A.T. Robertson Commentary Luke 3

Now in the fifteenth year (εν ετε δε πεντεκαιδεκατω). Tiberius Caesar was ruler in the provinces two years before Augustus Caesar died. Luke makes a six-fold attempt here to indicate the time when John the Baptist began his ministry. John revived the function of the prophet (Εχχε Hομο, p. 2) and it was a momentous event after centuries of prophetic silence. Luke begins with the Roman Emperor, then mentions Pontius Pilate Procurator of Judea, Herod Antipas Tetrarch of Galilee (and Perea), Philip, Tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis, Lysanias, Tetrarch of Abilene (all with the genitive absolute construction) and concludes with the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas (son-in-law and successor of Annas). The ancients did not have our modern system of chronology, the names of rulers as here being the common way. Objection has been made to the mention of Lysanias here because Josephus (Ant. XXVII. I) tells of a Lysanias who was King of Abila up to B.C. 36 as the one referred to by Luke with the wrong date. But an inscription has been found on the site of Abilene with mention of "Lysanias the tetrarch" and at the time to which Luke refers (see my Luke the Historian in the Light of Research, pp. 167f.). So Luke is vindicated again by the rocks.

The Word of God came unto John (εγενετο ρημα θεου επ Ιωανην). The great epoch marked by εγενετο rather than ην. Ρημα θεου is some particular utterance of God (Plummer), common in LXX, here alone in the N.T. Then John is introduced as the son of Zacharias according to Chapter 1. Matthew describes him as the Baptist, Mark as the Baptizer. No other Gospel mentions Zacharias. Mark begins his Gospel here, but Matthew and Luke have two Infancy Chapters before. Luke alone tells of the coming of the word to John. All three Synoptics locate him "in the wilderness" (εν τη ερημω) as here, Mr 1:4; Matthew 3:1 (adding "of Judea").

All the region round about Jordan (πασαν περιχωρον του Ιορδανου). The wilderness was John's abode (1:80) so that he began preaching where he was. It was the plain (Genesis 13:10f.) or valley of the Jordan, El Ghor, as far north as Succoth (2 Chronicles 4:17). Sometimes he was on the eastern bank of the Jordan (John 10:40), though usually on the west side. His baptizing kept him near the river.

The baptism of repentance unto remission of sins (βαπτισμα μετανοιας εις αφεσιν αμαρτιων). The same phrase as in Mr 1:4, which see for discussion of these important words. The word remission (αφεσις) "occurs in Luke more frequently than in all the other New Testament writers combined" (Vincent). In medical writers it is used for the relaxing of disease.

As it is written (ως γεγραπτα). The regular formula for quotation, perfect passive indicative of γραφω.

Isaiah the prophet (Εσαιου του προφητου). The same phrase in Mr 1:2 (correct text) and Mt 3:3. Mark, as we have seen, adds a quotation from Mal 3:1 and Luke gives verses 4 and 5 of Isa. 40 not in Matthew or Mark (Luke 3:5,6). See Mt 3:3; Mr 1:3 for discussion of Luke 4:4.

Valley (φαραγξ). Here only in the N.T., though in the LXX and ancient Greek. It is a ravine or valley hedged in by precipices.

Shall be filled (πληρωθησετα). Future passive indicative of πληροω. In 1845 when the Sultan visited Brusa the inhabitants were called out to clear the roads of rocks and to fill up the hollows. Oriental monarchs often did this very thing. A royal courier would go ahead to issue the call. So the Messiah sends his herald (John) before him to prepare the way for him. Isaiah described the preparation for the Lord's triumphal march and John used it with great force.

Hill (βουνος). Called a Cyrenaic word by Herodotus, but later Greek writers use it as does the LXX.

Brought low (ταπεινωθησετα). Future passive indicative of ταπεινοω. Literal meaning here of a verb common in the metaphorical sense.

Crooked (σκολια). Common word, curved, opposite of ορθος or ευθυς, straight.