Extra-biblical corroboration: Luke 3 — soldiers on active duty near John the Baptist

Luke 3:14 — soldiers ask John what they should do; he tells them not to extort money. The Greek word translated "soldiers" (strateuomenoi) refers to those actively soldiering — on active campaign. But it was a time of relative peace. The only active military conflict at the time was between Herod Antipas and Aretas IV (king of the Nabataeans), triggered by Herod divorcing Aretas's daughter to marry Herodias. Josephus records that Herod built a military fortress called Machaerus at the north corner of the Dead Sea. The Jordan River flows into the Dead Sea — meaning soldiers marching to reinforce Machaerus would pass exactly where John was baptizing in the Jordan. Luke doesn't explain the connection; Josephus supplies it.