Luke 3:14
And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
John's answer to the soldiers who asked what they should do commands them to stop harming people, to stop making false accusations, and to stop complaining about their pay and seeking more, but to practice justice, honesty, restraint and contentment.
The question belongs to John's ministry as the forerunner raised up to prepare the way by calling Israel to repentance and conversion, when soldiers in Roman service with princes and rabbis, publicans and peasants were alarmed and cut to the heart by God's warning, and many repented and were baptized to share in the kingdom he announced.
Repentance must be practical and seen in honest and just conduct, so these concrete duties are fruits worthy of repentance and evidence of fitness for Christ's kingdom, without which life is like chaff given to the fire, yet they do not require leaving one's occupation but being faithful to God in it and reforming its unjust practices by God's statutes.
The life required of all subjects of Christ's kingdom shows kindness, honesty and fidelity with justice, mercy and the love of God by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in ministering to the needy, shielding the defenseless and giving an example of virtue and compassion, and John's message is to be studied by present workers so that putting wrong practices away becomes part of the reformation of heart, mind and soul.
Setting and Hearers
Luke 3:14 belongs to the ministry of John as the forerunner raised up from among the faithful in Israel to prepare the ways, as part of his call to repentance and conversion in Luke 3:2-18. Those who came to hear John included soldiers serving Roman power, together with princes and rabbis, publicans and peasants. They listened with the other hearers.
The solemn warning from God alarmed the soldiers for a time. They went away cut to the heart with a sense of their sins. So with the others in Luke 3:10-14 they asked what they should do. Many were brought to repentance and received baptism, and persons of all ranks submitted to the Baptist's requirement in order to participate in the kingdom he announced.
Repentance in Daily Conduct
John's answer to the soldiers commands them to do violence to no one, to accuse none falsely, and to be content with their wages. That means to stop abusing and harming people, to stop making false accusations, and to stop discontentedly seeking more pay or complaining about pay. The commands express justice, honesty, restraint, contentment, and practical godliness.
Repentance must be practical and be seen in honest and just conduct in daily life. These concrete duties are fruits worthy of repentance and evidence of faith, virtuous character, goodness and fidelity. By them soldiers become fit subjects of Christ's kingdom. Without such a life they are like chaff given to the fire.
The verse does not tell soldiers or others to abandon their ordinary duties or leave their occupation. Repentance is to be shown by faithfulness to God where they were called to serve and by reforming its unjust practices. Though their service under Roman power could provoke insubordination and defiance, John appealed to God's statutes rather than to Roman laws.
The life required of all who become subjects of Christ's kingdom will show kindness, honesty, and fidelity with justice, mercy, and the love of God through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. It will minister to the needy, bring offerings to God, shield the defenseless, and give an example of virtue and compassion. The message John gave to the people of his day is to be studied to advantage by present workers, bearing fruit rather than disappointing Christ's expectation. Putting wrong practices away is part of the reformation of heart, mind, and soul needed by those who profess faith in Christ. The question of what to do in Luke 3:10-14 makes repentance practical through concrete duties and applies to the cause of moral purity, especially to parents to guard children from influences that encourage unchastity, teach them early, correct dangerous behavior, and instruct them about the consequences of impurity.