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Inleiding

Geachte meneer Teofilus, al heel veel mensen hebben geprobeerd om op te schrijven wat er allemaal is gebeurd. Ze hebben alles nagevraagd bij de mensen die er zelf bij waren. Ook ik heb besloten om alles goed na te gaan en dan voor u op te schrijven. Nu zult u zelf kunnen zien dat het waar is wat de mensen u hebben verteld.[a]

Elizabet raakt in verwachting van Johannes

In de tijd dat Herodes[b] koning was van Judea, was er een priester die Zacharias heette. Hij was ingedeeld bij de groep priesters van Abia. Hij en zijn vrouw waren allebei uit de familie van Aäron.[c] Zijn vrouw heette Elizabet. Ze leefden allebei zoals God het wil en hielden zich aan alle regels van de wet van God, zonder Hem ongehoorzaam te zijn. Maar ze hadden geen kinderen, want Elizabet kon geen kinderen krijgen. Nu waren ze allebei al oud.

Op een keer was het Zacharias' beurt om als priester dienst te doen in de tempel. Zoals altijd was er geloot wie in de tempel van de Heer God het wierook-offer zou brengen. Zo had nu Zacharias de beurt gekregen. 10 Buiten stonden de mensen te bidden terwijl hij binnen het wierook-offer bracht.

11 Plotseling zag Zacharias een engel van de Heer God. Hij stond rechts van het altaar waarop het wierook-offer wordt gebracht. 12 Toen Zacharias de engel zag, schrok hij erg en was bang. 13 Maar de engel zei tegen hem: "Je hoeft niet bang te zijn. God heeft je gebed gehoord. Je vrouw Elizabet zal een zoon krijgen. Je moet hem Johannes noemen. 14 Je zal heel erg blij zijn met de geboorte van je zoon. En niet alleen jij, maar ook heel veel andere mensen zullen blij met hem zijn. 15 Want God heeft hem een belangrijke taak gegeven. Hij mag geen wijn of sterke drank drinken.[d] Al vóór zijn geboorte zal hij vol zijn van de Heilige Geest. 16 Dankzij hem zullen veel mensen van het volk Israël weer gaan leven zoals hun Heer God het wil. 17 Hij zal God dienen op dezelfde manier en met dezelfde kracht als de profeet Elia.[e] Door hem zullen de vaders hun hart weer openen voor hun kinderen. En mensen die ongehoorzaam zijn aan God, zullen door hem weer gaan leven zoals God het wil. Zo zal hij van de mensen een volk maken dat bruikbaar is voor God."

18 Zacharias zei tegen de engel: "Hoe weet ik dat dit inderdaad zal gebeuren? Want mijn vrouw en ik zijn allebei al oud." 19 De engel antwoordde: "Ik ben Gabriël, die dicht bij God mag komen om Hem te dienen. Ik ben gestuurd om je deze dingen te vertellen. 20 Omdat je mij niet wil geloven, zul je niet kunnen spreken totdat is gebeurd wat ik je heb verteld. Maar als de tijd gekomen is, zal alles gebeuren zoals ik je heb gezegd."

21 Intussen stonden de mensen op Zacharias te wachten. Ze vroegen zich af waarom hij zo lang binnen bleef. 22 Toen hij eindelijk naar buiten kwam, kon hij niet spreken. Ze begrepen dat God in de tempel tot hem gesproken had. Hij maakte gebaren tegen hen en kon niet praten. 23 Hij deed de afgesproken tijd dienst in de tempel. Daarna ging hij naar huis terug.

24 Zijn vrouw Elizabet raakte in verwachting. Ze bleef vijf maanden in huis en liet zich aan niemand zien. 25 Ze zei: "De Heer God heeft dit gedaan om te laten zien dat Hij mij niet is vergeten. Hij heeft ervoor gezorgd dat ik mij niet meer hoef te schamen omdat ik geen kinderen heb."

