though we have all this evidence that Israel, literal Israel, the covenant

and oath to Abraham, and the burden of all the Old Testament prophets was the

topic uppermost in all minds, teachers and preachers nevertheless persist in

reading into all these Scriptures 'the church' and 'the gospel', even though

Paul himself has most definitely assured them that the ministry of Christ was

primarily to 'confirm' promises already made to the 'fathers'.

In chapter 2, Luke gives in great detail the circumstances of the birth

of Christ, introduces the shepherds, but omits the wise men, and records one

more inspired song, this time by Simeon.  To this most vital and glorious

record we must devote the following section, recognizing that if all the

preparation indicated in chapter 1 be epoch making, how much more so must be

the event unto which all the prophets since the utterance of the primal

prophecy of Genesis 3:15 have looked forward with wondrous expectation.

Luke has conducted our studies from 'the days of Herod', in which the

birth of John the Baptist was announced (Luke 1:5), until 'the day of his

shewing unto Israel' (Luke 1:80), during which we have learned also of the

annunciation of the angel Gabriel to Mary.  The actual birth of the Saviour

is then given in detail and the second chapter ends on a note very similar to

that which closes chapter 1, namely that, like John, the Saviour 'increased

in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man' (Luke 2:52 cf. 1:80).

The dates given by Luke in chapters 1 and 2 are not specific, but with the

opening of chapter 3 with the Baptism and Anointing of the Saviour, the

dating is precise.  There is no other date in the New Testament that

approaches that given in Luke 3:1,2.  John the Baptist's 'shewing' with

Israel is thus dated:

'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.

Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests' (Luke 3:1,2).

Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero, to give Tiberius his full name,

succeeded his step-father Augustus; he died a.d. 37, after reigning 21 years.

In the 15th year of his reign John the Baptist first appeared, and the

crucifixion of Jesus Christ took place in the third or fourth year

afterwards.  The Herod, who is here said to be tetrarch of Galilee, must not

be confused with the Herod who reigned at the time of the birth of Christ

(Matt. 2:1; Luke 1:5).  Primarily, a tetrarch implies one who governs over a

fourth part of a country, but the title was given to governors of a province,

whether their government extended to a fourth part or more; indeed, Josephus

informs us that after the death of Herod the Great, his kingdom was divided

among his three sons Archelaus, Philip and Antipas.  It seems strange to us

to read of two high priests Annas and Caiaphas.  Caiaphas was the son-in-law

of Annas, who had been deprived of the office by Valerus Gratus, governor of

'Caiaphas was the High Priest as successor of Aaron; while Annas was

the Nasi, or head of the Sanhedrin (as successor of Moses), and thus

associated with Caiaphas in government' (The Companion Bible).