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Inleiding

Geachte meneer Teofilus, al heel veel mensen hebben geprobeerd om op te schrijven wat er allemaal is gebeurd. Ze hebben alles nagevraagd bij de mensen die er zelf bij waren. Ook ik heb besloten om alles goed na te gaan en dan voor u op te schrijven. Nu zult u zelf kunnen zien dat het waar is wat de mensen u hebben verteld.[a]

Elizabet raakt in verwachting van Johannes

In de tijd dat Herodes[b] koning was van Judea, was er een priester die Zacharias heette. Hij was ingedeeld bij de groep priesters van Abia. Hij en zijn vrouw waren allebei uit de familie van Aäron.[c] Zijn vrouw heette Elizabet. Ze leefden allebei zoals God het wil en hielden zich aan alle regels van de wet van God, zonder Hem ongehoorzaam te zijn. Maar ze hadden geen kinderen, want Elizabet kon geen kinderen krijgen. Nu waren ze allebei al oud.

Op een keer was het Zacharias' beurt om als priester dienst te doen in de tempel. Zoals altijd was er geloot wie in de tempel van de Heer God het wierook-offer zou brengen. Zo had nu Zacharias de beurt gekregen. 10 Buiten stonden de mensen te bidden terwijl hij binnen het wierook-offer bracht.

11 Plotseling zag Zacharias een engel van de Heer God. Hij stond rechts van het altaar waarop het wierook-offer wordt gebracht. 12 Toen Zacharias de engel zag, schrok hij erg en was bang. 13 Maar de engel zei tegen hem: "Je hoeft niet bang te zijn. God heeft je gebed gehoord. Je vrouw Elizabet zal een zoon krijgen. Je moet hem Johannes noemen. 14 Je zal heel erg blij zijn met de geboorte van je zoon. En niet alleen jij, maar ook heel veel andere mensen zullen blij met hem zijn. 15 Want God heeft hem een belangrijke taak gegeven. Hij mag geen wijn of sterke drank drinken.[d] Al vóór zijn geboorte zal hij vol zijn van de Heilige Geest. 16 Dankzij hem zullen veel mensen van het volk Israël weer gaan leven zoals hun Heer God het wil. 17 Hij zal God dienen op dezelfde manier en met dezelfde kracht als de profeet Elia.[e] Door hem zullen de vaders hun hart weer openen voor hun kinderen. En mensen die ongehoorzaam zijn aan God, zullen door hem weer gaan leven zoals God het wil. Zo zal hij van de mensen een volk maken dat bruikbaar is voor God."

18 Zacharias zei tegen de engel: "Hoe weet ik dat dit inderdaad zal gebeuren? Want mijn vrouw en ik zijn allebei al oud." 19 De engel antwoordde: "Ik ben Gabriël, die dicht bij God mag komen om Hem te dienen. Ik ben gestuurd om je deze dingen te vertellen. 20 Omdat je mij niet wil geloven, zul je niet kunnen spreken totdat is gebeurd wat ik je heb verteld. Maar als de tijd gekomen is, zal alles gebeuren zoals ik je heb gezegd."

21 Intussen stonden de mensen op Zacharias te wachten. Ze vroegen zich af waarom hij zo lang binnen bleef. 22 Toen hij eindelijk naar buiten kwam, kon hij niet spreken. Ze begrepen dat God in de tempel tot hem gesproken had. Hij maakte gebaren tegen hen en kon niet praten. 23 Hij deed de afgesproken tijd dienst in de tempel. Daarna ging hij naar huis terug.

24 Zijn vrouw Elizabet raakte in verwachting. Ze bleef vijf maanden in huis en liet zich aan niemand zien. 25 Ze zei: "De Heer God heeft dit gedaan om te laten zien dat Hij mij niet is vergeten. Hij heeft ervoor gezorgd dat ik mij niet meer hoef te schamen omdat ik geen kinderen heb."