Maria raakt in verwachting

26 Toen Elizabet zes maanden in verwachting was, stuurde God de engel Gabriël naar Nazaret. Dat is een stad in Galilea. 27 Hij ging naar een jonge, ongetrouwde vrouw die nog maagd was. Ze was verloofd met Jozef en nog nooit met hem naar bed geweest. Jozef was uit de familie van koning David.[f] De vrouw heette Maria. 28 De engel ging haar huis binnen en groette haar. Toen zei hij: "God heeft jou uitgekozen. God is met je." 29 Ze schrok toen ze hem zag. Ook was ze geschrokken van zijn woorden. Ze vroeg zich af wat de engel bedoelde. 30 De engel zei tegen haar: "Je hoeft niet bang te zijn, Maria. Want God wil goed voor jou zijn. 31 Je zal in verwachting raken en een zoon krijgen. Je moet Hem Jezus (= 'God redt') noemen. 32 Hij zal een belangrijk mens zijn en Hij zal 'Zoon van de Allerhoogste God' worden genoemd. De Heer God zal Hem koning van Israël maken, net als zijn voorvader David.[g] 33 Hij zal voor eeuwig als koning regeren over het volk Israël. Er zal nooit een eind komen aan zijn heerschappij."

34 Maria zei tegen de engel: "Hoe kan dat gebeuren? Want ik ben nog niet getrouwd." 35 De engel zei: "De Heilige Geest zal bij je komen. De kracht van de Allerhoogste God zal over je komen. Daardoor zal er een heilig kind in je ontstaan. Hij zal daarom 'Zoon van God' worden genoemd. 36 Je nicht Elizabet is ook in verwachting van een zoon. Ze is al oud en iedereen dacht dat ze geen kinderen kon krijgen. Maar nu is ze al zes maanden in verwachting. 37 Want voor God is niets onmogelijk." 38 Maria antwoordde: "Ik wil de Heer God gehoorzaam zijn. Laat Hij met me doen wat u heeft gezegd." Toen ging de engel bij haar weg.

Maria bezoekt Elizabet

39 Daarna vertrok Maria haastig naar een stad in de bergen van de stam van Juda. 40 Ze ging daar Zacharias en Elizabet bezoeken. Ze ging hun huis binnen en groette Elizabet. 41 Toen Elizabet de groet van Maria hoorde, bewoog het kind in haar buik. Het leek op te springen. En Elizabet werd vol van de Heilige Geest. 42 Ze riep luid: "God is zó goed geweest voor jou! Meer dan voor alle andere vrouwen! En God is óók zo goed voor je kind! 43 Waaraan heb ik het te danken dat de moeder van mijn Heer bij mij op bezoek komt? 44 Want op het moment dat je mij groette, sprong mijn kind van blijdschap op in mijn buik. 45 Wat heerlijk voor je dat je hebt geloofd wat Hij tegen je heeft gezegd! Want wat Hij tegen je heeft gezegd, zal ook gebeuren."

46 Maria zei: "Ik prijs de Heer God. 47 En ik ben blij over God, mijn Redder, 48 omdat Hij zó goed geweest is voor mij, een gewone vrouw. Voortaan zullen alle volken zeggen dat God heerlijke dingen voor mij heeft gedaan. 49 Want de heilige, machtige God heeft geweldige dingen bij mij gedaan. 50 Hij is vriendelijk en goed voor alle mensen die ontzag voor Hem hebben. Ook voor hun kinderen is Hij vriendelijk. 51 Hij heeft machtige dingen gedaan. Trotse mensen heeft Hij vernederd. 52 Machtige mensen heeft Hij hun macht afgenomen. Maar gewone mensen heeft Hij geëerd. 53 Hongerige mensen heeft Hij veel gegeven. Maar rijke mensen heeft Hij met lege handen weggestuurd. 54 Hij is zijn volk Israël te hulp gekomen, 55 omdat Hij wilde doen wat Hij vroeger aan onze voorouders heeft beloofd. Want Hij heeft al aan Abraham beloofd dat Hij voor eeuwig goed zou zijn voor hem en zijn familie ná hem."[h]

