Luke 3:2 Meaning and Explanation
“Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →While Annas and Caiaphas hold the high priesthood, the word of God comes not to the temple but to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.
What Does Luke 3:2 Mean?
Luke finishes his roll of rulers with the religious establishment: Annas, deposed by Rome yet still commanding deep loyalty, and Caiaphas his son-in-law, who held the office. Then comes the turn the whole list was built for. The sentence echoes the openings of Jeremiah and Hosea, where the word of the Lord comes to a prophet while kings are named only in passing.
Two men claim the high priesthood, yet the word of God bypasses the temple courts and finds a priest's son out in the desert. God is not bound to impressive addresses. The wilderness, where Israel first learned to walk with God, becomes the place where his voice breaks the long quiet, and a listening heart proves to matter more than a famous one.
Luke 3:2 in the Original Language
rhema (ῥῆμα), 'word' -- a spoken word or message; the phrase echoes how the word of the Lord came to the prophets of old.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 3:2
What does Luke 3:2 mean?
While Annas and Caiaphas hold the high priesthood, the word of God comes not to the temple but to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.