Luke 3:1

Authorized King James Version

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 Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,

Word-by-Word Analysis

Ἐν

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἔτει

G2094

year

a year

δὲ

G1161

Now

but, and, etc

πεντεκαιδεκάτῳ

G4003

the fifteenth

five and tenth

τῆς

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡγεμονίας

G2231

of the reign

government, i.e., (in time) official term

Τιβερίου

G5086

of Tiberius

probably pertaining to the river tiberis or tiber; tiberius, a roman emperor

Καίσαρος

G2541

Caesar

caesar, a title of the roman emperor

ἡγεμονεύοντος

G2230

being governor

to act as ruler

#10

Ποντίου

G4194

Pontius

apparently bridged; pontius, a roman

#11

Πιλάτου

G4091

Pilate

close-pressed, i.e., firm; pilatus, a roman

#12

τῆς

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#13

Ἰουδαίας

G2449

of Judaea

the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine

#14

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#15

τετραρχοῦντος

G5075

being tetrarch

to be a tetrarch

#16

τῆς

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#17

Γαλιλαίας

G1056

of Galilee

galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine

#18

Ἡρῴδου

G2264

Herod

heroic; herod, the name of four jewish kings

#19

Φιλίππου

G5376

Philip

fond of horses; philippus, the name of four israelites

#20

δὲ

G1161

Now

but, and, etc

#21

τοῦ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#22

ἀδελφοῦ

G80

brother

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

#23

αὐτοῦ

G846

his

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

#24

τετραρχοῦντος

G5075

being tetrarch

to be a tetrarch

#25

τῆς

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#26

Ἰτουραίας

G2484

of Ituraea

ituraea (i.e., jetur), a region of palestine

#27

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#28

Τραχωνίτιδος

G5139

of Trachonitis

rough district; trachonitis, a region of syria

#29

χώρας

G5561

of the region

room, i.e., a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants)

#30

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#31

Λυσανίου

G3078

Lysanias

grief-dispelling; lysanias, a governor of abilene

#32

τῆς

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#33

Ἀβιληνῆς

of Abilene

abilene, a region of syria

#34

τετραρχοῦντος

G5075

being tetrarch

to be a tetrarch

Analysis

Within the broader context of Luke, this passage highlights kingdom of God through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by introducing key themes that will be developed throughout Luke.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of kingdom of God, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of eschatology and the doctrine of last things?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about kingdom of God?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address the apparent delay of Christ's return and God's justice, and how should the church respond?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Luke 3:1

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Topics

People

Study Resources