Luke 3

Luke 3:1

OF Tiberius Caesar] This was successour of Augustus Caesar, in whose reigne Christ was borne. Luke 2:1.

Pontius Pilate being Governour] Deputy of the Roman Emperour for the government of that Province.

tetrarch] That is, governour of a fourth part.

Luke 3:2

Annas and Caiaphas] By the Law there ought to have been but one High Priest at once, yet through their many distractions, troubles, and corruptions, the office was now divided. See John 11:49. Acts 4. 6.

the word of God] That is, a speciall revelation and command to execute his office. See Luke 1:80.

Luke 3:3

And he came] Matthew 3:1. Mark 1:4.

Luke 3:4

The voyce of one, &c.] Isaiah 40:3. Matthew 3:3. John 1. 23.

Luke 3:5

Every valley shall be filled] All impediments shall be taken away, so that the way to God and eternall life by Christ, shall be plain and evident.

Luke 3:6

all flesh shall see the salvation of God] See Chap. 2. 30. That is, all sorts of men, to whom Christ the Saviour of the world shall be preached. See Psalms 98:2. Isaiah 52:10. Acts 10:35.

Luke 3:7

O generation of vipers] Matthew 3:7.

Luke 3:8

worthy] Or, meet for.

Luke 3:9

the axe is laid unto the root of the trees] This metaphor shewed them, that the instruments of their destruction (such as were Vespasian and Titus) were neere, and should quickly execute, except they repented.

Luke 3:10

What shall we doe then] What fruits must we bring forth, that we may flee from the anger to come? See Acts 2:37.

Luke 3:11

He that hath two coats, &c.] See James 2:15. 1 John 3. 17. Meaning, that charitie is the most acceptable fruit of our repentance, without which all Religion is vaine, and the anger of God hangeth over men. See 1 Corinthians 13:1. &c. Jam. 1. 26, 27. & 2. 14. 1 Joh 3. 17. & 4. 20. John 13:35.

Luke 3:12

publicanes to be baptized] Officers who received tribute and customes for the Romans.

Luke 3:14

Do violence to no man] Or, put no man in feare.

wages] Or, allowance.

Luke 3:15

in expectation] Or, in suspence.

mused] Or, reasoned, or debated.

Luke 3:16

I indeed baptize you with water] Meaning, that he onely administred the externall sign and Sacrament, but Christ would give the inward effect thereof, for the washing away their sinnes. See Matthew 3:11. Mark 1:8. John 1:26. Acts 1:5. Acts 11:16. & Acts 19:4.

and with fire] Meaning that he should cleanse them from their sinnes, as fire doth the gold from drosse. See Acts 2:3.

Luke 3:19

But Herod Matthew 14:3. Mark 6:17.

Luke 3:20

Added yet this above all] This did help to fill up the measure of his sinne, in that being incensed against the word of God, he revenged himselfe on the Minister thereof, as on an enemy.

Luke 3:21

it came to passe] Matthew 3:13. Mark 1:10. John 1. 32.

Luke 3:23

about thirty yeeres of age] At which age the Priests were to enter into their function. Numbers 4:3. 35, &c.

being (as was supposed) the sonne of Joseph] For Christ as man had no Father, as God, no Mother: as it is said of Melchisedec his type, Hebrews 7:3.

sonne of Hel] Luke ascendeth from the last father to the first, and Matthew contrariwise descendeth, extending his rehearsall no further then to Abraham, to assure the Jewes of the promise fulfilled to them: Luke rehearseth to Adam, to assure the Gentiles also of their interest in Christ. Note also, that the Jewes reckoned these Genealogies, not onely by the naturall, but also by the legall descents, and that whereas divers men had two names, one of the Evangelists reciting one, and the other another, they yet agree in the same person.

Luke 3:31

sonne of Nathan] Zac 12:12. 2 Samuel 5:14. 1 Chron. 3. 5.

Luke 3:32

sonne of Booz] Ruth 2:1. & Ruth 4:18.

sonne of Naasson] 1 Chronicles 2:10.

Luke 3:34

sonne of Thara] Genesis 11:24. 26.

Luke 3:36

sonne of Sem] Genesis 11:10. &c.

Luke 3:37

sonne of Methusala] Genesis 5:21. &c.

Luke 3:38

sonne of God] As God is universall parent, Deuteronomy 32:6. 18. and as Adam by creation beares his image. Gen. 1. 26, 27.