Bible Commentaries
Luke 3

Introduction

Overview

Luke 3:1, The preaching and baptism of John; Luke 3:15, his testimony of Christ; Luke 3:19, Herod imprisons John; Luke 3:21, Christ, baptized, receives testimony from heaven; Luke 3:23, The age and genealogy of Christ from Joseph upwards.

Verse 1

am 4030, ad 26

Tiberius Caesar: Luke 2:1

Pontius Pilate: Luke 23:1-4, Luke 23:24, Genesis 49:10, Acts 4:27, Acts 23:26, Acts 24:27, Acts 26:30

Herod: Luke 3:19, Luke 9:7, Luke 23:6-11

his: Matthew 14:3, Mark 6:17

Ituraea: Ituraea was a province of Syria east of Jordan, now called Djedour, according to Burckhardt, and comprising all the flat country south of Djebel Kessoue as far as Nowa, east of Djebel el Sheikh, or mount Hermon, and west of the Hadj road. Trachonitis, according to Strabo and Ptolemy, comprehended all the uneven country on the east of Auranitis, now Haouran, from near Damascus to Bozra, now called El Ledja and Djebel Haouran. Abilene was a district in the valley of Lebanon, so called from Abila its chief town, eighteen miles n of Damascus, according to Antoninus.

Reciprocal: Matthew 3:1 - those Matthew 14:1 - Tetrarch Mark 6:14 - king Herod Mark 11:30 - General Luke 2:2 - governor Luke 20:24 - Caesar's Luke 23:7 - Herod's Acts 1:22 - Beginning Acts 11:28 - Claudius Acts 13:1 - Herod Acts 18:25 - knowing Acts 19:3 - Unto John's Acts 23:24 - the governor

Verse 2

Annas: John 11:49-51, John 18:13, John 18:14, John 18:24, Acts 4:6

the word: Luke 1:59-63, Jeremiah 1:2, Jeremiah 2:1, Ezekiel 1:3, Hosea 1:1, Hosea 1:2, Jonah 1:1, Micah 1:1, Zephaniah 1:1

in: Luke 1:80, Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:1, Matthew 11:7, Mark 1:3, John 1:23

Reciprocal: Matthew 21:25 - baptism Matthew 24:26 - he is in the desert Mark 1:4 - did Mark 9:12 - restoreth Luke 7:24 - wilderness John 1:6 - a man Acts 8:26 - desert Acts 13:24 - General

Verse 3

the country: Matthew 3:5, Mark 1:4, Mark 1:5, John 1:28, John 3:26

preaching: Matthew 3:6, Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:4, John 1:31-33, Acts 13:24, Acts 19:4, Acts 22:16

for: Luke 1:77

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 2:9 - Ram Isaiah 56:1 - for Malachi 3:1 - and he Matthew 3:3 - by Matthew 11:7 - What Matthew 17:11 - and restore Matthew 24:26 - he is in the desert

Verse 4

The voice: Isaiah 40:3-5, Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:3, John 1:23

Prepare: Luke 1:16, Luke 1:17, Luke 1:76-79, Isaiah 57:14, Isaiah 62:10, Malachi 4:6, John 1:7, John 1:26-36, John 3:28-36

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 19:2 - to Isaiah Psalms 27:11 - a plain path Song of Solomon 2:8 - the mountains Isaiah 43:19 - I will even Isaiah 49:11 - General Jeremiah 31:9 - in a Zechariah 14:10 - the land Luke 10:1 - whither Luke 14:17 - his John 1:31 - therefore Acts 8:28 - Esaias Acts 18:25 - instructed

Verse 5

valley: Luke 1:51-53, Isaiah 2:11-17, Isaiah 35:6-8, Isaiah 40:4, Isaiah 49:11, Isaiah 61:1-3, Ezekiel 17:24, James 1:9

and the crooked: Isaiah 42:16, Isaiah 45:2, Hebrews 12:12, Hebrews 12:13

Reciprocal: Isaiah 43:19 - I will even Isaiah 57:14 - Cast Zechariah 4:7 - O great

