Luke 3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 3:11

He that hath two coats, etc. - He first teaches the great mass of the people their duty to each other. They were uncharitable and oppressive, and he taught them not to expect any mercy from the hand of God, while they acted towards others in opposition to its dictates. If men be unkind and uncharitable towards each other, how can they expect the mercy of the Lord to be extended towards themselves? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 3:12

Then came also publicans - He next instructs the tax-gatherers in the proper discharge of their duty: though it was an office detested by the Jews at large, yet the Baptist does not condemn it. It is only the abuse of it that he speaks against. If taxes be necessary for the support of a state, there must be collectors of them; and the collector, if he properly discharge his duty, is not only a useful, but also a respectable officer. But it seems the Jewish tax-gatherers exacted much more... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 3:14

The soldiers likewise demanded of him - He, thirdly, instructs those among the military. They were either Roman soldiers, or the soldiers of Herod or Philip. Use no violence to any, μηδενα διασεισητε , do not extort money or goods by force or violence from any. This is the import of the words neminein concutite , used here by the Vulgate, and points out a crime of which the Roman soldiers were notoriously guilty, their own writers being witnesses. Concussio has the above meaning in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 3:15

Whether he were the Christ - So general was the reformation which was produced by the Baptist's preaching that the people were ready to consider him as the promised Messiah. Thus John came in the spirit and power of Elijah, and reformed all things; showed the people, the tax-gatherers, and the soldiers, their respective duties, and persuaded them to put away the evil of their doings. See the note on Matthew 17:11 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 3:16-17

On these verses see Matthew 3:11 , Matthew 3:12 , and Mark 1:7 , Mark 1:8 , and particularly the note on John 3:5 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 3:19

Herod the tetrarch - See this subject explained at large, Matthew 14:1 ; (note), etc., and Mark 6:21 , Mark 6:23 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 3:21

Jesus - being baptized - See on Matthew 3:16 , Matthew 3:17 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 3:23

Thirty years of age - This was the age required by the law, to which the priests must arrive before they could be installed in their office: see Numbers 4:3 . Being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph - This same phrase is used by Herodotus to signify one who was only reputed to be the son of a particular person: τουτου παις νομιζεται he was Supposed to be this man's son. Much learned labor has been used to reconcile this genealogy with that in St. Matthew, Matthew 1:1-17, and there... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 3:36

Of Cainan - This Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, and father of Sala, is not found in any other Scripture genealogy. See Genesis 10:24 ; Genesis 11:12 ; 1 Chronicles 1:18 , 1 Chronicles 1:24 , where Arphaxad is made the father of Sala, and no mention at all made of Cainan. Some suppose that Cainan was a surname of Sala, and that the names should be read together thus, The son of Heber, the son of Salacainan, the son of Arphaxad, etc. If this does not untie the knot, it certainly cuts it;... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 3:1

Verse 1 Luke 3:1.When Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea It is probable that this was the second year of Pilate’s government: for since Tiberius had held the reins of government, he had, as Josephus informs us, (xviii. 2:2,) appointed Valerius Gratus to be governor of Judea, in room of Annius Rufus. This change might take place in his second year. The same Josephus writes, that Valerius was governor of Judea for “eleven years, when Pontius Pilate came as his successor,” (Ant. 18:2:2.) Pilate,... read more

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