1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

2Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

3It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

4That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

8And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

9According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

14And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

16And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

17And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

18And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

19And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

20And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

21And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

22And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

23And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

24And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

25Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

AN ANGEL APPEARS TO MARY

26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

36And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37For with God nothing shall be impossible.

38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

MARY VISITS ELISABETH

39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

MARY'S SONG OF PRAISE

46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

48For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

51He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

53He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

54He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

55As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

56And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

57Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

58And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

59And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

60And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

61And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

62And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

63And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

64And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

65And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

66And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

THE PROPHECY OF ZACHARIAS

67And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

68Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

69And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

70As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

71That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

72To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

73The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

74That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

75In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

76And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

77To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

78Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

79To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

80And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Forasmuch as many haue taken in hande to set foorth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely beleeued among vs,

2Euen as they deliuered them vnto vs, which from the beginning were eye-witnesses, & ministers of the word:

3It seemed good to me also, hauing had perfect vnderstanding of things from the very first, to write vnto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

4That thou mightest know the certainetie of those things wherein thou hast bene instructed.

5 There was in the dayes of Herode the king of Iudea, a certaine Priest, named Zacharias, of the course of Abia, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the Commandements and ordinances of the Lord, blamelesse.

7And they had no childe, because that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well striken in yeeres.

8And it came to passe, that while he executed the Priests office before God in the order of his course,

9According to the custome of the Priests office, his lot was to burne incense when he went into the Temple of the Lord.

10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without, at the time of incense.

11And there appeared vnto him an Angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the Altar of incense.

12And when Zacharias sawe him, hee was troubled, and feare fell vpon him.

13But the Angel said vnto him, Feare not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall beare thee a sonne, and thou shalt call his name Iohn.

14And thou shalt haue ioy and gladnesse, and many shall reioyce at his birth:

15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shal drinke neither wine, nor strong drinke, and he shall bee filled with the holy Ghost, euen from his mothers wombe.

16And many of the children of Israel shall hee turne to the Lord their God.

17And hee shall goe before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turne the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisedome of the iust, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

18And Zacharias said vnto the Angel, Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well striken in yeeres.

19And the Angel answering, said vnto him, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God, and am sent to speake vnto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

20And behold, thou shalt be dumbe, and not able to speake, vntill the day that these things shall bee performed, because thou beleeuest not my words, which shall bee fulfilled in their season.

21And the people waited for Zacharias, and maruelled that hee taried so long in the temple.

22And when he came out, he could not speake vnto them: and they perceiued that he had seene a vision in the temple: for he beckened vnto them, and remained speechlesse.

23And it came to passe, that as soone as the dayes of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his owne house.

24And after those dayes his wife Elizabeth conceiued, and hid her selfe fiue moneths, saying,

25Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the dayes wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproch among men.

26And in the sixt moneth, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God, vnto a citie of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27To a virgine espoused to a man whose name was Ioseph, of the house of Dauid, and the virgins name was Marie.

28And the Angel came in vnto her, and said, Haile thou that art highly fauoured, the Lord is with thee: Blessed art thou among women.

29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her minde what maner of salutation this should be.

30And the Angel said vnto her, Feare not, Marie, for thou hast found fauour with God.

31And behold, thou shalt conceiue in thy wombe, and bring forth a sonne, and shalt call his name Iesus.

32He shall be great, and shall be called the sonne of the Highest, and the Lord God shall giue vnto him the throne of his father Dauid.

33And hee shall reigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer, and of his kingdome there shall be no end.

34Then said Marie vnto the Angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35And the Angel answered and said vnto her, The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee, and the power of the Highest shall ouershadow thee. Therefore also that holy thing which shall bee borne of thee, shall bee called the sonne of God.

36And behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceiued a sonne in her old age, and this is the sixt moneth with her, who was called barren.

37For with God no thing shall be vnpossible.

38And Marie said, Behold the handmaide of the Lord, be it vnto me according to thy word: and the Angel departed from her.

39And Marie arose in those dayes, and went into the hill countrey with haste, into a citie of Iuda,

40And entred into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth.

41And it came to passe that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Marie, the babe leaped in her wombe, and Elizabeth was filled with the holy Ghost.

42And she spake out with a loud voyce, and saide, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruite of thy wombe.

43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to mee?