Maria raakt in verwachting

26 Toen Elizabet zes maanden in verwachting was, stuurde God de engel Gabriël naar Nazaret. Dat is een stad in Galilea. 27 Hij ging naar een jonge, ongetrouwde vrouw die nog maagd was. Ze was verloofd met Jozef en nog nooit met hem naar bed geweest. Jozef was uit de familie van koning David.[f] De vrouw heette Maria. 28 De engel ging haar huis binnen en groette haar. Toen zei hij: "God heeft jou uitgekozen. God is met je." 29 Ze schrok toen ze hem zag. Ook was ze geschrokken van zijn woorden. Ze vroeg zich af wat de engel bedoelde. 30 De engel zei tegen haar: "Je hoeft niet bang te zijn, Maria. Want God wil goed voor jou zijn. 31 Je zal in verwachting raken en een zoon krijgen. Je moet Hem Jezus (= 'God redt') noemen. 32 Hij zal een belangrijk mens zijn en Hij zal 'Zoon van de Allerhoogste God' worden genoemd. De Heer God zal Hem koning van Israël maken, net als zijn voorvader David.[g] 33 Hij zal voor eeuwig als koning regeren over het volk Israël. Er zal nooit een eind komen aan zijn heerschappij."

34 Maria zei tegen de engel: "Hoe kan dat gebeuren? Want ik ben nog niet getrouwd." 35 De engel zei: "De Heilige Geest zal bij je komen. De kracht van de Allerhoogste God zal over je komen. Daardoor zal er een heilig kind in je ontstaan. Hij zal daarom 'Zoon van God' worden genoemd. 36 Je nicht Elizabet is ook in verwachting van een zoon. Ze is al oud en iedereen dacht dat ze geen kinderen kon krijgen. Maar nu is ze al zes maanden in verwachting. 37 Want voor God is niets onmogelijk." 38 Maria antwoordde: "Ik wil de Heer God gehoorzaam zijn. Laat Hij met me doen wat u heeft gezegd." Toen ging de engel bij haar weg.

Maria bezoekt Elizabet

39 Daarna vertrok Maria haastig naar een stad in de bergen van de stam van Juda. 40 Ze ging daar Zacharias en Elizabet bezoeken. Ze ging hun huis binnen en groette Elizabet. 41 Toen Elizabet de groet van Maria hoorde, bewoog het kind in haar buik. Het leek op te springen. En Elizabet werd vol van de Heilige Geest. 42 Ze riep luid: "God is zó goed geweest voor jou! Meer dan voor alle andere vrouwen! En God is óók zo goed voor je kind! 43 Waaraan heb ik het te danken dat de moeder van mijn Heer bij mij op bezoek komt? 44 Want op het moment dat je mij groette, sprong mijn kind van blijdschap op in mijn buik. 45 Wat heerlijk voor je dat je hebt geloofd wat Hij tegen je heeft gezegd! Want wat Hij tegen je heeft gezegd, zal ook gebeuren."

46 Maria zei: "Ik prijs de Heer God. 47 En ik ben blij over God, mijn Redder, 48 omdat Hij zó goed geweest is voor mij, een gewone vrouw. Voortaan zullen alle volken zeggen dat God heerlijke dingen voor mij heeft gedaan. 49 Want de heilige, machtige God heeft geweldige dingen bij mij gedaan. 50 Hij is vriendelijk en goed voor alle mensen die ontzag voor Hem hebben. Ook voor hun kinderen is Hij vriendelijk. 51 Hij heeft machtige dingen gedaan. Trotse mensen heeft Hij vernederd. 52 Machtige mensen heeft Hij hun macht afgenomen. Maar gewone mensen heeft Hij geëerd. 53 Hongerige mensen heeft Hij veel gegeven. Maar rijke mensen heeft Hij met lege handen weggestuurd. 54 Hij is zijn volk Israël te hulp gekomen, 55 omdat Hij wilde doen wat Hij vroeger aan onze voorouders heeft beloofd. Want Hij heeft al aan Abraham beloofd dat Hij voor eeuwig goed zou zijn voor hem en zijn familie ná hem."[h]

56 Maria bleef ongeveer drie maanden bij Elizabet. Daarna ging ze naar huis terug.

De geboorte van Johannes

57 Na negen maanden kreeg Elizabet een zoon. 58 Haar buren en familie hoorden dat God zo goed voor haar was geweest. Ze waren heel erg blij voor haar. 59 Toen het kind acht dagen oud was, kwamen er mensen om het kind te besnijden.[i] Ze wilden het kind net als zijn vader 'Zacharias' noemen. 60 Maar Elizabet zei: "Nee, hij moet Johannes heten." 61 Ze zeiden tegen haar: "Maar niemand in je familie heet zo!" 62 Ze gebaarden tegen de vader dat hij moest beslissen hoe het kind moest heten. 63 Hij vroeg om een schrijfplankje. En hij schreef op: "Hij heet Johannes." Iedereen was erg verbaasd. 64 Op dat moment kon Zacharias weer spreken en hij prees God.

