The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ, According to Luke

Luke: Preface 5 Zacharias and Elizabeth. 15 What an one John should be. 20 Zacharias stricken dumb, for his incredulity. 26 The Angel saluteth Mary, and foretelleth Christ’s nativity. 39 Mary visited Elizabeth. 46 Mary’s song. 68 The song of Zacharias, showing that the promised Christ is come. 76 The office of John.

Forasmuch as [a]many have [b]taken in hand to set forth the story of those things, whereof we are fully persuaded,

[c]As they have delivered them unto us, which from the beginning saw them themselves, and were ministers of the word,

It seemed good also to me ([d]most noble Theophilus) as soon as I had searched out perfectly all things [e]from the beginning, to write unto thee thereof from point to point,

That thou mightest [f]acknowledge the certainty of those things whereof thou hast been instructed.

In [g]the [h]time of [i]Herod King of Judea, there was a certain Priest named Zacharias, of the (A)[j]course of Abijah: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

Both were [k]just before God, and [l]walked in all the [m]commandments and ordinances of the Lord, [n]without reproof.

And they had no child, because that Elizabeth was barren: and both were well stricken in age.

And it came to pass, as he executed the Priest’s office before God, as his course came in order,

(B)According to the custom of the Priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense, when he went into the [o]Temple of the Lord.

10 And the whole multitude of the people were without in prayer, (C)while the incense was burning.

11 Then appeared unto him an Angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the Altar of incense.

12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

13 But the Angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth.

15 For he shall be great in the [p]sight of the Lord, and shall neither drink wine, nor [q]strong drink: and he shall be filled with the holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.

16 (D)And many of the children of Israel shall he [r]turn to their Lord God.

17 (E)For he shall go [s]before him [t]in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the [u]hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the [v]wisdom of the just men, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

18 Then Zacharias said unto the Angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife is of a great age.

19 And the Angel answered, and said unto him, I am Gabriel [w]that stand in the presence of God, and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these good tidings.

20 And behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not be able to speak, until the day that these things be done, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

21 Now the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the Temple.

22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: then they perceived that he had seen a vision in the Temple: for he made signs unto them, and remained dumb.

23 And it came to pass, when the days of his office were fulfilled, that he departed to his own house.

24 And after those days, his wife Elizabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me, in the days wherein he looked on me, to take from me my rebuke among men.

26 [x]And in the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 (F)To a virgin affianced to a man whose name was Joseph, of the [y]house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

28 And the Angel went in unto her, and said, Hail thou that art [z]freely beloved: the Lord is with thee: [aa]blessed art thou among women.

29 And when she saw him, she was [ab]troubled at his saying, and thought what manner of salutation that should be.

30 Then the Angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast [ac]found favor with God.

31 (G)For lo thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bear a son, (H)and shalt call his Name Jesus.

32 He shall be great, and shall be [ad]called the Son of the most High, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.

33 (I)And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom shall be none end.

34 Then said Mary unto the Angel, [ae]How shall this be, seeing [af]I know not man?

35 And the Angel answered, and said unto her, The holy Ghost [ag]shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee: therefore also that [ah]Holy thing which shall be born of thee, shall be [ai]called the Son of God.

36 And behold, thy [aj]cousin, Elizabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is her [ak]sixth month, which was called barren.

37 For with God shall nothing be impossible.

38 Then Mary said, Behold the servant of the Lord: be it unto me according to thy word. So the Angel departed from her.

39 [al]And Mary arose in those days, and went into the [am]hill country with haste to a [an]city of Judah,

40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth.

41 And it came to pass, as Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe [ao]sprang in her belly, and Elizabeth was filled with the holy Ghost.

42 And she cried with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, because [ap]the fruit of thy womb is blessed.

43 And whence cometh this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44 For lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe sprang in my belly for joy.

45 And blessed is she that believed: for those things shall be performed, which were told her from the Lord.

46 [aq]Then Mary said, My soul magnifieth the Lord,

47 And my spirit rejoiceth in God my Savior.

48 For he hath [ar]looked on the [as]poor degree of his servant: for behold, from henceforth shall all ages call me blessed,

49 Because he that is mighty hath done for me great things, and holy is his Name.

50 And his mercy is from generation to generation on them [at]that fear him.

51 (J)He that showed strength with his [au]arm: (K)he hath [av]scattered the proud in the [aw]imagination of their hearts.

52 (L)He hath [ax]put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of [ay]low degree.

53 (M)He hath filled the [az]hungry with good things, and sent away the rich empty.

