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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