King James Version

What Does Luke 3:1 Mean?

Luke 3:1 in the King James Version says “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetr... — study this verse from Luke chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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, tetrarch: or, governor of four provinces

Luke 3:1 · KJV


Context

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, tetrarch: or, governor of four provinces

2

Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

3

And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why is the historical precision of Scripture important for Christian faith?
  2. How does God work His purposes through complicated political situations?
  3. What does anchoring biblical events in history teach about faith's nature?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 34 words
Ἐν1 of 34

in

G1722

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

ἔτει2 of 34

year

G2094

a year

δὲ3 of 34

Now

G1161

but, and, etc

πεντεκαιδεκάτῳ4 of 34

the fifteenth

G4003

five and tenth

τῆς5 of 34
G3588

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

ἡγεμονίας6 of 34

of the reign

G2231

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

Τιβερίου7 of 34

of Tiberius

G5086

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

Καίσαρος8 of 34

Caesar

G2541

caesar, a title of the roman emperor

ἡγεμονεύοντος9 of 34

being governor

G2230

to act as ruler

Ποντίου10 of 34

Pontius

G4194

apparently bridged; pontius, a roman

Πιλάτου11 of 34

Pilate

G4091

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

τῆς12 of 34
G3588

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

Ἰουδαίας13 of 34

of Judaea

G2449

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

καὶ14 of 34

and

G2532

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

τετραρχοῦντος15 of 34

being tetrarch

G5075

to be a tetrarch

τῆς16 of 34
G3588

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

Γαλιλαίας17 of 34

of Galilee

G1056

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

Ἡρῴδου18 of 34

Herod

G2264

heroic; herod, the name of four jewish kings

Φιλίππου19 of 34

Philip

G5376

fond of horses; philippus, the name of four israelites

δὲ20 of 34

Now

G1161

but, and, etc

τοῦ21 of 34
G3588

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

ἀδελφοῦ22 of 34

brother

G80

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

αὐτοῦ23 of 34

his

G846

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

τετραρχοῦντος24 of 34

being tetrarch

G5075

to be a tetrarch

τῆς25 of 34
G3588

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

Ἰτουραίας26 of 34

of Ituraea

G2484

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

καὶ27 of 34

and

G2532

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

Τραχωνίτιδος28 of 34

of Trachonitis

G5139

rough district; trachonitis, a region of syria

χώρας29 of 34

of the region

G5561

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

καὶ30 of 34

and

G2532

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

Λυσανίου31 of 34

Lysanias

G3078

grief-dispelling; lysanias, a governor of abilene

τῆς32 of 34
G3588

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

Ἀβιληνῆς33 of 34

of Abilene

G9

abilene, a region of syria

τετραρχοῦντος34 of 34

being tetrarch

G5075

to be a tetrarch


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 3:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 3:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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