Luke 3:1-38 King James Version (KJV)

- Read this chapter

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,

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;

⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

⁶ And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

⁷ Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

⁹ And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

¹⁰ And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

¹¹ He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

¹² Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

¹³ And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

¹⁴ And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

¹⁵ And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;

¹⁶ John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

¹⁷ Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

¹⁸ And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.

¹⁹ But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

²⁰ Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

²² And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

²³ And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

²⁴ Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph,

²⁵ Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge,

²⁶ Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda,

²⁷ Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri,

²⁸ Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er,

²⁹ Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi,

³⁰ Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim,

³¹ Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,

³² Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson,

³³ Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda,

³⁴ Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor,

³⁵ Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala,

³⁶ Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,

³⁷ Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan,

³⁸ Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

Luke 3:1-38 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

- Read this chapter

¹ Now ^G1161 in ^G1722 the fifteenth ^G4003 year ^G2094 of the reign ^G2231 of Tiberius ^G5086 Caesar, ^G2541 Pontius ^G4194 Pilate ^G4091 being governor ^G2230 of Judaea, ^G2449 and ^G2532 Herod ^G2264 being tetrarch ^G5075 of Galilee, ^G1056 and ^G1161 his ^G846 brother ^G80 Philip ^G5376 tetrarch ^G5075 of Ituraea ^G2484 and ^G2532 of the region ^G5561 of Trachonitis, ^G5139 and ^G2532 Lysanias ^G3078 the tetrarch ^G5075 of Abilene, ^G9

² Annas ^G452 and ^G2532 Caiaphas ^G2533 being ^G1909 the high priests, ^G749 the word ^G4487 of God ^G2316 came ^G1096 unto ^G1909 John ^G2491 the son ^G5207 of Zacharias ^G2197 in ^G1722 the wilderness. ^G2048

³ And ^G2532 he came ^G2064 into ^G1519 all ^G3956 the country about ^G4066 Jordan, ^G2446 preaching ^G2784 the baptism ^G908 of repentance ^G3341 for ^G1519 the remission ^G859 of sins; ^G266

⁴ As ^G5613 it is written ^G1125 in ^G1722 the book ^G976 of the words ^G3056 of Esaias ^G2268 the prophet, ^G4396 saying, ^G3004 The voice ^G5456 of one crying ^G994 in ^G1722 the wilderness, ^G2048 Prepare ye ^G2090 the way ^G3598 of the Lord, ^G2962 make ^G4160 his ^G846 paths ^G5147 straight. ^G2117

⁵ Every ^G3956 valley ^G5327 shall be ^G2071 filled, ^G4137 and ^G2532 every ^G3956 mountain ^G3735 and ^G2532 hill ^G1015 shall be brought low; ^G5013 and ^G2532 the crooked ^G4646 shall be made ^G1519 straight, ^G2117 and ^G2532 the rough ^G5138 ways ^G3598 shall be made ^G1519 smooth; ^G3006

⁶ And ^G2532 all ^G3956 flesh ^G4561 shall see ^G3700 the salvation ^G4992 of God. ^G2316

⁷ Then ^G3767 said ^G3004 he to the multitude ^G3793 that came forth ^G1607 to be baptized ^G907 of ^G5259 him, ^G846 O generation ^G1081 of vipers, ^G2191 who ^G5101 hath warned ^G5263 you ^G5213 to flee ^G5343 from ^G575 the wrath ^G3709 to come? ^G3195

⁸ Bring forth ^G4160 therefore ^G3767 fruits ^G2590 worthy ^G514 of repentance, ^G3341 and ^G2532 begin ^G756 not ^G3361 to say ^G3004 within ^G1722 yourselves, ^G1438 We have ^G2192 Abraham ^G11 to our father: ^G3962 for ^G1063 I say ^G3004 unto you, ^G5213 That ^G3754 God ^G2316 is able ^G1410 of ^G1537 these ^G5130 stones ^G3037 to raise up ^G1453 children ^G5043 unto Abraham. ^G11

⁹ And ^G1161 now ^G2235 also ^G2532 the axe ^G513 is laid ^G2749 unto ^G4314 the root ^G4491 of the trees: ^G1186 every ^G3956 tree ^G1186 therefore ^G3767 which bringeth ^G4160 not ^G3361 forth ^G4160 good ^G2570 fruit ^G2590 is hewn down, ^G1581 and ^G2532 cast ^G906 into ^G1519 the fire. ^G4442

¹⁰ And ^G2532 the people ^G3793 asked ^G1905 him, ^G846 saying, ^G3004 What ^G5101 shall we do ^G4160 then? ^G3767

¹¹ He answereth ^G611 and ^G1161 saith ^G3004 unto them, ^G846 He that hath ^G2192 two ^G1417 coats, ^G5509 let him impart ^G3330 to him that hath ^G2192 none; ^G3361 and ^G2532 he that hath ^G2192 meat, ^G1033 let him do ^G4160 likewise. ^G3668

¹² Then ^G1161 came ^G2064 also ^G2532 publicans ^G5057 to be baptized, ^G907 and ^G2532 said ^G2036 unto ^G4314 him, ^G846 Master, ^G1320 what ^G5101 shall we do? ^G4160

¹³ And ^G1161 he said ^G2036 unto ^G4314 them, ^G846 Exact ^G4238 no ^G3367 more ^G4119 than ^G3844 that which is appointed ^G1299 you. ^G5213

¹⁴ And ^G1161 the soldiers ^G4754 likewise ^G2532 demanded ^G1905 of him, ^G846 saying, ^G3004 And ^G2532 what ^G5101 shall we ^G2249 do? ^G4160 And ^G2532 he said ^G2036 unto ^G4314 them, ^G846 Do violence ^G1286 to no man, ^G3367 neither ^G3366 accuse any falsely; ^G4811 and ^G2532 be content ^G714 with your ^G5216 wages. ^G3800

¹⁵ And ^G1161 as the people ^G2992 were in expectation, ^G4328 and ^G2532 all men ^G3956 mused ^G1260 in ^G1722 their ^G846 hearts ^G2588 of ^G4012 John, ^G2491 whether ^G3379 he ^G846 were ^G1498 the Christ, ^G5547 or not; ^G3379

¹⁶ John ^G2491 answered, ^G611 saying ^G3004 unto them all, ^G537 I ^G1473 indeed ^G3303 baptize ^G907 you ^G5209 with water; ^G5204 but ^G1161 one mightier than ^G2478 I ^G3450 cometh, ^G2064 the latchet ^G2438 of whose ^G3739 ^G846 shoes ^G5266 I am ^G1510 not ^G3756 worthy ^G2425 to unloose: ^G3089 he ^G846 shall baptize ^G907 you ^G5209 with ^G1722 the Holy ^G40 Ghost ^G4151 and ^G2532 with fire: ^G4442

¹⁷ Whose ^G3739 fan ^G4425 is in ^G1722 his ^G846 hand, ^G5495 and ^G2532 he will throughly purge ^G1245 his ^G846 floor, ^G257 and ^G2532 will gather ^G4863 the wheat ^G4621 into ^G1519 his ^G846 garner; ^G596 but ^G1161 the chaff ^G892 he will burn ^G2618 with fire ^G4442 unquenchable. ^G762

¹⁸ And ^G2532 ^G3767 many ^G4183 other ^G2087 things ^G4183 ^G3303 in his exhortation ^G3870 preached ^G2097 he unto the people. ^G2992

¹⁹ But ^G1161 Herod ^G2264 the tetrarch, ^G5076 being reproved ^G1651 by ^G5259 him ^G846 for ^G4012 Herodias ^G2266 his ^G846 brother ^G80 Philip's ^G5376 wife, ^G1135 and ^G2532 for ^G4012 all ^G3956 the evils ^G4190 which ^G3739 Herod ^G2264 had done, ^G4160

²⁰ Added ^G4369 yet ^G2532 this ^G5124 above ^G1909 all, ^G3956 that ^G2532 he shut up ^G2623 John ^G2491 in ^G1722 prison. ^G5438

²¹ Now ^G1161 when all ^G537 the people ^G2992 were baptized, ^G1722 ^G907 it came to pass, ^G1096 that Jesus ^G2424 also ^G2532 being baptized, ^G907 and ^G2532 praying, ^G4336 the heaven ^G3772 was opened, ^G455

