John the Baptist Prepares the Way(A)(B)

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate(C) was governor of Judea, Herod(D) tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,(E) the word of God came to John(F) son of Zechariah(G) in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.(H) As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.
Every valley shall be filled in,
    every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
    the rough ways smooth.
And all people will see God’s salvation.’”[a](I)

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Notas al pie

  1. Luke 3:6 Isaiah 40:3-5

The Preaching of John the Baptist

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

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. Annas and Caiaphas were the Jewish high priests.[c]

At that time God spoke to Zechariah's son John, who was living in the desert. So John went along the Jordan Valley, telling the people, “Turn back to God and be baptized! Then your sins will be forgiven.” (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.
Fill up every valley
and level every mountain
    and hill.
Straighten the crooked paths
and smooth out
    the rough roads.
Then everyone will see
    the saving power of God.’ ”

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Notas al pie

  1. 3.1 For 15 years: This was either a.d. 28 or 29, and Jesus was about 30 years old (see 3.23).
  2. 3.1 Herod: Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great.
  3. 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.

A Baptism of Life-Change

1-6 In the fifteenth year of the rule of Caesar Tiberius—it was while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea; Herod, ruler of Galilee; his brother Philip, ruler of Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias, ruler of Abilene; during the Chief-Priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—John, Zachariah’s son, out in the desert at the time, received a message from God. He went all through the country around the Jordan River preaching a baptism of life-change leading to forgiveness of sins, as described in the words of Isaiah the prophet:

Thunder in the desert!
“Prepare God’s arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!
Every ditch will be filled in,
Every bump smoothed out,
The detours straightened out,
All the ruts paved over.
Everyone will be there to see
The parade of God’s salvation.”

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Préparation du ministère de Jésus

Jean-Baptiste, messager de Dieu(A)

La quinzième année du règne de l’empereur Tibère[a], Ponce Pilate[b] était gouverneur de la Judée, Hérode régnait sur la Galilée comme tétrarque, son frère Philippe sur l’Iturée et la Trachonitide, Lysanias sur l’Abilène[c]. Hanne et Caïphe étaient grands-prêtres[d].

Cette année-là, Dieu adressa la parole à Jean, fils de Zacharie, dans le désert. Jean se mit à parcourir toute la région du Jourdain. Il appelait les gens à se faire baptiser en signe d’un profond changement[e], afin de recevoir le pardon de leurs péchés. Ainsi s’accomplit ce que le prophète Esaïe avait écrit dans son livre :

On entend la voix de quelqu’un
qui crie dans le désert :
Préparez le chemin pour le Seigneur,
faites-lui des sentiers droits.
Toute vallée sera comblée,
toute montagne et toute colline seront abaissées,
les voies tortueuses deviendront droites,
les chemins rocailleux seront nivelés,
et tous les hommes verront
le salut de Dieu[f] .

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Notas al pie

  1. 3.1 Successeur d’Auguste, empereur à Rome de 14 à 37 apr. J.-C. Jean a donc commencé son ministère aux environs de l’année 28.
  2. 3.1 Ponce Pilate fut gouverneur du territoire israélite de 26 à 36 apr. J.-C.
  3. 3.1 L’Iturée et la Trachonitide sont deux régions situées au sud-est du Liban. l’Abilène : district situé à 27 kilomètres au nord-ouest de Damas.
  4. 3.2 Hanne avait été grand-prêtre avant l’an 15. Il continuait à exercer son influence sous Caïphe, son successeur (qui était son gendre), titulaire de l’office de 18 à 36.
  5. 3.3 Autres traductions : se faire baptiser en signe de repentance, ou pour indiquer qu’ils changeaient de comportement.
  6. 3.6 Es 40.3-5 cité selon l’ancienne version grecque.