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Panguna

1-3 Talahuron nga Teofilus:

Madamo na ang mga nagsulat parte sa mga butang nga nagkalatabo sa aton. Ginsulat nila ang parte kay Jesus nga ginsaysay man sa aton sang mga tawo nga nagbantala sang Maayong Balita kag nakakita mismo sang mga nagkalatabo halin pa gid sang una. Gin-usisa ko gid ini tanan halin pa sang una, kag naisipan ko nga isulat man ang nagkalatabo kag isaysay sing maathag sa imo agod masiguro mo nga matuod gid ang mga butang nga ginsugid sa imo.

Nagpakita ang Anghel kay Zacarias

Sang si Herodes ang hari sa Judea, may pari didto nga ang iya ngalan si Zacarias nga halin sa linya sang pagkapari ni Abia. Ang iya asawa si Elizabet nga kaliwat man sang mga pari. Ining mag-asawa nagkabuhi sing matarong sa atubangan sang Dios. Ginasunod gid nila ang tanan nga mga sugo kag mga pagsulundan sang Ginoo. Pero wala sila sing bata, kay baw-as si Elizabet kag tigulang na sila.

Karon, nag-abot ang adlaw nga ang grupo nila ni Zacarias amo na ang magaalagad sa Dios didto sa templo. Naggabot-gabot ang mga pari suno sa ila kinabatasan, kag si Zacarias amo ang napilian nga magsunog sang insenso sa halaran. Gani nagsulod siya sa templo sang Ginoo. 10 Samtang nagasunog siya sang insenso didto sa sulod, madamo nga mga tawo sa guwa ang nagapangamuyo sa Dios. 11 Dayon nagpakita sa iya ang anghel sang Ginoo nga nagatindog sa tuo dampi sang halaran nga iya ginasunugan sang insenso. 12 Sang pagkakita ni Zacarias sa anghel nagulpihan siya kag hinadlukan. 13 Pero nagsiling ang anghel sa iya, “Zacarias, indi ka magkahadlok! Ginsabat sang Dios ang imo pangamuyo; si Elizabet nga imo asawa magabata sang lalaki. Ngalanan mo siya nga Juan. 14 Magamalipayon ka gid tungod sa iya, kag madamo ang magakalipay tungod sang pagkatawo niya. 15 Kay mangin gamhanan siya sa atubangan sang Ginoo. Indi siya dapat mag-inom sang bino ukon bisan ano nga ilimnon nga makahulubog. Halin pa sa tiyan sang iya iloy ang Espiritu Santo ara na sa iya. 16 Kag pabalikon niya ang madamo nga mga Israelinhon sa Ginoo nga ila Dios. 17 Magauna siya sa Ginoo agod nga ipreparar niya ang mga tawo para sa pag-abot sang Ginoo. Himuon niya ini sa bulig sang Espiritu Santo kag sa gahom nga pareho sang iya sadto ni Elias. Pabalikon niya ang kalulo sang mga ginikanan[a] sa ila mga kabataan, kag pabalikon man niya ang mga tawo nga wala nagatuman sa Dios sa matarong nga panghunahuna.”

18 Nagsiling si Zacarias sa anghel, “Paano ko masiguro nga matuman ang ginhambal mo, kay kami nga mag-asawa tigulang na?” 19 Nagsabat ang anghel, “Ako si Gabriel nga alagad sang Dios nga didto gid sa iya atubangan. Ginpadala niya ako para magsugid sa imo sining maayong balita. 20 Pero tungod nga wala ka nagpati sang akon ginsugid, magaapa ka hasta sa adlaw nga matuman ang akon ginhambal sa imo. Kag matuman gid ini kon mag-abot na ang adlaw nga gintalana sang Dios.”

21 Ang mga tawo sa guwa nagapadayon sa paghulat kay Zacarias. Natingala gid sila ngaa nga kadugay gid sa iya sa sulod sang templo. 22 Sang pagguwa na niya indi na siya makahambal kag nagasinyas na lang siya sa mga tawo. Naintiendihan nila nga may ginpakita sa iya ang Dios didto sa sulod sang templo. Halin sadto nangin apa siya.

23 Pagkatapos sang iya turno sa pag-alagad sa templo, nagpauli siya. 24 Pagkaligad sang pila ka adlaw, nagbusong si Elizabet nga iya asawa. Sa sulod sang lima ka bulan wala gid siya nagguwa-guwa sa ila balay. 25 Nagsiling siya, “Ginkaluoyan gid man ako sang Ginoo, kay sa sini nga tion ginkuha niya ang akon kahuy-anan sa mga tawo bilang isa ka baw-as.”

