Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 3

Introduction

1	The preaching and baptism of John;
15	his testimony of Christ;
19	Herod imprisons John;
21	Christ, baptized, receives testimony from heaven.
23	The age and genealogy of Christ from Joseph upwards.

Verse 1

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,

A. M. 4030. A.D. 26
Tiberius Cesar: 2:1
Pontius Pilate: 23:1-4,24, Genesis 49:10, Acts 4:27, 23:26, 24:27, 26:30
Herod: 19, 9:7, 23:6-11
his: Matthew 14:3, Mark 6:17
Ituraea: Ituraea was a province of Syria east of Jordan, now called Djedour, according to Burckhardt, and comprising all the flat country south of Djebel Kessoue as far as Nowa, east of Djebel el Sheikh, or mount Hermon, and west of the Hadj road. Trachonitis, according to Strabo and Ptolemy, comprehended all the uneven country on the east of Auranitis, now Haouran, from near Damascus to Bozra, now called El Ledja and Djebel Haouran. Abilene was a district in the valley of Lebanon, so called from Abila its chief town, eighteen miles N. of Damascus, according to Antoninus.

Verse 2

Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

Annas: John 11:49-51, 18:13,14,24, Acts 4:6
the word: 1:59-63, Jeremiah 1:2, 2:1, Ezekiel 1:3, Hosea 1:1,2, Jonah 1:1, Micah 1:1, Zephaniah 1:1
in: 1:80, Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:1, 11:7, Mark 1:3, John 1:23

Verses 2-18

Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

Annas: John 11:49-51, 18:13,14,24, Acts 4:6
the word: 1:59-63, Jeremiah 1:2, 2:1, Ezekiel 1:3, Hosea 1:1,2, Jonah 1:1, Micah 1:1, Zephaniah 1:1
in: 1:80, Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:1, 11:7, Mark 1:3, John 1:23

Verse 3

And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

the country: Matthew 3:5, Mark 1:4,5, John 1:28, 3:26
preaching: Matthew 3:6,11, Mark 1:4, John 1:31-33, Acts 13:24, 19:4, 22:16
for: 1:77

Verse 4

As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

The voice: Isaiah 40:3-5, Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:3, John 1:23
Prepare: 1:16,17,76-79, Isaiah 57:14, 62:10, Malachi 4:6, John 1:7,26-36, 3:28-36

Verse 5

Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

valley: 1:51-53, Isaiah 2:11-17, 35:6-8, 40:4, 49:11, 61:1-3, Ezekiel 17:24, James 1:9
and the crooked: Isaiah 42:16, 45:2, Hebrews 12:12,13

Verse 6

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

2:10,11,30-32, Psalms 98:2,3, Isaiah 40:5, 49:6, 52:10, Mark 16:15, Romans 10:12, Romans 10:18

Verse 7

Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

O generation: Genesis 3:15, Psalms 58:4,5, Isaiah 59:5, Matthew 3:7-10, 23:33, John 8:44, Acts 13:10, 1 John 3:8
to flee: 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Hebrews 6:18

Verse 8

Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

fruits: Isaiah 1:16-18, Ezekiel 18:27-31, Acts 26:20, 2 Corinthians 7:10,11, Galatians 5:22-24, Philippians 1:11, Hebrews 6:7,8
worthy of: or, meet for. We.; 13:28,29, 16:23-31, Isaiah 48:1,2, Jeremiah 7:4-10, John 8:33, Romans 4:16, 9:7
of these: 19:40, Joshua 4:3-8, Matthew 8:11,12, 21:43, Galatians 3:28,29

Verse 9

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

13:7,9, 23:29-31, Isaiah 10:33,34, Ezekiel 15:2-4, 31:18, Daniel 4:14,23, Matthew 3:10, 7:19, John 15:6, Hebrews 10:28, 12:29

Verse 10

And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

What: 8, Acts 2:37, 9:6, 16:30

Verse 11

He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

He that hath two: 11:41, 18:22, 19:8, Isaiah 58:7-11, Daniel 4:27, Matthew 25:40, Mark 14:5-8, John 13:29, Acts 10:2,4,31, 2 Corinthians 8:3-14, 1 Timothy 6:18, Hebrews 6:10, James 1:27, James 2:15-26, 1 John 3:17, 4:20