56 Maria bleef ongeveer drie maanden bij Elizabet. Daarna ging ze naar huis terug.

De geboorte van Johannes

57 Na negen maanden kreeg Elizabet een zoon. 58 Haar buren en familie hoorden dat God zo goed voor haar was geweest. Ze waren heel erg blij voor haar. 59 Toen het kind acht dagen oud was, kwamen er mensen om het kind te besnijden.[i] Ze wilden het kind net als zijn vader 'Zacharias' noemen. 60 Maar Elizabet zei: "Nee, hij moet Johannes heten." 61 Ze zeiden tegen haar: "Maar niemand in je familie heet zo!" 62 Ze gebaarden tegen de vader dat hij moest beslissen hoe het kind moest heten. 63 Hij vroeg om een schrijfplankje. En hij schreef op: "Hij heet Johannes." Iedereen was erg verbaasd. 64 Op dat moment kon Zacharias weer spreken en hij prees God.

65 Iedereen in hun omgeving was erg onder de indruk van wat God had gedaan. In het hele bergland van Judea werd er over gepraat. 66 Iedereen die het hoorde, vroeg zich af: "Wat zal dat kind voor iemand worden?" En God was met hem.

Zacharias profeteert over Johannes

67 Vader Zacharias werd vol van de Heilige Geest en profeteerde: 68 "Prijs de Heer, de God van Israël. Want Hij is ons niet vergeten. Hij heeft ons iemand gegeven die ons zal redden en bevrijden. 69 Hij heeft een machtige Redder gegeven, uit de familie van zijn dienaar koning David. 70 Dat is ook wat Hij al vanaf het begin van de wereld beloofd heeft door de heilige profeten. 71 Hij had beloofd dat Hij ons zou redden van onze vijanden. Hij zou ons bevrijden uit de macht van de mensen die ons haten. 72 Hij beloofde dat Hij vriendelijk en goed zou zijn voor onze voorouders en dat Hij zou doen wat Hij hun had beloofd. 73 Hij zou het heilige verbond dat Hij plechtig met onze vader Abraham had gesloten, niet vergeten. 74 Hij zou ons redden uit de macht van onze vijanden, zodat we Hem zonder vrees zouden kunnen dienen. 75 Hij beloofde dat we ons leven lang dicht bij Hem zouden mogen leven om Hem te dienen. Hij zou ervoor zorgen dat we kunnen leven zoals Hij het wil, zodat we werkelijk zijn volk zouden zijn. 76 En jij, mijn kind, zal een profeet van de Allerhoogste God worden genoemd. Want je zal voor de Heer uit gaan om de weg voor Hem vrij te maken. 77 Je zal aan zijn volk vertellen hoe ze gered kunnen worden en hoe ze vergeving kunnen krijgen voor hun ongehoorzaamheid aan God. 78 Want omdat onze God goed en vriendelijk is, zal Hij ons niet vergeten. Hij is ons Licht uit de hemel. 79 En zijn Licht zal schijnen op de mensen die in het donker leven, vlak voor de poorten van de dood. Zo zal Hij ons de weg naar de vrede wijzen."

80 Het kind groeide op en werd steeds meer gevuld met de Heilige Geest. Hij leefde in de woestijn, tot op de dag dat hij in Israël over God begon te spreken.

