Luke 3:14

“And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, etc.] Or “asked him”: why our translators have rendered it, “demanded of him”, I know not, unless they thought that such language best suited persons of a military character. Some think these were Gentile soldiers, since it does not look so likely that the Romans would employ Jews as soldiers in their own country; though it is more probable that they were Jews, in the pay of the Romans, who belonged to Herod, tetrarch of Galilee, or to Philip of Ituraea, whose dominions lay near the place where John was: since it is certain, that there were many of the Jews that betook themselves to a military life; and seeing John instructed them in no part of…”

“soldiers . . . Do violence to none--The word signifies to "shake thoroughly," and so to "intimidate," probably in order to extort money or other property. (Also see on Mat 3:10.) accuse . . . falsely--acting as informers vexatiously, on frivolous or false grounds. content with your wages--"rations." We may take this as a warning against mutiny, which the officers attempted to suppress by largesses and donations [WEBSTER and WILKINSON]. And thus the "fruits" which would evidence their repentance were just resistance to the reigning sins, particularly of the class to which the penitent belonged, and the manifestation of an opposite spirit.”

“The soldiers likewise - It seems that “they,” also came to his baptism. Whether these were Jews or Romans cannot be ascertained. It is not improbable that, as Judea was a Roman province, they were Jews or Jewish proselytes in the service of Herod Antipas or Philip, and so were really in the Roman service. Do violence ... - Do not take the property of any by unlawful force, or do not use unjust force against the person or property of any individual. it is probable that many of them were oppressive, or prone to violence, rapine, or theft, and burdensome even in times of peace to the inhabitants. Neither accuse any falsely - It is probable that when they wished the property of others and could…”

“3:14 These soldiers were probably not Roman, but local Jewish troops under the authority of Herod Antipas. They might have been assigned to protect the tax collectors. John does not condemn either tax collectors or soldiers but calls them to honesty and integrity.”

“the soldiers: Mat 8:5; Act 10:7 Do violence to no man: or, Put no man in fear, Rom 13:9, Rom 13:10; Phi 2:15 accuse: Luk 19:8; Exo 20:16, Exo 23:1; Lev 19:11; Tit 2:3; Rev 12:10 and be: Phi 4:11; Ti1 6:8-10; Heb 13:5, Heb 13:6 wages: or, allowance Luke 3:15”