Verse 12

Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

7:29, 15:1,2, 18:13, Matthew 21:31,32

Verse 13

And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

Exact: 19:8, Psalms 18:23, Proverbs 28:13, Isaiah 1:16,17, 55:6,7, Ezekiel 18:21,22,27,28, Micah 6:8, Matthew 7:12, 1 Corinthians 6:10, Ephesians 4:28, Titus 2:11,12, Hebrews 12:1

Verse 14

And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

the soldiers: Matthew 8:5, Acts 10:7
Do violence to no man: or, Put no man in fear.; Romans 13:9,10, Philippians 2:15
accuse: 19:8, Exodus 20:16, 23:1, Leviticus 19:11, Titus 2:3, Revelation 12:10
and be: Philippians 4:11, 1 Timothy 6:8-10, Hebrews 13:5,6
wages: or, allowance.

Verse 15

And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;

expectation: or, suspense.; John 10:24
mused: or, reasoned, or debated.; John 1:19-28, 3:28,29

Verse 16

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

I indeed: Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:7,8, John 1:26,33, Acts 1:5, 11:16, 13:24,25, 19:4,5
he shall: Proverbs 1:23, Isaiah 32:15, 44:3,4, Ezekiel 36:25, Joel 2:28,29, John 7:38, Acts 2:33, 10:44, 11:15, 1 Corinthians 12:13
and with: Isaiah 4:4, Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:2,3, Acts 2:3,4,17,18

Verse 17

Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

fan: Jeremiah 15:7, Matthew 3:12
and will: Micah 4:12, Matthew 13:30
but: Psalms 1:4, 21:9,10, Mark 9:43-49

Verse 18

And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.

John 1:15,29,34, 3:29-36, Acts 2:40

Verse 19

But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

Proverbs 9:7,8, 15:12, Matthew 11:2, 14:3,4, Mark 6:17,18

Verse 20

Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

13:31-34, 2 Kings 21:16, 24:4, 2 Chronicles 24:17-22, 36:16, Nehemiah 9:26, Jeremiah 2:30, Matthew 21:35-41, 22:6,7, 23:31-33, 1 Thessalonians 2:15,16, Revelation 16:6

Verse 21

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

that: Matthew 3:13-15, Mark 1:9, John 1:32-34
and praying: 9:28,29, John 12:27,28
the heaven: Matthew 3:16,17, Mark 1:10, John 1:32-34

Verse 21-22

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

that: Matthew 3:13-15, Mark 1:9, John 1:32-34
and praying: 9:28,29, John 12:27,28
the heaven: Matthew 3:16,17, Mark 1:10, John 1:32-34

Verse 22

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

Thou art: 9:34,35, Psalms 2:7, Isaiah 42:1, Matthew 12:18, 17:5, 27:43, Colossians 1:13, 1 Peter 2:4, 2 Peter 1:17,18

Verse 23

And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

thirty: Genesis 41:46, Numbers 4:3,35,39,43,47
being: 4:22, Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3, John 6:42
which: The real father of Joseph was Jacob (Mt 1:16); but having married the daughter of Heli, and being perhaps adopted by him, he was called his son, and as such was entered in the public registers; Mary not being mentioned, because the Hebrews never permitted the name of a woman to enter the genealogical tables, but inserted her husband as the son of him who was, in reality, but his father-in-law. Hence it appears that Matthew, who wrote principally for the Jews, traces the pedigree of Jesus Christ from Abraham, through whom the promises were given to the Jews, to David, and from David, through the line of Solomon, to Jacob the father of Joseph, the reputed or legal father of Christ; and that Luke, who wrote for the Gentiles, extends his genealogy upwards from Heli, the father of Mary, through the line of Nathan, to David, and from David to Abraham, and from Abraham to Adam, who was the immediate "son of God" by creation, and to whom the promise of the Saviour was given in behalf of himself and all his posterity. The two branches of descent from David, by Solomon and Nathan, being thus united in the persons of Mary and Joseph, Jesus the son of Mary re-united in himself all the blood, privileges, and rights, of the whole family of David; in consequence of which he is emphatically called "the Son of David."

