Luke 3:12-14

3:12 Tax collectors ¹  also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 3:13 He told them, “Collect no more ²  than you are required to.” ³  3:14 Then some soldiers ⁴  also asked him, “And as for us – what should we do?” ⁵  He told them, “Take money from no one by violence ⁶  or by false accusation, ⁷  and be content with your pay.”

¹ sn The tax collectors would bid to collect taxes for the Roman government and then add a surcharge, which they kept. Since tax collectors worked for Rome, they were viewed as traitors to their own people and were not well liked. Yet even they were moved by John’s call.

² tn In the Greek text μηδὲν πλέον (mhden pleon, “no more”) is in an emphatic position.

³ tn Or “than you are ordered to.”

⁴ tn Grk “And soldiers.”

⁵ tn Grk “And what should we ourselves do?”

⁶ tn Or “Rob no one.” The term διασείσητε (diaseishte) here refers to “shaking someone.” In this context it refers to taking financial advantage of someone through violence, so it refers essentially to robbery. Soldiers are to perform their tasks faithfully. A changed person is to carry out his tasks in life faithfully and without grumbling.

⁷ tn The term translated “accusation” (συκοφαντήσητε, sukofanthshte) refers to a procedure by which someone could bring charges against an individual and be paid a part of the fine imposed by the court. Soldiers could do this to supplement their pay, and would thus be tempted to make false accusations.