John the Baptist begins preaching
Luke 3:1–18; Matthew 3:1–12; Mark 1:2–8; Isaiah 40:3
In the fifteenth year of Tiberius, the word of God came to John in the wilderness. He preached repentance and baptized crowds in the Jordan River, announcing that one far greater was coming.
“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
Matthew 3:2 (World English Bible)
John wore camel's hair and a leather belt like Elijah and ate locusts and wild honey. He was the voice Isaiah foretold, crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3). He warned the religious leaders not to rely on being Abraham's children, and told soldiers and tax collectors to deal honestly.
Luke anchors this moment carefully in world history: Tiberius emperor, Pontius Pilate governor of Judea, Herod Antipas and Philip tetrarchs, and Annas and Caiaphas high priests (Luke 3:1–2).
Places
Ancient witnesses outside the Bible
Historical sources, not Scripture.
- Antiquities 18.5.2 — Josephus on John's preaching and baptism
Dating notes
Ussher: autumn AD 26, counting Tiberius's 15th year from AD 12, when Augustus made him co-ruler. Counted from Augustus's death in AD 14, the 15th year would be AD 28/29, the date many scholars prefer.