Luke 1

Luke Writes to Theophilus

1 Many have attempted to write about what had taken place among us.2 They received their information from those who had been eyewitnesses and servants of God’s word from the beginning, and they passed it on to us.3 I, too, have followed everything closely from the beginning. So I thought it would be a good idea to write an orderly account for Your Excellency, Theophilus.

4 In this way you will know that what you’ve been told is true.

The Angel Gabriel Appears to Zechariah

5 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the division of priests named after Abijah. Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron.6 Zechariah and Elizabeth had God’s approval. They followed all the Lord’s commands and regulations perfectly.

7 Yet, they never had any children because Elizabeth couldn’t become pregnant. Both of them were too old to have children.
8 Zechariah was on duty with his division of priests. As he served in God’s presence,9 he was chosen by priestly custom to go into the Lord’s temple to burn incense.

10 All the people were praying outside while he was burning incense.
11 Then, to the right of the incense altar, an angel of the Lord appeared to him.

12 Zechariah was troubled and overcome with fear.
13 The angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son, and you will name him John.14 He will be your pride and joy, and many people will be glad that he was born.15 As far as the Lord is concerned, he will be a great man. He will never drink wine or any other liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.16 He will bring many people in Israel back to the Lord their God.

17 He will go ahead of the Lord with the spirit and power that Elijah had. He will change parents’ attitudes toward their children. He will change disobedient people so that they will accept the wisdom of those who have God’s approval. In this way he will prepare the people for their Lord.”
18 Zechariah said to the angel, “What proof is there for this? I’m an old man, and my wife is beyond her childbearing years.”19 The angel answered him, “I’m Gabriel! I stand in God’s presence. God sent me to tell you this good news.

20 But because you didn’t believe what I said, you will be unable to talk until the day this happens. Everything will come true at the right time.”
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah. They were amazed that he was staying in the temple so long.

22 When he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. So they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. He motioned to them but remained unable to talk.
23 When the days of his service were over, he went home.24 Later, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and didn’t go out in public for five months. She said,

25 “The Lord has done this for me now. He has removed my public disgrace.”

The Angel Gabriel Comes to Mary

26 Six months after Elizabeth had become pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee.

27 The angel went to a virgin promised in marriage to a descendant of David named Joseph. The virgin’s name was Mary.
28 When the angel entered her home, he greeted her and said, “You are favored by the Lord! The Lord is with you.”29 She was startled by what the angel said and tried to figure out what this greeting meant.30 The angel told her,“Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favort with God.31 You will become pregnant, give birth to a son,and name him Jesus.32 He will be a great manand will be called the Son of the Most High.The Lord God will give himthe throne of his ancestor David.33 Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever,and his kingdom will never end.”34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be? I’ve never had sexual intercourse.”35 The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God.36 “Elizabeth, your relative, is six months pregnant with a son in her old age. People said she couldn’t have a child.

37 But nothing is impossible for God.”
38 Mary answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.”Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 Soon afterward, Mary hurried to a city in the mountain region of Judah.

40 She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard the greeting, she felt the baby kick. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.42 She said in a loud voice, “You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child that you will have.43 I feel blessed that the mother of my Lord is visiting me.44 As soon as I heard your greeting, I felt the baby jump for joy.

45 You are blessed for believing that the Lord would keep his promise to you.”

Mary Praises God

46 Mary said,“My soul praises the Lord’s greatness!47 My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior,48 because he has looked favorably on me, his humble servant.“From now on, all people will call me blessed49 because the Almighty has done great things to me.His name is holy.50 For those who fear him,his mercy lasts throughout every generation.51 “He displayed his mighty power.He scattered those who think too highly of themselves.52 He pulled strong rulers from their thrones.He honored humble people.53 He fed hungry people with good food.He sent rich people away with nothing.54 “He remembered to help his servant Israel forever.55 This is the promise he made to our ancestors,to Abraham and his descendants.”56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.

John Is Born

57 When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.

58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very kind to her, and they shared her joy.
59 When the child was eight days old, they went to the temple to circumcise him. They were going to name him Zechariah after his father.

