Luke 3:1-6

Contemporary English Version

The Preaching of John the Baptist

(Matthew 3.1-12; Mark 1.1-8; John 1.19-28)

3 For 15 years^[a] Emperor Tiberius had ruled that part of the world. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod^[b] was the ruler of Galilee. Herod's brother, Philip, was the ruler in the countries of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was the ruler of Abilene. ²Annas and Caiaphas were the Jewish high priests.^[c]

At that time God spoke to Zechariah's son John, who was living in the desert. ³So John went along the Jordan Valley, telling the people, “Turn back to God and be baptized! Then your sins will be forgiven.” ⁴^(A) Isaiah the prophet wrote about John when he said,

“In the desert
    someone is shouting,
‘Get the road ready
    for the Lord!
Make a straight path
    for him.
⁵Fill up every valley
and level every mountain
    and hill.
Straighten the crooked paths
and smooth out
    the rough roads.
⁶Then everyone will see
    the saving power of God.’ ”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

3.1 For 15 years: This was either a.d. 28 or 29, and Jesus was about 30 years old (see 3.23).
3.1 Herod: Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great.
3.2 Annas and Caiaphas … high priests: Annas was high priest from a.d. 6 until 15. His son-in-law Caiaphas was high priest from a.d. 18 until 37.