The Synoptic Gospels declare John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus. In his preparation, he calls those who hear to a repentant lifestyle. Matthew (Matthew 3: 7 – 10) and Luke (Luke 3: 7 – 9) expand upon John’s message of a repentant lifestyle, when they identify John’s response to the multitude. Unlike Matthew, Luke does not associate John’s audience to Pharisees and Sadducees. He rather states the multitude. Some scholars suggest this generalization occurs to ensure the ability to offer advice to particular groups of people. However, others suggest that Matthew identifies Pharisees and Sadducees, because he views them as the most likely group of unrepentant people. Despite Matthew’s and Luke’s identification of John’s audience, they both use the exact words in describing John’s declaration of the unrepentant. John calls those who want to get baptize to possess repentance. He does not want the unrepentant to get baptized for the sake of avoiding judgement. Instead true repentance bears fruit indicative of life in good deeds. John emphasizes his statement of repentance by indicating that being the chosen people of God does not equate to possessing an unrepentant lifestyle.
The Synoptic Gospels proclaim John’s the Baptist’s message to various audiences. Despite different audiences, the Gospels clearly describe John’s message as one that proclaims Jesus, but also one that exhorts the audiences to repent. John’s message of preparing the way for Jesus also meant the restoration of people to God.
