Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

Luke 3:1-2

General historic setting of the beginnings. For Mt.'s vague “in those days” (Luke 3:1), which leaves us entirely in the dark at what date and age Jesus entered on His prophetic career, Lk. gives a group of dates connecting his theme with the general history of the world and of Palestine; the universalistic spirit here, as in Luke 2:1-2, apparent. This spirit constitutes the permanent ethical interest of what may seem otherwise dry details: for ordinary readers of the Gospel little more than a collection of names, personal and geographical. Worthy of note also, as against those who think Lk. was to a large extent a free inventor, is the indication here given of the historical spirit, the desire to know the real facts (Luke 1:3). The historic data, six in all, define the date of John's ministry with reference to the reigning Roman emperor, and the civil and ecclesiastical rulers of Palestine.

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

Luke 3:1-2

Old Testament

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