Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Luke: Chapter 3].
4:17). Sometimes he was on the eastern bank of the Jordan (Joh
10:40), though usually on the west side. His baptizing kept him
near the river. {The baptism of repentance unto remission of
sins} (\baptisma metanoias eis aphesin hamarti•n\). The same
phrase as in Mr 1:4, which see for discussion of these
important words. The word remission (\aphesis\) "occurs in Luke
more frequently than in all the other New Testament writers
combined" (Vincent). In medical writers it is used for the
relaxing of disease.
3:4 {As it is written} (\h•s gegraptai\). The regular formula for
quotation, perfect passive indicative of \graph•\. {Isaiah the
prophet} (\Esaiou tou proph•tou\). The same phrase in Mr 1:2
(correct text) and Mt 3:3. Mark, as we have seen, adds a
quotation from Mal 3:1 and Luke gives verses 4 and 5 of Isa.
40 not in Matthew or Mark (Lu 3:5,6). See Mt 3:3; Mr 1:3 for
discussion of Luke 4:4.
3:5 {Valley} (\pharagx\). Here only in the N.T., though in the
LXX and ancient Greek. It is a ravine or valley hedged in by
precipices. {Shall be filled} (\pl•r•th•setai\). Future passive
indicative of \pl•ro•\. In 1845 when the Sultan visited Brusa the
inhabitants were called out to clear the roads of rocks and to
fill up the hollows. Oriental monarchs often did this very thing.
A royal courier would go ahead to issue the call. So the Messiah
sends his herald (John) before him to prepare the way for him.
Isaiah described the preparation for the Lord's triumphal march
and John used it with great force. {Hill} (\bounos\). Called a
Cyrenaic word by Herodotus, but later Greek writers use it as
does the LXX. {Brought low} (\tapein•th•setai\). Future passive
indicative of \tapeino•\. Literal meaning here of a verb common
in the metaphorical sense. {Crooked} (\skolia\). Common word,
curved, opposite of \orthos\ or \euthus\, straight.
3:6 {All flesh} (\p•sa sarx\). Used in the N.T. of the human race
alone, though in the LXX brutes are included. {The salvation of
God} (\to sot•rion tou theou\). The saving act of God. This
phrase aptly describes Luke's Gospel which has in mind the
message of Christ for all men. It is the universal Gospel.
3:7 {To the multitude that went out} (\tois exporeuomenois
ochlois\). Plural, {Multitudes}. The present participle also
notes the repetition of the crowds as does \elegen\ (imperfect),
he used to say. Mt 3:7-10 singles out the message of John to
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