44For loe, assoone as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine eares, the babe leaped in my wombe for ioy.

45And blessed is she that beleeued, for there shalbe a performance of those things, which were told her from the Lord.

46And Marie said, My soule doth magnifie the Lord.

47And my spirit hath reioyced in God my sauiour.

48For hee hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, from hencefoorth all generations shall call me blessed.

49For he that is mighty hath done to mee great things, and holy is his Name.

50And his mercy is on them that feare him, from generation to generation.

51Hee hath shewed strength with his arme, he hath scattered the proud, in the imagination of their hearts.

52He hath put downe the mighty from their seates, and exalted them of low degree.

53Hee hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich hee hath sent emptie away.

54Hee hath holpen his seruant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,

55As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for euer.

56And Mary abode with her about three moneths, and returned to her owne house.

57Now Elizabeths full time came, that shee should be deliuered, and shee brought foorth a sonne.

58And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy vpon her, and they reioyced with her.

59And it came to passe that on the eight day they came to circumcise the childe, and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

60And his mother answered, and said, Not so, but he shalbe called Iohn.

61And they said vnto her, There is none of thy kinred that is called by this name.

62And they made signes to his father, how he would haue him called.

63And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is Iohn: and they marueiled all.

64And his mouth was opened immediatly, and his tongue loosed, and hee spake, and praised God.

65And feare came on all that dwelt round about them, and all these sayings were noised abroad thorowout all the hill countrey of Iudea.

66And all they that had heard them, layde them vp in their hearts, saying, What maner of childe shal this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him.

67And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

68Blessed bee the Lord God of Israel, for hee hath visited and redeemed his people,

69And hath raised vp an horne of saluation for vs, in the house of his seruant Dauid,

70As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, which haue bene since the world began:

71That wee should be saued from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate vs,

72To performe the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy Couenant,

73The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

74That hee would grant vnto vs, that wee beeing deliuered out of the hands of our enemies, might serue him without feare,

75In holinesse and righteousnesse before him, all the dayes of our life.

76And thou childe shalt bee called the Prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt goe before the face of the Lord to prepare his wayes.

77To giue knowledge of saluation vnto his people, by the remission of their sinnes,

78Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited vs,

79To giue light to them that sit in darknes, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

80And the childe grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts, till the day of his shewing vnto Israel.