65 Iedereen in hun omgeving was erg onder de indruk van wat God had gedaan. In het hele bergland van Judea werd er over gepraat. 66 Iedereen die het hoorde, vroeg zich af: "Wat zal dat kind voor iemand worden?" En God was met hem.

Zacharias profeteert over Johannes

67 Vader Zacharias werd vol van de Heilige Geest en profeteerde: 68 "Prijs de Heer, de God van Israël. Want Hij is ons niet vergeten. Hij heeft ons iemand gegeven die ons zal redden en bevrijden. 69 Hij heeft een machtige Redder gegeven, uit de familie van zijn dienaar koning David. 70 Dat is ook wat Hij al vanaf het begin van de wereld beloofd heeft door de heilige profeten. 71 Hij had beloofd dat Hij ons zou redden van onze vijanden. Hij zou ons bevrijden uit de macht van de mensen die ons haten. 72 Hij beloofde dat Hij vriendelijk en goed zou zijn voor onze voorouders en dat Hij zou doen wat Hij hun had beloofd. 73 Hij zou het heilige verbond dat Hij plechtig met onze vader Abraham had gesloten, niet vergeten. 74 Hij zou ons redden uit de macht van onze vijanden, zodat we Hem zonder vrees zouden kunnen dienen. 75 Hij beloofde dat we ons leven lang dicht bij Hem zouden mogen leven om Hem te dienen. Hij zou ervoor zorgen dat we kunnen leven zoals Hij het wil, zodat we werkelijk zijn volk zouden zijn. 76 En jij, mijn kind, zal een profeet van de Allerhoogste God worden genoemd. Want je zal voor de Heer uit gaan om de weg voor Hem vrij te maken. 77 Je zal aan zijn volk vertellen hoe ze gered kunnen worden en hoe ze vergeving kunnen krijgen voor hun ongehoorzaamheid aan God. 78 Want omdat onze God goed en vriendelijk is, zal Hij ons niet vergeten. Hij is ons Licht uit de hemel. 79 En zijn Licht zal schijnen op de mensen die in het donker leven, vlak voor de poorten van de dood. Zo zal Hij ons de weg naar de vrede wijzen."

80 Het kind groeide op en werd steeds meer gevuld met de Heilige Geest. Hij leefde in de woestijn, tot op de dag dat hij in Israël over God begon te spreken.

Footnotes

  1. Lukas 1:4 Veel geschiedschrijvers gaan ervan uit dat Lukas dit verslag én het boek Handelingen heeft geschreven voor de verdediging van Paulus, toen Paulus in Rome gevangen zat voor zijn geloof in Jezus. Teofilus was de rechter die de zaak van Paulus moest bekijken.
  2. Lukas 1:5 Herodes was geen Joodse koning, maar een man uit het volk van Edom. Edom was altijd een vijand van Israël geweest.
  3. Lukas 1:5 Aäron was de eerste hogepriester geweest. Dat was in de tijd dat Israël door de woestijn trok. Lees Leviticus 8:5-12.
  4. Lukas 1:15 Dat hoorde zo bij mensen die door God werden uitgekozen voor een speciale taak. Lees ook Numeri 6:3.
  5. Lukas 1:17 Elia was een profeet uit de tijd van koning Achab, ongeveer 850 jaar hiervóór.
  6. Lukas 1:27 David was ongeveer 1000 jaar hiervóór koning van Israël.
  7. Lukas 1:32 God had aan David beloofd dat er altijd een zoon uit zijn familie koning zou zijn. Lees 1 Kronieken 17:11-14. Jezus is uit de familie van koning David. Dat blijkt uit vers 27.
  8. Lukas 1:55 Lees Genesis 17:7 en Genesis 12:3 over Gods beloften aan Abraham. Die had Hij bijna 2000 jaar hiervóór gedaan!
  9. Lukas 1:59 Alle Joodse mannen moesten hun geslachtsdeel laten besnijden. Dat was het teken van het verbond van God met het Joodse volk. Lees Genesis 17:9-14.

