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序言(参(A)

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, 按照起初亲眼看见的传道人所传给我们的,编着成书; 我已经把这些事从头考查过,认为也应该按着次序写给你, 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

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。 他们在 神面前都是义人,遵行主的一切诫命规条,无可指摘, 只是没有孩子,因为以利沙伯不生育,二人又都上了年纪。

有一次,撒迦利亚在 神面前按着班次执行祭司的职务, 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 writes the facts about Jesus

Many people have written about the things that have happened in our country. Some people were present when these things started to happen. They saw everything that happened and they told us about it. They are the people who wrote down the Good News for us. I have checked the facts about what really happened. So now, I know about all the things that happened from the beginning. I am writing to make the facts clear to you, my important friend Theophilus. People have already taught you about these things. Now you can be sure that they are true.

What happened before John the Baptist was born

There was a man whose name was Zechariah. He lived when Herod was king of Judea.[a] Zechariah was a priest and he belonged to a group of priests from the family of Abijah. He had a wife called Elizabeth. She also was from the family of the priest called Aaron.[b]

Zechariah and Elizabeth obeyed God's commands and rules. God saw that they were righteous people. They did not do wrong things. But they had no children. Elizabeth could not give birth and they were both getting old.[c]

One day, Zechariah's group of priests was working at the temple. He had a special job to do there. The priests chose one of their group to go into the holy place in the temple. This time they chose Zechariah.[d] His job was to burn incense there.

10 While Zechariah was burning incense in the special room, many men were outside in the yard.[e] They were praying to God.

11 The incense was burning on a special altar, when one of God's angels appeared to Zechariah. The angel was standing at the right hand side of the altar.[f]

12 When Zechariah saw the angel, he was very surprised and very afraid. 13 The angel said to him, ‘Zechariah, do not be afraid. God has heard what you prayed. He will give you what you asked for. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to a baby boy. You will give him the name “John”. 14-15 He will be very important to the Lord God. So he will make you very happy. Many other people will also be very happy because he has been born. He must never drink anything with alcohol in it. From the time that he is born, the Holy Spirit will live inside him.

16 He will teach many people in Israel.[g] Then they will turn their lives back to the Lord their God and they will obey God again. 17 John will prepare the people for the Lord to come to them. The Holy Spirit will lead John as he led Elijah.[h] John will do powerful things as Elijah did. He will help fathers to love their children. He will teach people who do not obey God. Then they will know what things are right. And they will do them. Then they will be ready when the Lord comes.’

18 Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure about this? You know that I am an old man. My wife is also old.’

19 The angel answered, ‘I am called Gabriel. My place is to stand in front of God. I am always ready to work for God. He has sent me to speak to you. He told me that I should tell you this good news. 20 Now listen to me. Because you did not believe my message, you will not be able to speak. You will not speak again until the time that your son is born. My message will really become true at the right time.’

21 While this was happening, the people outside were waiting for Zechariah. They were thinking, ‘Why has Zechariah stayed for such a long time in the special room? Why has he not come out yet?’ 22 When he did come out, he tried to talk to them. But he could not speak. So they knew that God had showed him something special in the room. He was moving his head and his hands about, to tell them what had happened. But still he could not speak.

23 When Zechariah had finished his work in the temple, he returned home. 24 Soon, a baby was growing inside his wife Elizabeth. She stayed in her house for five months. 25 ‘The Lord has now given me a baby,’ she said. ‘He has been kind to me. Because of this, other people cannot say bad things about me now.’

What happened before Jesus was born

26 When Elizabeth's baby had grown inside her for nearly six months, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth. Nazareth is a town in Galilee. 27 Gabriel went there to visit a young woman. Her name was Mary. She had never had sex with anyone. She had promised to marry a man called Joseph. He belonged to the family of King David.[i]

28 Gabriel went to Mary and said, ‘Hello, Mary. The Lord God loves you very much. He is very near to you.’

29 Mary had a lot of problems in her mind about Gabriel's message. She did not understand what he meant. 30 Then Gabriel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary. God has been kind to you. 31 Listen! A baby boy will grow inside you. When he is born, you will call him Jesus. 32 He will be great. People will call him the Son of the powerful God who is over all. The Lord God will make him king. He will rule as his ancestor King David ruled.[j] 33 He will rule over the family of Jacob for all time.[k] He will be king for all time, without end.’

