Luke Chapter 3 verse 14 Holy Bible
And soldiers also asked him, saying, And we, what must we do? And he said unto them, Extort from no man by violence, neither accuse `any one' wrongfully; and be content with your wages.
read chapter 3 in ASV
And men of the army put questions to him, saying, And what have we to do? And he said to them, Do no violent acts to any man, and do not take anything without right, and let your payment be enough for you.
read chapter 3 in BBE
And persons engaged in military service also asked him saying, And we, what should we do? And he said to them, Oppress no one, nor accuse falsely, and be satisfied with your pay.
read chapter 3 in DARBY
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.
read chapter 3 in KJV
read chapter 3 in WBT
Soldiers also asked him, saying, "What about us? What must we do?" He said to them, "Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages."
read chapter 3 in WEB
And questioning him also were those warring, saying, `And we, what shall we do?' and he said unto them, `Do violence to no one, nor accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.'
read chapter 3 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 14. - And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? Commentators generally discuss here who these soldiers were. The question is of little moment whether they were legionaries of Rome, or mercenaries in the pay of one of the tetrarchs or neighboring princes. The lesson is clear. As above to the publicans, so here to the soldiers, John says, "Remain in that profession of arms; you may. if you will, serve God in it, for it is never the work which ennobles, but the way in which the work is done."
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(14) And the soldiers likewise . . .--The Greek word has not the definite article, and is a participle. Better, and soldiers, as they were marching. The words probably point to the troops of Antipas on their way down the valley of the Jordan to attack Aretas (comp. Notes on 2Corinthians 11:32), the father of the Tetrarch's divorced wife, who had declared war on account of the wrong thus done to his daughter. Roman soldiers were not likely to have come to the Baptist's preaching.Do violence to no man.--The Greek word was the exact equivalent of the Latin concutere (whence our "concussion"), and was applied to the violence which was used by irregular troops to extort money or provisions.Neither accuse any falsely.--The word occurs again in the confession of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:8). It is supposed to have been primarily used of those who informed against the export of figs from Attica at a time when that trade was prohibited. They were known, it is said, as "sycophants," though no actual instance of this use of the word is extant. The word came, in course of time, to be applied to informers generally, and then, in its modern sense, to those who court the favour of princes by informing against others--the delatores, who at this time were so conspicuous in the imperial court, on which that of the Tetrarch's had been modelled.Be content with your wages.--Better, pay. The word meant primarily the "rations" of a soldier, and then the money received in lieu of rations. As used in the New Testament, the idea of pay for soldier's work as distinct from the wages of a labourer, is almost always connected with it. (Comp. Romans 6:23; 1Corinthians 9:7.) . . .