مقدمة

لَمَّا كَانَ كَثِيرُونَ قَدْ أَقْدَمُوا عَلَى تَدْوِينِ قِصَّةٍ فِي الأَحْدَاثِ الَّتِي تَمَّتْ بَيْنَنَا، كَمَا سَلَّمَهَا إِلَيْنَا أُولئِكَ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا مِنَ الْبَدَايَةِ شُهُودَ عَيَانٍ، ثُمَّ صَارُوا خُدَّاماً لِلْكَلِمَةِ، رَأَيْتُ أَنَا أَيْضاً، بَعْدَمَا تَفَحَّصْتُ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ مِنْ أَوَّلِ الأَمْرِ تَفَحُّصاً دَقِيقاً، أَنْ أَكْتُبَهَا إِلَيْكَ مُرَتَّبَةً يَا صَاحِبَ السُّمُوِّ ثَاوُفِيلُسَ لِتَتَأَكَّدَ لَكَ صِحَّةُ الْكَلامِ الَّذِي تَلَقَّيْتَهُ.

البشارة بميلاد يوحنا المعمدان

كَانَ فِي زَمَنِ هِيرُودُسَ مَلِكِ الْيَهُودِيَّةِ كَاهِنٌ اسْمُهُ زَكَرِيَّا، مِنْ فِرْقَةِ أَبِيَّا، وَزَوْجَتُهُ مِنْ نَسْلِ هَارُونَ، وَاسْمُهَا أَلِيصَابَاتُ. وَكَانَ كِلاهُمَا بَارَّيْنِ أَمَامَ اللهِ، يَسْلُكَانِ وَفْقاً لِوَصَايَا الرَّبِّ وَأَحْكَامِهِ كُلِّهَا بِغَيْرِ لَوْمٍ. وَلكِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُمَا وَلَدٌ، إِذْ كَانَتْ أَلِيصَابَاتُ عَاقِراً وَكِلاهُمَا قَدْ تَقَدَّمَا فِي السِّنِّ كَثِيراً. وَبَيْنَمَا كَانَ زَكَرِيَّا يُؤَدِّي خِدْمَتَهُ الْكَهَنُوتِيَّةَ أَمَامَ اللهِ فِي دَوْرِ فِرْقَتِهِ، وَقَعَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْقُرْعَةُ الَّتِي أُلْقِيَتْ حَسَبَ عَادَةِ الْكَهَنُوتِ لِيَدْخُلَ هَيْكَلَ الرَّبِّ وَيُحْرِقَ الْبَخُورَ. 10 وَكَانَ جُمْهُورُ الشَّعْبِ جَمِيعاً يُصَلُّونَ خَارِجاً فِي وَقْتِ إِحْرَاقِ الْبَخُورِ. 11 فَظَهَرَ لَهُ مَلاكٌ مِنْ عِنْدِ الرَّبِّ وَاقِفاً عَنْ يَمِينِ مَذْبَحِ الْبَخُورِ. 12 فَاضْطَرَبَ زَكَرِيَّا لَمَّا رَآهُ وَاسْتَوْلَى عَلَيْهِ الْخَوْفُ. 13 فَقَالَ لَهُ الْمَلاكُ: «لا تَخَفْ يَا زَكَرِيَّا، لأَنَّ طِلْبَتَكَ قَدْ سُمِعَتْ، وَزَوْجَتُكَ أَلِيصَابَاتُ سَتَلِدُ لَكَ ابْناً، وَأَنْتَ تُسَمِّيهِ يُوحَنَّا، 14 وَيَكُونُ لَكَ فَرَحٌ وَابْتِهَاجٌ وَكَثِيرُونَ سَيَفْرَحُونَ بِوِلادَتِهِ. 15 وَسَوْفَ يَكُونُ عَظِيماً أَمَامَ الرَّبِّ، وَلا يَشْرَبُ خَمْراً وَلا مُسْكِراً، وَيَمْتَلِئُ بِالرُّوحِ الْقُدُسِ وَهُوَ بَعْدُ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ، 16 وَيَرُدُّ كَثِيرِينَ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِلَى الرَّبِّ إِلهِهِمْ، 17 فَيَتَقَدَّمُ أَمَامَهُ وَلَهُ رُوحُ إِيلِيَّا وَقُدْرَتُهُ، لِيَرُدَّ قُلُوبَ الآبَاءِ إِلَى الأَوْلادِ، وَالْعُصَاةَ إِلَى حِكْمَةِ الأَبْرَارِ، لِيُهَيِّئَ لِلرَّبِّ شَعْباً مُعَدّاً!» 18 فَسَأَلَ زَكَرِيَّا الْمَلاكَ: «بِمَ يَتَأَكَّدُ لِي هَذَا، فَأَنَا شَيْخٌ كَبِيرٌ وَزَوْجَتِي مُتَقَدِّمَةٌ فِي السِّنِّ؟» 19 فَأَجَابَهُ الْمَلاكُ: «أَنَا جِبْرَائِيلُ، الْوَاقِفُ أَمَامَ اللهِ، وَقَدْ أُرْسِلْتُ لأُكَلِّمَكَ وَأُبَشِّرَكَ بِهَذَا. 20 وَهَا أَنْتَ سَتَبْقَى صَامِتاً لَا تَسْتَطِيعُ الْكَلامَ، إِلَى الْيَوْمِ الَّذِي يَحْدُثُ فِيهِ هَذَا، لأَنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَدِّقْ كَلامِي، وَهُوَ سَيَتِمُّ فِي حِينِهِ». 21 وَكَانَ الشَّعْبُ مُنْتَظِرِينَ زَكَرِيَّا، وَهُمْ مُتَعَجِّبُونَ مِنْ تَأَخُّرِهِ دَاخِلَ الْهَيْكَلِ. 22 وَلكِنَّهُ لَمَّا خَرَجَ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ أَنْ يُكَلِّمَهُمْ، فَأَدْرَكُوا أَنَّهُ رَأَى رُؤْيَا دَاخِلَ الْهَيْكَلِ. فَأَخَذَ يُشِيرُ لَهُمْ وَظَلَّ أَخْرَسَ.