Verse 6

Luke 2:10, Luke 2:11, Luke 2:30-32, Psalms 98:2, Psalms 98:3, Isaiah 40:5, Isaiah 49:6, Isaiah 52:10, Mark 16:15, Romans 10:12, Romans 10:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:12 - for all Psalms 27:1 - salvation Psalms 40:10 - salvation Psalms 67:2 - saving Psalms 91:16 - show Isaiah 57:14 - Cast Jeremiah 32:27 - God Joel 2:28 - upon Luke 1:77 - give John 3:36 - see Acts 2:17 - all Acts 28:28 - the salvation Philippians 1:28 - and that Titus 2:11 - hath appeared Revelation 7:10 - Salvation

Verse 7

O generation: Genesis 3:15, Psalms 58:4, Psalms 58:5, Isaiah 59:5, Matthew 3:7-10, Matthew 23:33, John 8:44, Acts 13:10, 1 John 3:8

to flee: 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Hebrews 6:18

Reciprocal: Isaiah 57:3 - sons Jeremiah 36:3 - hear Jeremiah 48:6 - Flee Ezekiel 16:3 - Thy birth Ezekiel 20:3 - Are Matthew 3:5 - General Matthew 12:34 - generation Luke 1:17 - turn John 3:23 - and they

Verse 8

fruits: Isaiah 1:16-18, Ezekiel 18:27-31, Acts 26:20, 2 Corinthians 7:10, 2 Corinthians 7:11, Galatians 5:22-24, Philippians 1:11, Hebrews 6:7, Hebrews 6:8

worthy of: or, meet for

We: Luke 13:28, Luke 13:29, Luke 16:23-31, Isaiah 48:1, Isaiah 48:2, Jeremiah 7:4-10, John 8:33, Romans 4:16, Romans 9:7

of these: Luke 19:40, Joshua 4:3-8, Matthew 8:11, Matthew 8:12, Matthew 21:43, Galatians 3:28, Galatians 3:29

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 5:11 - Restore Job 34:32 - if Ezekiel 33:24 - but we Zechariah 8:16 - are Malachi 2:10 - all Matthew 3:8 - forth Matthew 3:9 - think Matthew 21:32 - came Luke 3:10 - What Luke 7:39 - he spake Luke 13:16 - being Luke 16:24 - Father Luke 19:8 - Behold Ephesians 4:28 - steal no more

Verse 9

Luke 13:7, Luke 13:9, Luke 23:29-31, Isaiah 10:33, Isaiah 10:34, Ezekiel 15:2-4, Ezekiel 31:18, Daniel 4:14, Daniel 4:23, Matthew 3:10, Matthew 7:19, John 15:6, Hebrews 10:28, Hebrews 12:29

Reciprocal: Malachi 3:2 - who may abide Matthew 12:33 - and his fruit good Matthew 21:19 - and found Luke 19:20 - Lord Titus 2:12 - live

Verse 10

What: Luke 3:8, Acts 2:37, Acts 9:6, Acts 16:30

Reciprocal: Matthew 3:8 - forth 1 Corinthians 7:20 - abide Ephesians 4:28 - steal no more

Verse 11

He that hath two: Luke 11:41, Luke 18:22, Luke 19:8, Isaiah 58:7-11, Daniel 4:27, Matthew 25:40, Mark 14:5-8, John 13:29, Acts 10:2, Acts 10:4, Acts 10:31, 2 Corinthians 8:3-14, 1 Timothy 6:18, Hebrews 6:10, James 1:27, James 2:15-26, 1 John 3:17, 1 John 4:20

Reciprocal: Job 31:19 - General Ezekiel 18:7 - hath given Matthew 6:28 - why Matthew 10:10 - two Matthew 14:16 - they Matthew 25:36 - Naked Luke 9:3 - two Luke 12:17 - shall Ephesians 4:28 - that he

