Luke 3 19

Luke 3:19 kjv

But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

Luke 3:19 nkjv

But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

Luke 3:19 niv

But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done,

Luke 3:19 esv

But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done,

Luke 3:19 nlt

John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother's wife, and for many other wrongs he had done.

Luke 3 verses

Luke 3 19 Meaning

Luke 3:19 describes the immediate consequence of John the Baptist's prophetic ministry: his imprisonment by Herod Antipas. John had boldly confronted Herod, rebuking him not only for his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his half-brother Philip's wife, but also for the entirety of his wicked deeds. This verse signifies the powerful collision between divine truth and corrupt worldly authority, marking a critical transition point as John's public ministry concludes just before Jesus' own public ministry begins.

Luke 3 19 Context

Luke chapter 3 begins by meticulously dating John the Baptist's ministry within historical rulers and religious leaders, establishing its significant prophetic arrival. John's powerful preaching calls people to repentance, spiritual transformation, and baptism, including soldiers and tax collectors, and points to the coming Messiah. Verses 15-18 describe John clarifying his identity, asserting that he is not the Messiah but prepares the way for one mightier. He baptizes with water, while the coming one will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Verse 19, uniquely placed by Luke before Jesus' baptism, serves to immediately transition John from active public ministry to imprisonment. This brief detail signals the completion of John's primary preparatory work and sets the stage for Jesus' appearance and ministry. Historically, Herod Antipas was a tetrach (ruler of a fourth part of a kingdom) of Galilee and Perea, appointed by Rome. His marriage to Herodias was a scandalous and unlawful union under Jewish law, as she was his half-niece and previously married to his half-brother Philip (not the Tetrarch Philip, but another half-brother known as Herod II or Herod Boethus), from whom she divorced. John's public rebuke directly challenged Herod's authority and moral conduct, leading to the prophet's detention in the fortress of Machaerus.

Luke 3 19 Word analysis

• But (de): Introduces a shift, contrasting John's ongoing ministry (verses 15-18) with the event that cuts it short.

• Herod (Hērōdēs): Refers specifically to Herod Antipas, one of Herod the Great's sons, ruler of Galilee and Perea. His name is associated with political intrigue and moral laxity.

• the tetrarch (tetrarchēs): Designates his specific, Roman-sanctioned authority over a significant region. He was not a king but a "ruler of a fourth part."

• being rebuked (elenchomenos): From the Greek elenchō, a present passive participle. Implies a powerful, public, and ongoing confrontation where sin is exposed and conviction occurs. It means "to bring to light," "to expose," "to convict," "to reprove with convincing evidence." John did not just hint; he directly and forcefully confronted Herod's actions as wrong in God's sight.

• by him (hyp' autou): Specifies John the Baptist as the fearless individual confronting the powerful ruler.

• for Herodias (peri Hērōdiados): Indicates the primary, high-profile offense. Herodias was the specific object of the scandal due to the unlawful nature of their marriage.

• his brother Philip's wife (gynaikos Philippou tou adelphou autou): This clarifies the specific familial transgression. This Philip was Herod Antipas's half-brother (Herod II or Herod Boethus), making the marriage forbidden by Mosaic Law (Lev 18:16; 20:21). The explicit detail highlights the moral offense.

• and for all the evils (kai peri pantōn hōn epoiēsen ponērōn): Crucial phrase. It broadens the scope of John's condemnation beyond just the scandalous marriage. John was rebuking Herod for the full range of his wicked, immoral, and unjust acts as a ruler, possibly including abuses of power, violence, and general disregard for God's law and public well-being (cf. Lk 13:31 where Herod seeks to kill Jesus, and Pilate later sending Jesus to Herod in Lk 23:7). "Evils" (ponērōn) describes acts of depravity and malevolence.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him": This phrase powerfully sets up the confrontation between prophetic authority (John, speaking God's truth) and corrupt political power (Herod). It highlights John's courageous stance regardless of the ruler's status or power.
  • "for Herodias his brother Philip's wife": This directly names the prominent, publicly scandalous, and legally forbidden marital relationship that epitomized Herod's defiance of divine and moral law. This was not a private matter but a public scandal requiring public rebuke from God's messenger.
  • "and for all the evils which Herod had done": This crucial addition shows that John's rebuke was not narrowly focused on just one personal sin, but on the entirety of Herod's wickedness and unrighteous rule. This underscores John's role as a prophet of righteousness calling for widespread repentance and justice, extending to political and societal ethics. It points to Herod's systemic moral corruption, not just an isolated transgression.

Luke 3 19 Bonus section

Luke's unique placement of John's imprisonment notice before describing Jesus' baptism (verses 21-22) is notable. While Matthew and Mark place Jesus' baptism and the start of His ministry before John's arrest, Luke structurally gathers all events pertaining to John the Baptist first, effectively bringing John's public ministry to a close before fully introducing Jesus as the central figure. This narrative choice by Luke emphasizes the finality of John's role as the forerunner and gracefully transitions the reader's focus from the preparer to the promised one. John’s willingness to rebuke a ruler for moral depravity and corrupt governance further establishes his stature as a true prophet, embodying the spirit of Elijah who likewise challenged powerful but unrighteous monarchs.

Luke 3 19 Commentary

Luke 3:19 acts as a terse, impactful summary of the climax of John the Baptist's prophetic ministry. It signifies John's commitment to delivering God's uncompromising truth, even when facing a powerful ruler like Herod Antipas. John's courageous public rebuke, concerning both Herod's illicit marriage to Herodias and his wider pattern of wickedness, showcases his role as the voice "crying in the wilderness" that dared to confront even the highest societal authorities. This direct confrontation was reminiscent of Old Testament prophets challenging kings for their sins (e.g., Nathan rebuking David, Elijah confronting Ahab). John's imprisonment underscores that proclaiming God's truth in a sinful world often brings suffering or consequence to the messenger, validating John's integrity and signaling that his preparatory work for Jesus' public ministry was completed, thereby paving the way for the Lord's full appearance. It reinforces the biblical principle that all, regardless of status, are accountable to God's standards.