34 Mary asked, ‘How can this happen? I have never had sex with anyone.’ 35 Gabriel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come to you. The power of God who is over all will cover you like a shadow. So your child will be special to God. He will be completely good. He will be called God's Son. 36 Another thing! Your cousin, Elizabeth, is very old. People said that she could not have a baby. Listen! She also will have a son. The baby has grown inside her now for nearly six months. 37 There is nothing that God cannot do.’

38 Mary answered, ‘I am the servant of the Lord. I have heard what you have said. I want it to happen to me just like that.’ Then the angel left her.

Mary visits Elizabeth

39 After that, Mary prepared herself to travel. She hurried to a town in the hills of Judea. 40 When she arrived at the home of Zechariah, she said ‘hello’ to Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary speak, she felt her baby move quickly inside her. The Holy Spirit filled her. 42 She spoke to Mary in a loud voice, ‘God has made you very happy. He has been good and kind to you more than to other women. He has also been good and kind to your baby. 43 You are the mother of my Lord and I am not an important person. So it is very good that you have visited me. 44 Listen! When I heard you say, “Hello” to me, my baby moved quickly inside me. He was very happy. 45 The Lord has told you what will happen. And you believed what he told you. Because of that, God has made you a happy person.’

Mary's song

46 Then Mary said,

‘All of me wants to praise God and say,
“Lord, how good and great you are!”
47 I thank God because he is the one who saves me.
48 I know that I am not an important person.
God knows this, and he has been kind to me.
Listen! From now on, all people will say that God has made me happy.
49 Yes, God has done great things for me.
He is very powerful and strong. He is good in every way.
50 He is kind to people who respect and obey him.
He will always be kind to people like that.
51 He has shown how strong he is to do great things.
Some people think that they are very important.
But he has sent them away in different directions.
52 Some people were ruling countries.
But he has taken their power away from them.
He has given power to people who do not feel important.
53 He has fed hungry people with good things to eat.
But he has sent rich people away with nothing.
54 He promised that he would be kind to his people, Israel.
Now he has come and helped them.
55 He made a promise to Abraham and to our other ancestors.
Now he has done what he promised.’[l]

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months. Then she returned to her home.

John the Baptist is born

57 The time arrived for Elizabeth to have her baby. She had a son. 58 Her family and the people who lived near her heard about her baby. They knew that the Lord had been very kind to her. They saw that she was happy. So they were happy too. 59 When the child was eight days old, people met together to circumcise him.[m] They wanted to call the child Zechariah. This was the same name that his father had.

60 Elizabeth said, ‘No. His name will be John.’

61 They replied, ‘But you do not have anyone in your family called John. That cannot be right.’ 62 So they used their hands to make signs to the baby's father. They wanted to ask him what his son's name should be.[n]

63 Zechariah asked for something to write on. He wrote, ‘His name is John.’ Everyone was very surprised at what he wrote. 64 Immediately, Zechariah could speak again. He could speak easily. He began to thank God aloud.[o]

65 The people who lived near Zechariah and Elizabeth were very surprised. They saw how great God was. Many people who lived in the hills of Judea also talked about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard about these things thought about them. They asked each other, ‘When this child becomes a man, what will he be?’ They could see that God really was with him.

Zechariah's song

67 The Holy Spirit filled John's father, Zechariah, so that he spoke God's message:

68 ‘The Lord God of Israel is a great God.
He has come to save his people. He has come to make them free.
69 He has sent a very strong person who will save us.[p]
This person comes from the family of his servant, King David.
70 Long ago, God promised that he would do this.
He gave his own prophets this message to speak.
71 God will save us from our enemies.
He will save us from everyone that hates us.
72 He has promised to be kind to our ancestors.
He will do the things that he promised in his holy covenant.
73 Yes, he will remember the strong promises that he spoke to Abraham.[q]
74 God said, “I will keep you safe from your enemies.
Then you can serve me and not be afraid.
75 You can live in a way that is good and right.
You can do this all your lives.” ’[r]

76 Zechariah then spoke to John:

‘You, my child, will be called a prophet of the powerful God who is over all.
You will go in front of the Lord to prepare a way for him.
77 You will tell God's people how God can save them.
They have done wrong things but God will forgive them.
78 Our God will forgive us because he is very kind.
He will send someone from the highest place.
When this person comes, it will be like the sunrise for us.[s]
79 He will bring light to people who are living without God.
It is like those people are living in the dark. They are afraid to die.
But he will shine on them.
He will show us how to live so that we will not be afraid.’[t]