Verse 12

Luke 7:29, Luke 15:1, Luke 15:2, Luke 18:13, Matthew 21:31, Matthew 21:32

Reciprocal: Isaiah 33:15 - despiseth

Verse 13

Exact: Luke 19:8, Psalms 18:23, Proverbs 28:13, Isaiah 1:16, Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 55:6, Isaiah 55:7, Ezekiel 18:21, Ezekiel 18:22, Ezekiel 18:27, Ezekiel 18:28, Micah 6:8, Matthew 7:12, 1 Corinthians 6:10, Ephesians 4:28, Titus 2:11, Titus 2:12, Hebrews 12:1

Reciprocal: Exodus 20:15 - General Leviticus 19:13 - shalt not Nehemiah 5:10 - I likewise Ezekiel 22:12 - greedily

Verse 14

the soldiers: Matthew 8:5, Acts 10:7

Do violence to no man: or, Put no man in fear, Romans 13:9, Romans 13:10, Philippians 2:15

accuse: Luke 19:8, Exodus 20:16, Exodus 23:1, Leviticus 19:11, Titus 2:3, Revelation 12:10

and be: Philippians 4:11, 1 Timothy 6:8-10, Hebrews 13:5, Hebrews 13:6

wages: or, allowance

Reciprocal: Exodus 20:15 - General Exodus 23:7 - far from Leviticus 25:14 - General Deuteronomy 23:9 - General Deuteronomy 24:17 - pervert 1 Samuel 25:7 - we hurt Nehemiah 5:10 - I likewise Ezekiel 45:9 - remove 1 Timothy 6:6 - contentment

Verse 15

expectation: or, suspense, John 10:24

mused: or, reasoned, or debated, John 1:19-28, John 3:28, John 3:29

Reciprocal: John 1:20 - General Acts 13:25 - whom

Verse 16

I indeed: Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:7, Mark 1:8, John 1:26, John 1:33, Acts 1:5, Acts 11:16, Acts 13:24, Acts 13:25, Acts 19:4, Acts 19:5

he shall: Proverbs 1:23, Isaiah 32:15, Isaiah 44:3, Isaiah 44:4, Ezekiel 36:25, Joel 2:28, Joel 2:29, John 7:38, Acts 2:33, Acts 10:44, Acts 11:15, 1 Corinthians 12:13

and with: Isaiah 4:4, Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:2, Malachi 3:3, Acts 2:3, Acts 2:4, Acts 2:17, Acts 2:18

Reciprocal: Matthew 3:6 - were Luke 1:32 - shall be great Luke 7:28 - Among John 1:15 - bare John 1:27 - whose John 1:30 - General John 7:39 - this spake Hebrews 6:2 - the doctrine

Verse 17

fan: Jeremiah 15:7, Matthew 3:12

and will: Micah 4:12, Matthew 13:30

but: Psalms 1:4, Psalms 21:9, Psalms 21:10, Mark 9:43-49

Reciprocal: Isaiah 5:24 - the flame Jeremiah 4:11 - not Lamentations 2:3 - he burned Malachi 3:2 - who may abide

Verse 18

John 1:15, John 1:29, John 1:34, John 3:29-36, Acts 2:40

Reciprocal: 1 Corinthians 14:3 - exhortation

Verse 19

Proverbs 9:7, Proverbs 9:8, Proverbs 15:12, Matthew 11:2, Matthew 14:3, Matthew 14:4, Mark 6:17, Mark 6:18

Reciprocal: Leviticus 18:16 - General 1 Kings 13:4 - his hand 2 Chronicles 18:26 - Put Jeremiah 22:1 - Go Jeremiah 26:19 - Thus Jeremiah 38:6 - took Matthew 17:12 - but Mark 9:13 - and they Luke 3:1 - Herod Luke 13:32 - that fox John 3:24 - General Acts 13:1 - Herod Ephesians 5:11 - but

Verse 20

Luke 13:31-34, 2 Kings 21:16, 2 Kings 24:4, 2 Chronicles 24:17-22, 2 Chronicles 36:16, Nehemiah 9:26, Jeremiah 2:30, Matthew 21:35-41, Matthew 22:6, Matthew 22:7, Matthew 23:31-33, 1 Thessalonians 2:15, 1 Thessalonians 2:16, Revelation 16:6

