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路加记述耶稣的生平

尊敬的提阿非罗大人,在我之前,曾有很多人尝试过要报道发生在我们中间的事。 这些事与人们告诉我们的情形是一致的,告诉我们这些事的人们,从一开始就亲眼目睹了这些事,他们也曾做过向人们传播上帝信息的工作。 我也认为这个意图很好,所以我对每件事都从头进行了仔细的调查,然后按次序写成了报告,呈献给您。 我这么做是为了让您知道报告给您的事情都是真实的。

天使宣告约翰的出生

在希律统治犹太的时候,亚比雅分支 [a]有个祭司,名字叫撒迦利亚。撒迦利亚的妻子,叫伊利莎白,是亚伦家族的后代。 他们俩人在上帝的眼里都是正直的人,他们总是全心全意地执行着主的一切诫命和指示,从无过失。 但是他们没有孩子,因为伊利莎白不能生育,并且他们已经很老了。

当轮到撒迦利亚分支在主的殿堂里供职时,撒迦利亚在上帝面前担任祭司的职务, 按照祭司们遵循的规矩,以抽签的方式,他被选中去主的大殿烧香。 10 当撒迦利亚烧香的时候,所有的人都聚集在外面祈祷着。 11 这时,主的一个天使出现在撒迦利亚面前,伫立在香坛的右侧。 12 当撒迦利亚看见这个天使时,非常不安,恐惧极了, 13 天使却对他说∶“撒迦利亚,不要害怕,主听到了你的祈祷,所以你的妻子伊利莎白将给你生一个儿子,你要给他起名叫约翰, 14 他将给你们带来幸福和快乐。他出生时,将会有很多人欢喜, 15 因为他在主的眼里将是伟大的。他必须滴酒不沾,从他一出生,就充满了圣灵。

16 约翰将使众多的以色列人重归主—他们的上帝。 17 他将具有以利亚一样的灵和力量,他将走在主的面前,使父子和平相处,使叛逆者回到被人们认为是正确的道路上来,使人们为主的到来做好准备。”

18 撒迦利亚对天使说∶“我怎么知道你所说的话是真的呢?我和我的妻子都是上年纪的人了。” 19 天使回答说∶“我是侍立在上帝面前的天使加百列,受上帝的派遣来告诉你这个喜讯的, 20 但是,你要记住,因为你不相信我的话,你将变成哑巴,直到这一切发生的那天,你才能重新讲话。”

21 此时,人们都在外面等待着撒迦利亚,他们都不明白为什么撒迦利亚在大殿里面呆了这么久。 22 当撒迦利亚出来时,竟不能对人们讲话了,人们意识到他在大殿里看到了异象,既然撒迦利亚说不出话来,他只好向大家打手势示意。 23 等到在大殿里供职的日期一到,他便回家去了。

24 过了一段时间,他的妻子伊利莎白怀孕了。她隐居在家,五个月没出门,她说: 25 “主终于在这方面帮助了我,他对我的垂爱洗刷了我在众人面前的耻辱 [b]。”

天使宣告耶稣的降生

在伊利莎白怀孕的第六个月,上帝派天使加百列到加利利的一个叫拿撒勒的城镇去见一位处女。这个处女名叫马利亚,她与大卫家族的一个叫约瑟的男子订了婚。 28 加百列来到马利亚面前,向她问候说∶“祝贺你,蒙主恩宠的姑娘,主与你同在。”

29 但是,马利亚因为天使的话而感到惶恐不安,不明白这问候到底意味着什么。

30 天使又对他说∶“别害怕,马利亚,你受到了上帝的恩宠。 31 听着,你就要怀孕生子,你要给他取名叫耶稣。 32 他将是个伟大的人,他将被称为至高无上的上帝之子。主上帝将把他的祖先-大卫 [c]的宝座赐给他, 33 他将永远统治雅各的臣民,他的王国将永不终止。”

34 马利亚对天使说,“可是,怎么可能发生这样的事情呢?我还是个处女呢!”

