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路加福音 1
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
路加福音 1
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
序言（参(A)
1 尊敬的提阿非罗先生，因为有许多人，已经把在我们中间成就了的事， 2 按照起初亲眼看见的传道人所传给我们的，编着成书； 3 我已经把这些事从头考查过，认为也应该按着次序写给你， 4 让你晓得所学到的道理，都是确实的。
天使预言施洗约翰出生
5 犹太王希律在位的日子，亚比雅班里有一个祭司，名叫撒迦利亚，他妻子是亚伦的后代，名叫以利沙伯。 6 他们在 神面前都是义人，遵行主的一切诫命规条，无可指摘， 7 只是没有孩子，因为以利沙伯不生育，二人又都上了年纪。
8 有一次，撒迦利亚在 神面前按着班次执行祭司的职务， 9 照祭司的惯例抽中了签，进入主的圣殿烧香。 10 烧香的时候，众人都在外面祈祷。 11 有主的使者站在香坛右边，向他显现。 12 撒迦利亚一见就惊慌起来，十分害怕。 13 天使说：“撒迦利亚，不要怕，因为你的祈求已蒙垂听，你妻子以利沙伯要给你生一个儿子，你要给他起名叫约翰。 14 你必欢喜快乐，许多人因他出生，也必喜乐。 15 他在主面前要被尊为大，淡酒浓酒都不喝，未出母腹就被圣灵充满。 16 他要使许多以色列人转向主他们的 神。 17 他必有以利亚的灵和能力，行在主的前面，叫父亲的心转向儿女，叫悖逆的转向义人的意念，为主安排那预备好了的人民。” 18 撒迦利亚对天使说：“我怎么能知道这事呢？我已经老了，我妻子也上了年纪。” 19 天使回答：“我是站在 神面前的加百列，奉差遣向你说话，报给你这好消息。 20 看吧！到了时候我的话必要应验；因为你不信我的话，你必成为哑巴，直到这些事成就的那一天，才能说话。”
21 众人等候撒迦利亚；因他在圣殿里迟迟不出来，觉得奇怪。 22 等到他出来，却不能讲话，竟成了哑巴，不断地向他们打手式，他们就知道他在圣殿里见了异象。 23 供职的日子满了，他就回家去。 24 过了几天，他妻子以利沙伯怀了孕，隐藏了五个月，说： 25 “主在眷顾的日子，这样看待我，要把我在人间的羞耻除掉。”
天使预言耶稣降生
26 到了第六个月，天使加百列奉 神差遣，往加利利的拿撒勒城去， 27 到了一个童贞女那里，她已经和大卫家一个名叫约瑟的人订了婚，童贞女的名字是马利亚。 28 天使进去，对她说：“恭喜！蒙大恩的女子，主与你同在！” 29 她却因这话惊慌起来，反复思想这样祝贺是甚么意思。 30 天使说：“马利亚，不要怕！因你已从 神那里蒙了恩。 31 你将怀孕生子，要给他起名叫耶稣。 32 他将要被尊为大，称为至高者的儿子，主 神要把他祖大卫的王位赐给他， 33 他要作王统治雅各家，直到永远，他的国没有穷尽。” 34 马利亚对天使说：“我还没有出嫁（“我还没有出嫁”原文作“我不认识男人”），怎能有这事呢？” 35 天使回答：“圣灵要临到你，至高者的能力要覆庇你，因此那将要出生的圣者，必称为 神的儿子。 36 你看，你亲戚以利沙伯，被称为不生育的，在老年也怀了男胎，现在已是第六个月了， 37 因为在 神没有一件事是不可能的。” 38 马利亚说：“我是主的婢女，愿照你的话成就在我身上！”天使就离开她去了。
马利亚往见以利沙伯
39 后来，马利亚就起身，急忙向山地去，来到犹大的一座城， 40 进了撒迦利亚的家，向以利沙伯问安。 41 以利沙伯一听见马利亚的问安，腹中的胎儿就跳动，以利沙伯也被圣灵充满， 42 就高声说：“你在女子中是有福的！你腹中的胎儿也是有福的！ 43 我主的母亲竟然到我这里来。这事怎会临到我呢？ 44 你看，你问安的声音一进我的耳朵，我腹中的胎儿就欢喜跳跃。 45 这相信主传给她的话必要成就的女子是有福的。”
马利亚尊主为大（参(B)
46 马利亚说：
“我心尊主为大，
47 我灵以 神我的救主为乐，
48 因为他垂顾他婢女的卑微，
看哪！今后万代都要称我为有福。
49 全能者为我行了大事，他的名为圣；
50 他的怜悯世世代代归与敬畏他的人。
51 他用膀臂施展大能，
驱散心里妄想的狂傲人。
52 他使有权能的失位，
叫卑微的升高，
53 让饥饿的得饱美食，
使富足的空手回去。
54 他扶助了他的仆人以色列，
为要记念他的怜悯，