80 Zechariah's child grew. God made him strong in his mind. He went into the wilderness and he lived there for many years. Later, God sent him to Israel's people, to teach them.[u]

Footnotes

  1. 1:5 This Herod was called Herod the Great. He was king in Judea from the year 37 BC to the year 4 BC.
  2. 1:5 A priest is a special servant of God who worked at the temple in Jerusalem. All the priests were descendants of Moses' brother, Aaron. He was the brother of Moses. They both lived a long time before Jesus. We can read about Aaron in the book called Exodus. There were 24 groups of priests. One group at a time worked in the temple. Every group had a name. Zechariah was in the group of Abijah.
  3. 1:7 At that time, people without children thought that God was angry with them. Elizabeth and Zechariah would have felt very sad because they had no children.
  4. 1:9 They did a special thing to know who would go into the room. It was something like a game that we play. But it was serious and important.
  5. 1:10 The Jews made incense from special oil that they got from certain kinds of trees. It makes a sweet smell when it burns. They used it in the temple. They burned incense in God's house while they prayed. God had said in his rules that they should do this.
  6. 1:11 An angel is a servant of God that brings his messages. The ‘right hand side’ means the place of importance.
  7. 1:16 The people of Israel came from the family of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their children. We call them Jews. God chose them as his special people. He gave the name Israel to Jacob. We can read about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the book called Genesis.
  8. 1:17 God chose Elijah to speak for him. The Holy Spirit showed him what to say. Elijah gave special messages from God to his people. He taught them to stop doing the things that God did not like. He told them that they should obey God. We can read about Elijah in 1 Kings 17.
  9. 1:27 David had been a king of Israel. We can read about him in 1 Samuel 16.
  10. 1:32 Both Joseph and Mary came from the family of King David.
  11. 1:33 The family of Jacob means all the Jews.
  12. 1:55 Mary is very happy. She knows that God has been good to her and to Elizabeth. She sings about God. She sings about the great things that he has done. She sings that he will use his power to be kind. He will also use his power against people that do not obey him. Mary is a Jew. She remembers God's promise to the Jews.
  13. 1:59 They circumcised all baby boys in Israel on the eighth day. It means to cut off the skin from the end of the sex part of a boy or a man. For the Jews, it was a special mark. It showed that they were the people of God. Friends and people that lived near would also be there. They had a party and they gave a name to the boy. See Genesis 17.
  14. 1:62 Because Zechariah was deaf, they had to make signs to ask him.
  15. 1:64 Everything had happened as the angel had said.
  16. 1:69 Jesus is the strong person that God sent. Zechariah knew why Jesus was coming to the earth.
  17. 1:73 Because Christians are a part of the family of Abraham, God promised this to them too.
  18. 1:75 Zechariah's song shows how happy he is. God has been good to him and to Elizabeth. God has shown him how important John will be. Zechariah thanks God. He tells the people that God is great.
  19. 1:78 The ‘sunrise’ is a picture story. It describes Jesus when he came to earth.
  20. 1:79 God told Zechariah what John would do. John would speak to the people. He would tell them that Jesus was coming.
  21. 1:80 You can read what John taught the people in Luke 3.

Prólogo

Muchos han intentado hacer un relato de las cosas que han sucedido[a] entre nosotros, tal y como nos las transmitieron los que desde el principio fueron testigos presenciales y servidores de la palabra. Por lo tanto, yo también, excelentísimo Teófilo, habiendo investigado todo esto con esmero desde su origen, he decidido escribírtelo ordenadamente, para que llegues a tener plena seguridad de lo que te enseñaron.

Anuncio del nacimiento de Juan el Bautista

En tiempos de Herodes, rey de Judea, hubo un sacerdote llamado Zacarías, miembro del grupo de Abías. Su esposa Elisabet también era descendiente de Aarón. Ambos eran rectos e intachables delante de Dios; obedecían todos los mandamientos y preceptos del Señor. Pero no tenían hijos, porque Elisabet era estéril; y los dos eran de edad avanzada.

