‏ Luke 1

The Evangelist's Preface

This section is the introduction to the Gospel of Luke. Luke explains why he wrote this account and dedicates it to Theophilus, a person of honor. Luke’s goal was to provide an orderly and accurate record of the life and teachings of Jesus, so that Theophilus and others could be certain of the truth of the gospel.

v. 1: Luke begins by acknowledging that many others had already written about the life of Jesus. These accounts were based on events that were most surely believedby Christians everywhere. Luke wanted to ensure that these important truths were preserved for future generations. The gospel is not based on doubtful ideas but on events that were fully confirmed and widely accepted by those who followed Jesus.

v. 2: Luke emphasizes that the things he writes about were confirmed by eyewitnesses and ministers of the word. These were people who had been with Jesus from the beginning of his ministry. They saw his miracles and heard his teachings firsthand (1 John 1:1; Acts 4:20 ^a). This makes their testimony reliable and trustworthy. Luke’s gospel agrees with what these witnesses preached in the early church.

v. 3: Luke explains that he carefully investigated everything from the beginning and had a perfect understanding of the events. He likely received his knowledge through diligent research and divine guidance. He wrote this account in an orderly way to make it clear and easy to follow. Luke’s goal was to provide an accurate and inspired record of Jesus’ life and ministry.

v. 4: Luke wrote this gospel for Theophilus so that he could know the certainty of the things he had been taught. Theophilus had already been instructed in the faith, but Luke wanted to strengthen his understanding and belief. The gospel of Christ is certain and reliable, and believers should seek to understand not only what they believe but also why they believe it (Matthew 28:19-20 ^b). This helps us to stand firm in our faith and share it with others.

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

This section tells how John the Baptist’s birth was announced. It shows the faithfulness of God’s promises and the way He prepared for the coming of the Messiah. The story focuses on the parents of John—Zechariah and Elizabeth—and the special role their family would play in God’s plan.

v. 5: In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah from the division of Abijah, and his wife Elizabeth was from the line of Aaron. Both were righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. Yet, they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years. The fact that they were childless, despite their faithfulness, shows that even the righteous can face hard trials. It also prepares for a miraculous event, just as with Abraham and Sarah or Hannah in the Old Testament (see Genesis 18:11–14; 1 Samuel 1:5–20 ^c).

v. 6: Their righteousness is highlighted. They were not just outwardly religious but truly served God with sincere hearts. This teaches us that true righteousness is not just about following rules but about loving God and seeking to please Him in all things (Micah 6:8 ^d).

v. 7: The lack of children was a source of sadness and disgrace in their culture. But God sometimes allows us to wait, or even suffer, to show His power and grace more clearly when He answers our prayers in unexpected ways (Romans 8:28 ^e).

v. 8: Zechariah continued to serve as a priest before God, showing his faithfulness even though he had not received what he wanted most. Sometimes we are called to keep serving God, even when we don’t understand His plan.

v. 9–10: Zechariah was chosen by lot to go into the temple and burn incense, a rare opportunity for any priest. While he was inside, the people were outside praying. This shows that God often works in special ways during times of prayer and worship (Acts 13:2 ^f).

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v. 11–13: Suddenly an angel appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar. Zechariah was troubled and afraid. But the angel told him not to fear; his prayer had been heard. Elizabeth would have a son, and he was to name him John. This teaches us that God hears our prayers, even when the answer is delayed or comes in a way we do not expect (Psalm 34:15 ^g).

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v. 14–17: The angel promised that many would rejoice at John’s birth. He would be great in the sight of the Lord, filled with the Holy Spirit even before he was born. He would turn many Israelites back to God and prepare the people for the coming of the Lord, fulfilling the prophecy of Elijah who would come before the Messiah (Malachi 4:5–6 ^h).

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v. 18–20: Zechariah doubted the angel’s word because of his and Elizabeth’s old age. Because of this, the angel told him that he would be unable to speak until the day these things happened, as a sign that God’s promise was true. This reminds us that faith pleases God, but unbelief can bring discipline, even when God still intends to bless us (Hebrews 11:6 ⁱ).

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v. 21–25: When Zechariah came out and could not speak, the people realized he had seen a vision. After his time of service was completed, he went home. Elizabeth became pregnant and praised the Lord for taking away her disgrace among the people. This shows that God keeps His promises, even after a long time of waiting (Psalm 27:14 ^j).

