LUKE 3:2 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. ἐπί
2. epi
3. during
4. -
5. 19090
6. P·······
7. during
8. during
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39716
1. ἀρχιερέως
2. arχiereus
3. +the chief priest
4. priests
5. 7490
6. N····GMS
7. ˓the˒ chief_priest
8. ˓the˒ chief_priest
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39717
1. ἀρχιερέων
2. arχiereus
3. -
4. -
5. 7490
6. N····GMP
7. chief_priests
8. chief_priests
9. -
10. -
11. 39718
1. Ἅννα
2. annas
3. of Annas
4. Annas
5. 4520
6. N····GMS
7. ˱of˲ Annas
8. ˱of˲ Annas
9. U
10. Person=Annas; Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39719
1. καί
2. kai
3. and
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39720
1. Καϊάφα
2. kaiafas
3. Kaiafas
4. Caiaphas
5. 25330
6. N····GMS
7. Kaiafas
8. Caiaphas
9. U
10. Person=Caiaphas; Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39721
1. ἐγένετο
2. ginomai
3. became
4. -
5. 10960
6. VIAM3··S
7. became
8. became
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39722
1. ῥῆμα
2. rhēma
3. +the message
4. message
5. 44870
6. N····NNS
7. ˓the˒ message
8. ˓the˒ word
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39723
1. Θεοῦ
2. theos
3. of god
4. -
5. 23160
6. N····GMS
7. ˱of˲ god
8. ˱of˲ God
9. GN
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry; Person=God
11. 39724
1. ἐπί
2. epi
3. on
4. -
5. 19090
6. P·······
7. on
8. on
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39725
1. Ἰωάννην
2. iōannēs
3. Yōannaʸs
4. -
5. 24910
6. N····AMS
7. Yōannaʸs
8. John
9. U
10. Person=John; Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry; F39735; F39742; F39817; F39849; F39906; F39934; F39941; F39975
11. 39726
1. τόν
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····AMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39727
1. τοῦ
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····GMS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. -
11. 39728
1. Ζαχαρίου
2. zaχarias
3. of Zaⱪarias
4. -
5. 21970
6. N····GMS
7. ˱of˲ Zaⱪarias
8. ˱of˲ Zacharias
9. U
10. Person=Zacharias; Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39729
1. υἱόν
2. huios
3. son
4. -
5. 52070
6. N····AMS
7. son
8. son
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39730
1. ἐν
2. en
3. in
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39731
1. τῇ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····DFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39732
1. ἐρήμῳ
2. erēmos
3. wilderness
4. wilderness
5. 20480
6. S····DFS
7. wilderness
8. desert
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39733

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:1–20: John the Baptizer prepared the way for Jesus

The last event in Luke 2 describes Jesus’ trip to Jerusalem when he was twelve years old. This section begins about eighteen years later. At the beginning of chapter 3, both Jesus and John the Baptizer were about thirty years old. Both men were ready to begin public ministry.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it. Some other possible headings for this section are:

The Preaching of John (NCV)

John the Baptist and Jesus (REB)

John the Baptizer tells people to prepare themselves for the Messiah

Parts of Luke 3:1–20 are basically the same as verses in Matthew 3:1–12. But Luke 3:1–2, 10–14, and 19–20 are not in Matthew.

Paragraph 3:1–3

This paragraph introduces John the Baptizer and gives historical background. The information about the government and religious leaders in 3:1–2 shows the time period when John began his work. John is the main person in this section. In some languages it may be helpful to introduce John before giving the information about leaders in that time period. See the General Comment on 3:1–2 at the end of the notes on 3:2b for specific suggestions.

In some languages, the difference between background information and the main part of a story is shown by using certain verbs or other markers. If this is true in your language, you should try to show these differences here in 3:1 and 3:2.

3:2a

during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,

while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests,
During that time Annas and Caiaphas held the position of high priest.

during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas is literally “upon Annas [being] the high priest and Caiaphas.” It means “during the time when Annas was the high priest, and Caiaphas.” (See note below for why two men are named.) The high priest was the leader of all the Jewish priests. In New Testament times, he was also the leader of the Jewish supreme court. He was the chief judge and had great power and influence.

The Greek noun that the BSB translates here as high priesthood is singular, even though Luke mentioned two men. Use a form that is natural in your language. For example:

when Annas and Caiaphas served as high priest(s)

when Annas and Caiaphas led all the Jewish priests

Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests (NLT)

Annas and Caiaphas: Annas and Caiaphas are the names of two men. Annas became high priest in A.D. 7. According to the Jewish custom, he was to be the high priest for as long as he lived. But the Roman governor removed Annas from his position as high priest. Later the governor appointed Annas’s son-in-law Caiaphas to be the high priest. Apparently, Luke followed the Jewish custom. He still referred to Annas as the priest, even though Caiaphas was by then the official high priest.

3:2b

the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

God spoke to Zechariah’s son, John, while he was in the desert.
Then God gave John, son of Zechariah, a message while John was in the desert.
At that time John the son of Zechariah was living in the wilderness. There God gave him a message for the people.

the word of God came to John: The phrase the word of God came to John means “God spoke to John” or “God communicated a message to John.” God gave John the Baptizer the message he wanted him to preach.