Footnotes

  1. Lukas 1:4 Veel geschiedschrijvers gaan ervan uit dat Lukas dit verslag én het boek Handelingen heeft geschreven voor de verdediging van Paulus, toen Paulus in Rome gevangen zat voor zijn geloof in Jezus. Teofilus was de rechter die de zaak van Paulus moest bekijken.
  2. Lukas 1:5 Herodes was geen Joodse koning, maar een man uit het volk van Edom. Edom was altijd een vijand van Israël geweest.
  3. Lukas 1:5 Aäron was de eerste hogepriester geweest. Dat was in de tijd dat Israël door de woestijn trok. Lees Leviticus 8:5-12.
  4. Lukas 1:15 Dat hoorde zo bij mensen die door God werden uitgekozen voor een speciale taak. Lees ook Numeri 6:3.
  5. Lukas 1:17 Elia was een profeet uit de tijd van koning Achab, ongeveer 850 jaar hiervóór.
  6. Lukas 1:27 David was ongeveer 1000 jaar hiervóór koning van Israël.
  7. Lukas 1:32 God had aan David beloofd dat er altijd een zoon uit zijn familie koning zou zijn. Lees 1 Kronieken 17:11-14. Jezus is uit de familie van koning David. Dat blijkt uit vers 27.
  8. Lukas 1:55 Lees Genesis 17:7 en Genesis 12:3 over Gods beloften aan Abraham. Die had Hij bijna 2000 jaar hiervóór gedaan!
  9. Lukas 1:59 Alle Joodse mannen moesten hun geslachtsdeel laten besnijden. Dat was het teken van het verbond van God met het Joodse volk. Lees Genesis 17:9-14.

Luke Writes to Theophilus

Many have attempted to write about what had taken place among us. 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. 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. In this way you will know that what you’ve been told is true.

The Angel Gabriel Appears to Zechariah

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. Zechariah and Elizabeth had God’s approval. They followed all the Lord’s commands and regulations perfectly. Yet, they never had any children because Elizabeth couldn’t become pregnant. Both of them were too old to have children.

Zechariah was on duty with his division of priests. As he served in God’s presence, 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 favor[a] with God.
31 You will become pregnant, give birth to a son,
    and name him Yeshua.
32 He will be a great man
    and will be called the Son of the Most High.
    The Lord God will give him
    the 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 blessed
49 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 people
        and to set them free.
69 He has raised up a mighty Savior for us
    in 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 enemies
    and from the power of all who hate us.
72 He has shown his mercy to our ancestors
    and remembered his holy promise,[b]
73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham.
74 He promised to rescue us from our enemies’ power
    so that we could serve him without fear
75 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 saved
    through the forgiveness of their sins.
78 A new day will dawn on us from above
    because our God is loving and merciful.
79 He will give light to those who live in the dark
    and 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.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:30 Or “grace.”
  2. Luke 1:72 Or “covenant.”

Dear Theophilos:

Concerning the matters that have taken place among us, many people have undertaken to draw up accounts based on what was handed down to us by those who from the start were eyewitnesses and proclaimers of the message. Therefore, Your Excellency, since I have carefully investigated all these things from the beginning, it seemed good to me that I too should write you an accurate and ordered narrative, so that you might know how well-founded are the things about which you have been taught.

In the days of Herod, King of Y’hudah, there was a cohen named Z’kharyah who belonged to the Aviyah division. His wife was a descendant of Aharon, and her name was Elisheva. Both of them were righteous before God, observing all the mitzvot and ordinances of Adonai blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elisheva was barren; and they were both well along in years.

One time, when Z’kharyah was fulfilling his duties as cohen during his division’s period of service before God, he was chosen by lot (according to the custom among the cohanim) to enter the Temple and burn incense. 10 All the people were outside, praying, at the time of the incense burning, 11 when there appeared to him an angel of Adonai standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Z’kharyah was startled and terrified at the sight. 13 But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Z’kharyah; because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elisheva will bear you a son, and you are to name him Yochanan. 14 He will be a joy and a delight to you, and many people will rejoice when he is born, 15 for he will be great in the sight of Adonai. He is never to drink wine or other liquor, and he will be filled with the Ruach HaKodesh even from his mother’s womb. 16 He will turn many of the people of Isra’el to Adonai their God. 17 He will go out ahead of Adonai in the spirit and power of Eliyahu to turn the hearts of fathers to their children[a] and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready for Adonai a people prepared.”

