Luke 3:1._When Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea _It is probable that this was the second year of Pilate’s government: for since Tiberius had held the reins of government, he had, as Josephus informs us, (xviii. 2:2,) appointed Valerius Gratus to be governor of Judea, in room of Annius Rufus. Thi... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 3:2._Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests _It is certain, that there never were two persons who held the office of _high priest _at the same time. Josephus states, that Valerius Gratus made Caiaphas _high priest, _a short time before he left the government. During the time that Pilate was... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 3:3._Preaching the baptism of repentance _This form of expression shows first, generally, what is the right use of the Sacraments; and next, why _baptism _was instituted, and in what it consists. A sacrament, then, is not a dumb ceremony, exhibiting some unmeaning pomp without doctrine; but the... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 3:6_And all flesh shall see the salvation of God _That salvation will not be at all obscure, or experienced by a small number of persons, but will strike every eye, and will be common to all. Hence it follows that this prediction was far from being accomplished, when the people returned from Ba... [ Continue Reading ]
As to the loud and open rebuke, which was administered to them in presence of all, it was for the sake of others; and that is the reason why Luke mentions, that it was addressed to _multitudes, _(Luke 3:7.) Though the persons whom John reproved were few in number, his design was to strike terror on... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 3:10_And the multitudes asked him. _A true feeling of repentance produces in the mind of the poor sinner an eager desire to know what is the will or command of God. John’s reply explains, in a few words, _the fruits worthy of repentance: _for the world is always desirous to acquit itself of its... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 3:12._And the publicans _(277) _also came. The publicans _are not only exhorted, in general terms, to repent, but the duties peculiar to their calling are demanded: for we know that_, _besides the general rule of the law, each person ought to consider what is required by the nature of the emplo... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 3:19._Now Herod the tetrarch. _Luke alone explains the reason why Herod threw John into prison: though we shall afterwards find it mentioned by Matthew 14:3, and Mark 6:17. Josephus says, (Ant. 18, v. 2,) that Herod, dreading a popular insurrection and a change of the government, shut up John i... [ Continue Reading ]
This was also the reason why he delayed his baptism till _the thirtieth year of his age, _(Luke 3:23.) Baptism was an appendage to the Gospel: and therefore it began at the same time with the preaching of the Gospel. When Christ was preparing to preach the Gospel, he was introduced by Baptism into h... [ Continue Reading ]