And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then must we do?
And the people put questions to him, saying, What have we to do?
And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
The multitudes asked him, "What then must we do?"
And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then must we do?
What shall we do then? - The preaching of the Baptist had been accompanied with an uncommon effusion of that Spirit which convinces of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The people who heard him now earnestly begin to inquire what they must do to be saved? They are conscious that they are exposed to the judgments of the Lord, and they wish to escape from the coming wrath.
What shall we do, then? - John had told them to bring forth fruits appropriate to repentance, or to lead a life which showed that their repentance was genuine. They very properly, therefore, asked how it should be done, or what "would be" such a life.
3:10 He answereth - It is not properly John, but the Holy Ghost, who teaches us in the following answers, how to come ourselves, and how to instruct other penitent sinners to come to Christ, that he may give them rest. The sum of all this is, Cease to do evil, learn to do well. These are the fruits worthy of repentance.