II ==John 15:27 ; Heb 2:3

III == Acts 1:1 ; 11:4 , 15 , 19 , 25 , 29 : 1st Cor 7:40

IV == John 20:31

V == Neh 12:4 , 17 ; Matt 2:1

VI == Job 1:1 ; Acts 23:1 ; 24:16 ; Phil 3:6

VIII == 1st Chr 24:19 ; 2nd Chr 8:14 ; 31:2

IX == Ex 30:7-8 ; 1st Sam 2:28 ; 1st Chr 23:13 ; 2nd Chr 29:11

X == Lev 16:17 ; Rev 8:3-4

XII == Luke 1:29 ; 2:9

XIII == Luke 1:60 , 63

XV == Num 6:3 ; Judg 13:4

XVI == Mal 4:5-6

XVII == Mal 4:5 ; Matt 11:14 ; Mark 9:12

XVIII == Gen 17:17

XIX == Dan 8:16 ; 9:21-23 ; Matt 18:10

XXIII == 2nd Kings 11:5 ; 1st Chr9:25

XXV == Gen 30:23 ; Isa 4:1 ; 54:1-2

XXVIII == Dan 9:23 ; 10:29 ; Luke 1:3

XXIX == Luke 1:12

XXXI == Isa 7:14 ; Matt 1:21 ; Luke 2:21

XXXII == Ps 132:11 ; Isa 9:6-7 ; 16:5 ; Mark 5:7 ; Rev 3:7

XXXIII == Dan 2:44 ; 7:14 , 27 ; Mic 4:7 ; John 12:34

XXXVII == Gen 18:14 ; Jer 32:17 ; Matt 19:26 ; Mark 10:27 ; Luke 18:27

XLII == Judg 5:24 ; Luke 1:28

XLVI == 1st Sam 2:1 ; Ps 34:2-3 ; 35:9 ; Hab 3:18

XLVIII == 1st Sam 1:11 ; Ps 138:6 ; Mal 3:12 ; Luke 11:27

XLIX == Ps 71:19 ; 111:9 : 126:2-3

L == Gen 17:7 ; Ex 20:6 ; Ps 103:17-18

LI == Ps 33:10 ;98:1 ; 118:15 ; Isa 40:10 ; 51:9 ; 52:10 ; 1st Peter 5:5

LII == 1st Sam 2:6 , 10 ; Job 5:11 ; Ps 113:6

LIII == 1st Sam 2:5 ; Ps 34:10

LIV == Ps 98:3 ; Jer 31:3 , 20

LV == Gen 17:19

LVIII == Luke 1:14

LIX == Gen 17:12 ; Lev 12:3

LX == Luke 1:13

LVI == Luke 2:19 , 51

LVII == Joel 2:28

LVIII == Ex 3:16 ; 4:31 ; 1st Kings 1:48 ; Luke 7:16

LXIX == Ps 132:17

LXX == Jer 23:5-6 ; 30:10 ; Dan 9:24

LXXII == Lev 26:42 ; Ps 98:3 ; 105:8-9 ; 106:45

LXXIII == Gen 12:3 ; 17:4 ; 22:16-17

LXXIV == Rom 6:18 , 22 ; Heb 9:14

LXXV == Jer 32:39-40 ; 1st Pet 1:15 ; 2 Pet 1:4

LXXVI == Isa 40:3 ; Mal 3:1 ; 4:5 ; Matt 11:10 ; Luke 1:17

LXXVII == Mark 1:4 ; Luke 3:3

LXXIX == Isa 9:2 ; Matt 4:16

1 Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, 3 I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. 5 In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years. 8 Once when he was serving as priest in his division's turn before God, 9 according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. 10 Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, 11 the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. 12 Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of (the) Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the holy Spirit even from his mother's womb, 16 and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord." 18 Then Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." 19 And the angel said to him in reply, "I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. 20 But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time." 21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 22 But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute. 23 Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. 24 After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, 25 "So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others." 26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." 34 But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" 35 And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 37 for nothing will be impossible for God." 38 Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. 39 During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." 46 And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; 47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior. 48 For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. 49 The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. 51 He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. 52 He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. 53 The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, 55 according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." 56 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. 57 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." 61 But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name." 62 So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 63 He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. 65 Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, "What, then, will this child be?" For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. 67 Then Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: 68 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people. 69 He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant, 70 even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old: 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, 72 to show mercy to our fathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant 73 and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father, and to grant us that, 74 rescued from the hand of enemies, without fear we might worship him 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us 79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and death's shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace." 80 The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Luke, the physician who traveled with Paul, wrote this book under the guidance of the Holy Spirit before writing the book of Acts. Paul does not mention him among his Jewish friends, so he was probably a Gentile. He was apparently writing primarily to Greeks, and emphasizes the humanity of Christ. He put in explanations that would have been known to Jews, and he used Greek words familiar to Gentiles. He was very accurate in his research, but quotes little from the Old Testament and little of prophecy pertaining primarily to Jews, and alone relates parables of world wide salvation. Luke and Acts are the only two books of the Bible written by a Gentile.

v 1-4. Not an eye witness, Luke makes clear his accuracy and order so that “most excellent Theophilus”, apparently an official, would have perfect understanding.

V 5-80 Birth of John the Baptist

Only Luke and Matthew tell of the birth of Childhood of Jesus, with Luke more fully than Matthew, each narrating different incidents.

v 5-7. John’s parents were both from the line of Aaron and lived Godly lives, but Elizabeth had the shame of being barren, and both were past reproductive years.

v 8,9. David ordered 24 groups of priests who would serve a week at a time twice a year. Due to large number of priests, names were drawn by lot to burn incense. This was the only time in his life that Zacharias could do that, showing God’s perfect timing.

v 10,11. The incense smoke symbolized the prayers of those outside going up to God. Since there was a multitude, this was probably a Sabbath.

v 12,13. Zacharias was stricken with fear, possibly that in his one time serving he had done wrong. He was probably praying for Messiah to come, having long since given up on a son. The angel’s message may imply both prayers are answered. His priest’s prayer was for salvation for the world, and his child would be a sign of answer.