35 天使回答道∶“圣灵就要降临到你的身上,至高无上的上帝的力量将庇荫着你,因此,那降生的圣婴将被称为上帝之子。 36 听着,你的亲戚伊利莎白虽然已到高龄,而且人们又都说她不能生育,可是,现在她已经怀孕六个月了。 37 上帝是无所不能的。”

38 马利亚说∶“我是主的仆人,愿你的话在我身上应验。”然后天使便离开了。

马利亚看望撒迦利亚和伊利莎白

39 马利亚起身,急匆匆去了山区,到了犹太地区的一座小镇。 40 她走进撒迦利亚的家,问候伊利莎白。 41 当伊利莎白听到马利亚的问候时,腹中的胎儿便动了起来,此时伊利莎白充满了圣灵。

42 她高声说道∶“你是所有女人中最受恩赐的人,那将要出生的孩子也是有福的。 43 可是,为什么我主的母亲前来探望我呢?为什么这样伟大的事情会发生在我的身上呢? 44 我刚才一听到你的问候,我腹中的胎儿就动了起来。 45 你是有福的,因为你相信主对你说的事情会发生。”

马利亚赞美上帝

46 这时,马利亚说:

47 “我的灵赞美我主,
我的心因为上帝—我的救世主而喜悦,
48 因为他对他卑微的仆人表示了关怀,
从今以后,所有的人都将说我受到了祝福,
49 因为强大的主成全了我的大事。
他的名字是神圣的。
50 他将赐怜悯给世世代代敬畏他的人们,
51 他显示了他臂膀的力量,
他驱逐了自以为了不起的骄傲之人;
52 他把君王们拉下了宝座,
他扶起了卑微的人;
53 他让挨饿的人饱餐美食,
他使富足的人们两手空空地离去。
54 他来扶助他的仆人以色列,
55 他信守对我们的祖先许下的诺言,
不忘施怜悯于亚伯拉罕和他的子孙,直到永远。”

56 马利亚在伊利莎白那里住了三个月左右,然后回家去了。

约翰的出生

57 伊利莎白的产期到了,她生下一个男孩。 58 当她的亲友和邻居们听说主赐给了她这么大的怜悯时,都来分享她的欢乐。

59 孩子出生的第八天,他们就给婴儿行了割礼,并要随他父亲的名字给他取名叫撒迦利亚, 60 但是,他的母亲却说∶“不,要叫他约翰。”

61 亲友们对她说∶“你的亲戚里面没有一个人叫这个名字的。” 62 然后,他们又向孩子的父亲打手势,问他想给孩子取个什么名字。

63 撒迦利亚要来一块写字板,在上面写道∶“他的名字叫约翰。”人们看后十分惊讶, 64 就在这时,撒迦利亚的嘴张开了,舌头也舒展了,他开口讲话,并开始赞美上帝。 65 邻居们却充满敬畏,整个犹太地区的人们都对此事议论纷纷。 66 所有听到这件事情的人都禁不住猜想∶“这个孩子将来会成为什么样的人呢?”因为,显然主的力量与他同在。

撒迦利亚赞美上帝

67 此时,孩子的父亲撒迦利亚被圣灵充满,他预言说:

68 “赞美归于主,以色列的上帝!
因为他来帮助他的子民,赐给他们自由;
69 主从他的仆人大卫家里,为我们选派了强有力的拯救者。
70 按照他借生活在很久以前神圣的先知之口做出的许诺,
71 把我们从敌人和仇视我们的人的手中拯救出来,
72 并对我们的祖先施以怜悯,牢记他的圣约,
73 那是他对我们的祖先,亚伯拉罕发的誓言:
74 让我们脱离敌人之手,使我们坦然无惧地侍奉他;
75 并使我们在他面前终身神圣和正义。
76 那么,你,我的孩子,将被称为至尊上帝的先知,
因为你将走在主的前面,
为他准备道路;
77 让他们知道他们通过宽恕而得救,
他们将因此得救,
78 由于我们的上帝的仁慈,
79 新的一天将从天堂降临到我们身上,
普照生活在死亡的阴影里的人们;
并引导我们的步伐走向和平的道路。”