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:4 - his hand 1 Kings 22:27 - Put this fellow 2 Chronicles 16:10 - put him 2 Chronicles 18:26 - Put Jeremiah 22:1 - Go Jeremiah 26:19 - Thus Jeremiah 38:6 - took Matthew 4:12 - when Matthew 14:3 - Herod Matthew 17:12 - but Mark 1:14 - after Mark 6:17 - Herod Mark 9:13 - and they Luke 13:32 - that fox John 3:24 - General Acts 13:1 - Herod

Verse 21

that: Matthew 3:13-15, Mark 1:9, John 1:32-34

and praying: Luke 9:28, Luke 9:29, John 12:27, John 12:28

the heaven: Matthew 3:16, Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:10, John 1:32-34

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 1:1 - the heavens John 1:51 - Hereafter Acts 7:56 - I see Acts 10:11 - saw Revelation 4:1 - a door

Verse 22

Thou art: Luke 9:34, Luke 9:35, Psalms 2:7, Isaiah 42:1, Matthew 12:18, Matthew 17:5, Matthew 27:43, Colossians 1:13, 1 Peter 2:4, 2 Peter 1:17, 2 Peter 1:18

Reciprocal: Psalms 45:7 - hath Matthew 3:16 - and he Matthew 3:17 - This Mark 1:10 - the Spirit Mark 12:6 - his Luke 4:1 - full Luke 4:3 - General Luke 11:31 - a greater John 1:32 - I saw John 1:34 - this John 5:32 - is another John 6:27 - for him John 14:26 - Holy Ghost Acts 10:38 - God Colossians 2:9 - bodily

Verse 23

thirty: Genesis 41:46, Numbers 4:3, Numbers 4:35, Numbers 4:39, Numbers 4:43, Numbers 4:47

being: Luke 4:22, Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3, John 6:42

which: The real father of Joseph was Jacob - Matthew 1:16, but having married the daughter of Heli, and being perhaps adopted by him, he was called his son, and as such was entered in the public registers; Mary not being mentioned, because the Hebrews never permitted the name of a woman to enter the genealogical tables, but inserted her husband as the son of him who was, in reality, but his father-in-law. Hence it appears that Matthew, who wrote principally for the Jews, traces the pedigree of Jesus Christ from Abraham, through whom the promises were given to the Jews, to David, and from David, through the line of Solomon, to Jacob the father of Joseph, the reputed or legal father of Christ; and that Luke, who wrote for the Gentiles, extends his genealogy upwards from Heli, the father of Mary, through the line of Nathan, to David, and from David to Abraham, and from Abraham to Adam, who was the immediate "son of God" by creation, and to whom the promise of the Saviour was given in behalf of himself and all his posterity. The two branches of descent from David, by Solomon and Nathan, being thus united in the persons of Mary and Joseph, Jesus the son of Mary re-united in himself all the blood, privileges, and rights, of the whole family of David; in consequence of which he is emphatically called "the Son of David.

Reciprocal: Genesis 9:26 - the Lord 2 Samuel 5:4 - thirty Ezekiel 1:1 - in the thirtieth Luke 2:4 - Joseph Romans 9:5 - of whom

Verse 26

Reciprocal: Ephesians 6:18 - Praying

Verse 27

Reciprocal: Ezra 3:2 - Zerubbabel Haggai 1:1 - unto Matthew 1:12 - and

Verse 28

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 9:1 - all Israel

Verse 31

of Nathan: 2 Samuel 5:14, 1 Chronicles 3:5, 1 Chronicles 14:4, Zechariah 12:12

Reciprocal: Ruth 4:22 - David 1 Samuel 17:12 - David

Verse 32

was the son of Jesse: Ruth 4:18-22, 1 Samuel 17:58, 1 Samuel 20:31, 1 Kings 12:16, 1 Chronicles 2:10-15, Psalms 72:20, Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah 11:2, Matthew 1:3-6, Acts 13:22, Acts 13:23

which was the son of Obed: Numbers 1:7, Numbers 2:3, Numbers 7:12, 1 Chronicles 2:11, 1 Chronicles 2:12, Nahshon, Salma, Boaz