23 وَلَمَّا أَتَمَّ أَيَّامَ خِدْمَتِهِ، رَجَعَ إِلَى بَيْتِهِ.

24 وَبَعْدَ تِلْكَ الأَيَّامِ، حَبِلَتْ أَلِيصَابَاتُ زَوْجَتُهُ، فَكَتَمَتْ أَمْرَهَا خَمْسَةَ أَشْهُرٍ، قَائِلَةً: 25 «هَكَذَا فَعَلَ الرَّبُّ بِي، فِي الأَيَّامِ الَّتِي فِيهَا نَظَرَ إِلَيَّ لِيَنْزِعَ عَنِّي الْعَارَ مِنْ بَيْنِ النَّاسِ!»

البشارة بميلاد يسوع

26 وَفِي شَهْرِهَا السَّادِسِ، أُرْسِلَ الْمَلاكُ جِبْرَائِيلُ مِنْ قِبَلِ اللهِ إِلَى مَدِينَةٍ بِالْجَلِيلِ اسْمُهَا النَّاصِرَةُ، 27 إِلَى عَذْرَاءَ مَخْطُوبَةٍ لِرَجُلٍ اسْمُهُ يُوسُفُ، مِنْ بَيْتِ دَاوُدَ، وَاسْمُ الْعَذْرَاءِ مَرْيَمُ. 28 فَدَخَلَ الْمَلاكُ وَقَالَ لَهَا: «سَلامٌ، أَيَّتُهَا الْمُنْعَمُ عَلَيْهَا! الرَّبُّ مَعَكِ: مُبَارَكَةٌ أَنْتِ بَيْنَ النِّسَاءِ». 29 فَاضْطَرَبَتْ لِكَلامِ الْمَلاكِ، وَسَاءَلَتْ نَفْسَهَا: «مَا عَسَى أَنْ تَكُونَ هذِهِ التَّحِيَّةُ!» 30 فَقَالَ لَهَا الْمَلاكُ: «لا تَخَافِي يَا مَرْيَمُ، فَإِنَّكِ قَدْ نِلْتِ نِعْمَةً عِنْدَ اللهِ! 31 وَها أَنْتِ سَتَحْبَلِينَ وَتَلِدِينَ ابْناً، وَتُسَمِّينَهُ يَسُوعَ. 32 إِنَّهُ يَكُونُ عَظِيماً، وَابْنَ الْعَلِيِّ يُدْعَى، وَيَمْنَحُهُ الرَّبُ الإِلهُ عَرْشَ دَاوُدَ أَبِيهِ، 33 فَيَمْلِكُ عَلَى بَيْتِ يَعْقُوبَ إِلَى الأَبَدِ، وَلَنْ يَكُونَ لِمُلْكِهِ نِهَايَةٌ».

