Luke 3:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 3:1-18

The forerunner, and his ministry. Some thirty years have passed since the birth of a son of the old age had filled the house of the good priest Eacharias with the voice of rejoicing. The blameless priest and his blameless wife are dead. The son who, when an unconscious babe, was called "the prophet of the Highest," has lived the life of a recluse, receiving his inspirations wholly from the study of the Law of the Lord, from lonely communings with God and truth in the great temple of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 3:1-20

The ministry of the Baptist. We left Jesus, when last we studied Luke's narrative, in Nazareth, subject to his parents and realizing a gracious development in subjection. We have now to pass over about eighteen years, of which we know only that during them he had become a carpenter, that we may contemplate the preparatory movement under John the Baptist. In these verses we find Luke entering upon the description with the hand of a true artist. He summarizes for us a whole life in fewer... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 3:1-22

THE BAPTISM OF JOHN . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 3:2

Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests . The older authorities read, "in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas." The mention of two high priests arises from the fact of the legitimate high priest, Annas, having been deposed some fifteen years previously by the action of the then Roman procurator, Valerius Gratus In spite of this official deposition, he still apparently continued to be regarded as the legitimate high priest by the great majority of his countrymen. His great position... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 3:1

Now in the fifteenth year - This was the “thirteenth” year of his being sole emperor. He was “two” years joint emperor with Augustus, and Luke reckons from the time when he was admitted to share the empire with Augustus Caesar. See Lardner’s “Credibility,” vol. i.Tiberius Caesar - Tiberius succeeded Augustus in the empire, and began his “sole” reign Aug. 19th, 14 a.d. He was a most infamous character - a scourge to the Roman people. He reigned 23 years, and was succeeded by “Caius Caligula,”... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 3:2

Annas and Caiaphas being highpriests - There was, properly speaking, but one high priest of the Jews; yet the name of high priest continued to be given to those who had been in that office, and especially when they still possessed some civil office after they had left the high priesthood. In this case it appears that “Caiapas” was high priest, and Annas “had been,” but had been dismissed from the office. It is highly probable that he still held an office under the Romans, and was perhaps... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 3:1-2

Luke 3:1-2. Now in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Reckoning from the time when Augustus made him his colleague in the empire: Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea He was made governor in consequence of Archelaus being banished, and his kingdom reduced into a Roman province. See note on Matthew 2:22. And Herod Namely, Herod Antipas; being tetrarch of Galilee The dominions of Herod the Great were, after his death, divided into four parts or tetrarchies: this Herod, his son, reigned... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 3:1-17

15. Preaching of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-17; John 1:19-28)The preaching of John soon attracted opposition from the Jewish religious leaders. They sent representatives to question him and then report back on what he taught and who he claimed to be. John denied that he was promoting himself as some new leader in Israel. He did not consider himself to be either the prophet of Deuteronomy 18:15,Deuteronomy 18:18 or the ‘Elijah’ promised in Malachi 4:5. He was only a... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 3:1

in. Greek. en. App-104 . fifteenth . . . Tiberius. See App-179 , note 2. Augustus died in A.D. 14, Tiberius was associated with him for two or three years. This would make Tiberius's fifteenth year A.D. 26 reign government. Greek hegemonia (not basileia = kingdom). Pontius Pilate . First mention. sixth Procurator of Judaea, A.D. 25. After his deposition, he went to Rome, and (according toEusebius) committed suicide in A.D. 36. goverinor. Cognate word with "reign "above. Herod . . Philip .... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 3:2

Annas. See App-94 . Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests. Caiaphas was the High Priest as successor of Aaron; while Annas was the Nasi, or head of the Sanhedrin (as successor of Moses), and thus associated with Caiaphas in government. This explains John 18:13 , John 18:24 , and Acts 4:6 . the word of God came, &c. See App-82 . Compare Jeremiah 1:2 .Ezekiel 6:1 , &c. John was the last and greatest of the prophets. unto = upon. Greek. epi. App-104 . Not the same word as in Luke... read more

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