獻給提阿費羅

提阿費羅大人哪,既然有許多人著手編錄關於在我們中間所成就的事, 就是照著從起初以來的目擊者和做福音[a]僕人的那些人所傳給我們的, 我也已經從頭仔細地追蹤了這一切,我就認為應該按著次序寫給您, 好讓您了解到您所領受的話語都是確實的。

預言約翰誕生

猶太希律的那些日子裡,有一個祭司名叫撒迦利亞,屬於亞比雅班組。他的妻子也是亞倫的子孫[b],名叫伊莉莎白 他們兩個人在神面前都是義人,遵行主的一切誡命和公義規定,無可指責。 可是他們沒有孩子,因為伊莉莎白不能生育,兩個人又都上了年紀。

有一次,當撒迦利亞的班組輪值的時候,撒迦利亞在神面前履行祭司的職務, 照著祭司職務的規矩,抽中了籤就進入主的聖所燒香。 10 燒香的時候,全體民眾都在外面禱告。 11 有主的一位天使站在香壇的右邊向他顯現。 12 撒迦利亞看見後,就驚慌不安,恐懼就臨到了他。 13 天使對他說:

撒迦利亞,不要怕,
因為你的祈禱已蒙垂聽。
你的妻子伊莉莎白要為你生一個兒子,
你要給他起名叫約翰
14 他將使你歡喜、快樂,
許多人也會因他的誕生而歡欣,
15 因為他將要在主面前為大。
淡酒和烈酒他絕不能喝,
還在母腹中的時候,
他就會被聖靈充滿。
16 他將使許多以色列子民
歸向主——他們的神。
17 他將藉著以利亞的靈和能力,
在主的面前先行,
使父親的心
轉向兒女,
使悖逆的人
轉向義人的智慧,
好為主準備一群預備好了的子民。」

18 撒迦利亞對天使說:「我憑著什麼能知道這事呢?我是個老人,我的妻子也上了年紀。」

19 天使回答他,說:「我是站在神面前的加百列,奉差派來對你說話,向你傳達這些好消息。 20 看哪,你要成為啞巴,不能說話,一直到這些事成就的日子,因為你不相信我的話!到了時候,我的話就會應驗。」

21 民眾等候著撒迦利亞,對他在聖所裡的遲延不出感到驚奇。 22 當他出來不能和他們說話的時候,他們才了解他在聖所裡看到了異象。撒迦利亞一直向他們打手勢,卻始終不能說話。 23 他服事的日子滿了以後,就回家去了。

24 這些日子以後,他的妻子伊莉莎白懷了孕,隱居了五個月。她說: 25 「為了除去我在人間的恥辱,主在這些眷顧的日子裡,這樣看待了我。」

預言基督誕生

26 在第六個月,天使加百列從神那裡奉差派,去加利利一個叫拿撒勒的城, 27 到一個童貞女那裡。這童貞女名叫瑪麗亞,已經許配給大衛家族一個名叫約瑟的人。 28 天使[c]來到她面前,說:「蒙大恩的女子,願你歡喜,主與你同在![d] 29 瑪麗亞因這話就驚慌不安,思索這問候到底是什麼意思。 30 天使對她說:

瑪麗亞,不要怕,
因為你在神面前蒙恩了。
31 看哪,
你將要懷孕生一個兒子,
你要給他起名叫耶穌。
32 他將要為大,
被稱為至高者的兒子;
主、神要把他先祖大衛的王位賜給他。
33 他要做王統管雅各家,直到永遠,
他的國度沒有窮盡。」

34 瑪麗亞對天使說:「我既然沒有出嫁[e],怎麼會有這事呢?」

35 天使回答她,說:

「聖靈將要臨到你,
至高者的大能要蔭庇你,
因此,那要誕生的聖者
將被稱為神的兒子。

36 你看,你的親戚伊莉莎白雖然年老,也懷了男胎;那被稱為不能生育的,現在已有六個月的身孕[f]了。 37 因為在神沒有什麼事是不可能的。」

38 瑪麗亞說:「看哪,我是主的婢女,願這事照著你的話成就在我身上。」於是天使離開了她。

瑪麗亞與伊莉莎白

39 就在那些日子裡,瑪麗亞起身到山區去,趕往猶大的一個城, 40 進了撒迦利亞的家,問候伊莉莎白 41 伊莉莎白一聽到瑪麗亞的問候,胎兒就在她的腹中跳動,伊莉莎白也被聖靈充滿, 42 大聲呼喊說:

「你在婦女中是蒙祝福的,
你腹中的胎兒[g]也是蒙祝福的!