²² And ^G2532 the Holy ^G40 Ghost ^G4151 descended ^G2597 in a bodily ^G4984 shape ^G1491 like ^G5616 a dove ^G4058 upon ^G1909 him, ^G846 and ^G2532 a voice ^G5456 came ^G1096 from ^G1537 heaven, ^G3772 which said, ^G3004 Thou ^G4771 art ^G1488 my ^G3450 beloved ^G27 Son; ^G5207 in ^G1722 thee ^G4671 I am well pleased. ^G2106

²³ And ^G2532 Jesus ^G2424 himself ^G846 began ^G756 to be ^G2258 about ^G5616 thirty ^G5144 years of age, ^G2094 being ^G5607 (as ^G5613 was supposed ^G3543 ) the son ^G5207 of Joseph, ^G2501 which was the son of Heli, ^G2242

²⁴ Which was the son of Matthat, ^G3158 which was the son of Levi, ^G3017 which was the son of Melchi, ^G3197 which was the son of Janna, ^G2388 which was the son of Joseph, ^G2501

²⁵ Which was the son of Mattathias, ^G3161 which was the son of Amos, ^G301 which was the son of Naum, ^G3486 which was the son of Esli, ^G2069 which was the son of Nagge, ^G3477

²⁶ Which was the son of Maath, ^G3092 which was the son of Mattathias, ^G3161 which was the son of Semei, ^G4584 which was the son of Joseph, ^G2501 which was the son of Juda, ^G2455

²⁷ Which was the son of Joanna, ^G2490 which was the son of Rhesa, ^G4488 which was the son of Zorobabel, ^G2216 which was the son of Salathiel, ^G4528 which was the son of Neri, ^G3518

²⁸ Which was the son of Melchi, ^G3197 which was the son of Addi, ^G78 which was the son of Cosam, ^G2973 which was the son of Elmodam, ^G1678 which was the son of Er, ^G2262

²⁹ Which was the son of Jose, ^G2499 which was the son of Eliezer, ^G1663 which was the son of Jorim, ^G2497 which was the son of Matthat, ^G3158 which was the son of Levi, ^G3017

³⁰ Which was the son of Simeon, ^G4826 which was the son of Juda, ^G2455 which was the son of Joseph, ^G2501 which was the son of Jonan, ^G2494 which was the son of Eliakim, ^G1662

³¹ Which was the son of Melea, ^G3190 which was the son of Menan, ^G3104 which was the son of Mattatha, ^G3160 which was the son of Nathan, ^G3481 which was the son of David, ^G1138

³² Which was the son of Jesse, ^G2421 which was the son of Obed, ^G5601 which was the son of Booz, ^G1003 which was the son of Salmon, ^G4533 which was the son of Naasson, ^G3476

³³ Which was the son of Aminadab, ^G284 which was the son of Aram, ^G689 which was the son of Esrom, ^G2074 which was the son of Phares, ^G5329 which was the son of Juda, ^G2455

³⁴ Which was the son of Jacob, ^G2384 which was the son of Isaac, ^G2464 which was the son of Abraham, ^G11 which was the son of Thara, ^G2291 which was the son of Nachor, ^G3493

³⁵ Which was the son of Saruch, ^G4562 which was the son of Ragau, ^G4466 which was the son of Phalec, ^G5317 which was the son of Heber, ^G1443 which was the son of Sala, ^G4527

³⁶ Which was the son of Cainan, ^G2536 which was the son of Arphaxad, ^G742 which was the son of Sem, ^G4590 which was the son of Noe, ^G3575 which was the son of Lamech, ^G2984

³⁷ Which was the son of Mathusala, ^G3103 which was the son of Enoch, ^G1802 which was the son of Jared, ^G2391 which was the son of Maleleel, ^G3121 which was the son of Cainan, ^G2536

³⁸ Which was the son of Enos, ^G1800 which was the son of Seth, ^G4589 which was the son of Adam, ^G76 which was the son of God. ^G2316

Luke 3:1-38 American Standard (ASV)

- Read this chapter

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 the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,

² in the highpriesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

³ And he came into all the region round about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins;

⁴ as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley shall be filled, And every mountain and hill shall be brought low; And the crooked shall become straight, And the rough ways smooth;

⁶ And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

⁷ He said therefore to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

⁹ And even now the axe also lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

¹⁰ And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then must we do?

¹¹ And he answered and said unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath food, let him do likewise.

¹² And there came also publicans to be baptized, and they said unto him, Teacher, what must we do?

¹³ And he said unto them, Extort no more than that which is appointed you.

¹⁴ And soldiers also asked him, saying, And we, what must we do? And he said unto them, Extort from no man by violence, neither accuse `any one' wrongfully; and be content with your wages.

¹⁵ And as the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether haply he were the Christ;

¹⁶ John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and `in' fire:

¹⁷ whose fan is in his hand, thoroughly to cleanse his threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.

¹⁸ With many other exhortations therefore preached he good tidings unto the people;

¹⁹ but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother's wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,

²⁰ added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ Now it came to pass, when all the people were baptized, that, Jesus also having been baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form, as a dove, upon him, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

²³ And Jesus himself, when he began `to teach', was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the `son' of Heli,

²⁴ the `son' of Matthat, the `son' of Levi, the `son' of Melchi, the `son' of Jannai, the `son' of Joseph,

²⁵ the `son' of Mattathias, the `son' of Amos, the `son' of Nahum, the `son' of Esli, the `son' of Naggai,

²⁶ the `son' of Maath, the `son' of Mattathias, the `son' of Semein, the `son' of Josech, the `son' of Joda,

²⁷ the `son' of Joanan, the `son' of Rhesa, the `son' of Zerubbabel, the `son' of Shealtiel, the `son' of Neri,

²⁸ the `son' of Melchi, the `son' of Addi, the `son' of Cosam, the `son' of Elmadam, the `son' of Er,

²⁹ the `son' of Jesus, the `son' of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the `son' of Matthat, the `son' of Levi,

³⁰ the `son' of Symeon, the `son' of Judas, the `son' of Joseph, the `son' of Jonam, the `son' of Eliakim,

³¹ the `son' of Melea, the `son' of Menna, the `son' of Mattatha, the `son' of Nathan, the `son' of David,

³² the `son' of Jesse, the `son' of Obed, the `son' of Boaz, the `son' of Salmon, the `son' of Nahshon,

³³ the `son' of Amminadab, the `son' of Arni, the `son' of Hezron, the `son' of Perez, the `son' of Judah,

³⁴ the `son' of Jacob, the `son' of Isaac, the `son' of Abraham, the `son' of Terah, the `son' of Nahor,

³⁵ the `son' of Serug, the `son' of Reu, the `son' of Peleg, the `son' of Eber, the `son' of Shelah,

³⁶ the `son' of Cainan, the `son' of Arphaxad, the `son' of Shem, the `son' of Noah, the `son' of Lamech,

³⁷ the `son' of Methuselah, the `son' of Enoch, the `son' of Jared, the `son' of Mahalaleel, the `son' of Cainan,

³⁸ the `son' of Enos, the `son' of Seth, the `son' of Adam, the `son' of God.

Luke 3:1-38 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

- Read this chapter

¹ And in the fifteenth year of the government of Tiberius Caesar -- Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother, tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene --

² Annas and Caiaphas being chief priests -- there came a word of God unto John the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness,

³ and he came to all the region round the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of reformation -- to remission of sins,

⁴ as it hath been written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, `A voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, straight make ye His paths;

⁵ every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straightness, and the rough become smooth ways;

⁶ and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'

⁷ Then said he to the multitudes coming forth to be baptised by him, `Brood of vipers! who did prompt you to flee from the coming wrath?

⁸ make, therefore, fruits worthy of the reformation, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have a father -- Abraham; for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise children to Abraham;

⁹ and already also the axe unto the root of the trees is laid, every tree, therefore, not making good fruit is cut down, and to fire it is cast.'

¹⁰ And the multitudes were questioning him, saying, `What, then, shall we do?'

¹¹ and he answering saith to them, `He having two coats -- let him impart to him having none, and he having victuals -- in like manner let him do.'

¹² And there came also tax-gatherers to be baptised, and they said unto him, `Teacher, what shall we do?'

¹³ and he said unto them, `Exact no more than that directed you.'

¹⁴ And questioning him also were those warring, saying, `And we, what shall we do?' and he said unto them, `Do violence to no one, nor accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.'