Nagpakita ang Anghel kay Maria

26 Sang anom na ka bulan ang pagbusong ni Elizabet, ginsugo liwat sang Dios ang anghel nga si Gabriel nga magkadto sa Nazaret, nga isa sang mga banwa sa Galilea. 27 Ginpadala siya didto sa isa ka birhen nga ang ngalan si Maria. Si Maria kalaslon na kay Jose, nga isa sang mga kaliwat ni Haring David. 28 Pag-abot sang anghel kay Maria, nagsiling siya, “Maria, magkalipay ka, kay ang Ginoo kaupod mo kag ginpakamaayo niya ikaw.”[b] 29 Pagkabati sini ni Maria naglibog gid ang iya ulo, kag ginhunahuna niya kon ano bala ang kahulugan sini. 30 Gani nagsiling ang anghel sa iya, “Maria, indi ka magkahadlok, kay ginpakita sang Dios ang iya kaayo sa imo. 31 Magabusong ka kag magabata sang lalaki, kag ngalanan mo siya nga Jesus. 32 Mangin bantog siya kag kilalahon nga Anak sang Labing Mataas nga Dios. Ihatag sa iya sang Ginoong Dios ang ginharian sang iya katigulangan nga si David. 33 Magahari siya sa mga kaliwat ni Jacob hasta san-o; ang iya paghari wala sing katapusan.”

34 Nagsiling si Maria sa anghel, “Paano bala ang pagkahimo sini, kay birhen pa ako?”

35 Nagsabat ang anghel, “Magaabot sa imo ang Espiritu Santo, kag magalikop sa imo ang gahom sang Labing Mataas nga Dios. Gani ang balaan nga bata nga matawo sa imo kilalahon nga Anak sang Dios. 36 Tan-awa bala ang imo paryente nga si Elizabet. Nagsiling ang iban nga indi na siya makabata kay tigulang na gid siya. Pero karon anom na ka bulan ang iya ginabusong, 37 tungod kay sa Dios, ang tanan sarang mahimo.”

38 Gani nagsiling si Maria, “Alagad lang ako sang Ginoo. Kabay pa nga matuman sa akon ang imo ginsiling.” Dayon naghalin ang anghel.

Nagbisita si Maria kay Elizabet

39 Pagkatapos sang pila ka adlaw, naghimos si Maria kag nagdali-dali kadto sa isa ka banwa sa kabukiran sang Judea. 40 Nagsulod siya sa balay nila ni Zacarias kag nangamusta kay Elizabet. 41 Pagkabati ni Elizabet sang pagpangamusta ni Maria, naghulag sing mabaskog ang bata sa iya tiyan. Gin-gamhan si Elizabet sang Espiritu Santo, 42 kag sa mabaskog nga tingog naghambal siya, “Sa tanan nga babayi ikaw lang ang ginbendisyunan sang Dios sang pareho sini! Ginbendisyunan man niya ang imo ginabusong! 43 Dako gid ini nga kadungganan nakon tungod kay ginbisitahan ako sang iloy sang akon Ginoo. 44 Kay bisan mismo ang bata sa akon tiyan malipayon nga naghulag sing mabaskog sang mabatian ko ang imo pagpangamusta. 45 Bulahan gid ikaw nga nagtuo nga matuman sa imo ang ginhambal sang Ginoo!”

Ang Pagdayaw ni Maria sa Dios

46 Nagsiling si Maria,

“Nagadayaw gid ako sa Ginoo!
47 Kag nagakalipay ang akon espiritu sa Dios nga akon Manluluwas.
48 Kay gindumdom niya ako nga iya kubos[c] nga alagad.
Sugod subong, magasiling ang tanan nga henerasyon nga bulahan ako,
49 tungod sang makatilingala nga mga butang nga ginhimo sa akon sang gamhanan nga Dios.
Balaan siya nga Dios!
50 Nagakaluoy siya sa mga tawo nga nagatahod sa iya sa kada henerasyon.
51 Naghimo siya sang puwerte nga mga buhat paagi sa iya gahom.
Gintabog niya ang mga tawo nga mataas ang ila pagtan-aw sa ila kaugalingon.
52 Ginpukan niya ang gamhanan nga mga hari sa ila mga trono.
Kag ginbayaw niya ang mga kubos.
53 Ginbusog niya sang maayo nga mga butang ang mga ginagutom.
Pero ang mga manggaranon ginpahalin niya nga wala gid sing dala.
54-55 Ginbuligan niya kita nga mga kaliwat ni Israel, nga iya mga suluguon.
Kay wala niya pagkalimti ang iya promisa sa aton mga katigulangan—kay Abraham kag sa iya mga kaliwat—
nga kaluoyan niya sila sa wala sing katapusan!”