60 But his mother spoke up, “Absolutely not! His name will be John.”
61 Their friends said to her, “But you don’t have any relatives with that name.”62 So they motioned to the baby’s father to see what he wanted to name the child.

63 Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” Everyone was amazed.
64 Suddenly, Zechariah was able to speak, and he began to praise God.65 All their neighbors were filled with awe. Throughout the mountain region of Judea, people talked about everything that had happened.

66 Everyone who heard about it seriously thought it over and asked, “What does the future hold for this child?” It was clear that the Lord was with him.
67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,68 “Praise the Lord God of Israel!He has come to take care of his peopleand to set them free.69 He has raised up a mighty Savior for usin the family of his servant David.70 He made this promise through his holy prophets long ago.71 He promised to save us from our enemiesand from the power of all who hate us.72 He has shown his mercy to our ancestorsand remembered his holy promise,t73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham.74 He promised to rescue us from our enemies’ powerso that we could serve him without fear75 by being holy and honorable as long as we live.76 “You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High.You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way.77 You will make his people know that they can be savedthrough the forgiveness of their sins.78 A new day will dawn on us from abovebecause our God is loving and merciful.79 He will give light to those who live in the darkand in death’s shadow.He will guide us into the way of peace.”80 The child John grew and became spiritually strong. He lived in the desert until the day he appeared to the people of Israel.

Luke 1

Explanatory Preface

1 Nowt many have undertaken to compile an accountt of the thingst that have been fulfilledt among us,2 like the accountst passed ont to us by those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the words from the beginning.t3 Sot it seemed good to me as well,s because I have followedt all things carefully from the beginning, to write an orderly accounts for you, most excellent Theophilus,

4 so that you may know for certaint the things you were taught.t

Birth Announcement of John the Baptist

5 During the reignt of Herods king of Judea, there lived a priest named Zechariah who belonged tot the priestly division of Abijah,s and he had a wife named Elizabeth,t who was a descendant of Aaron.ts6 Theyt were both righteous in the sight of God, followingts all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.t

7 But they did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren,s and they were both very old.t
8 Nowt while Zechariaht was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty,ts9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood,t to entert the holy placet of the Lord and burn incense.10 Nowt the whole crowdt of people were praying outside at the hour of the incense offering.t11 Ant angel of the Lord,t standing on the right side of the altar of incense, appeareds to him.12 And Zechariah, visibly shaken when he saw the angel,t was seized with fear.t13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard,ts and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son; yout will name him John.ts14 Joy and gladness will comet to you, and many will rejoice att his birth,t15 for he will be great in the sight oft the Lord. Het must never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.ts16 Het will turns many of the peoplet of Israel to the Lord their God.

17 And he will go as forerunner before the Lordt in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,s to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.”
18 Zechariaht said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this?t For I am an old man, and my wife is old as well.”t19 Thet angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who standst in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bringt you this good news.

20 And now,t because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time,s you will be silent, unable to speak,s until the day these things take place.”
21 Nowt the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they began to wondert why he was delayed in the holy place.t22 Whent he came out, he was not able to speak to them. Theyt realized that he had seen a visiont in the holy place,t becauset he was making signs to them and remained unable to speak.t

23 When his time of service was over,t he went to his home.
24 After some timet his wife Elizabeth became pregnant,t and for five months she kept herself in seclusion.s She said,t

25 “This is whatt the Lord has done for me at the timet when he has been gracious to me,t to take away my disgraces among people.”t

Birth Announcement of Jesus the Messiah

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy,t the angel Gabriels was sent byt God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,ss27 to a virgin engagedt to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of David,ts and the virgin’s name was Mary.28 Thet angelt camet to her and said, “Greetings, favored one,t the Lord is with you!”s29 Buts she was greatly troubleds by his words and began to wonder about the meaning of this greeting.t30 Sot the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid,s Mary, for you have found favorts with God!31 Listen:t You will become pregnantt and give birth tot a son, and you will name himt Jesus.ts32 Het will be great,s and will be called the Son of the Most High,s and the Lord God will give him the throne of his fathert David.33 Het will reign over the house of Jacobts forever, and his kingdom will never end.”34 Maryt said to the angel, “How will this be, since I have not had sexual relations witht a man?”