¹⁵ And the people are looking forward, and all are reasoning in their hearts concerning John, whether or not he may be the Christ;

¹⁶ John answered, saying to all, `I indeed with water do baptise you, but he cometh who is mightier than I, of whom I am not worthy to loose the latchet of his sandals -- he shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire;

¹⁷ whose winnowing shovel `is' in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and will gather the wheat to his storehouse, and the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.'

¹⁸ And, therefore, indeed with many other things, exhorting, he was proclaiming good news to the people,

¹⁹ and Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him concerning Herodias the wife of Philip his brother, and concerning all the evils that Herod did,

²⁰ added also this to all, that he shut up John in the prison.

²¹ And it came to pass, in all the people being baptised, Jesus also being baptised, and praying, the heaven was opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit came down in a bodily appearance, as if a dove, upon him, and a voice came out of heaven, saying, `Thou art My Son -- the Beloved, in thee I did delight.'

²³ And Jesus himself was beginning to be about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, son of Joseph,

²⁴ the `son' of Eli, the `son' of Matthat, the `son' of Levi, the `son' of Melchi, the `son' of Janna, the `son' of Joseph,

²⁵ the `son' of Mattathias, the `son' of Amos, the `son' of Naum, the `son' of Esli,

²⁶ the `son' of Naggai, the `son' of Maath, the `son' of Mattathias, the `son' of Semei, the `son' of Joseph, the `son' of Juda,

²⁷ the `son' of Joanna, the `son' of Rhesa, the `son' of Zerubbabel, the `son' of Shealtiel,

²⁸ the `son' of Neri, the `son' of Melchi, the `son' of Addi, the `son' of Cosam, the `son' of Elmodam, the `son' of Er,

²⁹ the `son' of Jose, the `son' of Eliezer, the `son' of Jorim, the `son' of Matthat,

³⁰ the `son' of Levi, the `son' of Simeon, the `son' of Juda, the `son' of Joseph, the `son' of Jonan, the `son' of Eliakim,

³¹ the `son' of Melea, the `son' of Mainan, the `son' of Mattatha, the `son' of Nathan,

³² the `son' of David, the `son' of Jesse, the `son' of Obed, the `son' of Booz, the `son' of Salmon, the `son' of Nahshon,

³³ the `son' of Amminadab, the `son' of Aram, the `son' of Esrom, the `son' of Pharez,

³⁴ the `son' of Judah, the `son' of Jacob, the `son' of Isaac, the `son' of Abraham, the `son' of Terah, the `son' of Nahor,

³⁵ the `son' of Serug, the `son' of Reu, the `son' of Peleg, the `son' of Eber,

³⁶ the `son' of Salah, the `son' of Cainan, the `son' of Arphaxad, the `son' of Shem, the `son' of Noah, the `son' of Lamech,

³⁷ the `son' of Methuselah, the `son' of Enoch, the `son' of Jared, the `son' of Mahalaleel,

³⁸ the `son' of Cainan, the `son' of Enos, the `son' of Seth, the `son' of Adam, the `son' of God.

Luke 3:1-38 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

- Read this chapter

¹ Now in the fifteenth year of the government of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Ituraea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,

² in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, [the] word of God came upon John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.

³ And he came into all the district round the Jordan, preaching [the] baptism of repentance for [the] remission of sins,

⁴ as it is written in [the] book of [the] words of Esaias the prophet: Voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of [the] Lord, make straight his paths.

⁵ Every gorge shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked [places] shall become a straight [path], and the rough places smooth ways,

⁶ and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

⁷ He said therefore to the crowds which went out to be baptised by him, Offspring of vipers, who has forewarned you to flee from the coming wrath?

⁸ Produce therefore fruits worthy of repentance; and begin not to say in yourselves, We have Abraham for [our] father, for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

⁹ And already also the axe is applied to the root of the trees; every tree therefore not producing good fruit is cut down and cast into [the] fire.

¹⁰ And the crowds asked him saying, What should we do then?

¹¹ And he answering says to them, He that has two body-coats, let him give to him that has none; and he that has food, let him do likewise.

¹² And tax-gatherers came also to be baptised, and they said to him, Teacher, what should we do?

¹³ And he said to them, Take no more [money] than what is appointed to you.

¹⁴ And persons engaged in military service also asked him saying, And we, what should we do? And he said to them, Oppress no one, nor accuse falsely, and be satisfied with your pay.

¹⁵ But as the people were in expectation, and all were reasoning in their hearts concerning John whether *he* might be the Christ,

¹⁶ John answered all, saying, *I* indeed baptise you with water, but the mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not fit to unloose; *he* shall baptise you with [the] Holy Spirit and fire;

¹⁷ whose winnowing-fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his threshing-floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner, but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

¹⁸ Exhorting then many other things also he announced [his] glad tidings to the people.

¹⁹ But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him as to Herodias, the wife of his brother, and as to all the wicked things which Herod had done,

²⁰ added this also to all [the rest], that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ And it came to pass, all the people having been baptised, and Jesus having been baptised and praying, that the heaven was opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form as a dove upon him; and a voice came out of heaven, *Thou* art my beloved Son, in thee I have found my delight.

²³ And Jesus himself was beginning to be about thirty years old; being as was supposed son of Joseph; of Eli,

²⁴ of Matthat, of Levi, of Melchi, of Janna, of Joseph,

²⁵ of Mattathias, of Amos, of Naoum, of Esli, of Naggai,

²⁶ of Maath, of Mattathias, of Semei, of Joseph, of Juda,

²⁷ of Joannes, of Resa, of Zorobabel, of Salathiel, of Neri,

²⁸ of Melchi, of Addi, of Cosam, of Elmodam, of Er,

²⁹ of Joses, of Eliezer, of Joreim, of Matthat, of Levi,

³⁰ of Simeon, of Juda, of Joseph, of Jonan, of Eliakim,

³¹ of Meleas, of Menan, of Mattatha, of Nathan, of David,

³² of Jesse, of Obed, of Booz, of Salmon, of Naasson,

³³ of Aminadab, of Aram, of Esrom, of Phares, of Juda,

³⁴ of Jacob, of Isaac, of Abraham, of Terah, of Nachor,

³⁵ of Seruch, of Ragau, of Phalek, of Eber, of Sala,

³⁶ of Cainan, of Arphaxad, of Sem, of Noe, of Lamech,

³⁷ of Methusala, of Enoch, of Jared, of Maleleel, of Cainan,

³⁸ of Enos, of Seth, of Adam, of God.

Luke 3:1-38 World English Bible (WEB)

- Read this chapter

¹ Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,

² in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.

³ He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins.

⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, And the rough ways smooth.

⁶ All flesh will see God's salvation.'"

⁷ He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and don't begin to say among yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father;' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!

⁹ Even now the axe also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire."

¹⁰ The multitudes asked him, "What then must we do?"

¹¹ He answered them, "He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise."

¹² Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what must we do?"

¹³ He said to them, "Collect no more than that which is appointed to you."

¹⁴ Soldiers also asked him, saying, "What about us? What must we do?" He said to them, "Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages."

¹⁵ As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,

¹⁶ John answered them all, "I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire,

¹⁷ whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

¹⁸ Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,

¹⁹ but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's{TR reads "brother Philip's instead of brother's"} wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,

²⁰ added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ Now it happened, when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form as a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying "You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased."

²³ Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

²⁴ the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,

²⁵ the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,

²⁶ the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,

²⁷ the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,

²⁸ the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,

²⁹ the son of Josa, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,

³⁰ the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim,

³¹ the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,

³² the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,

³³ the son of Amminadab, the son of Aram, the son of Joram,{TR omits "the son of Joram"} the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,

³⁴ the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

³⁵ the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah

³⁶ the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

³⁷ the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,

³⁸ the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Luke 3:1-38 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

- Read this chapter

¹ Now in the fifteenth year of the rule of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being ruler of Judaea, and Herod being king of Galilee, his brother Philip king of the country of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias king of Abilene,

² When Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of the Lord came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the waste land.

³ And he came into all the country round about Jordan, preaching baptism as a sign of forgiveness of sin for those whose hearts were changed.

⁴ As it says in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, The voice of one crying in the waste land, Make ready the way of the Lord, make his roads straight.

⁵ Every valley will be lifted up, and all the mountains and hills made low, and the twisted will be made straight, and the rough ways smooth;

⁶ And all flesh will see the salvation of God.

