Luke 1
1
Introduction
1Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled#1:1 Or been surely believed among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
The birth of John the Baptist foretold
5In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
8Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshippers were praying outside.
11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’
18Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well on in years.’
19The angel said to him, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.’
21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realised he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
23When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25‘The Lord has done this for me,’ she said. ‘In these days he has shown his favour and taken away my disgrace among the people.’
The birth of Jesus foretold
26In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. 31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants for ever; his kingdom will never end.’
34‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’
35The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called#1:35 Or So the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37For no word from God will ever fail.’
38‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.
Mary visits Elizabeth
39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her!’
Mary’s song
46And Mary said:
‘My soul glorifies the Lord
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
48for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me –
holy is his name.
50His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55to Abraham and his descendants for ever,
just as he promised our ancestors.’
56Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
The birth of John the Baptist
57When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60but his mother spoke up and said, ‘No! He is to be called John.’
61They said to her, ‘There is no-one among your relatives who has that name.’
62Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, ‘His name is John.’ 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65All the neighbours were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, ‘What then is this child going to be?’ For the Lord’s hand was with him.
Zechariah’s song
67His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
69He has raised up a horn#1:69 Horn here symbolises a strong king. of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David
70(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
71salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us –
72to show mercy to our ancestors
and to remember his holy covenant,
73the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
74to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
and to enable us to serve him without fear
75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
77to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
79to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.’
80And the child grew and became strong in spirit#1:80 Or in the Spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.
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Luke 1: NIVUK
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The Holy Bible, New International Version® (Anglicised), NIV®
Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
Luke 1
1
1As you know, many others have attempted to put down in writing the things that have been fulfilled#1:1. Or “achieved,” “accomplished.” that involve us. 2They based their accounts on evidence from the earliest eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word, 3and so I also decided that since I have followed these things very carefully from the beginning, it would be a good idea to write out an accurate account of all that happened. 4I have done this Theophilus,#1:4. “Theophilus” means “one who loves God.” Also in Acts 1:1. Your Excellency, so you can be certain that what you were taught is completely reliable.
5During the time when Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest called Zechariah, who came from the Abijah priestly division. He was married to Elizabeth, who was also descended from Aaron the priest. 6They both did what was right before God, being careful to follow all the Lord's commandments and regulations.
7They had no children because Elizabeth wasn't able to have any, and they were both growing old. 8While Zechariah was serving as a priest before God, on behalf of his priestly division, 9he was chosen by lot#1:9. A system of random choice like “choosing straws” was used because more wanted to serve than there were places available. according to priestly custom to enter the Temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10During the time of offering incense a large crowd of people were praying outside. 11An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and became terrified.
13But the angel told him, “Don't be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call him John. 14He will bring you joy and gladness, and many will celebrate his birth. 15He will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will refuse to drink wine or other alcoholic drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he's born. 16He will turn many Israelites back to the Lord their God. 17He will go ahead of the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the fathers back to thinking about their children, and to turn those who are rebellious back to a right understanding—to prepare a people ready for the Lord.”#1:17. Quoting Malachi 4:5-6.
18“How can I be sure about this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I'm an old man, and my wife is getting old too.”
19“I am Gabriel,” the angel replied. “I stand in God's presence, and I was sent to speak to you and give you this good news. 20But since you didn't believe what I told you, you'll become dumb, unable to speak, until the appointed time when my words come true.”
21Outside the people were waiting for Zechariah, wondering why he was taking so long in the Temple. 22When eventually he came out, he couldn't speak to them. They realized he'd seen a vision in the Temple, for though he could make gestures, he was completely unable to speak.
23After he'd finished his time of service, he went back home. 24Some time later his wife Elizabeth became pregnant. She stayed at home for five months.
25“The Lord has done this for me,” she said, “now that he's taken away my disgrace in the eyes of others.”
26In the sixth month of her pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to a young girl called Mary who lived in the town of Nazareth in Galilee. 27She was engaged to a man named Joseph.
