CHAPTER III. _The time in which John the Baptist began to preach_, 1-3. _The prophecies which were fulfilled in him_, 4-6. _The matter and success of his preaching_, 7-9; _among the people_, 10, 11; _among the_ publicans, 12, 13; _among the_ soldiers, 14. _His testimony concerning Christ_, 15... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 3:2. _ANNAS AND CAIAPHAS BEING THE HIGH PRIESTS_] Caiaphas was the son-in-law of Annas or Ananias, and it is supposed that they exercised the high priest's office by turns. It is likely that Annas only was considered as high priest; and that Caiaphas was what the Hebrews termed כהן משנה _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 3:3. _THE BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE_] See Clarke on Matthew 3:4, and Mark 1:1, Mark 1:1, c., and Mark 16 at the end.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 3:4. _PREPARE YE THE WAY_] It was customary for the Hindoo kings, when on journeys, to send a certain class of the people two or three days before them, to command the inhabitants to clear the ways. A very necessary precaution where there are no public roads. - WARD.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 3:5. _EVERY VALLEY SHALL BE FILLED_] All hinderances shall be taken out of the way: a quotation from the Greek version of Isaiah 40:4, containing an allusion to the preparations made in rough countries to facilitate the march of mighty kings and conquerors. See the instance produced on Ma... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 7. - 9. On this account of the Baptist's _mode_ of _preaching_, see Clarke's notes on Matthew 3:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 3:10. _WHAT SHALL WE DO THEN?_] The preaching of the Baptist had been accompanied with an uncommon effusion of that Spirit which convinces of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The people who heard him now earnestly begin to inquire _what they must do to_ _be saved_? They are conscious tha... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 3:11. _HE THAT HATH TWO COATS_, c.] 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 m... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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 t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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 _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 3:16. On these verses see Matthew 3:11, and Mark 1:7, and particularly _Clarke's note on "_John 3:5_"_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 3:19. _HEROD THE TETRARCH_] See this subject explained at large, Matthew 14:1, c., and Luke 6:21 Luke 6:23.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 3:21. _JESUS - BEING BAPTIZED_] See on Luke 3:16; Luke 3:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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: 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 b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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_. Som... [ Continue Reading ]