⁷ So he said to the people who went out to him for baptism: You offspring of snakes, at whose word are you going in flight from the wrath to come?

⁸ Make clear by your acts that your hearts have been changed; and do not say to yourselves, We have Abraham for our father: for I say to you that God is able from these stones to make children of Abraham.

⁹ And even now the axe is put to the root of the trees; and every tree which does not have good fruit will be cut down and put into the fire.

¹⁰ And the people put questions to him, saying, What have we to do?

¹¹ And he made answer and said to them, He who has two coats, let him give to him who has not even one; and he who has food, let him do the same.

¹² Then tax-farmers came to him for baptism and said to him, Master, what have we to do?

¹³ And he said to them, Do not make an attempt to get more money than the right amount.

¹⁴ And men of the army put questions to him, saying, And what have we to do? And he said to them, Do no violent acts to any man, and do not take anything without right, and let your payment be enough for you.

¹⁵ And while the people were waiting, and all men were questioning in their hearts about John, if he was the Christ or not,

¹⁶ John made answer, saying to them all, Truly, I give you baptism with water, but one is coming who is greater than I, whose shoes I am not good enough to undo: he will give you baptism with the Holy Spirit, and with fire:

¹⁷ In whose hand is the instrument with which he will make clean his grain; he will put the good grain in his store, but the waste will be burned in the fire which will never be put out.

¹⁸ And so comforting them with these and other words, he gave the good news to the people;

¹⁹ But Herod the king, because John had made a protest on account of Herodias, his brother's wife, and other evil things which Herod had done,

²⁰ Did this most evil thing of all, and had John shut up in prison.

²¹ Now it came about that when all the people had been given baptism, Jesus, having had baptism with them, was in prayer, when, the heaven being open,

²² The Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove, and a voice came from heaven, saying, You are my dearly loved Son, with whom I am well pleased.

²³ And Jesus at this time was about thirty years old, being the son (as it seemed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

²⁴ The son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,

²⁵ The son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,

²⁶ The son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda,

²⁷ The son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,

²⁸ The son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,

²⁹ The son of Jesus, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,

³⁰ The son of Symeon, the son of Judas, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,

³¹ The son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,

³² The son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,

³³ The son of Amminadab, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,

³⁴ The son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

³⁵ The son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah,

³⁶ The son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

³⁷ The son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,

³⁸ The son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Commentary on Luke 3 John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Matthew Henry Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Verse 1

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,.... Emperor of Rome, and the third of the Caesars; Julius was the first, and Augustus the second, in whose time Christ was born, and this Tiberius the third; he was the son of Livia, the wife of Augustus, but not by him; but was adopted by him, into the empire: his name was Claudius Tiberius Nero, and for his intemperance was called, Caldius Biberius Mero; the whole of his reign was upwards of twenty two years, for he died in the twenty third year of his reign^F7Suetou. Octav. Aug. c. 62, 63. & Tiberius Nero, c. 21, 49, 73. ; and in the fifteenth of it, John began to preach, Christ was baptized, and began to preach also; so that this year may be truly called, "the acceptable year of the Lord".

Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea; under the Emperor Tiberius, in whose reign the Jewish chronologer^F8R. David Ganz par. 2. fol. 15. 1. places him, and the historian^F9Joseph. de Bello, Jud. l. 2. c. 9. sect. 2, 3. also, and make mention of him as sent by him to Jerusalem: he was not the first governor of Judea for the Romans; there were before him Coponius, Marcus Ambivius, Annins Rufus, and Valerius Gratus:

and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee; this was Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the great, and brother of Archelaus; the above chronologer^F11Par. 1. fol. 25. 2. calls him also a tetrarch, and places him under Tiberius Caesar: he is sometimes called a king, and so he is by the Ethiopic version here called "king of Galilee"; and in the Arabic version, "prince over the fourth part of Galilee"; besides Galilee, he had also Peraea, or the country beyond Jordan, as Josephus^F12De Bello Jud. l. 2. c. 6. sect. 5. says, and which seems here to be included in Galilee; See Gill on Matthew 14:1.

And his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea, and of the region of Trachonitis: Pliny^F13Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 23. makes mention of the nation of the Itureans, as belonging to Coele Syria; perhaps Iturea is the same with Batanea, or Auranitis, or both; since these with Trachon, the same with Trachonitis here, are allotted to Philip by Josephus^F14Ib. ut supra. (de Bello, Jud. l. 2. c. 9. sect. 2, 3.) : it seems to take its name from Jetur, one of the sons of Ishmael, Genesis 25:15 Trachonitis is mentioned by Pliny^F15Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 12. , as near to Decapolis, and as a region and tetrarchy, as here: Ptolemy^F16Lib. 5. c. 15. speaks of the Trachonite Arabians, on the east of Batanea, or Bashan: the region of Trachona, or Trachonitis, with the Targumists^F17Targum Jon. in Deut. iii. 4. 14. 1 Kings iv. 13. & T. Hiefos. in Deut. iii. 14. & Numb. xxxiv. 15. , answers to the country of Argob. This Philip, who as before by Josephus, so by Egesippus^F18De Excid. l. 1. c. 46. & 3. 26. , is said, in agreement with Luke, to be tetrarch of Trachonitis, was brother to Herod Antipas, by the father's, but not by the mother's side. Philip was born of Cleopatra, of Jerusalem, and Herod of Malthace, a Samaritan^F19Joseph de Bello Jud. l. 1. c. 28. : he died in the twentieth year of Tiberius^F20Ib. Antiqu. l. 18. c. 6. , five years after this:

and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene: mention is made of Abila by Pliny^F21Lib. 5. c. 18. , as in Coele Syria, from whence this tetrarchy might have its name; and by Ptolemy^F23Lib. 5. c. 15. , it is called Abila of Lysanius, from this, or some other governor of it, of that name; and the phrase, "from Abilene to Jerusalem", is to be met with in the Talmud^F24T. Bab. Bava Kama, fol. 59. 2. , which doubtless designs this same place: who this Lysanias was, is not certain; he was not the son of Herod the great, as Eusebius suggests^F25Hist. Eccl l. 1. c. 9. 10. , nor that Lysanias, the son of Ptolemy Minnaeus, whom Josephus^F26De Belle Jud. l. 1. c. 13. sect. 1. speaks of, though very probably he might be a descendant of his: however, when Tiberius Caesar reigned at Rome, and Pontius Pilate governed in Judea, and Herod Antipas in Galilee, and Philip his brother in Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias in Abilene, John the Baptist began to preach and baptize; to fix the area of whose ministry and baptism, all this is said.

Verse 2

Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests,.... Some difficulty here arises, how these two could be both high priests; when according to the law of God, and the usages of the Jewish nation, there was to be, and was but one high priest at a time: many things are observed by writers, to solve this difficulty: some go this way; that though according to the divine institution, and the practice of former times, there was but one high priest at a time; yet now, through the corruption of the present age, there were two high priests; or at least, which officiated alternately in the same year: but of such a corruption, no instance can be given, even in those corrupt times; and as Maimonides says^F1In Misn. Menachot, c. 13. sect. 10. , there can be but "one high priest" בכל העולם, "in all the world"; and besides, is contrary to their canons, which were then in being, and still remain; one^F2T. Hieros. Sanhedrin, fol. 29. 1. Maimon. Hilch. Cele Hamikdash, c. 4. sect. 15. of which runs thus, אין ממנין שני כהנים גדולים כאחת "they do not appoint two high priests at once". Others suppose, that these two annually performed the office of high priests by turns; that Caiaphas was high priest one year, and Annas another: it is true indeed, that through the corruption of those times, this office became venal, hence it is said in the Talmud^F3T. Bab. Yorma, fol. 8. 2. ,

"because they gave money for the priesthood, they changed it every twelve months.'

And which is more largely expressed by one of their commentators^F4Bartenora in Misn. Yoma, c 1. sect. 1. ,

"because the high priests, who were under the second temple, after Simeon the just, gave money to minister in the high priest's office, and because they were wicked, they did not fill up their years, therefore they changed every year.'

