IT WAS THE FIFTEENTH YEAR OF THE RULE OF EMPEROR TIBERIUS. Tiberius was the step-son of Emperor Augustus (Luke 2:1), and followed him as Emperor. Luke gives great detail to pinpoint the date of this. It would be 26 A.D. by our calendar.... [ Continue Reading ]
ANNAS AND CAIAPHAS WERE HIGH PRIESTS. The Jews accepted only one high priest, who held that position for life. But Pilate, the Roman governor, had set aside Annas, and appointed Caiaphas, son-in-law of Annas, as high priest in his place. Both were called high priests at the same time. THE WORD OF GO... [ Continue Reading ]
SO JOHN WENT THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE TERRITORY. See notes on Matthew 3:1-12.... [ Continue Reading ]
YOU SNAKES! John said this to the Pharisees (Matthew 3:7).... [ Continue Reading ]
10-11. WHAT ARE WE TO DO, THEN? The baptized must be taught; and those who baptized them are required to teach them (Matthew 28:19-20). John's answer gives his moral code - which is more concerned with external conduct, while Jesus puts more stress on the inner motives that create the outward conduc... [ Continue Reading ]
12-13. SOME TAX COLLECTORS. Jews who collected taxes for the Roman Occupation Government.... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME SOLDIERS ALSO ASKED HIM. These were probably Jews or Gentiles converted to Judaism who were part of the Roman army.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT JOHN SPOKE AGAINST GOVERNOR HEROD. See notes on Matthew 14:1-12.... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS ALSO WAS BAPTIZED. See notes on Matthew 3:13-17. Luke alone points out that Jesus was praying when heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit came down like a dove. Luke shows Jesus praying at each crisis in his life.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN JESUS BEGAN HIS WORK. Luke gives the Genealogy of Jesus, and this is compared with Matthew's Genealogy in notes on Matthew 1:1-17. Luke evidently gives the family record of Mary, since _Heli_ was _her_ father, Joseph's father was Jacob. This was "standard practice" to state it as Luke does, and... [ Continue Reading ]