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 Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
Original Language Analysis
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Τιβερίου
of Tiberius
G5086
Τιβερίου
of Tiberius
Strong's:
G5086
Word #:
7 of 34
probably pertaining to the river tiberis or tiber; tiberius, a roman emperor
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰουδαίας
of Judaea
G2449
Ἰουδαίας
of Judaea
Strong's:
G2449
Word #:
13 of 34
the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Γαλιλαίας
of Galilee
G1056
Γαλιλαίας
of Galilee
Strong's:
G1056
Word #:
17 of 34
galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine
Φιλίππου
Philip
G5376
Φιλίππου
Philip
Strong's:
G5376
Word #:
19 of 34
fond of horses; philippus, the name of four israelites
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφοῦ
brother
G80
ἀδελφοῦ
brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
22 of 34
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
23 of 34
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
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
27 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Τραχωνίτιδος
of Trachonitis
G5139
Τραχωνίτιδος
of Trachonitis
Strong's:
G5139
Word #:
28 of 34
rough district; trachonitis, a region of syria
χώρας
of the region
G5561
χώρας
of the region
Strong's:
G5561
Word #:
29 of 34
room, i.e., a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
30 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Λυσανίου
Lysanias
G3078
Λυσανίου
Lysanias
Strong's:
G3078
Word #:
31 of 34
grief-dispelling; lysanias, a governor of abilene
Cross References
Matthew 27:2And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.Luke 2:1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.Acts 23:26Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.Acts 24:27But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.Acts 26:30And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:Acts 4:27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,Mark 6:17For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.Matthew 14:3For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.Matthew 14:1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,Genesis 49:10The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
Historical Context
Tiberius's fifteenth year corresponds to approximately AD 28-29. Luke's mention of six political rulers demonstrates the political complexity of first-century Judea—Roman occupation, Herodian client kings, and local governance. This detail allows historical verification and shows God working through complicated political situations.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is the historical precision of Scripture important for Christian faith?
- How does God work His purposes through complicated political situations?
- What does anchoring biblical events in history teach about faith's nature?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Luke's detailed chronology—'in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea'—grounds John's ministry in verifiable history. The listing of multiple rulers (Tiberius, Pilate, Herod, Philip, Lysanias) demonstrates historical precision, allowing readers to date events. This emphasizes that Christian faith rests on historical facts occurring in real time and place, not mythological timelessness. Luke's careful dating continues his pattern (2:1-2) of anchoring redemptive events in human history. The multiplicity of political authorities highlights the fragmentation and oppression Israel experienced, setting context for Messiah's coming. God's redemptive work unfolds within, not apart from, human history.