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- Luke Chapter 3
Good morning! ☀️
I hope you’re ready for Luke Chapter 3. There is SO MUCH to uncover. ❤️
Let’s GO!
Right out of the gate… we have names and time periods and positions. Let’s break them all down.
Tiberius Caesar was the Roman Emperor who succeeded Augustus. The fifteenth year of Tiberius' reign would be around AD 28-29.
The emperor served as the supreme political and military leader, with control over the Roman legions, the administration of justice, and the appointment of officials.
The Roman Empire was an autocracy, with the emperor holding near-absolute power. In contrast, modern democracies, like the United States, typically operate under constitutional frameworks with checks and balances, separation of powers, and elected representatives.
Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of the province of Judea.
We’re all familiar with his name, but what else can we learn about him?
In ancient Rome, a Roman governor was a political and administrative official appointed to oversee a province of the Roman Republic or, later, the Roman Empire.
Governors had judicial authority in their provinces. They could preside over trials and make legal decisions. However, there were limits, and more significant cases might be referred to higher authorities in Rome.
In many cases, governors also served as military commanders in their provinces. They were responsible for maintaining order, defending the province against external threats, and leading Roman legions stationed in the region.
One crucial aspect of a governor's role was overseeing the collection of taxes. The revenue generated from the provinces played a significant role in sustaining the Roman state.
"Tetrarch" refers to a ruler of a quarter of a region or province. The Gospel of Luke refers to Herod Antipas, who ruled over Galilee; Philip, the brother of Herod Antipas, who ruled over Ituraea and Trachonitis; and Lysanias, who ruled over Abilene. These were regional rulers under the authority of the Roman Empire.
High Priests
Annas and Caiaphas were both high priests. Annas was the former high priest, and Caiaphas was his son-in-law who held the position at this time.
Annas, also known as Ananus, served as the high priest from AD 6 to 15 and was removed by the Roman authorities. Annas continued to exert influence and was involved in the events leading up to Jesus' trial which is the reason he’s most likely mentioned.
Caiaphas was the High Priest during the time of Jesus' trial and crucifixion.
The main job of the high priest was to serve as the chief religious authority among the Jews and to perform various religious duties, including offering sacrifices on behalf of the people and entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement.
John 11:49-52
This passage takes place earlier in the Gospel of John, and it involves a council meeting where Caiaphas, the high priest, proposes that it is better for one man (Jesus) to die for the people than for the whole nation to perish. John interprets this as a prophecy that Jesus would die not only for the nation but also to gather into one the scattered children of God.
Let’s take a second and remember what we’re reading.
This is history.
Recorded by a historian
and doctor.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Luke meticulously provides Theophilus with a historical and political backdrop, shedding light on the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus. This connection anchors their stories in the reality of the events and individuals of that era.
I
Love
This!
“As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,” references Isaiah 40:3-5
When John the Baptist says "brood of vipers" in the Gospels, he's using a metaphor to send a powerful message about their spiritual condition.
He also uses “brood of vipers” in Matthew… same chapter and verse.
"But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, 'You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?'"
What can we apply to our own lives from John the Baptist?
When John questions the crowd about who warned them to flee from the "wrath to come," he was telling them that there’s a divine judgment approaching, and they need to be prepared for it.
When He says, "Bear fruits in keeping with repentance." He’s urging them not just to go through the ritual of baptism but to demonstrate a true change of heart and behavior.
John the Baptist warns against thinking, "We have Abraham as our father," stressing that just being related to Abraham doesn't automatically make you spiritually secure or favored by God. Instead, John highlights the need for people to repent and live righteously personally.
When John talks about an axe at the tree's root, he means judgment is coming. He warns that if people don't repent and change course, they'll be removed and face God's judgment, symbolized by being thrown into the fire.
Separating the wheat from the chaff
I didn’t grow up on a farm, so when we came to Guatemala, I had no idea what our neighbor was doing one windy morning when he lifted a bucket filled with dried corn above his head and shook the corn to the ground.
He did it over and over again.
It’s called bucket winnowing, but it’s the same idea as using a winnowing fork. The wind then carries away the lighter chaff, leaving the heavier grain to fall back to the ground or into a container.
This metaphor suggests a process of judgment and separation, where the righteous (wheat) and the unrighteous (chaff) are distinguished.
Experiencing the baptism of the Holy Spirit starts by acknowledging and turning away from sin and then placing trust in Jesus Christ for salvation.
That 👆🏽 is huge
It took me years to grasp the concept that the Holy Spirit is God and that by believing, we are filled with His presence, gaining access to Him.
To guide us.
To comfort us.
To direct our steps.
As I research, study, and prepare for this Bible study, I pray that the Author will be with me. To open my eyes and to understand. To convey to you His truth.
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
God the Father, Jesus His Son, and the Holy Spirit… together. But is this the only reference of them being together in the Bible?
Read Genesis 1:26 and let me know if you see it.
Why is Luke’s genealogy important?
Luke explicitly notes that Jesus was "as supposed" the son of Joseph. This indicates that Joseph was not Jesus' biological father. The genealogy shows that Jesus was of Davidic descent and could, therefore, be the Messiah.
"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land."
The prophecy in Jeremiah is estimated to be about 600 to 650 years before Jesus.
"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit."
The prophecy in Isaiah is roughly 700 to 750 years before Jesus.
Jesus fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies. Some of the prophecies include:
Virgin Birth: Prophecy - Isaiah 7:14; Fulfillment - Matthew 1:22-23.
Born in Bethlehem: Prophecy - Micah 5:2; Fulfillment - Matthew 2:1-6.
Descendant of David: Prophecy - Jeremiah 23:5; Fulfillment - Matthew 1:1.
Flight to Egypt: Prophecy - Hosea 11:1; Fulfillment - Matthew 2:13-15.
Suffering and Crucifixion: Numerous prophecies in the Psalms and Isaiah, including Isaiah 53; Fulfillment - Matthew 27.
And that’s a wrap!
I LOVE the way Luke writes. I love how thorough he is. I would love to know who Theopholis was and if I’ll see him in heaven. I believe so.
Look for Chapter 4 on Friday. Have an amazing week.
I love you,
George
Seeking after Christ
"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Hebrews 11:6