John Locked in Prison

John Prepares the Way · Luke 3

Story guide: John directs expectation away from himself toward the stronger one to come, continues announcing good news, and accepts imprisonment after rebuking Herod’s evil.

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15As the people were waiting expectantly, and all were reasoning in their hearts about John, whether perhaps he might be the Messiah,

16John answered them all, saying, “I indeed baptize you with water, but one stronger than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.”

17His winnowing fork is in his hand to thoroughly clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his storehouse, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.

18So with many other exhortations as well, he was proclaiming the good news to the people.

19But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother’s wife, and concerning all the evil things Herod had done,

20He added this also to them all: he locked John up in prison.

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