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

LUKE 3:2KJV
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Luke 3:2 (KJV)

What does Luke 3:2 mean?

Luke 3:2 describes how, during the time when Annas and Caiaphas were serving as high priests, God’s message came to John, the son of Zacharias, while he was living in the wilderness. This verse sets the historical and religious context for the beginning of John the Baptist’s public ministry.

Luke 3:2 is part of the introduction to John the Baptist’s story. The verse names Annas and Caiaphas, two important Jewish leaders, to anchor the events in a specific time and place. It highlights that John received a direct message from God (“the word of God”), not in the city or temple, but out in the wilderness, marking him as a prophet outside the usual religious structures.

The Greek behind Luke 3:2

  • ῥῆμα (rhēma, G4487): This word is translated as “word” and often refers to a specific message or utterance from God. Here, it emphasizes that John received a direct, personal communication from God, not just general knowledge.
  • ἐρήμῳ (erēmō, G2048): Translated as “wilderness,” this word points to a deserted or uninhabited place. The wilderness setting is significant in Jewish tradition as a place where God meets His people or raises up prophets, underscoring John’s prophetic role.

Why Luke 3:2 matters

  • Luke 3:2 clarifies that John’s authority comes from God’s direct message, not from the religious leaders or institutions of his day.
  • The mention of both Annas and Caiaphas as “high priests” highlights the unusual political and religious situation, since there was typically only one high priest at a time, suggesting a time of complexity or corruption.
  • By placing John in the wilderness, Luke connects him to earlier prophets like Elijah and Moses, who also encountered God outside the established centers of power.

Where else these words appear

“Annas” Greek G452 · used in 4 verses

  • John 18:13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
  • John 18:24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
  • Acts 4:6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

“Caiaphas” Greek G2533 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 26:3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
  • John 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
  • John 18:24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

“Zacharias” Greek G2197 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
  • Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
  • Luke 1:40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

“wilderness” Greek G2048 · used in 50 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • Mark 6:35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:
  • John 11:54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.