80 就这样,孩子渐渐地成长着,身体和心灵越来越强壮。在向以色列人公开传道前,他一直居住在人烟稀少的地方。

Footnotes

  1. 路 加 福 音 1:5 阿比雅分支: 犹太祭司分为40个分支。见《历代志上》24。
  2. 路 加 福 音 1:25 耻辱: 犹太人当时认为女人不生育是一件可耻的事情。
  3. 路 加 福 音 1:32 大卫: 在耶稣之前一千年的以色列王。

1-2 提阿非罗大人,已经有很多人根据最初的目击者和传道者给我们的口述,把我们中间发生的事记载下来。 我把一切事情从头至尾仔细查考之后,决定按次序写出来, 使你知道自己所学的道都是有真凭实据的。

天使预告施洗者约翰出生

犹太王希律执政期间,亚比雅的班里有位祭司名叫撒迦利亚,他妻子伊丽莎白是亚伦的后裔。 夫妻二人遵行主的一切诫命和条例,无可指责,在上帝眼中是义人。 但他们没有孩子,因为伊丽莎白不能生育,二人又年纪老迈。

有一天,轮到撒迦利亚他们那一班祭司当值, 他们按照祭司的规矩抽签,抽中撒迦利亚到主的殿里去烧香。 10 众百姓都在外面祷告。 11 那时,主的天使在香坛的右边向撒迦利亚显现, 12 撒迦利亚见了,惊慌害怕起来。

13 天使对他说:“撒迦利亚,不要害怕,你的祷告已蒙垂听。你的妻子伊丽莎白要为你生一个儿子,你要给他取名叫约翰。 14 你必欢喜快乐,许多人也会因为他的诞生而欣喜雀跃, 15 因为他将成为主伟大的仆人。他必滴酒不沾,并且在母腹里就被圣灵充满。 16 他将劝导许多以色列人回心转意,归顺主——他们的上帝。 17 他将以先知以利亚的心志和能力做主的先锋,使父亲的心转向儿女,使叛逆的人回转、顺从义人的智慧,为主预备合用的子民。”

18 撒迦利亚对天使说:“我已经老了,我的妻子也上了年纪,我如何知道这是真的呢?” 19 天使回答说:“我是侍立在上帝面前的加百列,奉命来向你报这喜讯。 20 我说的这些话到时候必定应验。但因为你不肯相信我的话,所以这事成就以前,你将变成哑巴,不能说话。”

21 人们在等候撒迦利亚,见他在圣殿里迟迟不出来,都感到奇怪。 22 后来他出来了,却成了哑巴,不能说话,只能打手势,大家意识到他在圣殿里看见了异象。 23 撒迦利亚供职期满,就回家去了。 24 不久,伊丽莎白果然怀了孕,她有五个月闭门不出。 25 她说:“主真是眷顾我,除掉了我不生育的羞耻。”

天使预告耶稣降生

26 伊丽莎白怀孕六个月的时候,天使加百列又奉上帝的命令到加利利的拿撒勒, 27 去见一位童贞女,她叫玛丽亚。玛丽亚已经和大卫的后裔约瑟订了婚。

28 天使到了玛丽亚那里,说:“恭喜你,蒙大恩的女子,主与你同在!”

