Luke 3:1-4:37

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

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

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 3:1

In this chapter lies the record of the emergence of John the Baptist (Luke 3:1-6), the message he delivered (Luke 3:7-14), his announcement of the Christ (Luke 3:15-17), the conclusion of John's ministry and the baptism of Jesus (Luke 3:18-21), and the genealogy of Jesus as traced through Mary (Luke 3:23-38).Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Iturea and Trachinitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, in... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Luke 3:1

Luke 3:1. Now in the fifteenth year, &c.— Though the evangelist has told us in what year the Baptist made his first public appearance, he has not intimated in what period of his ministry Jesus came to be baptized; (see Luke 3:21.) wherefore, seeing the Baptist's fame had spread itself in every corner, and brought people to him from all quarters, it is probable that he had preached at least several months before our Lord arrived at Bethabara. If so, as it is natural to think that John came... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Luke 3:1

1, 2. Here the curtain of the New Testament is, as it were, drawn up, and the greatest of all epochs of the Church commences. Even our Lord's own age ( :-) is determined by it [BENGEL]. No such elaborate chronological precision is to be found elsewhere in the New Testament, and it comes fitly from him who claims it as the peculiar recommendation of his Gospel, that he had "accurately traced down all things from the first" ( :-). Here, evidently, commences his proper narrative. Also see on :-.... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 3:1-2

Luke made detailed reference to the time when John commenced his ministry to document the reliability of his Gospel. [Note: Compare Thucydides 2:2 for a similarly elaborate chronological synchronism.] Only the reference to Tiberius is necessary to date the beginning of John’s ministry that shortly preceded the commencement of Jesus’ ministry. The other references place these events in a broader historical context.Pontius Pilate was governor (prefect) of Judea from A.D. 26 to late 36 or early... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 3:1-6

1. The beginning of John’s ministry 3:1-6 (cf. Matthew 3:1-6; Mark 1:1-6) read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 3:1-13

III. THE PREPARATION FOR JESUS’ MINISTRY 3:1-4:13Luke next narrated events that paved the way for Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee and Judea. read more

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