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Lysanius is a historical figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke. He is identified as a tetrarch during the time of John the Baptist's ministry, providing a chronological marker for the events described in the Gospel. The reference to Lysanius is found inLuke 3:1, which states: "In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanius tetrarch of Abilene."

Historical Context

Lysanius is noted as the tetrarch of Abilene, a region located in the vicinity of Mount Hermon, near the present-day border of Lebanon and Syria. The title "tetrarch" indicates that he was a ruler of a quarter of a region, a common practice in the Roman Empire to divide territories for administrative purposes. The mention of Lysanius helps to situate the narrative of the Gospel within a specific historical framework, aligning the biblical account with known historical figures and political divisions of the time.

Identification and Historical Debate

The identification of Lysanius has been a subject of scholarly discussion due to the existence of another Lysanius, who was the ruler of Chalcis and was executed by Mark Antony in 36 BC. This earlier Lysanius was the son of Ptolemy, son of Mennaeus, and his execution predates the events described in the Gospel of Luke by several decades. Some scholars have suggested that the Lysanius mentioned in Luke could be a descendant or another individual with the same name, as it was not uncommon for names to be reused within ruling families.

Archaeological evidence, such as inscriptions, has been discovered that references a Lysanius as tetrarch of Abilene during the early first century AD, supporting the biblical account and suggesting that there was indeed a later Lysanius who ruled during the time of John the Baptist and Jesus.

Significance in the Gospel of Luke

The mention of Lysanius inLuke 3:1 serves to anchor the Gospel narrative in a specific historical context, providing readers with a framework to understand the timing of the events described. By listing the political leaders of the time, Luke emphasizes the historical reality of the Gospel message, underscoring the fulfillment of prophecy and the divine orchestration of events leading to the ministry of Jesus Christ.

The inclusion of Lysanius, along with other political figures such as Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod, and Philip, highlights the intersection of divine and human history, illustrating how God's plan unfolds within the complexities of worldly governance and authority. This historical anchoring serves to affirm the reliability and authenticity of the Gospel account, reinforcing the belief in the divine inspiration of Scripture.

Concerning the Government of Claudius, and the Reign of Agrippa....
... countries that had been given by Augustus to Herod, Trachonitis and Auranitis, and
still besides these, that kingdom which was called the kingdom ofLysanius....

Lysanius (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceLysanius (1 Occurrence). Luke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth
year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar, Pontius Pilate...

Lysias (3 Occurrences)

Lysa'ni-as (1 Occurrence)
Lysa'ni-as. Lysanias, Lysa'ni-as.Lysanius . Multi-Version Concordance
Lysa'ni-as (1 Occurrence).... Lysanias, Lysa'ni-as.Lysanius . Reference Bible.

Iturea (1 Occurrence)
... governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch
of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, andLysanius the tetrarch...

Cesar (20 Occurrences)
... governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch
of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, andLysanius the tetrarch...

Abilene (1 Occurrence)
... Josephus calls this Abila, he Lusaniou, literally, "the Abilene ofLysanius," thus
distinguishing it from other towns of the same name, and as late as the time...

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