Is the Bible Reliable? #3 (22 Historical References in Two Chapters - Luke) Archaeology has confirmed so much of the detail of the New Testament. Also historical, literary sources that are totally apart from the New Testament confirm the inner testimony. In the book of Luke, in the gospel of Luke, chapter 3:1-2 there are 22 historical references in just two verses that have been confirmed as accurate totally apart from the Scriptures. Let me read that passage. “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the regions of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.” Now in just these two verses there are 22 historical references that have been confirmed by archaeology and historical literary sources. For example, these are just the historical references. “The fifteenth year”, not the sixteenth, Tiberius, Pontius Pilate, governor, Judea, Herod, Tetrarch, Galilee, he was a “brother” not a sister, Philip, Tetrarch, Ituraea, Trachonitis, Lysanias, a title “Tetrarch of Abilene”, “the high priesthood” of Annas, of Caiaphas, John, the son of, Zacharias. There are twenty-two references, in just two verses, all confirmed by non-Biblical sources. You know after a while you start getting the hint: “I can trust the Scriptures.” SUMMARY: Archaeology has confirmed so much of the detail of the New Testament as has historical literary sources which are totally apart from the New Testament. The Gospel of Luke 3:1-2 has 22 historical references in these two verses. The passage is quoted. All 22 have been confirmed by non-biblical outside sources. Some of these are “the fifteenth year, Tetrarch, Galilee, “brother”, the title Tetrarch of Abilene. Since every one of these is confirmed by non-Biblical sources the conclusion is “I can trust the Scriptures.” QUESTIONS: 1. How has archaeology affected a student’s view of the New Testament? 2. How many historical references can be found in Luke 3:1-2? 3. Name ten examples of historical references? 4. Why did Luke include these? 5. Why can you trust the New Testament? .