56 Kag nagtiner si Maria didto sa ila ni Elizabet sang mga tatlo ka bulan antes siya magpauli.

Ang Pagkatawo ni Juan nga Manugbautiso

57 Karon nag-abot na ang tion nga inugbata ni Elizabet, kag nagbata siya sang lalaki. 58 Pagkabati sang iya mga kaingod kag mga paryente nga dako ang kaluoy sang Ginoo sa iya, nagkalipay sila kaupod niya.

59 Sang walo na ka adlaw ang bata, nagtambong ang mga kaingod kag mga paryente sa pagtuli sa iya. Kuntani ngalanan nila siya nga Zacarias pareho sang iya amay, 60 pero indi komporme si Elizabet. Nagsiling siya, “Indi mahimo, dapat Juan ang ingalan sa iya.” 61 Nagsiling sila, “Pero wala gid kamo sang paryente nga pareho sina ang ngalan.” 62 Kag ginsinyasan nila ang amay kon ano ang iya gusto nga ingalan sa iya bata. 63 Nagsinyas siya nga hatagan siya sang sululatan. Dayon nagsulat siya, “Ngalanan siya nga Juan.” Natingala gid sila tanan. 64 Sa gilayon nakahambal si Zacarias kag nagdayaw siya sa Dios. 65 Ginkulbaan ang tanan nila nga mga kaingod sa balita parte sa tanan nga nagkalatabo, kag nangin bantog man ini sa tanan nga kabukiran sang Judea. 66 Ang tanan nga tawo nga nakabati sini nagpamalandong kag nagpamangkot, “Mangin ano ayhan ini nga bata kon magdako na siya?” Kay maathag nga ang gahom sang Ginoo ara sa iya.

Ang Tagna ni Zacarias

67 Gin-gamhan sang Espiritu Santo si Zacarias nga amay ni Juan kag amo ini ang iya ginhambal,

68 “Dayawon ta ang Ginoo nga Dios sang Israel!
Kay gindumdom kag ginhilway niya kita nga iya katawhan.
69 Ginpadala niya sa aton ang makagagahom nga manluluwas nga kaliwat sang iya alagad nga si David.
70 Amo man ini ang iya ginsiling sadto paagi sa iya pinili nga mga propeta.
71 Nagpromisa siya nga luwason niya kita sa aton mga kaaway
kag sa mga tawo nga nagadumot sa aton.
72 Nagsiling man siya nga kaluoyan niya ang aton mga katigulangan suno sa iya ginpromisa sa ila.
Kag indi gid niya pagkalimtan ang iya kasugtanan sa ila
73 nga ginsumpa niya sa aton katigulangan nga si Abraham.
74 Ina nga kasugtanan amo nga luwason gid niya kita sa aton mga kaaway
agod nga makasimba[d] kita nga wala sing kahadlok,
75 kag mangin balaan kag matarong kita sa iya atubangan sa adlaw-adlaw naton nga pagkabuhi.”
76 Dayon naghambal man si Zacarias sa iya bata,
“Ikaw Juan, pagatawgon ka nga propeta sang Labing Mataas nga Dios.
Kay magauna ka sa Ginoo agod ipreparar mo ang mga tawo para sa iya pag-abot.
77 Magatudlo ka sa iya katawhan nga maluwas sila. Patawaron sila sang Dios sa ila mga sala,
78 kay ang aton Dios maluluy-on kag mahigugmaon.
Ipadala niya ang manluluwas nga mangin pareho sa nagabutlak nga adlaw,
79 nga magasilak sa mga tawo nga ara sa kadudulman kag nahadlok sa kamatayon.
Magatudlo siya sa aton kon paano mangin maayo ang aton relasyon sa Dios kag sa aton isigkatawo.”

80 Karon, ang bata nga si Juan nagdako kag nangin mabaskog sa espiritu. Nag-estar siya sa kamingawan hasta sa adlaw nga nagsugod siya sa iya pagpanudlo sa mga Israelinhon.