54 [ba](N)He hath upholden Israel his servant to be mindful of his mercy,

55 ((O)As he hath [bb]spoken to our fathers, to wit, to Abraham and his seed) forever.

56 ¶ And Mary abode with her about three months: after, she returned to her own house.

57 [bc]Now Elizabeth’s time was fulfilled, that she should be delivered, and she brought forth a son.

58 And her neighbors and cousins heard tell how the Lord had showed his great mercy upon her, and they (P)rejoiced with her.

59 And it was so that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the babe, and called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

60 But his mother answered, and said, Not so, but he shall be called John.

61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is named with this name.

62 Then they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

63 So he asked for writing tablets, and wrote, saying, His name is John, and they marveled all.

64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue, [bd]and he spake and praised God.

65 Then fear came on all them that dwelt near unto them, and all [be]these words were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea.

66 And all they that heard them, [bf]laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner child shall this be! and the [bg]hand of the Lord was with him.

67 [bh]Then his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he hath [bi]visited (Q)and [bj]redeemed his people,

69 (R)And hath raised up the [bk]horn of salvation unto us, in the house of his servant David,

70 (S)As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, which were since the world began, saying,

71 That he would send us deliverance from our enemies, and from the hands of all that hate us,

72 That he might show mercy towards our fathers: and [bl]remember his holy covenant,

73 (T)And the oath, which he sware to our father Abraham.

74 Which was, that he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, should serve him without fear,

75 All the days of our life, in (U)holiness and righteousness [bm]before him.

76 And thou, [bn]babe, shalt be called the Prophet of the most High: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,

77 And to [bo]give knowledge of salvation unto his people, by the [bp]remission of their sins,

78 Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby (V)the [bq]dayspring from on high hath visited us,