43 我主的母親竟然到我這裡來,這事怎麼會臨到我呢? 44 看哪,原來你問候的聲音一傳入我的耳朵,胎兒就在我的腹中歡喜跳躍。 45 這相信的女子是蒙福的,因為主對她說的話都會實現。」

瑪麗亞的頌讚

46 瑪麗亞說:

「我的心尊主為大,
47 我的靈以神我的救主為樂,
48 因為他看顧他婢女的卑微。
看哪,從今以後,
世世代代都要稱我有福,
49 因為那全能者
為我行了大事;
他的名是神聖的。
50 他的憐憫,
世世代代臨到敬畏他的人。
51 他用膀臂施展大能,
驅散那些心思意念驕傲的人。
52 他把權能者從高位上拉下,
又把卑微的人[h]高舉。
53 他用美物滿足飢餓的人,
讓富有的人空手而去。
54 他扶助他的僕人以色列
不忘憐憫,
55 正如他對我們祖先,
亞伯拉罕和他的後裔所說的,直到永遠。」

56 瑪麗亞伊莉莎白一起住了大約三個月,就回家去了。

約翰的出生與命名

57 伊莉莎白產期到了,生了一個兒子。 58 她的鄰居和親戚聽說主向她大施憐憫,就與她一同歡樂。

59 到了第八天,他們來給孩子行割禮,要按照他父親的名字叫他撒迦利亞 60 可是孩子的母親應聲說:「不!他要被稱為約翰。」

61 他們對她說:「你的親族中沒有叫這名字的。」 62 於是他們向孩子的父親打手勢,到底他願意叫他什麼名字。 63 撒迦利亞要了一塊寫字板,寫上:「他的名字是約翰。」大家都感到驚奇。 64 撒迦利亞的口立刻開了,舌頭也鬆了,就說出話來,頌讚神。 65 於是住在他們周圍的人都感到懼怕,整個猶太山區的人也都在談論這一切事。 66 所有聽見的人都把這一切存在心裡,說:「這孩子將來究竟會怎麼樣呢?」因為顯然有主的手與他同在。

撒迦利亞的預言

67 他的父親撒迦利亞被聖靈充滿,就預言說:

68 「主——以色列的神是當受頌讚的,
因為他臨到[i]了他的子民,
並施行了救贖。
69 他在他的僕人大衛家中,
為我們興起了一隻救恩的角,
70 正如他自古以來藉著聖先知們的口所說的,
71 拯救我們脫離敵人[j]、脫離一切恨我們之人的手,
72 向我們的祖先施憐憫,
不忘他神聖的約,
73 就是向我們的先祖亞伯拉罕所起的誓,
74 使我們從敵人[k]的手中被救出,
75 在我們所有的日子裡無所懼怕,以聖潔和公義事奉他;
76 而你——孩子啊!
你將被稱為至高者的先知,
因為你將走在主的前面,
預備他的路,
77 藉著罪得赦免,
賜給他的子民救恩的知識。
78 因著我們神憐憫的心腸[l]
黎明的曙光將從高天臨到[m]我們,
79 照亮那些坐在黑暗
和死亡陰影中的人,
引導我們的腳步進入平安[n]之路。」

80 那孩子漸漸長大,靈裡剛強。他住在曠野,直到他向以色列公開出現的那天。

Footnotes

  1. 路加福音 1:2 福音——原文直譯「話語」或「道」。
  2. 路加福音 1:5 子孫——原文直譯「女兒」。
  3. 路加福音 1:28 天使——有古抄本作「他」。
  4. 路加福音 1:28 有古抄本附「你在婦女中是蒙祝福的!」
  5. 路加福音 1:34 沒有出嫁——原文直譯「沒有親近男人」。
  6. 路加福音 1:36 的身孕——輔助詞語。
  7. 路加福音 1:42 胎兒——原文直譯「果實」。
  8. 路加福音 1:52 卑微的人——或譯作「謙卑的人」。
  9. 路加福音 1:68 臨到——或譯作「照顧」。
  10. 路加福音 1:71 敵人——或譯作「反對者」。
  11. 路加福音 1:74 敵人——或譯作「反對者」。
  12. 路加福音 1:78 心腸——或譯作「情感」。
  13. 路加福音 1:78 臨到——或譯作「照顧」。
  14. 路加福音 1:79 平安——或譯作「和平」。

