³ With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account^(A) for you, most excellent^(B) Theophilus,^{(C) 4} so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.^(D)

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

⁵ In the time of Herod king of Judea^(E) there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah;^(F) his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.