But though it is certain, that there were frequent, and sometimes annual changes in the priesthood, hence it is said of Caiaphas, John 11:49 that he was "high priest the same year", yet it does not appear that he and Annas took it yearly by turns: for Caiaphas continued in that office some years, even till after the death of Christ: and besides, had this been the case, as one of them could be but high priest for the year being, both in one year as here, could not with propriety be said to be high priests. Others take another method, and suppose Caiaphas to be properly the high priest, as he certainly was; and Annas so called, because he had been one formerly, the same with Ananus, the son of Seth; who was put into the priesthood by Quirinius, in the room of Joazar, and was deposed by Valerius Gratus, and Ishmael ben Phabi was put into his room: but though there may be instances of persons being called high priests, who had been in that office, after they were removed from it, yet no reason can be given, why Annas should be peculiarly called so, when there were in all probability several alive, who had been in that office as well as he; as Joazar his predecessor, and Ishmael ben Phabi, who succeeded Joazar, and after him Eleazar, the son of Annas, and then Simeon ben Camhith; nor why he should be put in the annals of the high priests, in a year in which he was not one. It seems most likely therefore, that he was the "Sagan" of the priests, of which office mention is frequently made, in the Jewish writings^F5Targum in 2 Kings xxiii. 4. & xxv. 18. & in Jer. xx. 1. 3. & xxix. 26, & lii. 24. ; yea, we often read of Chanina, or Chananiah, or Ananias, perhaps the same with this Annas, who is called, סגן כהנים, "the Sagan of the priests"^F6Misn. Shekalim, c. 6. sect. 1. T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 8. 1. Juchasin, fol. 57. 1. . This officer was not a deputy high priest, or one that was substituted to officiate occasionally, in the room of the high priest, when any thing hindered him, or rendered him unfit for his office; as on the day of atonement, if the high priest contracted any pollution, they substituted another to minister^F7Misn. Yoma, c. 1. sect. 1. ; which was not the "Sagan", but another priest; and even such an one was called an high priest, as appears from the following story^F8T. Hieros. Yoma, fol. 38. 4. Megilla, fol. 72. 1. Horayot, fol. 47. 4. T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 47. 1. Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 2. fol. 180. 3. .

"It happened to Simeon ben Camhith (a predecessor of Caiaphas), that he went out to speak with the king, on the evening of the day of atonement, and the spittle was scattered from his mouth, upon his garments, and he was unclean; and his brother Judah went in, and ministered in his stead in the high priesthood; and their mother saw her "two sons", שני כהנים גדולים ביום אחד "high priests in one day".'

But the "Sagan" was not an officer pro tempore, or so much under the high priest, and one in his stead, as a ruler and governor over other priests. Maimonides says of him thus^F9Hilch. Cele Hamikdash, c. 4. sect. 16. ;

"they appoint one priest, who is to the high priest as a second to the king, and he is called "Sagan"; and he is called a ruler: and he stands at the right hand of the high priest continually; and this is an honour to him, and all the priests are under the hand of the Sagan.'

The account given of him in the Talmud^F11T. Hieros. Yoma, fol. 41. 1. is this;

"in five things the "Sagan" ministers; the "Sagan" says to him, my lord, high priest, lift up thy right hand (i.e. when he took the lots out of the vessel for the goats, on the day of atonement^F12Misn. Yoma, c. 4. sect. 1. ; which should be slain); the "Sagan" is on his right hand, and the father of the sanhedrim on his left (i.e. when he went to the east of the court and the north of the altar^F13Ib. c. 3. sect. 9. , where were the two goats, and the vessel in which were the lots); the "Sagan" waved with the veils, or linen clothes; the "Sagan" held him by his right hand, and caused him to ascend (by the steps to the altar); and no man was appointed an high priest, before he was a "Sagan."'

Now these might be as Serojab and Zephaniah, the one chief priest, and the other second priest, Jeremiah 52:24 where the Targum and Jarchi interpret the text, the "Sagan" of the priests. And this being an office of such dignity and authority, supposing Annas in it, though he was not "the" high priest, yet being the head of the other priests, he might be called one, and be joined with Caiaphas, and set before him; not only because he had been an high priest, but because he was his father-in-law:

the word of God came to John the son of Zachariah: a priest of the order of "Abia"; and of Elisabeth, a daughter of Aaron, and cousin of Mary, the mother of Jesus; as it had come formerly to the prophets, and particularly to Jeremiah, who was sanctified from the womb, as the Baptist was: he was blessed with a prophetic spirit, and with the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost, and with a wonderful revelation of the Messiah, and of the Gospel dispensation; and was abundantly qualified for the work he was called to, and sent to perform: and this befell him

in the wilderness; that is, of Judea; where he had been brought up and lived, and from whence and where he came, preaching: he had lived a solitary life, and had not learnt his doctrine from men, but had his mission, ministry, and baptism, from heaven.

Verse 3

And he came into all the country about Jordan,.... He came out of the wilderness of Judea, where he first began his ministry, to some parts of the country that bordered on Jordan, and was near unto it, on either side the river; sometimes he was at Bethabara, and sometimes at Aenon, near Salim; for he did not take a tour round about all, the country that encompassed Jordan, but being at it, or in places adjacent to it, all the country round about came to him; see Matthew 3:5.

Preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins: this was the work and office of John, as signified by Elias, in Malachi 4:5 the Jews say^F14Pirke Eliezer, c. 44. ,

"the Israelites will not repent, till Elias comes; as it is said, Malachi 4:5 in the land of Israel repentance delights.'

John came into this land, preaching this doctrine; See Gill on Mark 1:4.

Verse 4

As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet,.... Isaiah 40:3

saying, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord make his paths straight; See Gill on Matthew 3:3.

Verse 5

Every valley shall be filled,.... Luke cites more out of the same prophecy, as relating to the times of John the Baptist, and the Messiah, than the other Evangelists Matthew and Mark do: in the prophet it is, "every valley shall be exalted"; which is done, by filling it up; the metaphor is persisted in, of preparing and clearing the way, for the coming of the Messiah, done by the ministry of John; under which, such souls as were lowly and humble, and depressed with the sense of sin, should be raised and directed to believe in Christ, and be filled with divine consolation from him. These words are owned by the Jews^F15T. Hieros. Erubin, fol. 25. 2. to belong to the world to come; that is, the times of the Messiah; though they understand them, of making way for the return of the Israelites from captivity, by the Messiah: just as they suppose such things were done by the miraculous cloud, for the children of Israel, as they passed through the wilderness; of which they say^F16Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 1. fol. 177. 1, 2. Vid. Targ. in Cant. ii. 6. & Jarchi in Cant. iii. 6. ,

"that it went before them, smote the serpents and scorpions, and fiery serpents, and the rock; and if there was any low place, it raised it up; or high place, it made it low, and caused them to be plain; as it is said, Isaiah 40:3 "And every valley shall be exalted", &c.'

But what they say of this cloud literally, as preparing the way for the Israelites, is in a spiritual sense true, of the ministry of John; whereby many of the children of Israel, had the way prepared for them, for the reception of the Messiah; when as every humble soul had its expectation raised, and its faith encouraged, and its heart filled with spiritual joy; so such as were proud and haughty, were humbled:

and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; all such as are elated with their own abilities, and boast of their righteousness, trust in themselves, and look with disdain and contempt on others, their loftiness shall be bowed down, and their haughtiness made low; and the Messiah alone, in his person, grace, and righteousness, be exalted:

and the crooked shall be made straight: such as are of a crooked spirit, and walk in crooked ways, with the workers of iniquity, shall have new spirits given them, and be directed to right ways, and be led in the paths of righteousness and truth:

and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and men of rough tempers, comparable to lions and bears, shall become quiet and peaceable, smooth and easy; and moreover, whatever difficulties were in the minds of men concerning the Messiah, the end of his coming, and the nature of his kingdom; and whatever impediments were in the way of embracing him when come, should now be removed at least from many persons: R. David Kimchi, a very noted Jewish commentator^F17In Isa. xl. 4. , acknowledges that the whole of this passage is to be understood, דרך משל, "by way of parable", in a mystical and figurative sense.

Verse 6

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. "By the salvation of God" is meant, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of God's appointing and sending; and who is the author of that salvation which God resolved on, contrived, and approved of; and is his ordinance for salvation, unto the ends of the earth, for all his elect; Luke 2:30 whom a great number among the Jews should, and did see, with their bodily eyes; and whom not only God's elect among them, but also all of them among the Gentiles, should behold with an eye of faith, for themselves, as their Saviour and Redeemer. It is matter of question, what passage is here referred to; whether Isaiah 40:5 or Isaiah 3:10 the latter comes nearest to the words, and the former stands closely connected with the expressions before cited; though it is usual with the New Testament writers, to join together passages, which stand in different places of the same prophet, and even which are in different books; Romans 9:33 compared with Isaiah 8:14 and Matthew 21:5 compared with Isaiah 62:11 and that agreeably to the method used by Jewish writers^F18Vid. Surenhus. Biblos Katallages, de modis Allegandi, &c. Thes. 7. p. 45, 46, 319. .