Un día en que Zacarías, por haber llegado el turno de su grupo, oficiaba como sacerdote delante de Dios, le tocó en suerte, según la costumbre del sacerdocio, entrar en el santuario del Señor para quemar incienso. 10 Cuando llegó la hora de ofrecer el incienso, la multitud reunida afuera estaba orando. 11 En esto, un ángel del Señor se apareció a Zacarías a la derecha del altar del incienso. 12 Al verlo, Zacarías se asustó, y el temor se apoderó de él. 13 El ángel le dijo:

―No tengas miedo, Zacarías, pues ha sido escuchada tu oración. Tu esposa Elisabet te dará un hijo, y le pondrás por nombre Juan. 14 Tendrás gozo y alegría, y muchos se regocijarán por su nacimiento, 15 porque él será un gran hombre delante del Señor. Jamás tomará vino ni licor, y será lleno del Espíritu Santo aun desde su nacimiento.[b] 16 Hará que muchos israelitas se vuelvan al Señor su Dios. 17 Él irá primero, delante del Señor, con el espíritu y el poder de Elías, para reconciliar a[c] los padres con los hijos y guiar a los desobedientes a la sabiduría de los justos. De este modo preparará un pueblo bien dispuesto para recibir al Señor.

18 ―¿Cómo podré estar seguro de esto? —preguntó Zacarías al ángel—. Ya soy anciano y mi esposa también es de edad avanzada.

19 ―Yo soy Gabriel y estoy a las órdenes de Dios —le contestó el ángel—. He sido enviado para hablar contigo y darte estas buenas noticias. 20 Pero, como no creíste en mis palabras, las cuales se cumplirán a su debido tiempo, te vas a quedar mudo. No podrás hablar hasta el día en que todo esto suceda.

21 Mientras tanto, el pueblo estaba esperando a Zacarías y les extrañaba que se demorara tanto en el santuario. 22 Cuando por fin salió, no podía hablarles, así que se dieron cuenta de que allí había tenido una visión. Se podía comunicar solo por señas, pues seguía mudo.

23 Cuando terminaron los días de su servicio, regresó a su casa. 24 Poco después, su esposa Elisabet concibió y se mantuvo recluida por cinco meses. 25 «Esto —decía ella— es obra del Señor, que ahora ha mostrado su bondad al quitarme la vergüenza que yo tenía ante los demás».

Anuncio del nacimiento de Jesús

26 A los seis meses, Dios envió al ángel Gabriel a Nazaret, pueblo de Galilea, 27 a visitar a una joven virgen comprometida para casarse con un hombre que se llamaba José, descendiente de David. La virgen se llamaba María. 28 El ángel se acercó a ella y le dijo:

―¡Te saludo,[d] tú que has recibido el favor de Dios! El Señor está contigo.[e]

29 Ante estas palabras, María se perturbó, y se preguntaba qué podría significar este saludo.

30 ―No tengas miedo, María; Dios te ha concedido su favor —le dijo el ángel—. 31 Concebirás y darás a luz un hijo, y le pondrás por nombre Jesús. 32 Él será un gran hombre, y lo llamarán Hijo del Altísimo. Dios el Señor le dará el trono de su padre David, 33 y reinará sobre el pueblo de Jacob para siempre. Su reinado no tendrá fin.

34 ―¿Cómo podrá suceder esto —le preguntó María al ángel—, puesto que soy virgen?[f]

35 ―El Espíritu Santo vendrá sobre ti, y el poder del Altísimo te cubrirá con su sombra. Así que al santo niño que va a nacer lo llamarán Hijo de Dios. 36 También tu parienta Elisabet va a tener un hijo en su vejez; de hecho, la que decían que era estéril ya está en el sexto mes de embarazo. 37 Porque para Dios no hay nada imposible.

38 ―Aquí tienes a la sierva del Señor —contestó María—. Que él haga conmigo como me has dicho.

Después de esto, el ángel la dejó.

María visita a Elisabet

39 A los pocos, días María emprendió viaje y se fue de prisa a un pueblo en la región montañosa de Judea. 40 Al llegar, entró en casa de Zacarías y saludó a Elisabet. 41 Tan pronto como Elisabet oyó el saludo de María, la criatura saltó en su vientre. Entonces Elisabet, llena del Espíritu Santo, 42 exclamó:

―¡Bendita tú entre las mujeres, y bendito el hijo que darás a luz![g] 43 Pero ¿cómo es esto, que la madre de mi Señor venga a verme? 44 Te digo que, tan pronto como llegó a mis oídos la voz de tu saludo, saltó de alegría la criatura que llevo en el vientre. 45 ¡Dichosa tú que has creído, porque lo que el Señor te ha dicho se cumplirá!