The Dedication to Theophilus

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled[a] among us,(A) just as the original eyewitnesses(B) and servants of the word(C) handed them down to us. So it also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable(D) Theophilus,(E) so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.[b](F)

Gabriel Predicts John’s Birth

In the days of King Herod(G) of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division(H) named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in God’s sight,(I) living without blame(J) according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.(K)

When his division was on duty(L) and he was serving as priest before God, it happened that he was chosen by lot,(M) according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.(N) 10 At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 An angel of the Lord(O) appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.(P) 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear.(Q) 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid,(R) Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard.(S) Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.(T) 14 There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer.(U) He will be filled with the Holy Spirit(V) while still in his mother’s womb.(W) 16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.(X) 17 And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children,(Y) and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”(Z)

18 “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel,(AA) who stands in the presence of God,(AB) and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. 20 Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making signs to them(AC) and remained speechless. 23 When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home.

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, 25 “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace(AD) among the people.”

Gabriel Predicts Jesus’s Birth

26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel(AE) was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,(AF) 27 to a virgin engaged[c](AG) to a man named Joseph, of the house of David.(AH) The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”[d] 29 But she was deeply troubled(AI) by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary,(AJ) for you have found favor with God.(AK) 31 Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.(AL) 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High,(AM) and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.(AN) 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob(AO) forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” (AP)

34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” [e]

35 The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,(AQ) and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.(AR) 36 And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”(AS)

38 “See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth

39 In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah 40 where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.(AT) 42 Then she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed![f] 43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!”

Mary’s Praise

46 And Mary said:

My soul magnifies the Lord,(AU)
47 and my spirit rejoices(AV) in God my Savior,(AW)
48 because he has looked with favor
on the humble condition of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations
will call me blessed,(AX)
49 because the Mighty One(AY)
has done great things for me,(AZ)
and his name(BA) is holy.
50 His mercy is from generation to generation(BB)
on those who fear him.
51 He has done a mighty deed with his arm;(BC)
he has scattered the proud
because of the thoughts of their hearts;(BD)
52 he has toppled the mighty from their thrones
and exalted the lowly.(BE)
53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things(BF)
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering his mercy
55 to Abraham and his descendants[g] forever,(BG)
just as he spoke to our ancestors.

56 And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.

The Birth and Naming of John

57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. 58 Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her his great mercy,(BH) and they rejoiced with her.

59 When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day,(BI) they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But his mother responded, “No. He will be called John.”(BJ)

61 Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” 62 So they motioned to his father(BK) to find out what he wanted him to be called. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened(BL) and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard about him(BM) took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.

Zechariah’s Prophecy

67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit(BN) and prophesied:(BO)

68 Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel,(BP)
because he has visited
and provided redemption for his people.(BQ)
69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us(BR)
in the house of his servant David,(BS)
70 just as he spoke by the mouth
of his holy prophets in ancient times;(BT)
71 salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of those who hate us.
72 He has dealt mercifully with our ancestors(BU)
and remembered his holy covenant(BV)
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham,(BW)
to grant that we,
74 having been rescued
from the hand of our enemies,
would serve him without fear
75 in holiness and righteousness
in his presence all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called
a prophet of the Most High,(BX)
for you will go before the Lord
to prepare his ways,(BY)
77 to give his people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins.(BZ)
78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion,
the dawn from on high(CA) will visit us
79 to shine on those who live in darkness
and the shadow of death,(CB)
to guide our feet into the way of peace.

80 The child grew up and became strong in spirit,[h](CC) and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Footnotes

  1. 1:1 Or events that have been accomplished, or events most surely believed
  2. 1:4 Or informed
  3. 1:27 Lit betrothed
  4. 1:28 Other mss add Blessed are you among women.
  5. 1:34 Lit since I do not know a man
  6. 1:42 Lit and the fruit of your abdomen (or womb) is blessed
  7. 1:55 Or offspring; lit seed
  8. 1:80 Or strong in the Spirit