Reciprocal: Ruth 2:1 - Boaz Ruth 4:20 - Nahshon Ruth 4:21 - Salmon 1 Samuel 17:12 - David Matthew 1:4 - Naasson Matthew 1:5 - Obed begat

Verse 33

Aminadab: Ruth 4:19, Ruth 4:20, 1 Chronicles 2:9, 1 Chronicles 2:10

Aminadab: Ram, Hezron, Matthew 1:3, Matthew 1:4

Esrom: Genesis 46:12, Numbers 26:20, Numbers 26:21, Hezron

Phares: Genesis 38:29, Ruth 4:12, 1 Chronicles 2:4, 1 Chronicles 2:5, 1 Chronicles 9:4, Pharez

of Juda: Genesis 29:35, Genesis 49:8, Judah, Matthew 1:2, Judas

Reciprocal: Numbers 2:3 - Nahshon Ruth 4:18 - Pharez 1 Chronicles 4:1 - Pharez Nehemiah 11:4 - Perez Hebrews 7:14 - sprang

Verse 34

which was the son of Isaac: Genesis 21:3, Genesis 25:26, 1 Chronicles 1:34, Matthew 1:2, Acts 7:8

Thara: Genesis 11:24-32, Joshua 24:2, 1 Chronicles 1:24-28, Terah, Nahor, Reu, Serug, Peleg, Eber, Shelah

Reciprocal: Genesis 11:10 - General Genesis 25:19 - Abraham 1 Chronicles 1:26 - Nahor

Verse 35

Saruch: Genesis 11:18-21, Serug, Reu

Phalec: Genesis 10:25, Peleg

Heber: Genesis 11:16, Genesis 11:17, Eber

Sala: Genesis 10:24, Genesis 11:12-15, Salah

Reciprocal: Genesis 11:20 - Serug 1 Chronicles 1:24 - Shelah 1 Chronicles 1:25 - Eber 1 Chronicles 1:26 - Serug

Verse 36

Cainan: This Cainan is not found in the Hebrew Text of any of the genealogies, but only in the Septuagint; from which, probably, the evangelist transcribed the register, as sufficiently exact for his purpose, and as more generally suited to command attention. - See note on Genesis 11:12. It may here be remarked, that though some of the same names occur here, from Nathan downwards, as in Joseph's genealogy, yet there appears no sufficient evidence that the same persons were intended, different persons often bearing the same name.

Sem: Genesis 5:32, Genesis 7:13, Genesis 9:18, Genesis 9:26, Genesis 9:27, Genesis 10:21, Genesis 10:22, Genesis 11:10-26, 1 Chronicles 1:17, Shem

Noe: Luke 17:27, Genesis 5:29, Genesis 5:30, Genesis 6:8-10, Genesis 6:22, Genesis 7:1, Genesis 7:23, Genesis 8:1, Genesis 9:1, Ezekiel 14:14, Hebrews 11:7, 1 Peter 3:20, 2 Peter 2:5, Noah

Reciprocal: Genesis 5:1 - book Genesis 5:4 - And the Genesis 10:25 - the name 1 Chronicles 1:3 - Lamech 1 Chronicles 1:4 - Noah

Verse 37

Mathusala: Genesis 5:6-28, 1 Chronicles 1:1-3, Methuselah, Mahalaleel

Reciprocal: Genesis 5:9 - Cainan Genesis 5:12 - Mahalaleel Genesis 5:18 - Enoch Genesis 5:21 - Methuselah 1 Chronicles 1:2 - Kenan 1 Chronicles 1:3 - Methuselah Ephesians 6:18 - Praying Hebrews 11:5 - Enoch

Verse 38

which was the son of Adam: Genesis 4:25, Genesis 4:26, Genesis 5:3

of God: Genesis 1:26, Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:7, Genesis 5:1, Genesis 5:2, Isaiah 64:8, Acts 17:26-29, 1 Corinthians 15:45, 1 Corinthians 15:47

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 1:1 - Sheth Job 1:6 - the sons Acts 17:28 - we are