Luke’s presentation of the “good news” is often cited as the most literary of the four gospels. Its narrative style, scope and portrayal of Jesus’ life are presented as a great unfolding story. Luke tells the “greatest story ever told,” both by presenting the grand scheme of God’s work and witness, and by paying attention to distinctive details of the time and place and persons. It is this attention to these details that opens today’s gospel text.

For the third time now in his narrative, Luke takes the time to carefully connect the gospel story to the world in which it took place. In 1:5, 2:1, and now in 3:1-2, Luke provides names of rulers and regions, people and places, bringing to life both the geographic, political, and religious environments surrounding the gospel story.

In 3:1-2 L…