LUKE 3:15–18
THE MESSIAH ANNOUNCED AND THE COMING JUDGMENT
Text – Luke 3:15–18
15 Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah.
16 John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
17 “His winnowing fan is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”
18 Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.
The people of Judea lived with intense longing for a deliverer because of Roman oppression and centuries of prophetic silence. John’s powerful preaching and ascetic lifestyle led many to wonder whether he might be the expected Messiah. In Jewish servanthood, loosening sandal straps was the lowest task—John uses this to show the immeasurable superiority of the One who is coming. Agricultural imagery such as the winnowing fan, threshing floor, wheat, and chaff was familiar. After threshing, farmers tossed the grain into the wind: the heavier wheat fell back to the ground, while the lighter chaff blew away and was burned. John applies this image to the Messiah’s role in bringing purification and judgment.
John’s baptism was a preparation for Christ, but only Jesus brings the baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire, fulfilled in the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation (CCC 1286). Fire symbolizes purification and the divine presence that transforms believers (CCC 696). The separation of wheat and chaff reveals Christ’s authority as the final judge of humanity (CCC 679). Still, this message is “good news” because the Messiah comes not only to judge but to save and gather His people into God’s kingdom.
Is 11:1–3 – The Spirit rests upon the Messiah
Mal 3:2–3 – The Lord comes as purifier
Mt 3:11–12 – Parallel account of Spirit and fire
Acts 2:1–4 – Pentecost fulfills the baptism of fire
Jn 1:26–27 – John declares Christ’s superiority
Messiah – the awaited anointed one of God
Baptism with the Holy Spirit – Divine life and power given by Christ
Fire – Symbol of purification, judgment, and presence
Winnowing Fan – Symbol of separation and discernment
Threshing Floor – Image of God’s judgment and gathering of the faithful
This passage is proclaimed during Advent, highlighting John’s mission to prepare hearts for Christ. The Church invites believers to repentance, purification, and readiness for the Lord’s coming. The promise of the Holy Spirit links this text also to the sacraments of initiation and to Pentecost, reminding the Church of her ongoing mission through the Spirit.
John denies being the Messiah and directs all expectation toward Jesus, who brings the Spirit and the fire of purification. Christ gathers the faithful like wheat and exposes the emptiness of sin like chaff. His coming demands personal readiness, repentance, and a renewed commitment to holiness.
Do I welcome the Holy Spirit’s purifying fire in my life? What chaff—sin, unhealthy habits, or attitudes—needs to be burned away so I can live as wheat for Christ? How can I prepare more faithfully for His coming?
Lord Jesus, mighty Savior, baptize me with the Holy Spirit and fire. Purify my heart, gather me into Your kingdom, and burn away all sin within me. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I may live in holiness and joy. Amen.