Church Fathers Commentary Luke 3:1-2

"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 the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, in the highpriesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness." — Luke 3:1-2 (ASV)

St. Gregory the Great: The time when the forerunner of the Savior received the word of preaching is marked by the names of the Roman sovereign and the princes of Judea, as it says: Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, etc. Because John came to preach about the One who would redeem some from among the Jews and many from among the Gentiles, the time of his preaching is marked by mentioning both the king of the Gentiles and the rulers of the Jews. But because all nations were to be gathered together into one, one man is described as ruling over the Roman state, as it says, the reign of Tiberius Caesar.

Greek Expositors: For after the emperor Augustus had died, from whom the Roman sovereigns took the name “Augustus,” his successor in the monarchy, Tiberius, was now in the fifteenth year of his reign.

Origen of Alexandria: In the word of prophecy spoken only to the Jews, only the Jewish kingdom is mentioned; for example, The vision of Isaiah... in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. But in the Gospel, which was to be proclaimed to the whole world, the empire of Tiberius Caesar is mentioned, who seemed to be the lord of the whole world. But if only the Gentiles were to be saved, it would have been sufficient to mention only Tiberius. Because the Jews also must believe, the Jewish kingdoms, or Tetrarchies, are therefore also introduced, as it says: Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod tetrarch, etc.

St. Gregory the Great: Because the Jews were to be scattered for their crime of treachery, the Jewish kingdom was divided into parts under several governors. This is according to the saying, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation.

The Venerable Bede: Pilate was sent in the twelfth year of Tiberius to govern the Jewish nation and remained there for ten consecutive years, almost until the death of Tiberius. Herod, Philip, and Lysanias were the sons of the Herod in whose reign our Lord was born. Between them and Herod himself, their brother Archelaus reigned for ten years. He was accused by the Jews before Augustus and died in exile at Vienne. To reduce the Jewish kingdom to greater weakness, Augustus divided it into tetrarchies.

St. Gregory the Great: Because John preached about the One who was to be both King and Priest at the same time, Luke the Evangelist marked the time of that preaching by mentioning not only kings but also priests, as it says: Under the high priests Annas and Caiaphas.

The Venerable Bede: When John began his preaching, both Annas and Caiaphas were high priests; Annas held the office that year, and Caiaphas held it in the year our Lord suffered on the cross. Three others held the office in the intervening time, but the Evangelist mentions these two because of their particular relevance to our Lord’s Passion. For at that time of violence and intrigue, with the commands of the Law no longer in force, the honor of the high priest’s office was not given for merit or high birth; instead, the entire administration of the priesthood was managed by Roman power.

Josephus relates that Valerius Gratus, after forcing Annas out of the priesthood, appointed Ishmael, son of Baphas, as high priest. Not long after, Gratus removed him and put Eleazar, son of the high priest Ananias, in his place. After a year, he also expelled Eleazar and gave the high priesthood to a certain Simon, son of Caiaphas. Holding it for no more than a year, he was succeeded by Joseph, who was also called Caiaphas. Consequently, the entire period during which our Lord is said to have taught is contained within the space of four years.

St. Ambrose of Milan: As the Son of God was about to gather the Church, He began His work in His servant. And so it is well said, The word of the Lord came to John, so that the Church would begin not from man, but from the Word. To declare that John was a prophet, Luke rightly used these words: The word of the Lord came to him. He adds nothing else, for those who are filled with the Word of God do not need their own judgment. By saying this one thing, he has therefore declared everything. Matthew and Mark, however, desired to show he was a prophet by his clothing, his belt, and his food.

St. John Chrysostom: The "word of God" mentioned here was a command, for the son of Zacharias did not come of his own accord, but God moved him.

Theophylact of Ohrid: Throughout the entire time until his public appearance, he was hidden in the wilderness. This was so that no suspicion might arise that he testified these things about Christ because of their family relation or their association from childhood; and for this reason he said, He knew him not.

Gregory of Nyssa: He also entered this life in the spirit and power of Elijah, removed from human society, in uninterrupted contemplation of invisible things. This was so that he would not, by becoming accustomed to the false notions imposed by our senses, fall into mistakes and errors in discerning what is good.

He was raised to such a height of divine grace that more favor was bestowed on him than on the Prophets, for from the beginning to the end, he always presented his heart before God, pure and free from every natural passion.

St. Ambrose of Milan: Again, the wilderness is the Church itself, for the barren has more children than she who has a husband. The word of the Lord came so that the earth, which was previously barren, might bring forth fruit for us.