Luke 3:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Luke dates the beginning of John's ministry by the rulers of the day, emperor, governor, and tetrarchs, anchoring the gospel in verifiable history.
What Does Luke 3:1 Mean?
Luke opens the account of John's public ministry the way ancient historians marked time, by naming the powers in office: Tiberius Caesar on Rome's throne, Pontius Pilate governing Judaea, Herod Antipas over Galilee, with Philip and Lysanias holding the neighboring territories. The fifteenth year of Tiberius sets these events in the late twenties of the first century.
The roll call of power does more than fix a date. Luke names an emperor, a governor, and three tetrarchs, and then passes over every one of them, for the word of God is about to come to none of these. The gospel is not a tale set once upon a time; it broke into the real world of politics and power, and it has outlasted every name on the list.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 3:1
What does Luke 3:1 mean?
Luke dates the beginning of John's ministry by the rulers of the day, emperor, governor, and tetrarchs, anchoring the gospel in verifiable history.