A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

Ses s i on 3: The Gospe l s : The Man i fes tat i on of Chr i s t , Par t I I 81

4. The emperor governed through army commanders (legates), who held their positions for five year periods; Quirinius was a legate, Luke 2.1.

5. In provinces where no threat existed, the senate appointed a proconsul each year as governor.

a. Vassal kings were allowed to govern in some areas if they followed Roman policy (Herod the Great, 40 BC until AD 4 as vassal king, Matt. 2.1).

b. Line of vassal kings from Herod’s line (Herod Antipas and Herod Philip, and Archelaus)

(1) Herod Antipas – Galilee and Perea

(2) Herod Philip – Ituraea and Trachonitis

(3) Archelaus – Samaria, Judea, and Idumaea (Edom), Matt. 2.22

6. Pontius Pilate was appointed procurator (subject to the legate of Syria), over the area formerly controlled by Archelaus, who could not keep order.

7. Pilate had no jurisdiction over Herod Antipas’ area of Galilee and Perea, cf. Luke 23.5-7 – But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.” [6] When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. [7] And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.