34 فَقَالَتْ مَرْيَمُ لِلْمَلاكِ: «كَيْفَ يَحْدُثُ هَذَا، وَأَنَا لَسْتُ أَعْرِفُ رَجُلاً؟» 35 فَأَجَابَهَا الْمَلاكُ: «الرُّوحُ الْقُدُسُ يَحِلُّ عَلَيْكِ، وَقُدْرَةُ الْعَلِيِّ تُظَلِّلُكِ. لِذلِكَ أَيْضاً فَالْقُدُّوسُ الْمَوْلُودُ مِنْكِ يُدْعَى ابْنَ اللهِ. 36 وَهَا هِيَ نَسِيبَتُكِ أَلِيصَابَاتُ أَيْضاً قَدْ حَبِلَتْ بِابْنٍ فِي سِنِّهَا الْمُتَقَدِّمَةِ. وَهَذَا هُوَ الشَّهْرُ السَّادِسُ لِتِلْكَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُدْعَى عَاقِراً. 37 فَلَيْسَ لَدَى اللهِ وَعْدٌ يَسْتَحِيلُ عَلَيْهِ إِتْمَامُهُ». 38 فَقَالَتْ مَرْيَمُ: «هَا أَنَا أَمَةُ الرَّبِّ. لِيَكُنْ لِي كَمَا تَقُولُ!» ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ الْمَلاكُ مِنْ عِنْدِهَا.

مريم عند أليصابات

39 وَفِي تِلْكَ الأَيَّامِ، قَامَتْ مَرْيَمُ وَذَهَبَتْ مُسْرِعَةً إِلَى الْجِبَالِ، قَاصِدَةً إِلَى مَدِينَةٍ مِنْ مُدُنِ يَهُوذَا. 40 فَدَخَلَتْ بَيْتَ زَكَرِيَّا وَسَلَّمَتْ عَلَى أَلِيصَابَاتَ. 41 وَلَمَّا سَمِعَتْ أَلِيصَابَاتُ سَلامَ مَرْيَمَ، قَفَزَ الْجَنِينُ دَاخِلَ بَطْنِهَا. وَامْتَلأَتْ أَلِيصَابَاتُ مِنَ الرُّوحِ الْقُدُسِ، 42 وَهَتَفَتْ بِصَوْتٍ عَالٍ قَائِلَةٍ: «مُبَارَكَةٌ أَنْتِ بَيْنَ النِّسَاءِ! وَمُبَارَكَةٌ ثَمَرَةُ بَطْنِكِ! 43 فَمِنْ أَيْنَ لِي هَذَا: أَنْ تَأْتِيَ إِلَيَّ أُمُّ رَبِّي؟ 44 فَإِنَّهُ مَا إِنْ وَقَعَ صَوْتُ سَلامِكِ فِي أُذُنَيَّ حَتَّى قَفَزَ الْجَنِينُ ابْتِهَاجاً فِي بَطْنِي: 45 فَطُوبَى لِلَّتِي آمَنَتْ أَنَّهُ سَيَتِمُّ مَا قِيلَ لَهَا مِنْ قِبَلِ الرَّبِّ!»

