August 18, 2013 Today’s Passage: Luke 3:1-14 (Please read if you have not done so)

“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar… (Luke 3:1) Tiberius Claudius Nero was a step-son of Octavian, grand-uncle of Caligula, paternal uncle of Claudius, and great-grand uncle of Nero. He was one of Rome's greatest generals but he came to be remembered as a dark, reclusive, and somber ruler.

“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar - when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea… (Luke 3:1) Pilate was the 5 th Prefect of the Roman province of Judea (AD 26–36). He is best known as the judge at the trial of Jesus who authorized the crucifixion. The sources for Pilate's life are the four gospels, Josephus, Tacitus, and an inscription known as the Pilate Stone.

“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar - when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee...” (Luke 3:1) Herod Antipater (Antipas) was tetrarch ("ruler of a quarter") of Galilee, known for his role in the executions of John the Baptizer and Jesus. He was named tetrarch by Caesar Augustus upon his father’s death. (Herod the Great - 4 BC). He divorced his first wife in favor of Herodias, who was married to his brother Herod Philip I. In 39 AD Antipas was accused by his nephew Agrippa I of conspiracy against the new Roman emperor Caligula, who exiled him to Gaul.

“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar - when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis...” Philip the Tetrarch (Herod Philip II) was son of Herod the Great and his fifth wife, Cleopatra of Jerusalem. He was a half-brother of Herod Antipas and Herod Archelaus. Philip inherited the northeast part of his father's kingdom, which included Iturea and Trachonitis. Philip married his niece Salome, who appears in the Bible in connection with the execution of John. He rebuilt the city of Caesarea Philippi.

“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar - when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene...” (Luke 3:1)

Antipas Lysanias Philip Archelaus

“…during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas…” (Luke 3:2a) Joseph Caiaphas, known simply as Caiaphas was the Jewish high priest who organized the plot to kill Jesus. According to Josephus, Caiaphas was appointed in AD 15 by the Roman prefect who preceded Pontius Pilate, Valerius Gratus. Jonathan ben Ananus (Annas) was the Jewish high prist from 6 to 15 AD. The Roman prefect deposed him and his son-in-law Caiaphas took his place, but Annas continued to have power and influence behind the scenes.

“…the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.” (Luke 3:2b) “The word of the Lord came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah…” (Jeremiah 1:2) “In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai…” (Haggai 1:1a)

“John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.” (Mark 1:6) “…the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.” (Luke 3:2b)

It allowed him to focus on his mission. It made John appear to the people as a prophet, just like Elijah. This mode of living allowed him to be perfectly fearless and independent. It demonstrated sincerity. He did not try to attract people for what they possessed or who they were.

“He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 3:3)

“He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 3:3) “And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.” (Luke 3:18) κηρ ύ σσω (kerysso) – “to preach or herald” π αρακαλ έ ω (parakaleo) – “to admonish or exhort” ε ὐ αγγελ ί ζω (euaggelizo) – “to bring good news”

“He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 3:3) μετ ά νοια (metanoia) - “repentance” ▪ having a new mind. ▪ a change in thinking.

“He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 3:3) ἄ φεσις (aphesis) - “forgiveness” ▪ release from bondage or imprisonment. ▪ pardon.

“As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: ‘A voice of one calling in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.’” (Luke 3:4-6)

A voice of one calling in the wilderness, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.” (Luke 3:4-6) A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together.” (Isaiah 40:3-5)

The Septuagint, from the Latin word septuaginta (seventy), is a translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek. The title and its Roman numeral acronym "LXX" refer to the seventy Jewish scholars that completed the translation in the late 2nd century BC. Why are there discrepancies between Isaiah’s words in the Old Testament and Luke’s quotation of Isaiah in the New Testament? Why are the quotes not identical? Old Testament Hebrew into English. Old Testament quotes in the New Testament Hebrew into Greek into English. (This is why Old Testament quotes used by New Testament authors are sometimes slightly different.

“John said to the crowds coming out…” (Luke 3:7a) The denunciation of their sin convicted them. There was hope with the condemnation because John pointed out a way of escape. The earnestness of the preacher. The preacher spoke truth, and they knew it. John’s courage was sublime. There was a religious awakening and expectation.

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:7-9)

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:7-9)

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:7-9)

“When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. He named him Noah and said, “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed.” After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters.” (Genesis 5:28-30) “And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood.” (Genesis 7:7).

“For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.” (Luke 3:8b) Children - banim Stones - abanim “I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8b)

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:7-9)