God: For help in translating the word God, see the note at 1:6a.

son of Zechariah: Zechariah was first mentioned in 1:5.

wilderness: The Greek word that the BSB translates as wilderness refers to a wild, desolate area where few people lived. Many English versions translate this term as “desert.” But although this kind of area was often very dry, it was not just barren sand and rock. Some wild grasses and bushes grew there. The focus here is not on how dry this place was, but rather that it was uninhabited. Translate wilderness the same way here as you did in 1:80b.

General Comment on 3:1–2

These verses introduce John as a major person in this section. In some languages, it may be more natural to introduce him before giving the information about the political situation at that time. To do this, it is necessary to change the order of information in these verses. There are different ways to do this. Here are two examples:

^2bGod gave a message to Zechariah’s son, John, while John was in the desert. ^1aThis happened in the fifteenth year that Tiberius was emperor at Rome. ^1bAt that time Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, ^1cand Herod was tetrarch of Galilee. ^1dHerod’s brother Philip was tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, ^1eand Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene. ^2aAnnas and Caiaphas held the high priesthood.

^1aIn the fifteenth year that Tiberius was emperor at Rome, ^2bGod spoke a message to John, son of Zechariah, while John was in the desert. ^1bAt this time Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea. ^1cHerod was ruler of Galilee, ^1dhis brother Philip was ruler of Iturea and Traconitis, and ^1eLysanias was ruler of Abilene. ^2aThe high priests were Annas and Caiaphas.

Use a natural way in your language to present the information in these verses.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐπὶ ἀρχιερέως Ἅννα καὶ Καϊάφα

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐπί ἀρχιερέως Ἅννα καί Καϊάφα ἐγένετο ῥῆμα Θεοῦ ἐπί Ἰωάννην τόν Ζαχαρίου υἱόν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ)

Usually there would only have been one high priest, but at this point the Romans were appointing the high priests for Judea, and there had been some intrigue surrounding Annas. One Roman official had appointed him some years earlier, but ten years after that, another official deposed him and named his son-in-law Caiaphas high priest instead. However, the Jews still recognized Annas’ claim to the position. It would probably be best to state the matter as simply as possible for your readers. Alternate translation: [while Annas and Caiaphas were both serving as the high priest]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

ἐγένετο ῥῆμα Θεοῦ

became ˓the˒_word ˱of˲_God

Luke speaks of God’s message as if it were a living thing that could come to a person at God's bidding. Alternate translation: [God gave a message]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ἐγένετο ῥῆμα Θεοῦ

became ˓the˒_word ˱of˲_God

The term word describes the message that God gave John to say by using words. Alternate translation: [God gave a message]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

1. OET-LV words
2. OET-RV words
3. Strongs
4. Greek word
5. Greek lemma
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. during
2. -
3. 19090
5. epi
6. P-·······
7. during
8. during
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39716
1. +the chief priest
2. priests
3. 7490
5. arχiereus
6. N-····GMS
7. ˓the˒ chief_priest
8. ˓the˒ chief_priest
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39717
1. of Annas
2. Annas
3. 4520
4. U
5. annas
6. N-····GMS
7. ˱of˲ Annas
8. ˱of˲ Annas
9. U
10. Person=Annas; Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39719
1. and
2. -
3. 25320
5. kai
6. C-·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39720
1. Kaiafas
2. Caiaphas
3. 25330
4. U
5. kaiafas
6. N-····GMS
7. Kaiafas
8. Caiaphas
9. U
10. Person=Caiaphas; Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39721
1. +the message
2. message
3. 44870
5. rhēma
6. N-····NNS
7. ˓the˒ message
8. ˓the˒ word
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39723
1. of god
2. -
3. 23160
4. GN
5. theos
6. N-····GMS
7. ˱of˲ god
8. ˱of˲ God
9. GN
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry; Person=God
11. 39724
1. became
2. -
3. 10960
5. ginomai
6. V-IAM3··S
7. became
8. became
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39722
1. on
2. -
3. 19090
5. epi
6. P-·······
7. on
8. on
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39725
1. Yōannaʸs
2. -
3. 24910
4. U
5. iōannēs
6. N-····AMS
7. Yōannaʸs
8. John
9. U
10. Person=John; Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry; F39735; F39742; F39817; F39849; F39906; F39934; F39941; F39975
11. 39726
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····AMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39727
1. of Zaⱪarias
2. -
3. 21970
4. U
5. zaχarias
6. N-····GMS
7. ˱of˲ Zaⱪarias
8. ˱of˲ Zacharias
9. U
10. Person=Zacharias; Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39729
1. son
2. -
3. 52070
5. huios
6. N-····AMS
7. son
8. son
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39730
1. in
2. -
3. 17220
5. en
6. P-·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39731
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····DFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39732
1. wilderness
2. wilderness
3. 20480
5. erēmos
6. S-····DFS
7. wilderness
8. desert
9. -
10. Y26; TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 39733

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.