Luke 3:3

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

He went into the whole region around the Jordan River proclaiming that those immersed on the basis of their repentance [i.e., determining to change their hearts and lives] would receive the forgiveness of sins [from God].

Cross References

Matthew 3:11

“I certainly am immersing you in water following [your] repentance, but the One who follows me [i.e., in my ministry], whose sandals I do not deserve to remove [as His slave], will immerse you people with the Holy Spirit and with fire [i.e., the punishment in hell. See verses 10 and 12].

Luke 1:16

And he will influence many Israelites to turn to the Lord their God.

Luke 1:77

And [you will] provide the knowledge of salvation to His people, by [granting them] the forgiveness of their sins

Luke 4:1

Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River [i.e., where He had been immersed. See 3:21] and was led by the Holy Spirit [See Matt. 4:1] into the desert.

John 1:28

These things happened in Bethany on the east side of the Jordan River where John was immersing people. [Note: This was a different Bethany from the one just outside of Jerusalem].

John 3:26

These disciples went to John and said to him, “Rabbi, look, that man who was with you on the east side of the Jordan River [i.e., Jesus], whom you testified about, is immersing people and everyone is going to him.” [Note: Actually, it was Jesus’ disciples who did the immersing. See 4:2].

Acts 13:24

His coming occurred after John [the Immerser] had preached to Israel that those who repented should be immersed [as evidence that they had done so].

Acts 19:4

Paul [then] said, “John immersed people who [demonstrated their] repentance, telling them they must believe in Jesus, the One who would come after him.”

Acts 22:16

So now, what are you waiting for? Get up and be immersed [into Christ], and have your sins washed away as you appeal to His name [i.e., to Christ's authority].’