3:2a
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible 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 Berean Standard Bible 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)
-or-
when Annas and Caiaphas led all the Jewish priests
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Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests (New Living Translation (2004))
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: 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 Berean Standard Bible 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. 1a⌊This 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. 1d⌊Herod’s⌋ brother Philip was tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, 1eand Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene. 2aAnnas and Caiaphas held the high priesthood.
-or-
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. 1b⌊At 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.
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