Verse 7

Then said he to the multitude,.... That is, John, as the Ethiopic version reads; and the multitude to whom he spake the following words, were many of the Pharisees and Sadducees, as appears from Matthew 3:7

That came forth to be baptized of him; who came out of their houses, towns, and cities, round about, to the place where John was; and hearing and seeing what he was about, desired to be admitted to his baptism: not that they "were baptised of him"; as the Arabic version renders it; but they came with a view of being baptized, were it thought fit and proper they should: but John refused them, saying to them,

O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? See Gill on Matthew 3:7.

Verse 8

Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance,.... Or "meet" for it, such as will show it to be true and genuine: "and begin not to say within yourselves": in one of Beza's copies, and in another of Stephens's, it was read, "think not", as in Matthew 3:9. the sense is the same. The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions, leave out the phrase, "within yourselves": what they are forbid to say follows,

we have Abraham to our father, for I say unto you, God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham; which need not be thought strange, when the creation of Adam out of the earth, and the production of such a numerous offspring, as the Israelites were, from Abraham and Sarah, when past all hope of children, and are signified by the rock and pit in Isaiah 51:1 are considered; See Gill on Matthew 3:9.

Verse 9

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees,.... Not only to Jesse's family, which as a root in a dry ground, and to Jerusalem, the metropolis of the nation; but to the root of the vain boasting of every Jew; their descent from Abraham, the covenant made with him, their ecclesiastical state and civil polity, all which would quickly be at an end: the Romans were now among them, the axe in God's hand; by means of whom, utter ruin and destruction would be brought upon their nation, city, and temple:

every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire; See Gill on Matthew 3:10.

Verse 10

And the people asked him,.... Not the same as in Luke 3:7 the Sadducees and Pharisees, for they seemed not to be at all affected with, and wrought upon, by the ministry of John; but rather were displeased with him, and turned their backs on him, and rejected him and his baptism; but the common people, that stood by; who hearing John speak of wrath to come, and of repentance, and fruits worthy of it, were filled with concern about these things, and inquire,

saying, what shall we do? either to escape the wrath and vengeance coming on the nation, and also eternal ruin and destruction; and Beza says, that in two of his copies, and one of them his most ancient one it is added, "to be saved", and so in two of Stephens's; which confirms the above sense, and makes their inquiry to be the same with the jailor's, Acts 16:30 or else their meaning is, what are the things we are to do, or the fruits we are to bring forth, the duties we are to perform, in order to testify the truth and genuineness of our repentance? which latter seems most agreeable.

Verse 11

He answereth and saith unto them,.... By telling them what they should do; and he does not put them upon ceremonial observances, nor severe exercises of religion, nor even the duties of the first table of the law, and others of the second, though necessary to be done; but upon acts of beneficence and kindness, to fellow creatures in distress; and are what may be called love of our neighbour, and which involves the love of God, and so the whole law; for the one cannot be rightly exercised without the other:

he that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; not both of them, but one of them: a man is not obliged to go naked himself, in order to clothe another; and so the Persic and Ethiopic versions read, "let him give one to him that has not"; that has not a garment to wear. This is not to be understood strictly and literally, that a man is obliged to give one of his coats, if he has more than one, to a person in want of clothing; it will be sufficient to answer the intent of this exhortation, if he supplies his want another way, by furnishing him with money to buy one: the meaning is, that persons according to their abilities, and of what they can spare, should communicate to those that are in distress: much less is it to be concluded from hence, that it is not lawful for a man to have more coats than one:

and he that hath meat, or meats,

let him do likewise; that is, he that has a sufficiency of food, and more than enough for himself and family, let him give it freely and cheerfully to the poor and needy, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased: and when such acts of kindness are done in faith, from a principle of love, and with a view to the glory of God, they are the fruits of grace, and such as are meet for repentance, and show it to be genuine. John instances in these two articles, food and raiment, as containing the necessaries of human life, and including every thing, by which one may be serviceable to another.

Verse 12

Then came also publicans to be baptized,.... Being convinced under John's ministry of the evils of their past life, and desirous of being admitted to baptism, to which they understood repentance, and fruits meet for the same, were pre-requisite: these came nearer to John,

and said unto him, master, what shall we do? we have been very wicked persons, what shall we do to escape divine vengeance? or what are the particular duties we are to perform? or the fruits meet for repentance, we are to bring forth; that so we may be admitted to the ordinance of baptism, which requires, as previous to it, a true and hearty repentance? of these men,

See Gill on Matthew 5:46, Matthew 9:9, Matthew 9:10, Matthew 9:11

Verse 13

And he said unto them,.... Not by advising them to quit their employments, as if it was a thing unlawful to impose pay, and collect taxes, but by directing them to perform their office aright:

exact no more than that which is appointed you; by the government: there were two sorts of publicans; there were some that exacted more than what they were ordered, and settled the tax at their own pleasure, and collected what they would themselves; and these were very odious to the people, and were reckoned with the worst of sinners, as thieves and robbers; but there were others, who behaved according to the orders of the government, and these were submitted to, as appears from the Jewish canons:

"says^F19T. Bab. Bava Kama, fol. 113. 1. Samuel, the judgment a kingdom, is judgment (i.e. the orders of a government ought to be regarded); R. Chanina bar Cahana says, that Samuel says it of a publican, שאין לו קיצבה "who has nothing appointed for him": the house of R. Jannai say, of a publican that stands of himself.'

The gloss is,

""the judgment of a kingdom is judgment"; this is he that receives from a king, a tax (to gather) in a thing, קצוב, "that is fixed", so and so for the year, and he is no robber: "who has nothing appointed for him", but takes according to his whole will and pleasure.'

Maimonides expresses this in plainer language^F20Hilch. Gezala, c. 5. sect. 11,12. .

"in what things is it said that a publican is as thieves? when a Gentile publican, or a Gentile that stands of himself, or a publican that stands for the king, and hath nothing fixed for him, but he takes what he pleases, and leaves what he pleases: but a publican with whom the king agrees, and orders that he should take a third or a fourth, or, דבר קצוב "any thing that is appointed"; and he constitutes an Israelitish publican to collect that part for the king, and it is known that the man is faithful, and does not add any thing to what the king has decreed; he is not in the class of robbers, for the judgment of a king is judgment.--And so a king that lays a tax upon citizens, or upon every man and man, "a thing fixed"; or decrees, that whoever transgresses this thing, they shall take all his goods into the king's house; or that whatever shall be found in the field in the time of the barn (i.e. when it should be there) should pay tribute for it, whether he is the owner of the field or not: and so with respect to any thing else of this kind, it is not a robbery; and an Israelite that collects them for the king, is not in the number of robbers; for lo! he is right, and he does not add nor alter, nor take any thing to himself.'

Now such publicans as these, were received and submitted to, but others were rejected; so Moses Kotsensis says^F21Mitzvot Tora, pr. neg. 214. Vid. T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 25. 2. Gloss in ib. , that

"publicans that take, יותר מדבר הקצוב להן "more than what is appointed for them", are rejected.'

From all which we may learn what publicans these were that came to John's baptism, and put the above question to him; that they were Jewish publicans, and not Gentiles; and therefore John says nothing to them, but what concerned their employment, which he doubtless would have done, if they had been ignorant Gentiles: and also we see the reason of his expressing himself in this manner, since publicans were very apt to go beyond their orders, and require more than was fixed for them to collect; and likewise that John, in this advice, spoke the sense of the Jews themselves; who did not refuse to pay tribute, excepting some few, provided no more was exacted, than the government appointed; and as temptations to such evils were very great, and it lay in the power of these men to impose on the people, and extort from them, to abstain from such practices was an argument of the fear of God, of the truth of grace, and of the sincerity of repentance.

