Luke 3:1
What does Luke 3:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 3:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 3:1 means
Luke begins by meticulously detailing the political leaders and their territories at the time John the Baptist's ministry commenced. This precise dating, down to the fifteenth year of Emperor Tiberius Caesar's reign and the specific regional rulers like Pontius Pilate and Herod, underscores the historical reliability of Luke's account. This isn't a mythical tale, but a factual report rooted firmly in known historical figures and timelines, providing concrete evidence for the events that follow.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituræa and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituræa and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now in the fifteenth year of the rule of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being ruler of Judaea, and Herod being king of Galilee, his brother Philip king of the country of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias king of Abilene,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And in the fifteenth year of the government of Tiberius Caesar--Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother, tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Iturea and the country of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilina:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Now in the fifteenth year of the government of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Ituraea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
Context
This verse opens Luke's account of John the Baptist's public ministry, grounding it in a specific historical moment. It immediately establishes the scene and prepares the reader for the prophetic word that is about to come to John in the desolate wilderness, setting the stage for the dramatic entrance of God's messenger.
v.1This passage
v.2in the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 23:24
And Pilate gave sentence that what they asked for should be done.
- Acts 23:26
Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix, greeting.
- Mark 6:17
For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her.
- Matthew 14:1
At that season Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus,
- Luke 9:7
Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done: and he was much perplexed, because that it was said by some, that John was risen from the dead;
- Acts 24:27
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
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