79 To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of [br]peace.

80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the wilderness, till the day came that he should show himself unto Israel.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:1 Luke commendeth the witnesses that saw this history.
  2. Luke 1:1 Many took it in hand, but did not perform: Luke wrote his Gospel before Matthew and Mark.
  3. Luke 1:2 Luke was not an eyewitness, and therefore it was not he to whom the Lord appeared when Cleopas saw him: and he was taught not only by Paul, but by others of the Apostles also.
  4. Luke 1:3 It is most mighty, and therefore Theophilus was a very honorable man, and in place of great dignity.
  5. Luke 1:3 Luke began his Gospel a great deal farther off, than the others did.
  6. Luke 1:4 Have fuller knowledge of those things, which before thou knewest but meanly.
  7. Luke 1:5 John who was another Elijah, and appointed to be herald of Christ, coming of the stock of Aaron, and of two famous and blameless parents, hath showed in his conception, which was against the course of nature, a double miracle, to the end that men should be more readily stirred up to the hearing of his preaching, according to the forewarning of the Prophets.
  8. Luke 1:5 Word for word, in the days: so speak the Hebrews, giving us to understand, how short and frail a thing the power of princes is.
  9. Luke 1:5 Herod the great.
  10. Luke 1:5 For the posterity of Aaron was divided into courses.
  11. Luke 1:6 The true mark of righteousness is, to be liked and allowed of in the judgment of God.
  12. Luke 1:6 Lived, so speak the Hebrews, for our life is as a way, wherein we must walk, until we come to the mark.
  13. Luke 1:6 In all the moral and ceremonial law.
  14. Luke 1:6 Whom no man could justly reprove: now so it is, that the fruits of justification are set forth here, and not the cause, which is faith only, and nothing else.
  15. Luke 1:9 The Temple was one, and the Court another, for Zacharias went out of the Court or outward room, where all the people were, and therefore are said to be without, into the temple.
  16. Luke 1:15 So speak the Hebrews when it signified a rare kind of excellency: so is it said of Nimrod, Gen. 10:9. He was a valiant hunter before God.
  17. Luke 1:15 Any drink that may make drunken.
  18. Luke 1:16 Shall be a means to bring many to repentance, and turn themselves to the Lord from whom they fell.
  19. Luke 1:17 As they used to go before kings, and when you see them, you know the king is not far off.
  20. Luke 1:17 This is spoken by the figure Metonymy, taking the spirit, for the gift of the spirit, as you would say, the cause, for that that cometh of the cause.
  21. Luke 1:17 By this figure Synecdoche, he showeth that he shall take away all kinds of enmities, which used to breed great troubles and turmoils amongst men.
  22. Luke 1:17 Wisdom and goodness are two of the chiefest causes which make men to reverence and honor their fathers.
  23. Luke 1:19 That appears, for so the Hebrews use this word (to stand) meaning that they are ready to do his commandment.
  24. Luke 1:26 The Angel serving the Lord which should be born, is sent to the virgin Mary, in whom the Son of the most high promised to David, is conceived by the virtue of the holy Ghost.
  25. Luke 1:27 As much is to be said of Mary, otherwise Christ had not been of the stock, not the son of David.
  26. Luke 1:28 It might be rendered word for word, full of favor and grace, and he showeth straight after, laying out plainly unto us, what that favor is, in that he saith, the Lord is with thee.
  27. Luke 1:28 Of God.
  28. Luke 1:29 Moved at the strangeness of the matter.
  29. Luke 1:30 So speak the Hebrews, saying, that men have found favor, which are in favor.
  30. Luke 1:32 He shall be declared so to be, for he was the Son of God from everlasting, but was made manifest in the flesh in his time.
  31. Luke 1:34 The greatness of the matter causeth the Virgin to ask this question, not that she distrusteth any whit at all, for she asketh only of the manner of the conceiving, so that it is plain she believed all the rest.
  32. Luke 1:34 So speak the Hebrews, signifying by this modest kind of speech the company of man and wife together, and this is the meaning of it: how shall this be, forseeing, I shall be Christ his mother, I am very sure. I shall not know any man: for the godly virgin had learned by the Prophets, that the Messiah should be born of a Virgin.
  33. Luke 1:35 That is, the holy Ghost shall cause thee to conceive by his mighty power.
  34. Luke 1:35 That pure thing and void of all spot of uncleanness: for he that was to take away sin, must needs be void of sin.
  35. Luke 1:35 Declared and showed to the world, to be the Son of God.
  36. Luke 1:36 Though Elizabeth were of the tribe of Levi, yet she might be Mary’s cousin: for whereas it was forbidden by the Law, for maidens to be married to men of other tribes, this could not let, but that the Levites might take them wives out of any tribe: for the Levites had no portion allotted them, when the land was divided among the people.
  37. Luke 1:36 This is now the sixth month from the time when she conceived.
  38. Luke 1:39 Elizabeth being great with child with John, and Mary with Christ, by the inspiration of the holy Ghost, do rejoice each for other.
  39. Luke 1:39 Which is on the South side of Jerusalem.
  40. Luke 1:39 That is to say, Hebron: which was in times past called Kirjath Arba, which was one of the towns, that was given to the Levites, in the tribe of Judah, and is said to be in the mountains of Judah, Josh. 14:15 and 21:11.
  41. Luke 1:41 This was no ordinary nor usual kind of moving.
  42. Luke 1:42 Christ is blessed in respect of his humanity.
  43. Luke 1:46 Christ the redeemer of the afflicted, and revenger of the proud, of long time promised to the fathers, is now at length exhibited indeed.
  44. Luke 1:48 Hath freely and graciously loved.
  45. Luke 1:48 Word for word, My baseness, that is, my base estate: so that the Virgin vaunteth not her deserts, but the grace of God.
  46. Luke 1:50 To them that live godly and religiously, so speak the Hebrews.
  47. Luke 1:51 That is, an heaping up of words more than needed, which the Hebrews use very much, and the arm is taken for strength.
  48. Luke 1:51 Even as the wind doth the chaff.
  49. Luke 1:51 He hath scattered them, and the imagination of their hearts; or by and through the imagination of their own hearts: so that their wicked counsel turned to their own destruction.
  50. Luke 1:52 The mighty and rich men.
  51. Luke 1:52 Such as none account is made of, and are vile in men’s eyes, which are indeed the poor in spirit, that is, such as challenge nothing to themselves in the sight of God.
  52. Luke 1:53 Them that are brought to extreme poverty.
  53. Luke 1:54 He hath holpen up Israel with his arm, being clean cast down.
  54. Luke 1:55 Promised.
  55. Luke 1:57 John’s nativity is set out with new miracles.
  56. Luke 1:64 was restored to its former state, is read in some copies.
  57. Luke 1:65 All this that was said and done.
  58. Luke 1:66 Thought upon them diligently and earnestly, and as it were, printed them in their hearts.
  59. Luke 1:66 That is, the present favor of God, and a singular kind of virtue appeared in him.
  60. Luke 1:67 John scarce born, by the authority of the holy Ghost, is appointed to his office.
  61. Luke 1:68 That he hath showed himself mindful of his people, insomuch that he came down from heaven himself, to visit us in person, and to redeem us.
  62. Luke 1:68 Hath paid the ransom, that is to say, the price of our redemption.
  63. Luke 1:69 This word Horn in the Hebrew tongue signifieth might, and it is a Metaphor, taken from beasts, that fight with their horns: and by raising up the might of Israel, is meant, that the kingdom of Israel was defended, and the enemies thereof laid on the ground, even then when the strength of Israel seemed to be utterly decayed.
  64. Luke 1:72 Declared indeed that he was mindful.
  65. Luke 1:75 To God’s good liking.
  66. Luke 1:76 Though thou be at this present never so little.
  67. Luke 1:77 Open the way.
  68. Luke 1:77 Forgiveness of sins, is the means whereby God saveth us, Rom. 4:7.
  69. Luke 1:78 Or bud, or branch; he alludeth unto the places in Jer. 23:5; Zech. 3:8 and 6:12, and he is called a bud from on high, that is, sent from God unto us, and not as other buds which bud out of the earth.
  70. Luke 1:79 Into the way which leadeth us to true happiness.