Verse 14

And the soldiers likewise demanded of him,.... Or "asked him": why our translators have rendered it, "demanded of him", I know not, unless they thought that such language best suited persons of a military character. Some think these were Gentile soldiers, since it does not look so likely that the Romans would employ Jews as soldiers in their own country; though it is more probable that they were Jews, in the pay of the Romans, who belonged to Herod, tetrarch of Galilee, or to Philip of Ituraea, whose dominions lay near the place where John was: since it is certain, that there were many of the Jews that betook themselves to a military life; and seeing John instructed them in no part of natural or revealed religion, but what was suitable to their character and employment: for upon these men saying,

what shall we do? to avoid the threatened ruin, and to prove the truth of our repentance, that so we may be admitted to the holy ordinance of baptism; John replied,

do violence to no man; or "shake" him, or put him, into bodily fear, by threatening, hectoring, and bullying him, and drawing the sword upon him, which is usual, upon the least offence, for such persons to do;

neither accuse any falsely, or play the sycophant; who, in order to flatter some, bring malicious accusations against others; and which was a vice that too much prevailed among the Jewish soldiery; who either to curry favour with the Roman officers and governors, would wrongfully accuse their fellow soldiers, or country men, to them; or in order to extort sums of money from them, that they might live in a more luxurious manner than their common pay would admit of: wherefore, it follows,

and be content with your wages; allowed by the government, and do not seek to increase them by any unlawful methods, as by mutiny and sedition, by rebelling against your officers, or by ill usage of the people. The Jewish Rabbins have adopted this word, אפסניא, into their language in the Misnic and Talmudic writings^F23Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 2. sect. 4. T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 18. 2. & 21. 2. : and their gloss explains it by the money, for the soldiers, and the hire of soldiers, as here; and it includes every thing which by the Romans were given to their soldiers for pay, and which was food as well as money.

Verse 15

And as the people were in expectation, of the coming of the Messiah; Daniel's seventy weeks being now accomplished, the sceptre being departed from Judah, and the Romans having the government in their hands, from whom they hoped for a deliverance by Christ;

and all men mused in their hearts of John; whether he were the Christ, or no; about which they had many reasonings and debates: some doubting of it, others ready to believe it, from his extraordinary birth, the singular holiness of his life, the power and efficacy of his doctrine, the new ordinance he administered, the restoration of religion by him, the freedom he took in reproving the vices of men, and the apt answers he gave to the questions now put to him. And that the Messiah was born, though he was not, as yet, made manifest, they might conclude, not only from the fulfilment of several prophecies, but from the song of Zacharias, the declaration of Simeon and Anna in the temple, and of the wise men that came from the east; and John appearing in such an unusual manner, they were ready to hope that he was the person; though they did not consider that he was of the tribe of Levi, and not of Judah; from which latter the Messiah was to spring; but this might be unattended to by them, and Satan might have an hand in it to hide the true Messiah from them.

Verse 16

John answered, saying unto them all,.... For some of them might not only so think in their hearts, but express with their mouths the apprehension they had of him; and might put the question to him, as the priests and Levites from Jerusalem afterwards did; or he might know the secret thoughts of their hearts by divine revelation; or be apprized by his disciples of the private sentiments of the people concerning him: and therefore, to put them out of doubt, and that he might not have an honour conferred on him, which did not belong to him, he addressed himself, in a very public manner, to the whole multitude, in the hearing of them all: though the word "all" is left out in the Syriac and Persic versions, but rightly retained in others, being in all copies, and having a considerable emphasis on it: and said the following words.

I indeed baptize you with water; Matthew adds "unto repentance"; upon the profession of repentance:

but one mightier than I cometh; that is,

after me; as Matthew records it:

the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose; neither to bear his shoes after him, as Matthew says, nor to untie his shoe string, or unbuckle his shoe, both which were menial actions with the Jews: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire; as he did some of their nation, his own disciples, on the day of pentecost; See Gill on Matthew 3:11

Verse 17

Whose fan is in his hand,.... See Gill on Matthew 3:12

Verse 18

And many other thing's,.... Relating to the person and office of the Messiah, to the nature of his kingdom, the Gospel dispensation, and to faith in him; for he pointed him out to the people, and exhorted them to believe in him, and expressed much joy and pleasure on the hearing of his success and increase; and these, with others beside, in his "exhortation", or whilst he was

exhorting, or "comforting",

preached he unto the people: publishing the Gospel, the good news, and glad tidings of the Messiah's being come, and of life, righteousness, and salvation by him.

Verse 19

But Herod the tetrarch being reproved by him,.... By John, as the Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions add:

for Herodias his brother Philip's wife; for taking her to wife, whilst his brother Philip was living. The account, which the Jewish chronologer^F24Ganz. Tzemach David, par, 1. fol. 25. 2. gives, of this Herod, and of this fact of his, and John's reproving him for it, and the consequence of it, perfectly agrees with this of the evangelist.

"Herod Antipater, and there are some that call him, טיטרקי "the tetrarch", was a son of Herod the first, and brother of Archelaus'; and he was the third king of the family of Herod; and he was very wicked, and a destroying man: many of the wise men of Israel he slew with the sword; and he took the wife of his brother Philip, whilst he was alive, to himself for wife; and John, the high priest, because הוכיחו, "he reproved him" for this, he slew him with the sword, with many of the wise men of Israel.'

And John reproved him not only for this sin, but others:

and for all the evils which Herod had done; his revellings, debaucheries, murders, &c. all which John, in great faithfulness, and with much freedom, told him and rebuked him for: for Herod had had a particular respect for him, and often had him with him, and heard him gladly, when John had an opportunity of speaking personally to him.

Verse 20

Added yet this above all,.... This sin to all other sins, and which was of a more flagitious nature; and attended with more aggravating circumstances, especially in the issue of it:

that he shut up John in prison; in the castle of Machaerus, by the instigation of Herodias; See Gill on Matthew 14:3.

Verse 21

Now when all the people were baptized,.... That came from several parts to John for this purpose, even as many as he judged to be proper subjects of that ordinance, as many of the common people, publicans, soldiers, &c.

it came to pass that Jesus also being baptized; of John in Jordan, he coming from Galilee thither on that account:

and praying; after he was baptized, for the coming down of the Spirit upon him, as man, to anoint, and qualify him for his office he was now about to enter on publicly: and for success in it, and for a testimony from heaven, that he was the Son of God, and true Messiah:

the heaven was opened; See Gill on Matthew 3:16.

Verse 22

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape,.... In a corporeal form, in a visible manner, and was seen with bodily eyes, at least by John the administrator; to whom this was a signal of his being the Messiah, and a fresh confirmation of it:

like a dove upon him; either in the form of a dove, or this corporeal form, whatever it was, descended and hovered on him as a dove does:

and a voice came from heaven; at the same time the Holy Ghost came down upon him; which said,

thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased: and was the voice of the Father; and the whole of this was an answer of Christ's prayer; See Gill on Matthew 3:16, Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11.

Verse 23

And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age,.... Or Jesus, when he was baptized and began his public ministry, was about thirty years of age: an age at which the priests, under the law, who were typical of Christ, entered on their work, Numbers 4:23 The word, "began", is left out in the Syriac and Persic versions: and is often indeed redundant, as in Luke 3:8 and frequently in Mark's Gospel. The Arabic version renders it, "Jesus began to enter into the thirtieth year", which carries the sense the same with our translation:

being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph; who had espoused Mary before she was with child of the Holy Ghost, and afterwards took her to wife, and brought up her son; so that it was not known but that he was the son of Joseph. Whether or no the Jewish notion of the Messiah, the son of Joseph^F25T. Bab. Succa, fol. 52. 1. Jarchi & Aben Ezra in Zech. xii 10. & xiii. 7. may not take its rise from hence, may be considered: however, Joseph might very rightly be called, as he was supposed to be, the father of Jesus, by a rule which obtains with the Jews^F26Shemot Rabba, sect. 46. fol. 143. 1. that he

"that brings up, and not he that begets, is called the father,'

or parent; of which they give various instances^F1T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 19. 2. Vid. T. Bab. Megilla, fol. 13. 1. in Joseph, in Michal, and in Pharaoh's daughter.

Which was the son of Eli; meaning, not that Joseph was the son of Eli; for he was the son of Jacob, according to Matthew 1:16, but Jesus was the son of Eli; and which must be understood, and carried through the whole genealogy, as thus; Jesus the son of Matthat, Jesus the son of Levi, Jesus the son of Melchi, &c. till you come to Jesus the son of Adam, and Jesus the Son of God; though it is true indeed that Joseph was the son of Eli, having married his daughter; Mary was the daughter of Eli: and so the Jews speak of one Mary, the daughter of Eli, by whom they seem to design the mother of our Lord: for they tell^F2T. Hieros. Sanhedrin, fol. 25. 3. us of one,

"that saw, מרים בת עלי, "Mary the daughter of Eli" in the shades, hanging by the fibres of her breasts; and there are that say, the gate, or, as elsewhere^F3Ib. Chagiga, fol. 77. 4. , the bar of the gate of hell is fixed to her ear.'

