Overview
Ituraea was a territory in northern Palestine during the time of Jesus, located northeast of the Sea of Galilee. Luke mentions it as part of Philip's tetrarchy during John the Baptist's ministry. This region was historically significant in understanding the political divisions and cultural landscape where Jesus conducted His earthly ministry.
Key Scriptures
"Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis" (Luke 3:1, NASB).
"And all the country about the Jordan, he went throughout all the region about the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins" (Luke 3:3, ESV).
Application
Recognizing the geographical and political divisions of first-century Palestine deepens our understanding of how Jesus's message reached diverse populations across multiple territorial jurisdictions.