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The Angel Visits Mary: The Coming Birth of Jesus Foretold

This section tells how the angel Gabriel was sent to announce the birth of Jesus to Mary, a young woman living in Nazareth. The passage explains the humble circumstances of Mary and Joseph, shows Mary's faith, and reveals Jesus’ true identity as the Son of God and the promised Messiah. It also highlights the power of God to do the impossible and the importance of trusting in His word.

v. 26–27: In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee. He came to a young woman named Mary, who was promised in marriage to Joseph, a man from the family line of David. This shows God’s plan to fulfill the promises made to David about the coming Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12–16; Isaiah 9:6–7 ^k).

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v. 28: Gabriel greeted Mary by calling her “highly favored” and told her that the Lord was with her. This shows that God chooses ordinary people for His special purposes, not because of their status, but because of His grace (1 Corinthians 1:27–29 ^l).

v. 29–30: Mary was troubled and wondered what this greeting could mean. The angel told her not to be afraid, because she had found favor with God. God often assures His people not to fear when He calls them to important tasks (Genesis 15:1; Matthew 1:20 ^m).

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v. 31–33: Gabriel announced that Mary would have a son. She was to name him Jesus, which means “the Lord saves.” He would be great and called the Son of the Most High. God would give him the throne of his father David, and he would reign over Jacob’s descendants forever—his kingdom would never end. This fulfills the Old Testament prophecies about the eternal kingdom of the Messiah (Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 7:14 ⁿ).

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v. 34: Mary asked, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” She was not doubting God, but was confused about how it would happen. This shows that God’s plans can be hard for us to understand, but He always makes a way.

v. 35: The angel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. Because of this, the holy child to be born would be called the Son of God. This shows that Jesus’ birth would be a miracle, and that he would be both truly God and truly human (John 1:14 ^o).

v. 36–37: Gabriel told Mary that her relative Elizabeth, who was old and thought to be unable to have children, was pregnant. “For nothing is impossible with God.” God can do what seems impossible to humans (Genesis 18:14; Matthew 19:26 ^p).

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v. 38: Mary answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” She accepted God’s will with faith and humility. Mary is an example of trusting God, even when His plan is hard to understand.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

This section tells how Mary, after hearing the angel’s message, went to visit her relative Elizabeth, who was also expecting a child. Their meeting is full of joy and the Holy Spirit’s presence. Both women celebrate God’s faithfulness, and Mary expresses her praise to God in a beautiful song. This passage shows the blessing of Christian friendship, the work of the Spirit, and the joy that comes from God’s promises.

v. 39–40: Mary quickly left her home and traveled to a town in the hill country of Judea, entering the house of Zechariah and greeting Elizabeth. This shows her eager faith and desire to share her news with someone who would understand God’s work in her life. Seeking support from other believers is important when God calls us to something new (Proverbs 27:17 ^q).

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v. 41–44: When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leapt for joy, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She cried out that Mary was blessed among women and that her child was blessed too. Elizabeth wondered why she was so honored to be visited by the mother of her Lord. She explained that as soon as Mary’s greeting reached her ears, the baby inside her jumped for joy. This shows that the presence of Jesus, even before his birth, brought great joy and that the Holy Spirit revealed important truths to Elizabeth (Luke 1:15; Luke 1:41 ^r).

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v. 45: Elizabeth praised Mary for believing what God had told her. She said that Mary was blessed because she trusted that the Lord would keep His promise. Faith brings blessing, and those who trust God’s word will see His faithfulness (Hebrews 11:6 ^s).

v. 46–55: Mary responded with a song of praise, often called the “Magnificat.” She glorified the Lord and rejoiced that God had chosen her, even though she was humble and unknown. She spoke about God’s mercy, power, and faithfulness to His people. Mary’s song shows her deep knowledge of the Scriptures and her thankful heart. She recognized that God lifts up the humble, helps the needy, and keeps His promises to Abraham and his descendants forever (Luke 1:54–55 ^t).

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v. 56: Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. This allowed the two women to support and encourage each other during a special time in their lives, showing the importance of Christian friendship and community.