55 正如他向我们列祖所说的，
恩待亚伯拉罕和他的后裔，直到永远。”
56 马利亚和以利沙伯同住约有三个月，就回家去了。
施洗约翰出生
57 以利沙伯的产期到了，生了一个儿子。 58 邻里亲戚，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，要照他父亲的名字，叫他撒迦利亚。 60 但他母亲说：“不可，要叫他约翰。” 61 他们说：“你亲族里没有叫这名字的。” 62 他们就向孩子的父亲打手式，看他要叫他甚么。 63 他要了一块写字版，写上说：“他的名字是约翰。”众人都希奇。 64 撒迦利亚的口舌立刻开了，就出声称颂 神。 65 住在周围的人都害怕，这一切事传遍了整个犹太山地， 66 凡听见的就把这些事放在心里，说：“这孩子将会成为怎样的人呢？因为主的手与他同在。”
撒迦利亚的预言
67 他的父亲撒迦利亚被圣灵充满，预言说：
68 “主，以色列的 神，是应当称颂的，
因他眷顾自己的子民，施行救赎，
69 在他仆人大卫家中，
为我们兴起救恩的角，
70 正如主自古以来藉圣先知口中所说的，
71 救我们脱离仇敌，和恨我们的人的手；
72 向我们列祖施怜悯，记念他的圣约，
73 就是他对我们祖先亚伯拉罕所起的誓，
74 把我们从仇敌手中救拔出来，
叫我们可以坦然无惧，用圣洁公义，
75 在他面前一生一世敬拜他。
76 孩子啊，你要称为至高者的先知，
因为你要行在主的面前，预备他的路，
77 使他的子民，因罪得赦，就知道救恩。
78 因我们 神的怜悯，
使清晨的阳光从高天临到我们，
79 光照那坐在黑暗中死荫里的人，
引导我们的脚，走上平安的路。”
80 这孩子渐渐长大，心灵健壮，住在旷野，直到他在以色列人中公开露面的日子。
Luke 1
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Luke 1
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
1 In-as-much-as many undertook[a] to compile a narrative about the things having been fulfilled[b] among us, 2 just as the eyewitnesses from the first[c] and ones having become servants of the word handed-down to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having closely-followed[d] everything carefully from-the-beginning[e], to write it for you in-order, most-excellent Theophilus, 4 in order that you may fully-know the certainty of the things about which you were instructed.
The Birth of John And Jesus
5 In the days of Herod[f], king of Judea:
There Was a Priest Named Zechariah Whose Wife Elizabeth Was Barren
There was a certain priest— Zechariah by name, from the division of Abijah— and a wife for him from the daughters of Aaron. And her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous ones in the sight of God, walking in all the commandments and regulations of the Lord as blameless[g] ones. 7 And there was not a child for them, because Elizabeth was barren. And they were both advanced in their days.
