Following John’s witness to Jesus (3:1–20), Luke provides three additional witnesses to Jesus’ messianic identity and mission: (1) the witness of Jesus’ own baptism, at which time the heavenly voice speaks (3:21–22); (2) the witness of his genealogy, which traces Jesus back to Adam, the son of God (3:23–38); and (3) the witness of Jesus’ temptation, in which the character and commitment of Jesus are tested (4:1–13). These components in the Lucan narrative testify to Jesus’ qualifications as Messiah and to his readiness to begin his ministry. The first two witnesses are examined in this section.

3:21–22 Luke’s statement that Jesus was the last to be baptized (v. 21) is strategic. By mentioning John’s imprisonment so early in the narrative, an event which Mark (6:17–18) and Matthew (14:3–4)…