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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Luke 1: FBV
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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
Luke 1
1
Introduction
1Since [as is well known] many have undertaken to compile an orderly account of the things which have been fulfilled among us [by God], 2exactly as they were handed down to us by those [with personal experience] who from the beginning [of Christ’s ministry] were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word [that is, of the teaching concerning salvation through faith in Christ], 3it seemed fitting for #1:3 Luke may have been a Gentile. If so, he is the only Gentile author whose work is included in the NT. In addition to The Gospel of Luke, he wrote The Acts of the Apostles, and is thought by some scholars to have been the author of The Letter to the Hebrews.me as well, [and so I have decided] after having carefully searched out and investigated all the events accurately, from the very beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus; [Acts 1:1] 4so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been #1:4 Or orally instructed.taught [that is, the history and doctrine of the faith].
Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5In the days of Herod [the Great], king of Judea, there was a certain priest whose name was #1:5 I.e. Zechariah. The spelling is different because a Greek word cannot end with an “h,” and in place of “ah” the common Greek ending “-as” was substituted.Zacharias, of #1:5 King David organized the priests into 24 groups or divisions, each headed by a president. A division served twice a year for a week at a time (1 Chr 24:1-19).the division of Abijah. His wife was #1:5 Lit from the daughters of.a descendant of Aaron [the first high priest of Israel], and her name was Elizabeth. 6They both were righteous (approved) in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. 7But they were childless, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both far advanced in years.
8Now it happened while Zacharias was serving as priest before God in the appointed order of his priestly division, 9as was the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter [the sanctuary of] the temple of the Lord and #1:9 I.e. normally a once-in-a-lifetime privilege for a priest.burn incense [on the altar of incense]. [Ex 30:7] 10And all the congregation was praying outside [in the court of the temple] at the hour of the incense offering. 11And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12When Zacharias saw the angel, he was troubled and overcome with fear. 13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your petition [in prayer] was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him #1:13 John the Baptist is considered the last of the Old Testament prophets. His mother, Elizabeth, and Mary the mother of Jesus, were related (1:36), and Mary may have been with Elizabeth at the time John was born (1:56). John the Baptist is not to be confused with John the Apostle who, along with his brother James, was among the twelve disciples of Jesus. John and James were the sons of Zebedee and Salome. John the Apostle authored the Gospel of John, three brief letters (1 John, 2 John, 3 John), and Revelation.John. 14You will have great joy and delight, and many will rejoice over his birth, 15for he will be great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord; and will never drink wine or liquor, and he will be filled with and empowered to act by the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. [Num 6:3] 16He will turn many of the sons of Israel back [from sin] to [love and serve] the Lord their God. 17It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]—in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord.” [Is 40:3; Mal 4:5, 6]
18And Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in age.” 19The angel replied and said to him, “I am Gabriel; I stand and minister in the [very] presence of God, and I have been sent [by Him] to speak to you and to bring you this good news. [Dan 8:16; 9:21] 20#1:20 Lit behold.Listen carefully, you will be continually silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe what I told you; but my words will be fulfilled at their proper time.”
21The people [outside in the court] were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering about his long delay in the temple. 22But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute. 23When his time of priestly service was finished, he returned to his home.
24Now after this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she secluded herself completely, saying, 25“This is how the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor on me, to take away my #1:25 At this time childlessness was a social stigma.disgrace among men.” [Gen 30:23; Is 4:1]
Jesus’ Birth Foretold
26Now in the sixth month [of Elizabeth’s pregnancy] the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin #1:27 The first stage of marriage (called shiddukin in Hebrew) in Jewish tradition and law, usually lasting for a year before the wedding night; unlike an engagement, it was legally binding and required a divorce to nullify it. The woman remained with her parents during the betrothal year and was referred to as a “wife” even though the marriage was not consummated during this period of time.betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And coming to her, the angel said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was greatly perplexed at what he said, and kept carefully considering what kind of greeting this was. 30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31Listen carefully: you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32He will be great and eminent and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33and He will reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” [Is 9:6, 7; Dan 2:44] 34Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin and have no intimacy with any man?” 35Then the angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a cloud]; for that reason the holy (pure, sinless) Child shall be called the Son of God. [Ex 40:34; Is 7:14] 36And listen, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37For with God nothing [is or ever] shall be impossible.” 38Then Mary said, “#1:38 Mary’s response was significantly different from Zacharias’ (v 18). Zacharias would not take Gabriel’s word, and instead wanted some kind of miraculous sign as proof.Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel left her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39Now at this time Mary arose and hurried to the hill country, to a city of Judah (Judea), 40and she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him. 42And she exclaimed loudly, “Blessed [worthy to be praised] are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord.”
The Magnificat
46And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies and exalts the Lord,
47And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48“For He has looked [with loving care] on the humble state of His maidservant;
For behold, from now on all generations will count me blessed and happy and favored by God!
49“For He who is mighty has done great things for me;
And holy is His name [to be worshiped in His purity, majesty, and glory].
50“And His mercy is upon generation after generation
Toward those who [stand in great awe of God and] fear Him. [Ps 103:17]
51“He has done mighty deeds with His [powerful] arm;
He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
52“He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
And exalted those who were humble.
53“He has filled the hungry with good things;
And sent the rich away empty-handed.
54“He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
55Just as He promised to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his descendants forever.” [Gen 17:7; 18:18; 22:17; 1 Sam 2:1-10; Mic 7:20]
56And Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, and then returned to her home.
John Is Born
57Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown His great mercy toward her, and they were rejoicing with her.
59It happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child [as required by the Law], and they intended to name him Zacharias, after his father; [Gen 17:12; Lev 12:3] 60but his mother answered, “No indeed; instead he will be called John.” 61And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by that name.” 62Then they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. 63And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished. 64At once Zacharias’ mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began speaking, praising and blessing and thanking God. 65Then fear came on all their neighbors; and all these things were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 66All who heard these things kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this little boy turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him [to bring about his birth].
Zacharias’ Prophecy
67Now Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him, and he prophesied, saying,
68“Blessed (praised, glorified) be the Lord, the God of Israel,
Because He has visited us and brought redemption to His people,
69And He has raised up a #1:69 In the OT a symbol of strength.horn of salvation [a mighty and valiant Savior] for us
In the house of David His servant—
70Just as He promised by the mouth of His holy prophets from the most ancient times—
71Salvation from our enemies,
And from the hand of all who hate us; [Ps 106:10]
72To show mercy [as He promised] to our fathers,
And to remember His holy covenant [the promised blessing],
73The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,
74To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
75In holiness [being set apart] and righteousness [being upright] before Him all our days.
76“And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
For you will go on before the Lord (the Messiah) to prepare His ways; [Is 40:3; Mal 4:5]
77To give His people the knowledge of salvation
By the forgiveness of their sins,
78Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise (the Messiah) from on high will dawn and visit us, [Mal 4:2]
79To shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
To guide our feet [in a straight line] into the way of peace and serenity.” [Is 9:2]
80The child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel [as John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah].
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