By the horrible malice, in the words, you may know who is meant: however, this we gain by it, that by their own confession, Mary is the daughter of Eli; which accords with this genealogy of the evangelist, who traces it from Mary, under her husband Joseph; though she is not mentioned, because of a rule with the Jews^F4Juchasin, fol. 55. 2. , that

"the family of the mother is not called a family.'

Verse 24

Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi,.... These two, Grotius says, are omitted in the ancient exemplars; and he thinks they ought to be left out; and for which he mentions the authorities of Irenaeus, Africanus, Eusebius, Nazianzen, Jerom, and Augustin: but not only the Vulgate Latin, but all the Oriental versions, retain them:

which was the son of Melchi: and who, he thinks, was the immediate father of Eli:

which was the son of Janna: frequent mention is made, in the Jewish writings^F5T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 11. 2. & passim. of ינאי מלכא, "king Jannai", who is said to be the same with king Jochanan, or John, the son of Simeon, the son of Mattithiah, that was called Hyrcanus; and his son Alexander, that reigned after him, was also called Jannai^F6Juchasin. fol. 15. 1. & 16. 2. ; but whether either of these is the same with this Janna, is not certain: but this may be observed, that they were both before the times of Herod, and the birth of Jesus, some years. And Jannai is called; in the chronicle of Jedidiah of Alexandria, or Philo the Jew^F7Apud. Vorst. Not. ad. Chronol. R. David Ganz, p. 311. , Hyrcanus the second, who reigned sixteen years:

which was the son of Joseph. This Joseph, according to the same chronicle, is called Joseph the second, and surnamed Arsis, and was greatly honoured by Ptolemy, and governed sixty years; and accordingly we shall meet with another Joseph anon.

Verse 25

Which was the son of Mattathias,.... Surnamed Siloah, by the same Philo, who governed ten years:

which was the son of Amos; whose surname, according to the same author, was Sirag; or, as some, Syrach, or Shyrach, who governed fourteen years:

which was the son of Naum; who was called Mesalut, or Maslot, who governed seven years:

which was the son of Esli; or Eli, surnamed Haggai, who governed eight years;

which was the son of Nagge: with Philo he is called Nagid Artasat, or Artaxat, and said to govern ten years.

Verse 26

Which was the son of Maath,.... Surnamed Aser, who governed nine years:

which was the son of Mattathias; called Eli Matathias, who governed twelve years:

which was the son of Semei; and named Abner Semei, who governed eleven years:

which was the son of Joseph; called Joseph the first, who governed seven years:

which was the son of Juda; who, according to the same writer, must be Judas, surnamed Hyrcanus the first, who governed fourteen years.

Verse 27

Which was the son of Joanna,.... Johannes, or John, the son of Rhesa Mesullam, who governed fifty three years:

which was the son of Rhesa, called, by the above writer, Rhesa Mesullam; 1 Chronicles 3:19 and said, by him, to govern sixty six years:

which was the son of Zorobabel who governed fifty eight years:

which was the son of Salathiel; the same with Shealthiel; See Gill on Matthew 1:12.

which was the son of Neri; the same with Jechonias, according to the Alexandrian, chronicle; See Gill on Matthew 1:12

Verses 28-31

This, with the following, "Addi, Cosam, Elmodam, Er, Jose, Eliezer, Jorim, Matthat, Levi, Simeon, Juda, Joseph, Jonan, Eliakim, Melea, Menan, and Mattatha", all lived before the captivity, and were of the house of David, in the line of Nathan; for it follows,

which was the son of Nathan: of which persons no mention is made in the Old Testament, nor even of Mattatha, the son of Nathan: his sons that are mentioned are Azariah, Zabud, and Ahishar, 1 Kings 4:5 which last is thought to be the same with Mattatha: that Nathan was the son of David, as the order of things here directs,

which was the son of David, is clear from 2 Samuel 5:14.

Verses 32-34

Which was the son of Jesse,.... The order of the persons from Jesse to Abraham, as Obed, Boaz, Salmon, Naasson, Aminadab, Aram, or Ram, Esrom, (for Joram, which the Arabic version here inserts, is to be rejected,) Phares, Judah, Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, perfectly agrees with the genealogy of Matthew, and the accounts of the Old Testament:

which was the son of Thara; the same with Terah, Genesis 11:26 called by the Septuagint, Tharra:

which was the son of Nachor;, the same with Nahor, Genesis 11:24 called there, by the Septuagint, as here.

Verse 35

Which was the son of Saruch,.... The Septuagint call him Serouch, the same with Serug, Genesis 11:22

which was the son of Ragau; so the Septuagint, the same with Reu, Genesis 40:20

which was the son of Phaleg; the same with Peleg, Genesis 11:18 the Septuagint reads as here: "which was the son of Heber", or Eber, Genesis 11:16

which was the son of Sala, or Salah, Genesis 11:14 the Septuagint there call him Sala.

Verse 36

Which was the son of Cainan,.... This Cainan is not mentioned by Moses in Genesis 11:12 nor has he ever appeared in any Hebrew copy of the Old Testament, nor in the Samaritan version, nor in the Targum; nor is he mentioned by Josephus, nor in 1 Chronicles 1:24 where the genealogy is repeated; nor is it in Beza's most ancient Greek copy of Luke: it indeed stands in the present copies of the Septuagint, but was not originally there; and therefore could not be taken by Luke from thence, but seems to be owing to some early negligent transcriber of Luke's Gospel, and since put into the Septuagint to give it authority: I say "early", because it is in many Greek copies, and in the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, even in the Syriac, the oldest of them; but ought not to stand neither in the text, nor in any version: for certain it is, there never was such a Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, for Salah was his son; and with him the next words should be connected,

which was the son of Arphaxad; Genesis 11:12

which was the son of Sem, or Shem, Genesis 11:10

which was the son of Noe, or Noah, Genesis 5:32

which was the son of Lamech, Genesis 5:28

Verse 37

Which was the son

of Mathusala,.... The same with Methuselah; and so he is called by the Septuagint in Genesis 5:25

which was the son of Enoch, Genesis 5:21

which was the son of Jared Genesis 5:18,

which was the son of Maleleel; the same with Mahalaleel; who is also so called by the seventy interpreters, in Genesis 5:15 as here; which was the son of Cainan, Genesis 5:12.

Verse 38

Which was the son of Enos,.... Genesis 5:9

which was the son of Seth, Genesis 5:6

which was the son of Adam Genesis 5:3

which was the son of God: not begotten, as all the rest were, by their immediate parents, but created by God, in a supernatural manner, out of the dust of the earth, and quickened with the breath of God: so Adam is, by the Jews^F8Sepher Cosri, orat. 2. Sig. 14. fol. 68. 1. called, בן אלהים, "the son of God": though this may be understood of Jesus; the son of Joseph, of Heli, &c. and so on to this clause, "the son of God"; being so as a divine person, to whom the human nature was united, and on that account so called; see Luke 1:35 Thus, as Matthew gives us the regal line of Christ, showing him to be heir to the throne of his father David, Luke gives the natural line of Christ; and as Matthew traces his genealogy down from Abraham, in a descending line, to Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus, Luke traces it upwards, in an ascending line, from Mary by Joseph, even up to Adam; to whom the Messiah was first promised, and who was a type of the second Adam, from whom he descended, though not by ordinary generation; nay, even to God himself: Christ, according to his divine nature, was the only begotten of the Father; and as to his human nature, had a body prepared by him, and in the fulness of time was God manifest in the flesh.

Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Luke » Chapter 3 » Verse 1-38

Luke 3:1-38 King James Version (KJV)

Luke 3:1-38 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

Luke 3:1-38 American Standard (ASV)

Luke 3:1-38 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

Luke 3:1-38 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

Luke 3:1-38 World English Bible (WEB)

Luke 3:1-38 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » John Gill's Exposition of the Bible » Commentary on Luke 3

Commentary on Luke 3 John Gill's Exposition of the Bible