Advent Season · Year C
Second Sunday of Advent
December 5, 2027
Overview & Insights
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Nicodemus is introduced as a particular example of the “believers” mentioned in 2:23–25. As a “ member of the Jewish ruling council ” and “ Israel’s teacher ” (vv. 1, 10), he is perhaps not wholly typical of the group, though later indications are that leaders of the people were indeed conspicuous among these so-called believers (12:42). It is probably out of fear that Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night. Speaking perhaps for the larger group, he makes a confession that puts the narrator’s summary (2:23) into his own words: Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him (v. 2).
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Commentary
Commentary on Luke 3:1-6 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary's Year C commentary on John's ministry rooted in datable political history.
Luke 3:1-6 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed commentary reading the leveling of mountains and valleys as a picture of repentance.
Luke 3 Commentary: The Preaching of John the Baptist Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse by verse study of John's wilderness preaching.
Luke 3 Commentary Precept Austin
Verse by verse study library with word notes on John's call to prepare the way.
Luke 3:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators compiled verse by verse on Luke's historical dating of John's ministry.
The Second Sunday of Advent, Year C Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre
Dr. Brant Pitre walks through all four Advent 2 readings, including John's new-exodus preaching.
Luke 3 - Barnes' Notes StudyLight
Full verse by verse header notes on John's preaching from Albert Barnes.
The Second Sunday of Advent (Cycle C) Agape Bible Study
Catholic study of all four Advent 2 readings verse by verse, centered on John's call to repentance.
Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle C Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic Sunday Connection with background and family discussion questions for the day's readings.
Background & Word Study
Luke 3:1 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text of the passage word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers.
Gospel of Luke Summary BibleProject
Animated overview of Luke's structure and its themes of fulfillment and journey.
Luke Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the authorship, setting, and themes of Luke's Gospel.
The Church Fathers
Study Hub
Questions preachers ask
Why is this read on Holy Cross Day?
Jesus tells Nicodemus that “as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up” (John 3:14). The bronze serpent of Numbers 21 becomes a sign of the cross: all who look in faith to the crucified and risen Christ are healed and given eternal life. The reading holds John 3:16, the gospel in miniature.
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