Footnotes

  1. 1:17 ginikanan: sa literal, amay.
  2. 1:28 Maria… ikaw: ukon, Kamusta ka na, Maria, ikaw nga ginpakamaayo sang Ginoo kag ginaupdan niya.
  3. 1:48 kubos: sa iban nga Bisaya, ubos; ukon, kabos.
  4. 1:74 makasimba: ukon, makaalagad.

Prologue[a]

Chapter 1

Since many different individuals have undertaken the task to set down an account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, in accordance with their transmission to us by those who were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word from the beginning, I too, after researching all the evidence anew with great care, have decided to write an orderly account for you, Theophilus, who are so greatly revered, so that you may learn the unquestioned authenticity of the teachings you have received.

The Infancy Narrative[b]

Announcement of the Birth of John.[c] At the time of the reign of King Herod of Judea,[d] there was a priest named Zechariah, a member of the priestly order of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the eyes of God, observing blamelessly all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.

On one occasion, when his division was on duty and he was exercising his priestly office before God, he was designated by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense.[e] 10 At the hour of the offering of incense, all the people were outside, praying. 11 Then there appeared to him the angel of the Lord, standing to the right of the altar of incense.

12 When Zechariah beheld him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear for you a son, and you shall name him John. 14 He will be a source of joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.

“He will never imbibe wine or any strong drink. Even when he is still in his mother’s womb, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, 16 and he will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to reconcile fathers with their children and to convert the disobedient to the ways of the righteous, so that a prepared people might be made ready for the Lord.”

18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be assured of this? For I am an old man and my wife is well past the stage of giving birth.” 19 The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to convey to you this good news. 20 But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their appointed time, you will lose your power of speech and will become mute until the day that these things take place.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and were surprised that he was delaying so long in the sanctuary. 22 When he did emerge, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision while he was in the sanctuary. He was only able to make signs to them, but he remained unable to speak.

23 When his term of service was completed, he returned home. 24 Shortly thereafter his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she remained in seclusion for five months, saying, 25 “The Lord has granted me this blessing, looking favorably upon me and removing from me the humiliation I have endured among my people.”[f]

26 Announcement of the Birth of Jesus.[g] In the sixth month,[h] the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin[i] betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

28 The angel came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace![j] The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was greatly troubled by his words and wondered in her heart what this salutation could mean.

30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”[k] 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 [l]And behold, your cousin Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month, 37 for nothing will be impossible for God.”

38 Then Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.” After this, the angel departed from her.

39 Mary Visits Elizabeth.[m] In those days, Mary set out and journeyed in haste into the hill country to a town of Judah[n] 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb.

Then Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why am I so greatly favored that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 For behold, the moment that the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that what the Lord has said to her will be fulfilled.”

46 The Canticle of Mary.[o] And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
48 For he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant;
    henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
49 The Mighty One has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is shown from age to age
    to those who fear him.
51 He has shown the strength of his arm,
    he has routed those who are arrogant in the desires of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and lifted up the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has come to the aid of Israel his servant,
    ever mindful of his merciful love,
55 according to the promises he made to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

56 Mary remained with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned to her home.

57 The Birth of John. When the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, she bore a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they shared in her rejoicing.

59 On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. 60 However, his mother objected. “No,” she said. “He is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “There is no one in your family who has this name.” 62 They then made signs to his father to ask what name he wanted to be given to the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and he wrote: “His name is John.” They were all filled with wonder.

64 Immediately, his mouth was opened and his tongue was freed, and he began to speak, giving praise to God. 65 All their neighbors were overcome with awe, and all these things were related throughout the entire hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them were deeply impressed, and they wondered, “What then is this child going to be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

67 The Canticle of Zechariah.[p] Then the child’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
    for he has visited his people and redeemed them.
69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
    from the house of his servant David,
70 just as he proclaimed through the mouth of his holy prophets from age to age:
71     salvation from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us,
72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers
    and to remain mindful of his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham,
and to grant us that, 74     delivered from the power of our enemies,
without fear we might worship him 75 in holiness and righteousness
    in his presence all our days.
76 “And you, my child, will be called prophet of the Most High,
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give his people knowledge of salvation
    through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God
    by which the dawn from on high will break upon us
79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet along the path of peace.”

80 The Son of the Wilderness. The child grew and became strong in spirit. He lived in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:1 Like the Greek historians of his time, Luke begins his book with a prologue. He dedicates the work to a distinguished person, Theophilus (otherwise unknown to us), who has already been taught the good news. Some scholars believe that the name is symbolic for it means “lover of God,” hence all Christians.
  2. Luke 1:5 The Gospel is first and foremost a proclamation of what Jesus did and taught and, above all, of his Death and Resurrection for the salvation of humankind; everything that the preachers of the mission and message of Jesus proclaimed led toward the mystery of Easter. But, like Matthew, Luke decided to preface all that with a description of the period preceding the public appearance of Jesus, because the Church wanted to know the mystery of Jesus back to its very beginnings.