Verses 23-38

And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

thirty: Genesis 41:46, Numbers 4:3,35,39,43,47
being: 4:22, Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3, John 6:42
which: The real father of Joseph was Jacob (Mt 1:16); but having married the daughter of Heli, and being perhaps adopted by him, he was called his son, and as such was entered in the public registers; Mary not being mentioned, because the Hebrews never permitted the name of a woman to enter the genealogical tables, but inserted her husband as the son of him who was, in reality, but his father-in-law. Hence it appears that Matthew, who wrote principally for the Jews, traces the pedigree of Jesus Christ from Abraham, through whom the promises were given to the Jews, to David, and from David, through the line of Solomon, to Jacob the father of Joseph, the reputed or legal father of Christ; and that Luke, who wrote for the Gentiles, extends his genealogy upwards from Heli, the father of Mary, through the line of Nathan, to David, and from David to Abraham, and from Abraham to Adam, who was the immediate "son of God" by creation, and to whom the promise of the Saviour was given in behalf of himself and all his posterity. The two branches of descent from David, by Solomon and Nathan, being thus united in the persons of Mary and Joseph, Jesus the son of Mary re-united in himself all the blood, privileges, and rights, of the whole family of David; in consequence of which he is emphatically called "the Son of David."

Verse 31

Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,

of Nathan: 2 Samuel 5:14, 1 Chronicles 3:5, 14:4, Zechariah 12:12

Verse 32

Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson,

was the son of Jesse: Ruth 4:18-22, 1 Samuel 17:58, 20:31, 1 Kings 12:16, 1 Chronicles 2:10-15, Psalms 72:20, Isaiah 11:1,2, Matthew 1:3-6, Acts 13:22,23
which was the son of Obed: Numbers 1:7, 2:3, 7:12, 1 Chronicles 2:11,12
Nahshon, Salma, Boaz

Verse 33

Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda,

Aminadab: Ruth 4:19,20, 1 Chronicles 2:9,10
Aminadab, Ram, Hezron: Matthew 1:3,4
Esrom: Genesis 46:12, Numbers 26:20,21
Hezron
Phares: Genesis 38:29, Ruth 4:12, 1 Chronicles 2:4,5, 9:4
Pharez
of Juda: Genesis 29:35, 49:8
Judah: Matthew 1:2
Judas

Verse 34

Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor,

which was the son of Isaac: Genesis 21:3, 25:26, 1 Chronicles 1:34, Matthew 1:2, Acts 7:8
Thara: Genesis 11:24-32, Joshua 24:2, 1 Chronicles 1:24-28
Terah, Nahor, Reu, Serug, Peleg, Eber, Shelah

Verse 35

Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala,

Saruch: Genesis 11:18-21
Serug, Reu: Phalec.; Genesis 10:25
Peleg: Heber.; Genesis 11:16,17
Eber: Sala.; Genesis 10:24, 11:12-15
Salah

Verse 36

Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,

Cainan: This Cainan is not found in the Hebrew text of any of the genealogies, but only in the Septuagint; from which, probably, the evangelist transcribed the register, as sufficiently exact for his purpose, and as more generally suited to command attention. (See on Ge 11:12.) It may here be remarked, that though some of the same names occur here, from Nathan downwards, as in Joseph's genealogy, yet there appears no sufficient evidence that the same persons were intended, different persons often bearing the same name.
Sem: Genesis 5:32, 7:13, 9:18,26,27, 10:21,22, 11:10-26, 1 Chronicles 1:17
Shem
Noe: 17:27, Genesis 5:29,30, 6:8-10,22, 7:1,23, 8:1, 9:1, Ezekiel 14:14, Hebrews 11:7, 1 Peter 3:20, 2 Peter 2:5
Noah

Verse 37

Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan,

Mathusala: Genesis 5:6-28, 1 Chronicles 1:1-3
Methuselah, Mahalaleel

Verse 38

Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

which was the son of Adam: Genesis 4:25,26, 5:3
of God: Genesis 1:26,27, 2:7, 5:1,2, Isaiah 64:8, Acts 17:26-29, 1 Corinthians 15:45,47

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Luke 3

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