Luke 1:1-5

Expanded Bible

Luke Writes About Jesus’ Life

1 Many have ·tried to report on [set out to compile an account/narrative of] the things that ·happened [have been fulfilled/accomplished] among us [John 20:31; Acts 1:1–3; 2 Pet. 1:16–19]. ² They have written the same things that ·we learned from [^Lwere handed down by] others—the ·people who saw those things [^Leyewitnesses] from the beginning and ·served God by telling people his message [^Lwere servants of the word; Acts 10:39–41; 1 John 1:1–3]. ³ Since I myself have ·studied [investigated; followed closely] everything carefully from the beginning, most excellent [^Ca designation for someone with high social or political status] Theophilus, it seemed ·good [fitting] for me to write it out for you. I arranged it ·in order [or in an orderly manner], ⁴ to help you know that what you have been taught is ·true [certain; reliable; John 20:31].

Zechariah and Elizabeth

⁵ During the time ·Herod ruled Judea [^Lof Herod, king of Judea], there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to ·Abijah’s group [the priestly division/order of Abijah; ^Cpriests were divided into twenty-four divisions; 2 Chr. 31:2]. Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, came from the ·family [^Ldaughters; ^Cfemale descendants] of Aaron [^Cbrother of Moses and first high priest of Israel; for a priest like Zechariah to marry a woman of priestly ancestry was a special blessing].