    The events described by Matthew, however, are not focused on the birth, which is recounted for us through the experiences of Joseph; Luke speaks directly of the birth through the experience of Mary. Regarding Mary, the opening pages of the third Gospel have provided the Church down the centuries with an abundant, and still flowing, wellspring for its faith (Marian teachings), its devotion (the “Hail, Mary”), and its art. Some points emerge with utter clarity: Mary is the Mother of Jesus; the birth took place at Bethlehem; and the newborn child was placed in a manger. The primary statement made is undoubtedly this: that Jesus was born not by the will of human beings but by the initiative of God, and that he was born of a virgin mother.

  3. Luke 1:5 The time is toward the end of the reign of Herod the Great (37–4 B.C.). A faithful and devout couple have been praying for the salvation of the people (v. 13). The husband belonged to the eighth class of priests (1 Chr 24:10) and had the joy of entering every so often into the sanctuary. In the midst of the service, an angel—Gabriel, the messenger of the time of salvation (Dan 9:21-27)—appears to him and tells him of an unexpected birth. Like Isaac (Gen 21:2), Samson (Jdg 13:3-7), and Samuel (1 Sam 1), this child will be the result of a miracle, and, even before his birth, he is destined for the service of God; he will live as an ascetic, a “Nazirite” (see Num 6:3-4; Jdg 13:4-5); he will be the mysterious forerunner of the last times, the new Elijah whom the people expected in accordance with an old tradition (Mal 3:23-24). His name will be John, which means: “The Lord is gracious.”
  4. Luke 1:5 Judea: meant here is the entire territory of Palestine.
  5. Luke 1:9 Incense was offered in the Holy Place, the room in front of the Holy of Holies or innermost part of the temple. The rite of incense was performed morning and evening at the time of sacrifice.
  6. Luke 1:25 The humiliation I have endured among my people: lack of children deprived the parents of personal happiness but also brought about social reproach (see Gen 16:2—Sarai; 25:21—Rebekah; 30:23—Rachel; 1 Sam 1:1-18—Hannah; see also Lev 20:20-21; Ps 128:3; Jer 22:30).
  7. Luke 1:26 Mary, a young girl, is betrothed, despite the fact that she has the unusual intention of remaining a virgin; “betrothed”: that is, according to the custom of the time, she was legally married but did not yet live with her husband. Confronted with this surprising message, she gives no sign of fear or doubt: she reflects, meditates, believes. This woman has the “grace,” that is, the favor of God; she is greeted as if Messianic joy were being proclaimed to the Daughter of Zion, the new Jerusalem (see Zep 3:14; Zec 9:9).
    The Bible has often spoken of promised sons; but this Jesus is the very Messiah of Israel, according to the mysterious prophecy of Isaiah on which Israel constantly and hopefully meditated (vv. 32-33; see Isa 7:14; 9:6); he is even far more: the Son of God (v. 35). The body of Jesus was to take form in the flesh of Mary, and this was to come about not through human planning but through the presence and action of God himself (see Ex 40:34-35; Num 9:15; 10:34), of the Spirit who creates and gives life (Gen 1:2; Ps 104:30; Isa 11:1-6).
  8. Luke 1:26 In the sixth month: i.e., after the time of John’s conception.
  9. Luke 1:27 Virgin: i.e., one who had not yet had sexual relations. Mary’s question in v. 34 and the reference in v. 27 that she was “betrothed” (pledged to be married) clearly make this point. Mary had just entered her teens, for betrothal usually took place after puberty, but intercourse was not allowed until marriage. The betrothal could be severed only by divorce or death.
  10. Luke 1:28 Hail, full of grace: this phrase may also be translated as “Hail, O highly favored one.” The Lord is with you: other ancient manuscripts add: “Blessed are you among women” (as in Lk 1:42).
  11. Luke 1:34 I am a virgin: literally, “I do not know man,” “know” referring to the conjugal relationship.
  12. Luke 1:36 In confirmation of what the angel has said to her, Mary is given word of the pregnancy of her aged relative Elizabeth. God has effected a pregnancy for a woman past childbearing years. Thus, he can effect a pregnancy for Mary also, because nothing is impossible for him.
  13. Luke 1:39 By the account of the Visitation, Luke establishes the connection between the traditions about John and those about Jesus. At first commonplace, this meeting of two expectant mothers goes beyond the ordinary. As conscious believers, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, they understand that the time of salvation is inaugurated by the young lives they bear within themselves. We are already made aware that John bears witness to Jesus. And the first Christian generations place on the lips of Elizabeth the praise of Mary the believer.
  14. Luke 1:39 A town of Judah: according to tradition, this was Ain Karim, 100 miles south of Nazareth and four miles west of Jerusalem.
  15. Luke 1:46 Mary’s splendid canticle, the Magnificat, proclaims a new course for history, the end of injustice, and the birth of a new world, that of the kingdom, in which everything is different from our habitual experience. Every people gives thanks to God; the joy of the poor bursts forth; hope is born for the salvation of the despised of this world.
    The Magnificat, which is very similar to the canticle of Hannah (see 1 Sam 2:1-10) and has become the Christian song of thanksgiving, lends itself to be the prayer of those who have suffered but have never lost their hope in God. The entire prayer of the Old Testament converges upon this one, but with a wholly renewed power; it is easy to see why the Church never tires of reciting it. It is one of the gems of the Church’s daily office of Evening Prayer (Vespers).
  16. Luke 1:67 The hour of light has come, and the Messiah is the star that rises (v. 78; see Num 24:17; Isa 60:1; Mal 3:20) or, again, the branch that springs from David (Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zec 3:8; 6:12). The Canticle of Zechariah, the Benedictus, rings out daily in the liturgical office of Morning Prayer (Lauds). The whole faith of the Old Testament is woven into its proclamation of peace, that is, fulfillment and joy for humanity, as a gift from God.