18 Z’kharyah said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man; my wife too is well on in years.” 19 “I am Gavri’el,” the angel answered him, “and I stand in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, to give you this good news. 20 Now, because you didn’t believe what I said, which will be fulfilled when the time comes, you will be silent, unable to speak until the day these things take place.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Z’kharyah; they were surprised at his taking so long in the Temple. 22 But when he came out unable to talk to them, they realized that he had seen a vision in the Temple; speechless, he communicated to them with signs.

23 When his period of his Temple service was over, he returned home. 24 Following this, Elisheva his wife conceived, and she remained five months in seclusion, saying, 25 Adonai has done this for me; he has shown me favor at this time, so as to remove my public disgrace.”

26 In the sixth month, the angel Gavri’el was sent by God to a city in the Galil called Natzeret, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man named Yosef, of the house of David; the virgin’s name was Miryam. 28 Approaching her, the angel said, “Shalom, favored lady! Adonai is with you!” 29 She was deeply troubled by his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Miryam, for you have found favor with God. 31 Look! You will become pregnant, you will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yeshua. 32 He will be great, he will be called Son of Ha‘Elyon. Adonai, God, will give him the throne of his forefather David; 33 and he will rule the House of Ya‘akov forever — there will be no end to his Kingdom.” 34 “How can this be,” asked Miryam of the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered her,

“The Ruach HaKodesh will come over you,
the power of Ha‘Elyon will cover you.
Therefore the holy child born to you
will be called the Son of God.

36 “You have a relative, Elisheva, who is an old woman; and everyone says she is barren. But she has conceived a son and is six months pregnant! 37 For with God, nothing is impossible.” 38 Miryam said, “I am the servant of Adonai; may it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

39 Without delay, Miryam set out and hurried to the town in the hill country of Y’hudah 40 where Z’kharyah lived, entered his house and greeted Elisheva. 41 When Elisheva heard Miryam’s greeting, the baby in her womb stirred. Elisheva was filled with the Ruach HaKodesh 42 and spoke up in a loud voice,

“How blessed are you among women!
And how blessed is the child in your womb!

43 “But who am I, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy! 45 Indeed you are blessed, because you have trusted that the promise Adonai has made to you will be fulfilled.”

46 Then Miryam said,

“My soul magnifies Adonai;
47     and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior,
48 who has taken notice of his servant-girl
    in her humble position.[b]
For — imagine it! — from now on, all generations will call me blessed!
49     “The Mighty One has done great things for me!
Indeed, his name is holy; 50 and in every generation
    he has mercy on those who fear him.[c]

51 “He has performed mighty deeds with his arm,
    routed the secretly proud,
52 brought down rulers from their thrones,
    raised up the humble,
53 filled the hungry with good things,
    but sent the rich away empty.

54 “He has taken the part of his servant Isra’el,
    mindful of the mercy
55 which he promised to our fathers,
    to Avraham and his seed forever.”

56 Miryam stayed with Elisheva for about three months and then returned home.

57 The time arrived for Elisheva to have her baby, and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard how good Adonai had been to her, and they rejoiced with her.

59 On the eighth day, they came to do the child’s b’rit-milah. They were about to name him Z’kharyah, after his father, 60 when his mother spoke up and said, “No, he is to be called Yochanan.” 61 They said to her, “None of your relatives has that name,” 62 and they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. 63 He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is Yochanan.” 64 At that moment, his power of speech returned, and his first words were a b’rakhah to God. 65 All their neighbors were awestruck; and throughout the hill country of Y’hudah, people talked about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard of them said to himself, “What is this child going to be?” For clearly the hand of Adonai was with him.

67 His father Z’kharyah was filled with the Ruach HaKodesh and spoke this prophecy:

68 Praised be Adonai, the God of Isra’el,[d]
    because he has visited and made a ransom to liberate his people
69 by raising up for us a mighty Deliverer
    who is a descendant of his servant David.
70 It is just as he has spoken
    through the mouth of the prophets from the very beginning —
71 that we should be delivered from our enemies
    and from the power of all who hate us.

