ISB ~ Luke 3 v21 - 22

Luke abbreviates Jesus’ Baptism, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit came upon him (4:18). This was to strengthen him for a later “baptism” of suffering (12:50).

• Two OT oracles resonate in the background. (1) Isaiah 11:2 describes the “Spirit of the Lord” resting upon the Davidic Messiah, enabling him to judge the poor with “righteousness” and victoriously “slay the wicked” (Is 11:4). This fits Luke’s portrait of Jesus as a minister to the poor (4:18; 6:20) and a Davidic king (1:32-33). (2) Isaiah 42:1 similarly portrays the “Spirit” descending upon the Servant of the Lord, who will minister to “the nations” (Is 42:6) and give sight to the “blind” (Is 42:7). Luke also depicts Jesus as the Servant who brings God’s saving light to all nations (1:32; 22:37; 24:47) (CCC 536, 1286).