29 玛丽亚听了觉得十分困惑,反复思想这话的意思。

30 天使对她说:“玛丽亚,不要害怕,你在上帝面前已经蒙恩了。 31 你要怀孕生子,并给祂取名叫耶稣。 32 祂伟大无比,将被称为至高者的儿子,主上帝要把祂祖先大卫的王位赐给祂。 33 祂要永远统治以色列[a],祂的国度永无穷尽。”

34 玛丽亚对天使说:“这怎么可能呢?我还是童贞女。”

35 天使回答说:“圣灵要临到你身上,至高者的能力要荫庇你,所以你要生的那圣婴必称为上帝的儿子。 36 看啊,你的亲戚伊丽莎白年纪老迈,一向不能生育,现在已经怀男胎六个月了。 37 因为上帝无所不能。”

38 玛丽亚说:“我是主的婢女,愿你所说的话在我身上成就。”于是天使离开了她。

玛丽亚看望伊丽莎白

39 不久,玛丽亚便动身赶到犹太山区的一座城, 40 进了撒迦利亚的家,向伊丽莎白请安。 41 伊丽莎白一听见玛丽亚的问安,腹中的胎儿便跳动起来,伊丽莎白被圣灵充满, 42 高声喊着说:“在妇女中你是最蒙福的!你腹中的孩子也是蒙福的! 43 我主的母亲来探望我,我怎么敢当呢? 44 我一听到你问安的声音,腹中的孩子就欢喜跳动。 45 相信主所说的话必实现的女子有福了!”

46 玛丽亚说:
“我的心尊主为大,
47 我的灵因我的救主上帝而欢喜,
48 因祂眷顾我这卑微的婢女,
从今以后,
世世代代都要称我是有福的。
49 全能者在我身上行了奇事,
祂的名是神圣的。
50 祂怜悯敬畏祂的人,
直到世世代代。
51 祂伸出臂膀,施展大能,
驱散心骄气傲的人。
52 祂使当权者失势,
叫谦卑的人升高。
53 祂使饥饿的得饱足,
叫富足的空手而去。
54 祂扶助了自己的仆人以色列,
55 祂要施怜悯给亚伯拉罕和他的子孙,
直到永远,
正如祂对我们祖先的应许。”

56 玛丽亚和伊丽莎白同住了约三个月,便回家去了。

施洗者约翰出生

57 伊丽莎白的产期到了,生下一个儿子。 58 亲戚和邻居听见主向她大施怜悯,都和她一同欢乐。 59 到了第八天,他们来给孩子行割礼,想照他父亲的名字给他取名叫撒迦利亚。

60 但伊丽莎白说:“不!要叫他约翰。”

61 他们说:“你们家族中没有人用这个名字啊!” 62 他们便向他父亲打手势,问他要给孩子起什么名字。 63 撒迦利亚就要了一块写字板,写上:“他的名字叫约翰。”大家看了都很惊奇。 64 就在那时,撒迦利亚恢复了说话的能力,便开口赞美上帝。 65 住在周围的人都很惧怕,这消息很快就传遍了整个犹太山区。 66 听见的人都在想:“这孩子将来会怎样呢?因为主与他同在。”

撒迦利亚的预言

67 孩子的父亲撒迦利亚被圣灵充满,便预言说:

68 “主——以色列的上帝当受称颂,
因祂眷顾、救赎了自己的子民,
69 在祂仆人大卫的家族中为我们兴起了一位大能的拯救者[b]
70 正如祂从亘古借着祂圣先知们的口所说的。
71 祂要从仇敌和一切恨我们之人手中拯救我们。
72 祂怜悯我们的祖先,
持守自己的圣约,
73 就是祂对我们的先祖亚伯拉罕所起的誓,
74 要把我们从仇敌手中拯救出来,
75 使我们一生一世在圣洁和公义中坦然无惧地事奉祂。
76 至于你,我的儿子啊!
你将要被称为至高者的先知,
因为你要走在主的前面,
为祂预备道路,
77 使百姓因罪得赦免而明白救恩的真谛。
78 由于上帝的怜悯,
清晨的曙光必从高天普照我们,
79 照亮那些生活在黑暗中和死亡阴影下的人,
带领我们走平安的道路。”

