LUKE 3:2 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.

UST The high priests at the temple in Jerusalem were Annas and Caiaphas. During that time, God spoke to Zechariah’s son John while he was living out in the desolate area.

BSB during [the] high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, [the] word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

MSB during [the] high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,[fn] [the] word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

3:2 TR being the high priests Annas and Caiaphas

BLB during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came upon John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

AICNT during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.

OEB and when Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, a command from God came to John, the son of Zechariah, while he was in the wilderness.

WEBBE during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.

WMBB during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to Yochanan, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.

NET during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

LSV [and] Annas and Caiaphas being chief priests—there came a word of God to John the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness,

FBV Annas and Caiphas were the current high priests. This was the time when the word of God came to John, Zechariah's son, who was living in the desert.

TCNT during the [fn]high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

3:2 high priesthood of ¦ time of the high priests TR

T4T and while Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests in Jerusalem, God gave messages to Zechariah’s son John while he was living in the desolate region.

LEB in the time of the high priest Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

BBE When Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of the Lord came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the waste land.

Moff during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert;

Wymth during the High-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, a message from God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the Desert.

ASV in the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

DRA Under the high priests Annas and Caiphas; the word of the Lord was made unto John, the son of Zachary, in the desert.

YLT Annas and Caiaphas being chief priests — there came a word of God unto John the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness,

Drby in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, [the] word of [fn]God came upon John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.

3.2 Elohim

RV in the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

SLT Upon Annas and Caiaphas being chief priests, the word of God was upon John, son of Zacharias in the desert.

Wbstr Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

KJB-1769 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

KJB-1611 Annas and Caiaphas being the high Priests, the word of God came vnto Iohn the sonne of Zacharias, in the wildernesse.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps When Annas and Caiaphas were the hye priestes, the worde of the Lorde came vnto Iohn, the sonne of Zacharias, in the wyldernesse.
(When Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests, the word of the Lord came unto Yohn, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.)

Gnva (When Annas and Caiaphas were the hie Priestes) the worde of God came vnto Iohn, the sonne of Zacharias in the wildernes.
((When Annas and Caiaphas were the high Priests) the word of God came unto Yohn, the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. )

Cvdl when Hannas and Caiphas were hye prestes, the came ye worde of God vnto Ihon the sonne of Zachary in the wyldernes.
(when Hannas and Caiphas were high priests, the came ye/you_all word of God unto Yohn the son of Zachary in the wilderness.)

TNT when Anna and Cayphas were the hye prestes: the worde of God came vnto Iohn the sonne of zacharias in the wildernes.
(when Anna and Cayphas were the high priests: the word of God came unto Yohn the son of zacharias in the wilderness. )

Wycl vndir the princis of prestis Annas and Caifas, the word of the Lord was maad on Joon, the sone of Zacarie, in desert.
(under the princes of priests Annas and Caifas, the word of the Lord was made on Yohn, the son of Zacarie, in desert.)

Luth da Hannas und Kaiphas Hohepriester waren: da geschah der Befehl Gottes zu Johannes, des Zacharias Sohn, in der Wüste.
(there Hannas and Kaiphas Hohepriester were: there happened the/of_the command(n) God’s to/for Yohannes, the Zacharias son, in the/of_the desert.)

ClVg sub principibus sacerdotum Anna et Caipha: factum est verbum Domini super Joannem, Zachariæ filium, in deserto.[fn]
(under princes/leaders priests Anna and Caipha: done it_is the_word/saying Master over Yoannem, Zachariæ son, in/into/on in_the_desert. )

3.2 Factum est verbum, etc. BEDA. Congregaturus Ecclesiam, Dei Filius primum operatur in servulo, etc., usque ad unum itaque dixit, et omnia declaravit.

3.2 Done it_is the_word/saying, etc. BEDA. Congregaturus assembly/church, of_God Son first works in/into/on servulo, etc., until to one therefore he/she_said, and everything declaravit.

UGNT ἐπὶ ἀρχιερέως Ἅννα καὶ Καϊάφα, ἐγένετο ῥῆμα Θεοῦ ἐπὶ Ἰωάννην, τὸν Ζαχαρίου υἱὸν, ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ.
(epi arⱪiereōs Hanna kai Kaiafa, egeneto ɽaʸma Theou epi Yōannaʸn, ton Zaⱪariou huion, en taʸ eraʸmōi.)

SBL-GNT ἐπὶ ἀρχιερέως Ἅννα καὶ Καϊάφα, ἐγένετο ῥῆμα θεοῦ ἐπὶ Ἰωάννην τὸν Ζαχαρίου υἱὸν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ.
(epi arⱪiereōs Hanna kai Kaiafa, egeneto ɽaʸma theou epi Yōannaʸn ton Zaⱪariou huion en taʸ eraʸmōi.)

RP-GNT ἐπὶ ἀρχιερέως Ἄννα καὶ Καϊάφα, ἐγένετο ῥῆμα θεοῦ ἐπὶ Ἰωάννην τὸν Ζαχαρίου υἱὸν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ.
(epi arⱪiereōs Anna kai Kaiafa, egeneto ɽaʸma theou epi Yōannaʸn ton Zaⱪariou huion en taʸ eraʸmōi.)

TC-GNT [fn]ἐπὶ [fn]ἀρχιερέως Ἄννα καὶ Καϊάφα, ἐγένετο ῥῆμα Θεοῦ ἐπὶ [fn]Ἰωάννην τὸν [fn]Ζαχαρίου υἱὸν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ.
(epi arⱪiereōs Anna kai Kaiafa, egeneto ɽaʸma Theou epi Yōannaʸn ton Zaⱪariou huion en taʸ eraʸmōi. )

3:2 επι ¦ επ ANT TR

3:2 αρχιερεως ¦ αρχιερεων TR

3:2 ιωαννην ¦ ιωανην WH

3:2 ζαχαριου ¦ του ζαχαριου TR

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, orange:accents differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN 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.

UTN 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