During His Temple Service, an Angel Tells Him Elizabeth Will Bear a Son
8 And it came about during his serving-as-priest before God in the order of his division, 9 that according to the custom[h] of the priestly-office, he obtained-by-lot that he might offer-incense[i], [after] having entered into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the offering of incense. 11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And having seen him, Zechariah was frightened, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be fearing, Zechariah, because your prayer was heard. And your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And there will be joy and gladness for you. And many will rejoice over his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will never drink wine and fermented-drink[j], and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still of [k] his mother’s womb, 16 and he will turn-back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go-ahead before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn-back[l] the hearts of fathers to their children, and to turn back disobedient ones with[m] the understanding[n] of righteous ones, to prepare a people having been made-ready for the Lord”. 18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “Based-on what shall I know this? For I am an old-man, and my wife is advanced in her days”. 19 And having responded, the angel said to him, “I am Gabriel, the one standing in the presence of God. And I was sent forth to speak to you, and to announce these things as-good-news to you. 20 And behold— you shall be silent and not able to speak until which day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper-time”. 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah. And they were wondering during his delaying in the temple. 22 And having come out, he was not able to speak to them. And they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he was motioning to them and continuing to be mute.
Elizabeth Conceives And Hides It For Five Months
23 And it came about that when the days of his service were fulfilled, he went to his house. 24 And after these days, Elizabeth his wife conceived. And she was concealing herself for five months, saying 25 that “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days in which He looked-upon me to take-away my reproach among people”.
In The Sixth Month, an Angel Appears To Mary, a Virgin Promised In Marriage To Joseph
26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent-forth from God to a city of Galilee for which the name was Nazareth, 27 to a virgin having been promised-in-marriage[o] to a man for whom the name was Joseph, from the house of David. And the name of the virgin was Mary. 28 And having come-in to[p] her, he said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you”. 29 But the one was very-troubled at the statement, and was pondering what-kind-of greeting this might be.
The Angel Tells Mary She Will Give Birth To a Son— Jesus, The Son of God
30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be fearing, Mary. For you found favor[q] with God. 31 And behold— you will conceive in your womb and give-birth to a son. And you shall call His name Jesus. 32 This One will be great, and will be called ‘Son of the Most-High’. And the Lord God will give Him the throne of David, His father. 33 And He will reign[r] over the house of Jacob forever. And there will not be an end of His kingdom”. 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen, since I am not knowing[s] a man?” 35 And having responded, the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most-High will overshadow you. For this reason[t] also the Holy Child being born will be called God’s Son. 36 And behold— Elizabeth your relative also herself has conceived a son in her old age. And this is the sixth month for her, the one being called barren, 37 because no word[u] from God will be impossible”. 38 And Mary said, “Behold the slave of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word”. And the angel departed from her.
Mary Goes To See Elizabeth
39 And having arisen during these days, Mary proceeded to the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered into the house of Zechariah, and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it came about that when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped[v] in her womb.
Elizabeth Recognizes Mary As The Mother of Her Lord
And Elizabeth was filled[w] with the Holy Spirit, 42 and exclaimed with a loud shout and said, “You are blessed[x] among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why[y] has this happened to me— that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold— when the sound of your greeting came-to-be in my ears, the baby leaped with gladness in my womb. 45 And blessed[z] is she having believed that[aa] there will be a fulfillment to the things having been spoken to her from the Lord”.
Mary Rejoices Over God Her Savior
46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies[ab] the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoiced-greatly over God my Savior. 48 Because He looked-upon[ac] the lowliness[ad] of His slave, for behold— from now on, all generations will consider me blessed[ae], 49 because the Powerful One did great things for me. And His name is holy. 50 And His mercy to generations and generations is on the ones fearing Him. 51 He did a mighty-deed[af] with His arm. He scattered ones proud[ag] in the thought[ah] of their heart. 52 He brought-down rulers from their thrones, and lifted-up lowly ones. 53 He filled ones being hungry with good things, and sent ones being rich away empty. 54 He helped Israel His servant so that He might remember[ai] mercy, 55 just as He spoke to our fathers— to Abraham, and to his seed forever”. 56 And Mary stayed with her about three months, and returned to her house.