80 那孩子渐渐长大,心灵强健,在向以色列人公开露面之前,一直住在旷野。

Footnotes

  1. 1:33 以色列”希腊文是“雅各的家”。
  2. 1:69 拯救者”希腊文是“拯救的角”。

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

路加记述耶稣的生平

尊敬的提阿非罗大人,在我之前,曾有很多人尝试过要报道发生在我们中间的事。 这些事与人们告诉我们的情形是一致的,告诉我们这些事的人们,从一开始就亲眼目睹了这些事,他们也曾做过向人们传播上帝信息的工作。 我也认为这个意图很好,所以我对每件事都从头进行了仔细的调查,然后按次序写成了报告,呈献给您。 我这么做是为了让您知道报告给您的事情都是真实的。

天使宣告约翰的出生

在希律统治犹太的时候,亚比雅分支 [a]有个祭司,名字叫撒迦利亚。撒迦利亚的妻子,叫伊利莎白,是亚伦家族的后代。 他们俩人在上帝的眼里都是正直的人,他们总是全心全意地执行着主的一切诫命和指示,从无过失。 但是他们没有孩子,因为伊利莎白不能生育,并且他们已经很老了。

当轮到撒迦利亚分支在主的殿堂里供职时,撒迦利亚在上帝面前担任祭司的职务, 按照祭司们遵循的规矩,以抽签的方式,他被选中去主的大殿烧香。 10 当撒迦利亚烧香的时候,所有的人都聚集在外面祈祷着。 11 这时,主的一个天使出现在撒迦利亚面前,伫立在香坛的右侧。 12 当撒迦利亚看见这个天使时,非常不安,恐惧极了, 13 天使却对他说∶“撒迦利亚,不要害怕,主听到了你的祈祷,所以你的妻子伊利莎白将给你生一个儿子,你要给他起名叫约翰, 14 他将给你们带来幸福和快乐。他出生时,将会有很多人欢喜, 15 因为他在主的眼里将是伟大的。他必须滴酒不沾,从他一出生,就充满了圣灵。

16 约翰将使众多的以色列人重归主—他们的上帝。 17 他将具有以利亚一样的灵和力量,他将走在主的面前,使父子和平相处,使叛逆者回到被人们认为是正确的道路上来,使人们为主的到来做好准备。”

18 撒迦利亚对天使说∶“我怎么知道你所说的话是真的呢?我和我的妻子都是上年纪的人了。” 19 天使回答说∶“我是侍立在上帝面前的天使加百列,受上帝的派遣来告诉你这个喜讯的, 20 但是,你要记住,因为你不相信我的话,你将变成哑巴,直到这一切发生的那天,你才能重新讲话。”

21 此时,人们都在外面等待着撒迦利亚,他们都不明白为什么撒迦利亚在大殿里面呆了这么久。 22 当撒迦利亚出来时,竟不能对人们讲话了,人们意识到他在大殿里看到了异象,既然撒迦利亚说不出话来,他只好向大家打手势示意。 23 等到在大殿里供职的日期一到,他便回家去了。

24 过了一段时间,他的妻子伊利莎白怀孕了。她隐居在家,五个月没出门,她说: 25 “主终于在这方面帮助了我,他对我的垂爱洗刷了我在众人面前的耻辱 [b]。”

天使宣告耶稣的降生

在伊利莎白怀孕的第六个月,上帝派天使加百列到加利利的一个叫拿撒勒的城镇去见一位处女。这个处女名叫马利亚,她与大卫家族的一个叫约瑟的男子订了婚。 28 加百列来到马利亚面前,向她问候说∶“祝贺你,蒙主恩宠的姑娘,主与你同在。”

29 但是,马利亚因为天使的话而感到惶恐不安,不明白这问候到底意味着什么。

30 天使又对他说∶“别害怕,马利亚,你受到了上帝的恩宠。 31 听着,你就要怀孕生子,你要给他取名叫耶稣。 32 他将是个伟大的人,他将被称为至高无上的上帝之子。主上帝将把他的祖先-大卫 [c]的宝座赐给他, 33 他将永远统治雅各的臣民,他的王国将永不终止。”

34 马利亚对天使说,“可是,怎么可能发生这样的事情呢?我还是个处女呢!”