72 “This has happened so that he might show
    the mercy promised to our fathers —
that he would remember his holy covenant,
73     the oath he swore before Avraham avinu
74 to grant us that we, freed from our enemies,
    would serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness
    before him all our days.

76 You, child, will be called a prophet of Ha‘Elyon;
    you will go before the Lord to prepare his way[e]
77 by spreading the knowledge among his people
    that deliverance comes by having sins forgiven
78 through our God’s most tender mercy,
    which causes the Sunrise to visit us from Heaven,
79 to shine on those in darkness, living in the shadow of death,[f]
    and to guide our feet into the paths of peace.”

80 The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he lived in the wilderness until the time came for him to appear in public to Isra’el.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:17 Malachi 3:23–24(4:5–6)
  2. Luke 1:48 1 Samuel 1:11; 2:1
  3. Luke 1:50 Psalms 103:17; 111:9
  4. Luke 1:68 Psalms 41:14(13); 72:18; 106:48
  5. Luke 1:76 Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3
  6. Luke 1:79 Isaiah 9:1(2)

Introduction(A)

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first(B) were eyewitnesses(C) and servants of the word.(D) With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account(E) for you, most excellent(F) Theophilus,(G) so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.(H)

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

In the time of Herod king of Judea(I) there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah;(J) his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.(K) But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,(L) he was chosen by lot,(M) according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.(N) 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.(O)

11 Then an angel(P) of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.(Q) 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.(R) 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid,(S) Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.(T) 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,(U) 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,(V) and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit(W) even before he is born.(X) 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord,(Y) in the spirit and power of Elijah,(Z) to turn the hearts of the parents to their children(AA) and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”(AB)

18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this?(AC) I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”(AD)

19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel.(AE) I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak(AF) until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs(AG) to them but remained unable to speak.

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace(AH) among the people.”

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel(AI) to Nazareth,(AJ) a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph,(AK) a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid,(AL) Mary; you have found favor with God.(AM) 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.(AN) 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.(AO) The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,(AP) 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom(AQ) will never end.”(AR)

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you,(AS) and the power of the Most High(AT) will overshadow you. So the holy one(AU) to be born will be called[b] the Son of God.(AV) 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child(AW) in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”(AX)

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,(AY) 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.(AZ) 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,(BA) and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord(BB) should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song(BC)

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord(BD)
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,(BE)
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.(BF)
From now on all generations will call me blessed,(BG)
49     for the Mighty One has done great things(BH) for me—
    holy is his name.(BI)
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.(BJ)
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;(BK)
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.(BL)
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.(BM)
53 He has filled the hungry with good things(BN)
    but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful(BO)
55 to Abraham and his descendants(BP) forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise(BQ) the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”(BR)

61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”

62 Then they made signs(BS) to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”(BT) 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak,(BU) praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea(BV) people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.(BW)

Zechariah’s Song

67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit(BX) and prophesied:(BY)

68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,(BZ)
    because he has come to his people and redeemed them.(CA)
69 He has raised up a horn[c](CB) of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David(CC)
70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),(CD)
71 salvation from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us—
72 to show mercy to our ancestors(CE)
    and to remember his holy covenant,(CF)
73     the oath he swore to our father Abraham:(CG)
74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
    and to enable us to serve him(CH) without fear(CI)
75     in holiness and righteousness(CJ) before him all our days.

76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet(CK) of the Most High;(CL)
    for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,(CM)
77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
    through the forgiveness of their sins,(CN)
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
    by which the rising sun(CO) will come to us from heaven
79 to shine on those living in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,(CP)
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”(CQ)

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit[d];(CR) and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:1 Or been surely believed
  2. Luke 1:35 Or So the child to be born will be called holy,
  3. Luke 1:69 Horn here symbolizes a strong king.
  4. Luke 1:80 Or in the Spirit