Luke 3:1

Fifteenth year. Ministry of John the Baptist, as recorded in Luke 3:1-18, Matthew 3:1-12, and Mark 1:1-8. Luke’s mention of the “fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar” is a key chronological marker, though it presents some challenges when correlated with other data on Christ’s life and Christian Era dating. Luke’s detailed historical notes mark him as a careful and reliable historian. The “fifteenth year” likely began in the autumn of A.D. 27 and continued until autumn of A.D. 28. According to some sources, Jesus’ baptism occurred in the fall of A.D. 27, early in this fifteenth year.

Luke may have used the Jewish form of reckoning regnal years, which helps explain the dating. Other methods to date the start of Christ’s ministry include references to the Temple’s 46th year in John 2:13, 20. The phrase “about thirty years of age” is discussed further in Luke 3:23.

Tiberius Caesar was the Roman emperor noted for military success, strict discipline, leniency in taxation, and encouragement of trade. The Sea of Galilee was renamed the Sea of Tiberias in his honor.

Pontius Pilate was the fifth Roman procurator of Judea, serving from about A.D. 26 to A.D. 36, when he was recalled for misconduct.

The governor or procurator was an equestrian rank official appointed by the emperor to govern a subdivision of a province; Judea was a subdivision of Syria at this time.

Herod refers to Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea, appointed by his father Herod the Great and confirmed by Augustus. He married his niece Herodias, a union condemned by John the Baptist. Jesus called him “that fox” and referred to his influence as “the leaven of Herod.” Herod Antipas ruled practically as king until about A.D. 39.

Tetrarch originally meant ruler of a fourth part of a province but later referred to any ruler below king rank.

Philip was Herod Philip, son of Herod the Great, considered the most fair and judicious of Herod’s sons. He married Salome, daughter of Herodias and Herod Philip I. Philip ruled from 4 B.C. to A.D. 34 and rebuilt Caesarea Philippi and Bethsaida Julias.

Ituraea was a region northeast of the Sea of Galilee, possibly named after Jetur, a son of Ishmael.

Trachonitis was a rough, stony region east of Ituraea, known for skilled archers.

Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene, is mentioned by Luke but not confirmed by other historical records. Some inscriptions and references support Luke’s mention, and scholars generally consider Luke reliable despite the lack of indisputable evidence.

Abilene was a district between Damascus and the Anti-Lebanon Mountains.