El cántico de María(A)

46 Entonces dijo María:

«Mi alma glorifica al Señor,
47     y mi espíritu se regocija en Dios mi Salvador,
48 porque se ha dignado fijarse en su humilde sierva.
Desde ahora me llamarán dichosa todas las generaciones,
49     porque el Poderoso ha hecho grandes cosas por mí.
    ¡Santo es su nombre!
50 De generación en generación
    se extiende su misericordia a los que le temen.
51 Hizo proezas con su brazo;
    desbarató las intrigas de los soberbios.[h]
52 De sus tronos derrocó a los poderosos,
    mientras que ha exaltado a los humildes.
53 A los hambrientos los colmó de bienes,
    y a los ricos los despidió con las manos vacías.
54-55 Acudió en ayuda de su siervo Israel
    y, cumpliendo su promesa a nuestros padres,
mostró[i] su misericordia a Abraham
    y a su descendencia para siempre».

56 María se quedó con Elisabet unos tres meses y luego regresó a su casa.

Nacimiento de Juan el Bautista

57 Cuando se le cumplió el tiempo, Elisabet dio a luz un hijo. 58 Sus vecinos y parientes se enteraron de que el Señor le había mostrado gran misericordia, y compartieron su alegría.

59 A los ocho días llevaron a circuncidar al niño. Como querían ponerle el nombre de su padre, Zacarías, 60 su madre se opuso.

―¡No! —dijo ella—. Tiene que llamarse Juan.

61 ―Pero si nadie en tu familia tiene ese nombre —le dijeron.

62 Entonces le hicieron señas a su padre, para saber qué nombre quería ponerle al niño. 63 Él pidió una tablilla, en la que escribió: «Su nombre es Juan». Y todos quedaron asombrados. 64 Al instante se le desató la lengua, recuperó el habla y comenzó a alabar a Dios. 65 Todos los vecinos se llenaron de temor, y por toda la región montañosa de Judea se comentaba lo sucedido. 66 Quienes lo oían se preguntaban: «¿Qué llegará a ser este niño?» Porque la mano del Señor lo protegía.

El cántico de Zacarías

67 Entonces su padre Zacarías, lleno del Espíritu Santo, profetizó:

68 «Bendito sea el Señor, Dios de Israel,
    porque ha venido a redimir[j] a su pueblo.
69 Nos envió un poderoso Salvador[k]
    en la casa de David su siervo
70 (como lo prometió en el pasado por medio de sus santos profetas),
71 para librarnos de nuestros enemigos
    y del poder de todos los que nos aborrecen;
72 para mostrar misericordia a nuestros padres
    al acordarse de su santo pacto.
73     Así lo juró a Abraham nuestro padre:
74 nos concedió que fuéramos libres del temor,
    al rescatarnos del poder de nuestros enemigos,
para que le sirviéramos 75 con santidad y justicia,
    viviendo en su presencia todos nuestros días.

76 »Y tú, hijito mío, serás llamado profeta del Altísimo,
    porque irás delante del Señor para prepararle el camino.
77 Darás a conocer a su pueblo la salvación
    mediante el perdón de sus pecados,
78 gracias a la entrañable misericordia de nuestro Dios.
    Así nos visitará desde el cielo el sol naciente,
79 para dar luz a los que viven en tinieblas,
    en la más terrible oscuridad,[l]
para guiar nuestros pasos por la senda de la paz».

80 El niño crecía y se fortalecía en espíritu; y vivió en el desierto hasta el día en que se presentó públicamente al pueblo de Israel.

Footnotes

  1. 1:1 han sucedido. Alt. se han recibido con convicción.
  2. 1:15 desde su nacimiento. Alt. antes de nacer. Lit. desde el vientre de su madre.
  3. 1:17 reconciliar a. Lit. hacer volver los corazones de; véase Mal 4:6.
  4. 1:28 ¡Te saludo. Alt. ¡Alégrate.
  5. 1:28 contigo. Var. contigo; bendita tú entre las mujeres.
  6. 1:34 soy virgen? Lit. no conozco a hombre?
  7. 1:42 el hijo que darás a luz! Lit. el fruto de tu vientre!
  8. 1:51 desbarató … soberbios. Lit. dispersó a los orgullosos en el pensamiento del corazón de ellos.
  9. 1:54-55 mostró. Lit. recordó.
  10. 1:68 ha venido a redimir. Lit. ha visitado y ha redimido.
  11. 1:69 envió un poderoso Salvador. Lit. levantó un cuerno de salvación.
  12. 1:79 en la más terrible oscuridad. Lit. y en sombra de muerte.