The Birth of John the Baptist

This section tells the story of John the Baptist’s birth. It describes the joy of his family and neighbors, the special way he was named, and how God’s power was seen in these events. The birth of John was not only a miracle for his parents, but also a sign that God was beginning something new for his people.

v. 57: When the time came, Elisabeth gave birth to a son, just as God had promised (Luke 1:57 ^u). Even though John was conceived by a miracle, his birth happened in the normal way. God’s promises come true at the right time, not before.

v. 58: Elisabeth’s neighbors and relatives heard about the birth and rejoiced with her (Luke 1:58 ^v). They saw that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, especially since she had been unable to have children for so long. It is good to be happy for others when God blesses them.

v. 59: On the eighth day, everyone gathered for the baby’s circumcision, as God had commanded. This was also the time to name the child. Giving children to God and recognizing their relationship with him is the greatest joy for parents.

v. 60: Some people wanted to name the baby after his father, Zacharias, but Elisabeth said, “No, he shall be called John.” She knew this was the name God had chosen, which means “God is gracious.”

v. 61: The relatives objected, saying that no one in the family had that name. They wanted the child to be named after a relative, as a sign of respect and tradition.

v. 62–63: They asked Zacharias what the child’s name should be. Since he could not speak, they made signs to him. Zacharias wrote, “His name is John,” showing that he agreed with Elisabeth and obeyed the angel’s message. When we cannot speak for God, we can still serve him in other ways, like writing or encouraging others.

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v. 64: Immediately, Zacharias was able to speak again. His time of silence ended when he obeyed God and named the child John (Luke 1:64 ^w). He began to praise God. When God gives us back our voice or abilities, we should use them to honor him.

v. 65–66: News of these events spread throughout the region, and everyone was amazed (Luke 1:65-66 ^x). People wondered what kind of person John would become, because it was clear that God’s hand was with him. When God does something special, it is good to remember and think about it, because it may be important for the future.

v. 66 (last part): The hand of the Lord was with John from the beginning. God protected and guided him, preparing him for the important work he would do. God can work in children’s lives even when they are very young, in ways we may not understand.

Zechariah’s Prophecy: The Benedictus

This section contains the prophecy of Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father, after his speech was restored. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah praises God for His faithfulness, describes the mission of the coming Messiah, and speaks about the special role his son John will have as the forerunner of Christ. This prophecy is sometimes called the Benedictus (“Blessed”), from its opening word in Latin.

v. 67: Zechariah, who had been unable to speak for months because he doubted the angel’s message, was now filled with the Holy Spirit and began to prophesy. This shows that God can use anyone, even those who have made mistakes, to declare His message when they are open to Him.

v. 68: He praised the Lord, the God of Israel, because He had visited and redeemed His people. Zechariah recognized that God was at work in sending Jesus, who would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21 ^y).

v. 69: Zechariah said that God had raised up a “horn of salvation” for them in the house of David. In the Bible, a “horn” is a symbol of power and strength. This means that Jesus, from David’s family, would be a strong Savior for His people (Psalm 132:17; 2 Samuel 7:12–16 ^z).

v. 70: He declared that God had spoken about this Savior long ago through His holy prophets. The coming of Jesus was the fulfillment of many Old Testament promises (Isaiah 9:6–7 ^aa).

v. 71: Zechariah prophesied that God would save His people from their enemies and all who hated them. This shows that God’s plan includes deliverance and protection for those who trust Him.

v. 72–73: He said that God was showing mercy to their ancestors by remembering His holy covenant—the oath He swore to Abraham. God always keeps His promises, even if it takes a long time (Genesis 22:16–18 ^ab).

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v. 74–75: The purpose of this salvation was so that God’s people could serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness, all their days. God wants His people to live for Him, set apart from sin, and to worship Him freely.

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v. 76: Zechariah then spoke directly to his son, John. He said John would be called a prophet of the Most High and would go before the Lord to prepare His ways. John’s special mission was to get people ready for the coming of Jesus (Malachi 3:1; Matthew 11:10 ^ac).

v. 77: John would give people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. This shows that true salvation comes from having our sins forgiven by God (Luke 3:3 ^ad).

v. 78–79: Zechariah described God’s mercy as a “rising sun” shining on those living in darkness and the shadow of death. Jesus would guide people’s feet into the path of peace. This means that, through Jesus, God gives light and hope to all who are lost or afraid (Isaiah 9:2 ^ae).

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v. 80: The passage closes by saying that John grew and became strong in spirit. He lived in the wilderness until the time God called him to begin his public ministry. This shows how John was prepared by God for his important work.