was, but could not see over the crowd because he was small in stature. ...

Acts 10:34-35
Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, / but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.

Romans 13:6-7
This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. / Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

1 Timothy 1:15-16
This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. / But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

Matthew 11:19
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.”

Luke 15:1-2
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around to listen to Jesus. / So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Matthew 3:5-6
People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan. / Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

Ezekiel 18:30-32
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!

Isaiah 1:16-17
Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! / Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said to him, Master, what shall we do?

Luke 7:29
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

Luke 15:1,2
Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him…

Luke 18:13
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Jump to Previous
Baptised Baptized Coats Collectors Food Master Others Publicans Share Tax Tax-Farmers Tax-Gatherers Teacher
Jump to Next
Baptised Baptized Coats Collectors Food Master Others Publicans Share Tax Tax-Farmers Tax-Gatherers Teacher
Luke 3
1. The preaching and baptism of John;
15. his testimony of Jesus;
19. Herod imprisons John;
21. Jesus, baptized, receives testimony from heaven.
23. The age and genealogy of Jesus from Joseph upwards.














Even tax collectors
The phrase "even tax collectors" highlights the surprising nature of the event. Tax collectors, or "telōnai" in Greek, were often despised in Jewish society due to their association with the Roman occupiers and their reputation for corruption and extortion. Their presence at John's baptism signifies the far-reaching impact of his message of repentance. This inclusion underscores the radical nature of the Gospel, which calls all people, regardless of their social standing or past sins, to repentance and transformation.

came to be baptized
The act of coming to be baptized indicates a willingness to repent and seek a new way of life. Baptism, or "baptisma" in Greek, was a ritual of purification and a public declaration of repentance. For tax collectors to submit to this rite suggests a profound acknowledgment of their need for spiritual renewal. This act of humility and obedience is a powerful testament to the transformative power of John's message and foreshadows the inclusive nature of Jesus' ministry.

'Teacher,' they asked
Addressing John as "Teacher" or "Didaskale" in Greek, the tax collectors show respect and recognition of his authority. This title reflects their acknowledgment of John's role as a spiritual guide and their openness to his instruction. In a broader sense, it illustrates the readiness of even the most marginalized and morally questionable individuals to seek guidance and truth when confronted with genuine spiritual authority.

'what should we do?'
This question, "what should we do?" or "Ti poiēsōmen?" in Greek, reveals a sincere desire for practical guidance on how to live a life that aligns with their newfound repentance. It is a question of ethical and moral transformation, indicating that true repentance involves not just a change of heart but also a change in behavior. This inquiry sets the stage for John's ethical teachings and emphasizes the active nature of repentance, which requires concrete actions and a commitment to justice and righteousness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Tax Collectors
In the context of first-century Judea, tax collectors were often despised by the Jewish people because they worked for the Roman authorities and were known for extorting money. Their presence in this passage highlights the inclusive nature of John the Baptist's call to repentance.

2. John the Baptist
A central figure in this passage, John was a prophet who preached repentance and baptized people in the Jordan River. His message was one of preparation for the coming Messiah.

3. Baptism
This was a significant act of repentance and purification. In the Jewish context, it symbolized a turning away from sin and a commitment to a new way of life.

4. The Jordan River
A significant location for Jewish history and symbolism, the Jordan River was where John conducted his baptisms. It represents a place of transition and new beginnings.

5. Repentance
A key theme in John's ministry, repentance involves a sincere turning away from sin and a commitment to righteous living.
Teaching Points
Inclusivity of the Gospel
The fact that tax collectors came to be baptized shows that the call to repentance is open to all, regardless of social status or past sins.

Genuine Repentance
True repentance involves a change of heart and behavior. It is not merely about feeling sorry but about taking actionable steps towards righteousness.

Seeking Guidance
The tax collectors' question, "What should we do?" reflects a desire for practical guidance in living out their repentance. This is a model for believers to seek wisdom and direction in their spiritual journey.

Transformation through Christ
While John's baptism was a call to repentance, it pointed forward to the transformative power of Jesus Christ, who offers forgiveness and new life.(12) Then came also publicans.--The other Gospels do not mention the presence of this class in their narratives of the Baptist's work, but it is implied in Matthew 21:32.

Verse 12. - Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? This is the first time this class of men, who on several occasions come before us in the gospel story, is mentioned. The English rendering is most unhappy, for to many of our people it either suggests nothing, or else supplies a wrong chain of reasoning. The τελῶναι, the Latin publicani (whence our rendering), were men who collected the Roman taxes or imposts. These imperial taxes, the most painful and everpresent reminder to the Jew of his subject and dependent position, were in the first instance leased out to jobbers and speculators of the equestrian order; these were properly the publicani. Beneath them and in their employ were a numerous staff who performed for these farmers of the imperial revenue the various disagreeable duties connected with the collection of the taxes. Then, as now in the East, bribery, corruption, oppression, and unfair dealing, were too common among all ranks of officials First, then, the duty itself, the being concerned in the collection of a tribute - for that is what these taxes really were - for Gentile Rome, and, secondly, the various iniquities connected with the gathering of this tribute, made the tax or tribute collectors of all ranks odious among the Jews dwelling in Palestine. Many of the posts, especially the subordinate ones, in this department of tribute and taxes, were held by Jews, in all ages singularly gifted in matters which have to do with finance. The Jew, however in the days of John the Baptist, who could stoop to such an employment, lucrative though it might be, was looked upon by his stricter fellow-countrymen with feelings of intense scorn. Yet even these men are not bidden by this inspired prophet of the Highest to change their way of life, but only its manner. "Would you," he says to these men who belonged to the hated calling, "indeed wash and be clean in the eyes of the All-Seeing? then in that profession of yours, remember, be scrupulous, be honest."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Even
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

tax collectors
τελῶναι (telōnai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5057: A publican, collector of taxes. From telos and oneomai; a tax-farmer, i.e. Collector of public revenue.

came
Ἦλθον (Ēlthon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

to be baptized.
βαπτισθῆναι (baptisthēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 907: Lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize.

“Teacher,”
Διδάσκαλε (Didaskale)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1320: A teacher, master. From didasko; an instructor.

they asked,
εἶπαν (eipan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“what
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

should we do?”
ποιήσωμεν (poiēsōmen)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.


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NT Gospels: Luke 3:12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized (Luke Lu Lk)
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