Introduction(A)

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first(B) were eyewitnesses(C) and servants of the word.(D) With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account(E) for you, most excellent(F) Theophilus,(G) so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.(H)

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

In the time of Herod king of Judea(I) there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah;(J) his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.(K) But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,(L) he was chosen by lot,(M) according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.(N) 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.(O)

11 Then an angel(P) of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.(Q) 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.(R) 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid,(S) Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.(T) 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,(U) 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,(V) and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit(W) even before he is born.(X) 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord,(Y) in the spirit and power of Elijah,(Z) to turn the hearts of the parents to their children(AA) and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”(AB)

18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this?(AC) I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”(AD)

19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel.(AE) I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak(AF) until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs(AG) to them but remained unable to speak.

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace(AH) among the people.”

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel(AI) to Nazareth,(AJ) a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph,(AK) a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid,(AL) Mary; you have found favor with God.(AM) 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.(AN) 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.(AO) The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,(AP) 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom(AQ) will never end.”(AR)

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you,(AS) and the power of the Most High(AT) will overshadow you. So the holy one(AU) to be born will be called[b] the Son of God.(AV) 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child(AW) in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”(AX)

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,(AY) 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.(AZ) 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,(BA) and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord(BB) should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song(BC)

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord(BD)
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,(BE)
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.(BF)
From now on all generations will call me blessed,(BG)
49     for the Mighty One has done great things(BH) for me—
    holy is his name.(BI)
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.(BJ)
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;(BK)
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.(BL)
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.(BM)
53 He has filled the hungry with good things(BN)
    but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful(BO)
55 to Abraham and his descendants(BP) forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise(BQ) the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”(BR)

61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”

62 Then they made signs(BS) to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”(BT) 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak,(BU) praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea(BV) people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.(BW)

Zechariah’s Song

67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit(BX) and prophesied:(BY)

68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,(BZ)
    because he has come to his people and redeemed them.(CA)
69 He has raised up a horn[c](CB) of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David(CC)
70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),(CD)
71 salvation from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us—
72 to show mercy to our ancestors(CE)
    and to remember his holy covenant,(CF)
73     the oath he swore to our father Abraham:(CG)
74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
    and to enable us to serve him(CH) without fear(CI)
75     in holiness and righteousness(CJ) before him all our days.

76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet(CK) of the Most High;(CL)
    for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,(CM)
77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
    through the forgiveness of their sins,(CN)
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
    by which the rising sun(CO) will come to us from heaven
79 to shine on those living in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,(CP)
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”(CQ)

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit[d];(CR) and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:1 Or been surely believed
  2. Luke 1:35 Or So the child to be born will be called holy,
  3. Luke 1:69 Horn here symbolizes a strong king.
  4. Luke 1:80 Or in the Spirit