35 天使回答道∶“圣灵就要降临到你的身上,至高无上的上帝的力量将庇荫着你,因此,那降生的圣婴将被称为上帝之子。 36 听着,你的亲戚伊利莎白虽然已到高龄,而且人们又都说她不能生育,可是,现在她已经怀孕六个月了。 37 上帝是无所不能的。”

38 马利亚说∶“我是主的仆人,愿你的话在我身上应验。”然后天使便离开了。

马利亚看望撒迦利亚和伊利莎白

39 马利亚起身,急匆匆去了山区,到了犹太地区的一座小镇。 40 她走进撒迦利亚的家,问候伊利莎白。 41 当伊利莎白听到马利亚的问候时,腹中的胎儿便动了起来,此时伊利莎白充满了圣灵。

42 她高声说道∶“你是所有女人中最受恩赐的人,那将要出生的孩子也是有福的。 43 可是,为什么我主的母亲前来探望我呢?为什么这样伟大的事情会发生在我的身上呢? 44 我刚才一听到你的问候,我腹中的胎儿就动了起来。 45 你是有福的,因为你相信主对你说的事情会发生。”

马利亚赞美上帝

46 这时,马利亚说:

47 “我的灵赞美我主,
我的心因为上帝—我的救世主而喜悦,
48 因为他对他卑微的仆人表示了关怀,
从今以后,所有的人都将说我受到了祝福,
49 因为强大的主成全了我的大事。
他的名字是神圣的。
50 他将赐怜悯给世世代代敬畏他的人们,
51 他显示了他臂膀的力量,
他驱逐了自以为了不起的骄傲之人;
52 他把君王们拉下了宝座,
他扶起了卑微的人;
53 他让挨饿的人饱餐美食,
他使富足的人们两手空空地离去。
54 他来扶助他的仆人以色列,
55 他信守对我们的祖先许下的诺言,
不忘施怜悯于亚伯拉罕和他的子孙,直到永远。”

56 马利亚在伊利莎白那里住了三个月左右,然后回家去了。

约翰的出生

57 伊利莎白的产期到了,她生下一个男孩。 58 当她的亲友和邻居们听说主赐给了她这么大的怜悯时,都来分享她的欢乐。

59 孩子出生的第八天,他们就给婴儿行了割礼,并要随他父亲的名字给他取名叫撒迦利亚, 60 但是,他的母亲却说∶“不,要叫他约翰。”

61 亲友们对她说∶“你的亲戚里面没有一个人叫这个名字的。” 62 然后,他们又向孩子的父亲打手势,问他想给孩子取个什么名字。

63 撒迦利亚要来一块写字板,在上面写道∶“他的名字叫约翰。”人们看后十分惊讶, 64 就在这时,撒迦利亚的嘴张开了,舌头也舒展了,他开口讲话,并开始赞美上帝。 65 邻居们却充满敬畏,整个犹太地区的人们都对此事议论纷纷。 66 所有听到这件事情的人都禁不住猜想∶“这个孩子将来会成为什么样的人呢?”因为,显然主的力量与他同在。

撒迦利亚赞美上帝

67 此时,孩子的父亲撒迦利亚被圣灵充满,他预言说:

68 “赞美归于主,以色列的上帝!
因为他来帮助他的子民,赐给他们自由;
69 主从他的仆人大卫家里,为我们选派了强有力的拯救者。
70 按照他借生活在很久以前神圣的先知之口做出的许诺,
71 把我们从敌人和仇视我们的人的手中拯救出来,
72 并对我们的祖先施以怜悯,牢记他的圣约,
73 那是他对我们的祖先,亚伯拉罕发的誓言:
74 让我们脱离敌人之手,使我们坦然无惧地侍奉他;
75 并使我们在他面前终身神圣和正义。
76 那么,你,我的孩子,将被称为至尊上帝的先知,
因为你将走在主的前面,
为他准备道路;
77 让他们知道他们通过宽恕而得救,
他们将因此得救,
78 由于我们的上帝的仁慈,
79 新的一天将从天堂降临到我们身上,
普照生活在死亡的阴影里的人们;
并引导我们的步伐走向和平的道路。”

