Luk 1:5-25 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Luke 1:5: 1:5–2:52 Luke’s first two chapters give an account of Jesus’ birth and introduce key themes that will appear later in Luke–Acts. The announcements and birth stories for Jesus and John the Baptist run side by side, showing their parallel roles in bringing God’s salvation. At each point, Jesus is shown to be greater. John is the forerunner announcing Jesus’ coming; Jesus is the Savior. 1:5 Herod was king of Judea: See profile for Herod the Great at end of chapter. • a Jewish priest named Zechariah: The priests were descendants of Aaron, Moses’ brother (Exod 28:1 ). • the priestly order of Abijah: See study note on Luke 1:8-9; see also 1 Chr 24:10 . • Elizabeth was also from the priestly line of Aaron: It was considered especially pious for a priest to marry a woman from a priestly family.

Summary for Luke 1:5: 1:5–2:52 ^a Luke’s first two chapters give an account of Jesus’ birth and introduce key themes that will appear later in Luke–Acts. The announcements and birth stories for Jesus and John the Baptist run side by side, showing their parallel roles in bringing God’s salvation. At each point, Jesus is shown to be greater. John is the forerunner announcing Jesus’ coming; Jesus is the Savior. 1:5 ^b Herod was king of Judea: See profile for Herod the Great at end of chapter.

• a Jewish priest named Zechariah: The priests were descendants of Aaron, Moses’ brother (Exod 28:1 ^c).

• the priestly order of Abijah: See study note on Luke 1:8-9; see also 1 Chr 24:10 ^d.

• Elizabeth was also from the priestly line of Aaron: It was considered especially pious for a priest to marry a woman from a priestly family.
1:7 ^e Elizabeth was unable to conceive: Childbearing was viewed as the highest calling for a woman, and infertility brought social stigma and shame. God miraculously intervened in the lives of various Old Testament women so they could bear children (Gen 18:10-12 ^f; 25:21 ^g; 30:22-23 ^h; Judg 13 ⁱ; 1 Sam 1:1-28 ^j).
Summary for Luke 1:8-9: 1:8-9 ^k his order was on duty that week ... he was chosen by lot: It was common in Old Testament times to cast lots (similar to throwing dice) to determine God’s will (1 Chr 26:13-16 ^l; Neh 11:1 ^m; Prov 16:33 ⁿ; Jon 1:7 ^o). There were twenty-four orders of priests (1 Chr 24:1-19 ^p) that took turns in the Temple, and lots were cast to determine which priest would serve in the sanctuary. There were a large number of priests, so this privilege might come only once in a priest’s lifetime. The angel appeared at the most sacred moment of Zechariah’s life.

• to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense:. Luke uses the word here translated sanctuary (Greek naos) for the Temple building, not the whole Temple grounds, which he calls hieron (Luke 2:27 ^q). The Temple building included the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (see Heb 9:1-5 ^r). The priests burned incense twice a day in the Holy Place.
Summary for Luke 1:12-13: 1:12-13 ^s Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear: Fear and awe are common reactions when someone sees an angel or experiences the presence of God (Judg 6:22-23 ^t; 13:22 ^u; Isa 6:5 ^v). The person is often reassured by a saying such as Don’t be afraid.

• you are to name him John: John means “the Lord has shown favor.” This favor came to Elizabeth and Zechariah through their son and to the Israelite nation through the Messiah, whose coming John would announce.
1:15 ^w He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks: In the Old Testament, abstaining from alcohol was part of the Nazirite vow of special dedication to God (see Num 6:1-21 ^x). This vow was usually temporary (see Acts 18:18 ^y; 21:23 ^z, 26 ^aa); for some individuals such as Samson (Judg 13:4-7 ^ab), Samuel (cp. 1 Sam 1:11 ^ac), and John the Baptist, it was a lifelong commitment.

• filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth: See Luke 1:41 ^ad, 44 ^ae.
1:17 ^af He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah: The prophet Malachi predicted that God would send Elijah before the time of God’s salvation (see Mal 3:1 ^ag; 4:5-6 ^ah). John fulfilled this role by preparing the way for the Lord’s coming.
1:19 ^ai I am Gabriel! Two angels are named in Scripture: Gabriel (Dan 8:16 ^aj; 9:21 ^ak) and Michael (Dan 10:13 ^al; 12:1 ^am; Jude 1:9 ^an; Rev 12:7 ^ao).
1:20 ^ap now ... you will be silent and unable to speak: This discipline for Zechariah’s lack of faith was also a sign that confirmed the prophecy. The Greek word translated silent in 1:22 ^aq can also mean “deaf” (7:22 ^ar; cp. 1:62 ^as).

• Zechariah is contrasted with Mary, who responded with faith (1:38 ^at).
1:24 ^au went into seclusion for five months: The reason for this seclusion is unknown and does not seem related to any Old Testament custom or command. Perhaps it was a spiritual retreat to honor God for answered prayer.