Dedication to Theophilus

Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those (A)things which [a]have been fulfilled among us, just as those who (B)from the beginning were (C)eyewitnesses and ministers of the word (D)delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having [b]had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, (E)most excellent Theophilus, (F)that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

John’s Birth Announced to Zacharias

There was (G)in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, (H)of the division of (I)Abijah. His (J)wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, [c]his lot fell (K)to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 (L)And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of (M)the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, (N)he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and (O)you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and (P)many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be (Q)great in the sight of the Lord, and (R)shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, (S)even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 (T)He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

18 And Zacharias said to the angel, (U)“How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”

19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am (V)Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you [d]these glad (W)tidings. 20 But behold, (X)you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.

23 So it was, as soon as (Y)the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to (Z)take away my reproach among people.”

Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin (AA)betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, (AB)“Rejoice, highly favored one, (AC)the Lord is with you; [e]blessed are you among women!”

29 But [f]when she saw him, (AD)she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found (AE)favor with God. 31 (AF)And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and (AG)shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, (AH)and will be called the Son of the Highest; and (AI)the Lord God will give Him the (AJ)throne of His (AK)father David. 33 (AL)And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I [g]do not know a man?”

35 And the angel answered and said to her, (AM)The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called (AN)the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For (AO)with God nothing will be impossible.”

38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, (AP)to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was (AQ)filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, (AR)“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 (AS)Blessed is she who [h]believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

The Song of Mary

46 And Mary said:

(AT)“My soul [i]magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has (AU)rejoiced in (AV)God my Savior.
48 For (AW)He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth (AX)all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty (AY)has done great things for me,
And (AZ)holy is His name.
50 And (BA)His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
51 (BB)He has shown strength with His arm;
(BC)He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 (BD)He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
53 He has (BE)filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His (BF)servant Israel,
(BG)In remembrance of His mercy,
55 (BH)As He spoke to our (BI)fathers,
To Abraham and to his (BJ)seed forever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

Birth of John the Baptist

57 Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they (BK)rejoiced with her.

Circumcision of John the Baptist

59 So it was, (BL)on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60 His mother answered and said, (BM)“No; he shall be called John.”

61 But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.

63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all those who heard them (BN)kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And (BO)the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zacharias’ Prophecy

67 Now his father Zacharias (BP)was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

68 “Blessed(BQ) is the Lord God of Israel,
For (BR)He has visited and redeemed His people,
69 (BS)And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David,
70 (BT)As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been (BU)since the world began,
71 That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
72 (BV)To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
73 (BW)The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
74 To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might (BX)serve Him without fear,
75 (BY)In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

76 “And you, child, will be called the (BZ)prophet of the Highest;
For (CA)you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
77 To give (CB)knowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the [j]Dayspring from on high [k]has visited us;
79 (CC)To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To (CD)guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 So (CE)the child grew and became strong in spirit, and (CF)was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:1 Or are most surely believed
  2. Luke 1:3 Lit. accurately followed
  3. Luke 1:9 he was chosen by lot
  4. Luke 1:19 this good news
  5. Luke 1:28 NU omits blessed are you among women
  6. Luke 1:29 NU omits when she saw him
  7. Luke 1:34 Am a virgin
  8. Luke 1:45 Or believed that there
  9. Luke 1:46 Declares the greatness of
  10. Luke 1:78 Lit. Dawn; the Messiah
  11. Luke 1:78 NU shall visit