80 就这样,孩子渐渐地成长着,身体和心灵越来越强壮。在向以色列人公开传道前,他一直居住在人烟稀少的地方。

Footnotes

  1. 路 加 福 音 1:5 阿比雅分支: 犹太祭司分为40个分支。见《历代志上》24。
  2. 路 加 福 音 1:25 耻辱: 犹太人当时认为女人不生育是一件可耻的事情。
  3. 路 加 福 音 1:32 大卫: 在耶稣之前一千年的以色列王。

1-2 提阿非罗大人,已经有很多人根据最初的目击者和传道者给我们的口述,把我们中间发生的事记载下来。 我把一切事情从头至尾仔细查考之后,决定按次序写出来, 使你知道自己所学的道都是有真凭实据的。

天使预告施洗者约翰出生

犹太王希律执政期间,亚比雅的班里有位祭司名叫撒迦利亚,他妻子伊丽莎白是亚伦的后裔。 夫妻二人遵行主的一切诫命和条例,无可指责,在上帝眼中是义人。 但他们没有孩子,因为伊丽莎白不能生育,二人又年纪老迈。

有一天,轮到撒迦利亚他们那一班祭司当值, 他们按照祭司的规矩抽签,抽中撒迦利亚到主的殿里去烧香。 10 众百姓都在外面祷告。 11 那时,主的天使在香坛的右边向撒迦利亚显现, 12 撒迦利亚见了,惊慌害怕起来。

13 天使对他说:“撒迦利亚,不要害怕,你的祷告已蒙垂听。你的妻子伊丽莎白要为你生一个儿子,你要给他取名叫约翰。 14 你必欢喜快乐,许多人也会因为他的诞生而欣喜雀跃, 15 因为他将成为主伟大的仆人。他必滴酒不沾,并且在母腹里就被圣灵充满。 16 他将劝导许多以色列人回心转意,归顺主——他们的上帝。 17 他将以先知以利亚的心志和能力做主的先锋,使父亲的心转向儿女,使叛逆的人回转、顺从义人的智慧,为主预备合用的子民。”

18 撒迦利亚对天使说:“我已经老了,我的妻子也上了年纪,我如何知道这是真的呢?” 19 天使回答说:“我是侍立在上帝面前的加百列,奉命来向你报这喜讯。 20 我说的这些话到时候必定应验。但因为你不肯相信我的话,所以这事成就以前,你将变成哑巴,不能说话。”

21 人们在等候撒迦利亚,见他在圣殿里迟迟不出来,都感到奇怪。 22 后来他出来了,却成了哑巴,不能说话,只能打手势,大家意识到他在圣殿里看见了异象。 23 撒迦利亚供职期满,就回家去了。 24 不久,伊丽莎白果然怀了孕,她有五个月闭门不出。 25 她说:“主真是眷顾我,除掉了我不生育的羞耻。”

天使预告耶稣降生

26 伊丽莎白怀孕六个月的时候,天使加百列又奉上帝的命令到加利利的拿撒勒, 27 去见一位童贞女,她叫玛丽亚。玛丽亚已经和大卫的后裔约瑟订了婚。

28 天使到了玛丽亚那里,说:“恭喜你,蒙大恩的女子,主与你同在!”

