Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 3:1

"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 the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene," — Luke 3:1 (ASV)

The dating provided in this verse was useful to Luke’s first-century readers to place the ministry of John. Since Luke was probably using the normal Roman method of reckoning, the date indicated would be from August, A. D. 28, to August, A. D. 29. “Herod” is Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, who ruled Galilee and Perea 4 B. C.– A. D. 39 (cf. Lk 3:19-20; 13:31; 23:7). Philip, another son of Herod the Great, ruled a group of territories to the northeast of Palestine (4 B. C.- A. D. 33/34). Lysanias is unknown except through inscriptions. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea A. D. 26–36.