Elizabeth Bears a Son, Who Is Named John. People Wonder What This Child Will Be
57 Now for Elizabeth, the time was fulfilled that she might give-birth, and she bore a son. 58 And the neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord magnified His mercy with her, and they were rejoicing-with her. 59 And it came about that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they[aj] were calling[ak] him Zechariah, on the basis of the name of his father. 60 And having responded, his mother said, “No! Instead he will be called John”. 61 And they said to her that “There is no one from your relatives who is called by this name”. 62 And they were motioning to his father as to what he would wish him to be called. 63 And having asked-for a tablet, he wrote, saying “John is his name”. And they all marveled. 64 And at-once his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosed. And he was speaking, blessing God. 65 And awe came over all the ones living around them. And all these things were being talked-over in the whole hill country of Judea. 66 And all the ones having heard it put these matters in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” For[al] indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.
Zechariah Prophesies That John Will Prepare The Way For The Messiah
67 And Zechariah, his father, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying 68 “Blessed be the Lord God[am] of Israel, because He visited us and accomplished[an] redemption for His people, 69 and raised-up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant (70 just as He spoke through the mouth of His holy prophets from the past age[ao]), 71 a salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all the ones hating us, 72 so as to show mercy to[ap] our fathers and remember[aq] His holy covenant (73 the oath which He swore to Abraham our father)— that He might grant to us that 74 having been delivered from the hand of our enemies, we might be serving[ar] Him fearlessly 75 in holiness and righteousness before Him for all our days. 76 And indeed you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most-High. For you will go before the Lord so as to prepare His ways[as], 77 that you might give[at] His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins 78 because of the deep-feelings-of mercy of our God, with which[au] the rising[av] Sun from on-high will visit us 79 so as to shine-upon the ones sitting in darkness and a shadow of death, that He might direct[aw] our feet into the way of peace”.
John Remains In Seclusion Until His Public Appearance To Israel
80 And the child was growing and becoming-strong in spirit. And he was in the desolate places until the day of his public-appearance[ax] to Israel.
Footnotes
- Luke 1:1 Or, set-their-hand.
- Luke 1:1 Or, accomplished.
- Luke 1:2 That is, the beginning of Christ’s ministry.
- Luke 1:3 Or, accurately-traced.
- Luke 1:3 That is, from before John’s birth.
- Luke 1:5 See Mt 2:1.
- Luke 1:6 Or, faultless.
- Luke 1:9 That is, the custom of casting lots to see who would perform this duty.
- Luke 1:9 That is, offer it inside the Holy Place, a once in a lifetime event for a priest.
- Luke 1:15 That is, alcoholic beverages made from things other than grapes.
- Luke 1:15 Or, from. That is, still in the womb; or, still a newborn baby.
- Luke 1:17 Turn back the hearts... children. See Mal 4:5-6.
- Luke 1:17 Or, by means of.
- Luke 1:17 Or, way-of-thinking.
- Luke 1:27 That is, by her parents, according to the custom of that day.
- Luke 1:28 That is, come into her house.
- Luke 1:30 Or, grace.
- Luke 1:33 Or, be king.
- Luke 1:34 That is, having sexual relations with.
- Luke 1:35 That is, because God will be the child’s father.
- Luke 1:37 Or, no thing.
- Luke 1:41 Or, leaped-for-joy.
- Luke 1:41 This is how Elizabeth knew the things she says next.
- Luke 1:42 That is, blessed by God.
- Luke 1:43 Or, from where, how.
- Luke 1:45 Or, fortunate, happy.
- Luke 1:45 Or, because.
- Luke 1:46 In Latin, this word is Magnificat, which has become a name for this ‘magnification’ of God by Mary.
- Luke 1:48 That is, with favor.
- Luke 1:48 That is, humble status.
- Luke 1:48 Or, fortunate. That is, a most fortunate recipient of God’s favor.
- Luke 1:51 Or, showed strength, defined by what follows.
- Luke 1:51 Or, arrogant, haughty.
- Luke 1:51 Or, way of thinking.
- Luke 1:54 Or, keep-in-mind.
- Luke 1:59 That is, the people at the ceremony.
- Luke 1:59 Or, were going to call.
- Luke 1:66 This may be part of the quote, and refer to the circumstances of John’s birth. Or, this may be Luke’s comment.