35 The angel replied,t “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadows you. Therefore the childt to be borns will be holy;t he will be called the Son of God.
36 “And look,t your relativet Elizabeth has also become pregnant witht a son in her old age – although she was called barren, she is now in her sixth month!t37 For nothingt will be impossible with God.”

38 Sot Mary said, “Yes,t I am a servantt of the Lord; let this happen to met according to your word.”s Thent the angel departed from her.

Mary and Elizabeth

39 In those dayss Mary got up and went hurriedly into the hill country, to a town of Judah,s40 and entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.41 Whent Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapeds in hert womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.s42 Shet exclaimed with a loud voice,t “Blessed are you among women,s and blessed is the childt in your womb!43 And who am It that the mother of my Lord should come and visit me?44 For the instantt the sound of your greeting reached my ears,t the baby in my womb leaped for joy.s

45 And blesseds is she who believed thatt what was spoken to her byt the Lord would be fulfilled.”ts

Mary’s Hymn of Praise

46 And Marys said,s
“My soul exaltst the Lord,s

47 and my spirit has begun to rejoicet in God my Savior,

48 because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant.t
Fort from now ons all generations will call me blessed,s

49 because he who is mightyt has done great things for me, and holy is his name;

50 fromt generation to generation he is mercifuls to those who feart him.

51 He has demonstrated powert with his arm; he has scattered those whose pride wells up from the sheer arrogancet of their hearts.

52 He has brought down the mightyt from their thrones, and has lifted up those of lowly position;ts

53 he has filled the hungry with good things,s and has sent the rich away empty.s

54 He has helped his servant Israel, rememberingt his mercy,t

55 as he promisedt to our ancestors,t to Abraham and to his descendantst forever.”

56 Sot Mary stayed with Elizabetht about three monthss and then returned to her home.

The Birth of John

57 Now the time camet for Elizabeth to have her baby,t and she gave birth to a son.

58 Hert neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shownt great mercy to her, and they rejoicedt with her.
59 Ont the eighth days they came to circumcise the child, and they wanted to namet him Zechariah after his father.60 Butt his mother replied,t “No! He must be namedt John.”s61 Theyt said to her, “Butt none of your relatives bears this name.”t62 Sot they made signs to the baby’st father,s inquiring what he wanted to name his son.t63 Het asked for a writing tablets and wrote,t “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.s64 Immediatelyt Zechariah’st mouth was opened and his tongues released,t and he spoke, blessing God.65 Allts their neighbors were filled with fear, and throughout the entire hill country of Judea all these things were talked about.

66 Allt who heard these thingst kept them in their hearts,t saying, “What then will this child be?”t For the Lord’s hands was indeed with him.

Zechariah’s Praise and Prediction

67 Thent his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,ts

68 “Blesseds be the Lord God of Israel,
because he has come to helps and has redeemedts his people.

69 Fort he has raised ups a horn of salvations for us in the house of his servant David,s

70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from long ago,t

71 that we should be savedt from our enemies,s
and from the hand of all who hate us.

72 He has done thist to show mercys to our ancestors,t
and to remember his holy covenants –

73 the oatht that he swore to our ancestort Abraham.
This oath grantst

74 that we, being rescued from the hand of ours enemies,
may serve him without fear,t

75 in holiness and righteousnesss before him for as long as we live.t

76 And you, child,s will be called the prophett of the Most High.s
For you will go befores the Lord to prepare his ways,ts

77 to give his people knowledge of salvations through the forgivenesss of their sins.

78 Because oft our God’s tender mercys
the dawns will breakt upon us from on high

79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,s
to guide our feet into the wayt of peace.”

80 And the child kept growingt and becoming strongt in spirit, and he was in the wildernesst until the day he was revealedt to Israel.