Luke Chapter 1
Prologue
1 Many have undertaken to put together an account of what’s been fulfilled among us. 2 Eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the message have handed down accounts of those events to us. 3 It seemed appropriate to me, as well, to trace these things from the start and write you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so you can know for certain that your oral instruction was accurate.
Lk 1:1-4
The Birth of John Announced
5 At the time of Herod king of Judaea, there was a priest named Zachariah in the Abijah division; his wife Elizabeth descended from Aaron. 6 They both lived upright before God and conducted themselves blamelessly by his commandments. 7 Elizabeth couldn’t have children, and both were getting old.
8 Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties in front of God in the sequence of his division. 9 According to the custom of the priestly office, he’d been chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary of the LORD to offer incense. 10 A crowd was praying outside. 11 An angel of the LORD appeared to him and stood on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zachariah saw him, he froze in fear. 13 The angel said,
“You don’t need to be afraid, Zechariah; God has heard your prayer. Your wife will have a son, and you’re to name him ‘John.’ 14 You’llsg be so happy, and lots of people will celebrate his birth. 15 He’ll be great before the LORD:
He won’t drink wine or strong beer;
he’ll have the Holy Spirit from birth.
16 He’ll return many Israelites to the LORD their God.
17 and go ahead of the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah.
He’ll return the hearts of fathers to their children
and the disobedient to the attitude good people have.
He’ll thoroughly prepare people for the LORD.”
18 Zechariah said, “How am I going to know that? My wife and I are both old.”
19 “I’m Gabriel; I stand beside the LORD. He sent me to bring you this good news. 20 You won’t be able to talk till it happens, because you didn’t believe me; but it will come about in due time.”
21 The people waiting for Zechariah couldn’t believe how long he’d been in the sanctuary. 22 When he did come out, he couldn’t talk. They surmised that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making gestures to them.
23 When his term of service was up, he went back home. 24 Later, Elizabeth became pregnant and stayed inside for five months, 25 “That’s how the LORD dealt with me when he looked favorably at me and took away my disgrace at not being able to have children.”
Lk 1:5-25
The Birth of Jesus Announced
26 In Elizabeth’s sixth month, God sent Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee. 27 He went to a virgin named Mary, who was engaged to Joseph, a descendant of David. 28 He went inside and said, “Hello, favored one; the LORD’s with you.” 29 It startled her, and she wondered what he meant.
30 The angel said,
“You don’t need to be afraid, Mary. God’s pleased with you. 31 You’ll become pregnant and have a son you’re to name ‘Jesus.’
32 He’ll be great
and be called the Son of the Most High.
The LORD God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.
33 He’ll rule Jacob’s descendants forever;
his kingdom will never end.”
34 Mary said, “How can that be? I don’t have a husband.”
35 “The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One begotten will be called God’s Son. 36 Elizabeth your relative is pregnant, too, with a son in her old age. This is the sixth month with her that’s been childless. 37 God can do anything.”
38 Mary said, “I’m the LORD’s servant; may it be to me like you’ve said.”
The angel left.
Lk 1:26-38
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 Mary hurried to a town in the hill country of Judaea, 40 and went into Zechariah’s house to greet Elizabeth. 41 When she heard Mary’s greeting, her baby kicked, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit: 42 she shouted, “You’re a blessed woman, and your baby’s blessed too! 4 3 How is it that my Lord’s mother comes to me? 44 When I heard you say, ‘Hello,’ I felt the baby kick for joy. 45 You’re blessed for believing the LORD will keep his promise to you.”
46 Mary said,
“My soul exalts the LORD;
47 I’m happy because God my Savior
48 has regard for my modest circumstance.
From now on, all generations will consider me blessed.
49 The Mighty One has done great things for me;
he is holy.
50 His mercy is for generations upon generations
toward people that respect him.
51 He has done mighty things
and scattered the proud in their vanity.
52 He has brought down rulers from thrones
and lifted up the poor.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped Israel his child
by remembering his mercy,
55 like he promised our ancestors,
Abraham and his descendants forever.”
56 Mary stayed with her three months and went back home.
Lk 1:39-56
The Birth and Naming of John
57 When it came time for Elizabeth to deliver, she had a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the LORD had shown her such mercy, and they celebrated with her. 59 The eighth day they came to circumcise the little boy and started calling him “Zechariah,” after his father. 60 His mother answered, “No, his name is ‘John.’”
61 But they said, “None of your relatives are named that.” 62 They motioned to his father to see what he wanted to name him.
63 He asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is ‘John.’”
That surprised them. 64 Right then, Zechariah began to talk, praising God. 65 Their neighbors became respectful, and everybody in the hill country of Judaea was talking about it. 66 People that heard what happened took it to heart, “What’s this child going to be” (because the LORD was with him)?
67 Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 “Blessed be Israel’s God,
who has visited us to deliver his people.
69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David—
70 as he said through his holy prophets of old—
71 salvation from our enemies,
from everybody that hates us.
72 He showed mercy to our ancestors and
remembered his holy covenant,
73 the oath he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
74 to deliver us from our enemies
so we can serve him without fear
75 in holiness and goodness all our lives.
76 You, child, will be a prophet for the Most High.
You’ll go in front of the LORD
to prepare his way,
77 to tell his people how to be saved from their sins.
78 Our God shows tender mercy;
because of it the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
79 to shine on a people sitting in darkness and
the shadow of death,
to direct us onto the path to peace.”
80 The child grew up and became strong in spirit. He lived in the open country till his public appearance to Israel.
Lk 1:57-80