- Luke 1:68 Or, the Lord, the God of Israel.
- Luke 1:68 Or, brought about. Zechariah is speaking prophetically.
- Luke 1:70 Or, from long-ago, from of old.
- Luke 1:72 That is, by at last carrying out His promises to them.
- Luke 1:72 That is, be mindful of the covenant He swore to them. In Gen 22:16-18 God swore that all nations of the earth would be blessed in Abraham.
- Luke 1:74 Or, worshiping.
- Luke 1:76 Or, paths.
- Luke 1:77 That is, through the One coming after you.
- Luke 1:78 This is plural, referring either to deep-feelings of mercy, or to salvation, forgiveness, and deep-feelings of mercy.
- Luke 1:78 Or, the rising Star; or, the Dawn. That is, the Messiah, alluding to Mal 4:2.
- Luke 1:79 Or, lead, guide.
- Luke 1:80 Or, manifestation.
Luke 1
Amplified Bible
Luke 1
Amplified Bible
Introduction
1 Since [as is well known] many have undertaken to compile an orderly account of the things which have been fulfilled among us [by God], 2 exactly as they were handed down to us by those [with personal experience] who from the beginning [of Christ’s ministry] were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word [that is, of the teaching concerning salvation through faith in Christ], 3 it seemed fitting for [a]me as well, [and so I have decided] after having carefully searched out and investigated all the events accurately, from the very beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus;(A) 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been [b]taught [that is, the history and doctrine of the faith].
Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5 In the days of Herod [the Great], king of Judea, there was a certain priest whose name was [c]Zacharias, of [d]the division of Abijah. His wife was [e]a descendant of Aaron [the first high priest of Israel], and her name was Elizabeth. 6 They both were righteous (approved) in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. 7 But they were childless, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both far advanced in years.
8 Now it happened while Zacharias was serving as priest before God in the appointed order of his priestly division, 9 as was the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter [the sanctuary of] the temple of the Lord and [f]burn incense [on the altar of incense].(B) 10 And all the congregation was praying outside [in the court of the temple] at the hour of the incense offering. 11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zacharias saw the angel, he was troubled and overcome with fear. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your petition [in prayer] was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him [g]John. 14 You will have great joy and delight, and many will rejoice over his birth, 15 for he will be great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord; and will never drink wine or liquor, and he will be filled with and empowered to act by the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb.(C) 16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel back [from sin] to [love and serve] the Lord their God. 17 It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]—in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord.”(D)
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in age.” 19 The angel replied and said to him, “I am Gabriel; I stand and minister in the [very] presence of God, and I have been sent [by Him] to speak to you and to bring you this good news.(E) 20 [h]Listen carefully, you will be continually silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe what I told you; but my words will be fulfilled at their proper time.”
21 The people [outside in the court] were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering about his long delay in the temple. 22 But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute. 23 When his time of priestly service was finished, he returned to his home.
24 Now after this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she secluded herself completely, saying, 25 “This is how the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor on me, to take away my [i]disgrace among men.”(F)
Jesus’ Birth Foretold
26 Now in the sixth month [of Elizabeth’s pregnancy] the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin [j]betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming to her, the angel said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was greatly perplexed at what he said, and kept carefully considering what kind of greeting this was. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Listen carefully: you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 He will be great and eminent and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.”(G) 34 Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin and have no intimacy with any man?” 35 Then the angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a cloud]; for that reason the holy (pure, sinless) Child shall be called the Son of God.(H) 36 And listen, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37 For with God nothing [is or ever] shall be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “[k]Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel left her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 Now at this time Mary arose and hurried to the hill country, to a city of Judah (Judea), 40 and she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him. 42 And she exclaimed loudly, “Blessed [worthy to be praised] are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord.”
The Magnificat
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies and exalts the Lord,
47
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48
“For He has looked [with loving care] on the humble state of His maidservant;
For behold, from now on all generations will count me blessed and happy and favored by God!
49
“For He who is mighty has done great things for me;
And holy is His name [to be worshiped in His purity, majesty, and glory].