29 玛丽亚听了觉得十分困惑,反复思想这话的意思。

30 天使对她说:“玛丽亚,不要害怕,你在上帝面前已经蒙恩了。 31 你要怀孕生子,并给祂取名叫耶稣。 32 祂伟大无比,将被称为至高者的儿子,主上帝要把祂祖先大卫的王位赐给祂。 33 祂要永远统治以色列[a],祂的国度永无穷尽。”

34 玛丽亚对天使说:“这怎么可能呢?我还是童贞女。”

35 天使回答说:“圣灵要临到你身上,至高者的能力要荫庇你,所以你要生的那圣婴必称为上帝的儿子。 36 看啊,你的亲戚伊丽莎白年纪老迈,一向不能生育,现在已经怀男胎六个月了。 37 因为上帝无所不能。”

38 玛丽亚说:“我是主的婢女,愿你所说的话在我身上成就。”于是天使离开了她。

玛丽亚看望伊丽莎白

39 不久,玛丽亚便动身赶到犹太山区的一座城, 40 进了撒迦利亚的家,向伊丽莎白请安。 41 伊丽莎白一听见玛丽亚的问安,腹中的胎儿便跳动起来,伊丽莎白被圣灵充满, 42 高声喊着说:“在妇女中你是最蒙福的!你腹中的孩子也是蒙福的! 43 我主的母亲来探望我,我怎么敢当呢? 44 我一听到你问安的声音,腹中的孩子就欢喜跳动。 45 相信主所说的话必实现的女子有福了!”

46 玛丽亚说:
“我的心尊主为大,
47 我的灵因我的救主上帝而欢喜,
48 因祂眷顾我这卑微的婢女,
从今以后,
世世代代都要称我是有福的。
49 全能者在我身上行了奇事,
祂的名是神圣的。
50 祂怜悯敬畏祂的人,
直到世世代代。
51 祂伸出臂膀,施展大能,
驱散心骄气傲的人。
52 祂使当权者失势,
叫谦卑的人升高。
53 祂使饥饿的得饱足,
叫富足的空手而去。
54 祂扶助了自己的仆人以色列,
55 祂要施怜悯给亚伯拉罕和他的子孙,
直到永远,
正如祂对我们祖先的应许。”

56 玛丽亚和伊丽莎白同住了约三个月,便回家去了。

施洗者约翰出生

57 伊丽莎白的产期到了,生下一个儿子。 58 亲戚和邻居听见主向她大施怜悯,都和她一同欢乐。 59 到了第八天,他们来给孩子行割礼,想照他父亲的名字给他取名叫撒迦利亚。

60 但伊丽莎白说:“不!要叫他约翰。”

61 他们说:“你们家族中没有人用这个名字啊!” 62 他们便向他父亲打手势,问他要给孩子起什么名字。 63 撒迦利亚就要了一块写字板,写上:“他的名字叫约翰。”大家看了都很惊奇。 64 就在那时,撒迦利亚恢复了说话的能力,便开口赞美上帝。 65 住在周围的人都很惧怕,这消息很快就传遍了整个犹太山区。 66 听见的人都在想:“这孩子将来会怎样呢?因为主与他同在。”

撒迦利亚的预言

67 孩子的父亲撒迦利亚被圣灵充满,便预言说:

68 “主——以色列的上帝当受称颂,
因祂眷顾、救赎了自己的子民,
69 在祂仆人大卫的家族中为我们兴起了一位大能的拯救者[b]
70 正如祂从亘古借着祂圣先知们的口所说的。
71 祂要从仇敌和一切恨我们之人手中拯救我们。
72 祂怜悯我们的祖先,
持守自己的圣约,
73 就是祂对我们的先祖亚伯拉罕所起的誓,
74 要把我们从仇敌手中拯救出来,
75 使我们一生一世在圣洁和公义中坦然无惧地事奉祂。
76 至于你,我的儿子啊!
你将要被称为至高者的先知,
因为你要走在主的前面,
为祂预备道路,
77 使百姓因罪得赦免而明白救恩的真谛。
78 由于上帝的怜悯,
清晨的曙光必从高天普照我们,
79 照亮那些生活在黑暗中和死亡阴影下的人,
带领我们走平安的道路。”

80 那孩子渐渐长大,心灵强健,在向以色列人公开露面之前,一直住在旷野。

Footnotes

  1. 1:33 以色列”希腊文是“雅各的家”。
  2. 1:69 拯救者”希腊文是“拯救的角”。

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