28The angel greeted her.#1:28. In fact the angel uses the common form of greeting of the time that literally meant “Rejoice” but was actually equivalent to saying “Hello.” Even modern translations have trouble here, with the angel saying “Hail, favored woman” or “Greetings, O favored one,” neither of which seem particularly suitable. On the other hand an angel arriving and saying “Hi” hardly fits either… “You are very privileged,” he told her. “The Lord is with you.” 29Mary was very puzzled at what he said, and wondered what this greeting meant.
30“Don't worry, Mary,” the angel went on, “for God has shown his graciousness to you. 31You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You shall call him Jesus. 32He will be very great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never come to an end.”
34“How is this possible?” Mary asked. “I'm still a virgin.”
35He replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you. The baby who is to be born is holy, and will be called the Son of God. 36And Elizabeth, your relative, even she is pregnant in her old age. The woman that people said couldn't have children is already six months pregnant. 37Nothing is impossible for God.”
38“Here I am, ready to be the Lord's servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me just as you said.” Then the angel left her.
39A little while later, Mary got herself ready and hurried up into the hills of Judea, to the town where 40Zechariah's house was. She called out to Elizabeth as she went in. 41As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's voice, the baby jumped for joy inside her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42and cried out in a loud voice:
“How blessed you are among women, and how blessed will be the child born to you! 43Why am I so honored that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44As soon as I heard you call out in greeting, my baby jumped for joy inside me. 45How fortunate you are, because you are convinced that the Lord will do what he has promised you!”
46Mary replied, “How I praise the Lord! 47I am so happy with God my Savior, 48because he decided that I, his servant, was worthy of his consideration, despite my humble background. From now on every generation will say I was blessed. 49God Almighty has done great things for me; his name is holy. 50His mercy lasts for generation after generation to those who respect him.#1:50. Literally, “fear,” but in modern use this can have the idea of abject terror. 51With his power#1:51. Literally, “strong arm.” he has broken to pieces those who arrogantly think they're so clever. 52He tears the powerful down from their thrones, and elevates those who are humble. 53He fills the hungry with good things to eat, and he sends the rich away empty-handed. 54He has helped his servant Israel, remembering him in mercy, 55just as he promised our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants for ever.” 56Mary stayed with her for three months and then returned home.
57The time came for Elizabeth to have her baby and she gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had showed her great kindness, and they celebrated together with her. 59Eight days later they came to circumcise the boy. They planned to call him Zechariah after his father.
60“No,” Elizabeth said. “He shall be called John.”
61“But there's nobody among your relatives who has this name,” they told her. 62Through gestures they asked Zechariah, the boy's father, what he wanted to call his son. 63Zechariah motioned for something to write on. To everyone's surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” 64Immediately he could speak again, and he started praising God.
65All those living nearby were in awe at what had happened, and the news spread throughout the hill country of Judea. 66Everyone who heard the news wondered what it meant. “What will the little boy grow up to be?” they asked, for it was clear he was very special to God.#1:66. Literally, “for the hand of the Lord was with him.”
67Zechariah, his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke this prophecy:
68“The Lord, the God of Israel, he is wonderful, for he has come to his people and set them free. 69He has given us a great Savior from the line of his servant David, 70as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. 71He promised to save us from our enemies, from those who hate us. 72He was merciful to our fathers, remembering his holy agreement— 73the promise that he made to our father Abraham. 74He gives us freedom from fear and rescues us from our enemies, 75so we can serve him by doing what is good and right for our whole lives. 76Even though you are only a small child, you will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way, 77providing knowledge of salvation to his people through the forgiveness of their sins. 78Through God's caring kindness to us, heaven's dawn will break upon us 79to shine on those who live in darkness and under the shadow of death, and to guide us along the path of peace.”
80The boy John grew and became spiritually strong. He lived in the desert until the time came for his public ministry to Israel.
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Dr. Jonathan Gallagher. Released under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. Version 4.3. For corrections send email to jonathangallagherfbv@gmail.com