Old Testament utterance closing was that Elijah would re-appear as his harbinger Malachi 3: 5-6 This priest's child would be to whom that prophecy pointed to as John.

v 14-17. The angel named the son John; He would be a joy to his parents; He would be great in sight of the Lord; Never to drink wine or fermented drink; Be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth; Go before the Lord in spirit and power of Elijah, and return the hearts of the people to be ready for the Lord, Malachi 3:1 (Nazarite from birth)

v 18-25. When Zacharias expressed doubt that he would have a son, he was struck deaf and dumb, partly for rebuke and partly for a sign. (He couldn’t hear as the people had to make signs to him, 1:62, on the name of the child.) Returning to the hill country, Elizabeth secluded herself 5 months till her pregnancy was unmistakable.

V 26-38 Announcement to Mary

It was commonly called the ANNUNCIATION. The Messiah was to come from David's family. It had been a thousand years since David. Before God choose Mary.

v 26,27. An espousal could only be broken by divorce by the man, but they did not have a sexual relationship till after the marriage, so Mary was still a virgin.

v 28-31. Mary’s privilege was because she received special grace from God, but we know she was a Godly person from her humility and knowledge of Scripture.

v 32,33. Not only had the angel named the baby, but he would [1] Be great; [2] Be called Son of the Most High; [3] Receive throne of his father David; [4] Reign over Israel forever; [5] His kingdom never end. Mary would have known this to be Messiah.

v 34-38. Mary did not doubt, but asked how she could be a mother and a virgin. The angel explained she would be with child by the Holy Ghost, Elizabeth the sign.
When we receive Christ, the Word, as our Savior, the Holy Spirit simultaneously makes us a child of God. It can be assumed that when Mary received the Word by saying, “Be it unto me according to they word”., that the Holy Spirit simultaneously did as the angel said. He overshadowed her, miraculously sowed the seed (Gr. :sperma”), and she was instantly with child of the Holy Spirit.

V 39-56 Mary's visit to Elisabath

Elisabath and Mary were kin (1:36 "cousins" (AV) "kinswoman" (RV) Elisabeth was from the tribe of Levi (1:5) but her home city was not named but could of been Hebron which was a Levitical city (Josua 21:11). Mary's Song of Thanksgiving (46-55) (Magnificat) is similar to Hannah's Song at the birth of Samuel (1 Samuel 2:2:1-10) Mary visited Elisabeth for three months (56) until the time for John's birth (36) which she returned to Nazareth (Matthew 1:18-24)

v 39-45. Mary quickly went to Elizabeth to confirm with joy the angel message. John leaped inside Elizabeth, and filled with the Holy Ghost, she blessed Mary. Luke uses “Lord” rather than “Messiah”, because Gentile readers hadn’t looked for Messiah.

v 46-55. Mary sang a song praising God for His special favor to her and His special favor to Israel. She saw Jesus as fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.

v 56. Mary returned to her own home just before John was born, as their custom did not allow a virgin to witness a birth. Apparently Joseph had no idea what was going on to this point. His shock and actions are recorded in Matt. 1:18-24. After the angel message he took Mary into his home, but she remained a virgin until forty days after Jesus was born and she was ceremonially cleansed, Matt. 1:25.

v 57-66. All the neighbors rejoiced with Zacharias and Elizabeth at John’s birth. On the eighth day for circumcision and naming they supposed he would be named after his father, but John wrote, “His name is John”. Then he was no longer a deaf-mute and praised God. The people wondered what kind of child John would be, and some of them may have remembered this when he started preaching. His parents may have died while he was young and he didn’t get acquainted with his half cousin, Jesus. At any rate, he allowed the Lord to make clear that Jesus was the Lamb of God, 1:29.

V 57-80 Birth of John the Baptist

His father's prophecy and the naming of the child filled the countryside with expectancy. (Luke 3:1-20)

v 67-79. Zacharias was filled with the Spirit and gave a prophecy. [1] Told people to praise God; [2] Because He had come to redeem His people; [3]  Messiah was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham; [4] John would be the prophet of the Highest and would prepare the way for Him.

v 80. John developed great spiritual fortitude. At whatever age or circumstances he left home, he chose to live a life like Elijah until God was ready for him. He was born a priest, so this may have been when he was thirty years of age, the time priests began their service. It may have been six months later that Christ came to start His ministry at age thirty.