50
“And His mercy is upon generation after generation
Toward those who [stand in great awe of God and] fear Him.(I)
51
“He has done mighty deeds with His [powerful] arm;
He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
52
“He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
And exalted those who were humble.
53
“He has filled the hungry with good things;
And sent the rich away empty-handed.
54
“He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
55
Just as He promised to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his descendants forever.”(J)
56 And Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, and then returned to her home.
John Is Born
57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown His great mercy toward her, and they were rejoicing with her.
59 It happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child [as required by the Law], and they intended to name him Zacharias, after his father;(K) 60 but his mother answered, “No indeed; instead he will be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by that name.” 62 Then they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished. 64 At once Zacharias’ mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began speaking, praising and blessing and thanking God. 65 Then fear came on all their neighbors; and all these things were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard these things kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this little boy turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him [to bring about his birth].
Zacharias’ Prophecy
67 Now Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him, and he prophesied, saying,
68
“Blessed (praised, glorified) be the Lord, the God of Israel,
Because He has visited us and brought redemption to His people,
69
And He has raised up a [l]horn of salvation [a mighty and valiant Savior] for us
In the house of David His servant—
70
Just as He promised by the mouth of His holy prophets from the most ancient times—
71
Salvation from our enemies,
And from the hand of all who hate us;(L)
72
To show mercy [as He promised] to our fathers,
And to remember His holy covenant [the promised blessing],
73
The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,
74
To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
75
In holiness [being set apart] and righteousness [being upright] before Him all our days.
76
“And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
For you will go on before the Lord (the Messiah) to prepare His ways;(M)
77
To give His people the knowledge of salvation
By the forgiveness of their sins,
78
Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise (the Messiah) from on high will dawn and visit us,(N)
79
To shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
To guide our feet [in a straight line] into the way of peace and serenity.”(O)
80 The child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel [as John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah].
Footnotes
- Luke 1:3 Luke may have been a Gentile. If so, he is the only Gentile author whose work is included in the NT. In addition to The Gospel of Luke, he wrote The Acts of the Apostles, and is thought by some scholars to have been the author of The Letter to the Hebrews.
- Luke 1:4 Or orally instructed.
- Luke 1:5 I.e. Zechariah. The spelling is different because a Greek word cannot end with an “h,” and in place of “ah” the common Greek ending “-as” was substituted.
- Luke 1:5 King David organized the priests into 24 groups or divisions, each headed by a president. A division served twice a year for a week at a time (1 Chr 24:1-19).
- Luke 1:5 Lit from the daughters of.
- Luke 1:9 I.e. normally a once-in-a-lifetime privilege for a priest.
- Luke 1:13 John the Baptist is considered the last of the Old Testament prophets. His mother, Elizabeth, and Mary the mother of Jesus, were related (1:36), and Mary may have been with Elizabeth at the time John was born (1:56). John the Baptist is not to be confused with John the Apostle who, along with his brother James, was among the twelve disciples of Jesus. John and James were the sons of Zebedee and Salome. John the Apostle authored the Gospel of John, three brief letters (1 John, 2 John, 3 John), and Revelation.
- Luke 1:20 Lit behold.
- Luke 1:25 At this time childlessness was a social stigma.
- Luke 1:27 The first stage of marriage (called shiddukin in Hebrew) in Jewish tradition and law, usually lasting for a year before the wedding night; unlike an engagement, it was legally binding and required a divorce to nullify it. The woman remained with her parents during the betrothal year and was referred to as a “wife” even though the marriage was not consummated during this period of time.
- Luke 1:38 Mary’s response was significantly different from Zacharias’ (v 18). Zacharias would not take Gabriel’s word, and instead wanted some kind of miraculous sign as proof.
- Luke 1:69 In the OT a symbol of strength.
Luke 1
New International Version
Luke 1
New International Version
Introduction(A)
1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first(B) were eyewitnesses(C) and servants of the word.(D) 3 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) 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.(H)
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5 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. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.(K) 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,(L) 9 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.
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