نشيد مريم

46 فَقَالَتْ مَرْيَمُ: «تُعَظِّمُ نَفْسِي الرَّبَّ، 47 وَتَبْتَهِجُ رُوحِي بِاللهِ مُخَلِّصِي. 48 فَإِنَّهُ نَظَرَ إِلَى تَوَاضُعِ أَمَتِهِ، وَهَا إِنَّ جَمِيعَ الأَجْيَالِ مِنَ الآنَ فَصَاعِداً سَوْفَ تُطَوِّبُنِي. 49 فَإِنَّ الْقَدِيرَ قَدْ فَعَلَ بِي أُمُوراً عَظِيمَةً، قُدُّوسٌ اسْمُهُ، 50 وَرَحْمَتُهُ لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَهُ جِيلاً بَعْدَ جِيلٍ. 51 عَمِلَ بِذِرَاعِهِ قُوَّةً؛ شَتَّتَ الْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ فِي نِيَّاتِ قُلُوبِهِمْ. 52 أَنْزَلَ الْمُقْتَدِريِنَ عَنْ عُرُوشِهِمْ، وَرَفَعَ الْمُتَوَاضِعِينَ. 53 أَشْبَعَ الْجِيَاعَ خَيْرَاتٍ، وَصَرَفَ الأَغْنِيَاءَ فَارِغِينَ. 54 أَعَانَ إِسْرَائِيلَ فَتَاهُ، مُتَذَكِّراً الرَّحْمَةَ، 55 كَمَا تَكَلَّمَ إِلَى آبَائِنَا، لإِبْرَاهِيمَ وَنَسْلِهِ إِلَى الأَبَدِ». 56 وَأَقَامَتْ مَرْيَمُ عِنْدَ أَلِيصَابَاتَ نَحْوَ ثَلاثَةِ أَشْهُرٍ، ثُمَّ رَجَعَتْ إِلَى بَيْتِهَا.

ميلاد يوحنا المعمدان

57 وَأَمَّا أَلِيصَابَاتُ فَتَمَّ زَمَانُهَا لِتَلِدَ فَوَلَدَتِ ابْناً. 58 وَسَمِعَ جِيرَانُهَا وَأَقَارِبُهَا أَنَّ الرَّبَّ أَفَاضَ رَحْمَتَهُ عَلَيْهَا، فَفَرِحُوا مَعَهَا. 59 وَفِي الْيَوْمِ الثَّامِنِ حَضَرُوا لِيَخْتِنُوا الصَّبِيَّ، وَكَادُوا يُسَمُّونَهُ زَكَرِيَّا عَلَى اسْمِ أَبِيهِ. 60 وَلَكِنَّ أُمَّهُ قَالَتْ: «لا، بَلْ يُسَمَّى يُوحَنَّا!» 61 فَقَالُوا لَهَا: «لَيْسَ فِي عَشِيرَتِكِ أَحَدٌ تَسَمَّى بِهَذَا الاسْمِ». 62 وَأَشَارُوا لأَبِيهِ، مَاذَا يُرِيدُ أَنْ يُسَمَّى. 63 فَطَلَبَ لَوْحاً وَكَتَبَ فِيهِ: «اسْمُهُ يُوحَنَّا». فَتَعَجَّبُوا جَمِيعاً. 64 وَانْفَتَحَ فَمُ زَكَرِيَّا فِي الْحَالِ وَانْطَلَقَ لِسَانُهُ، فَتَكَلَّمَ مُبَارِكاً اللهَ. 65 فَاسْتَوْلَى الْخَوْفُ عَلَى جَمِيعِ السَّاكِنِينَ فِي جُوَارِهِمْ، وَصَارَتْ هذِهِ الأُمُورُ مَوْضُوعَ الْحَدِيثِ فِي جِبَالِ الْيَهُودِيَّةِ كُلِّهَا. 66 وَكَانَ جَمِيعُ السَّامِعِينَ يَضَعُونَهَا فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ، قَائِلِينَ: «تُرَى، مَاذَا سَيَصِيرُ هَذَا الطِّفْلُ؟» فَقَدْ كَانَتْ يَدُ الرَّبِّ مَعَهُ.

نشيد زكريا

67 وَامْتَلأَ زَكَرِيَّا أَبُوهُ مِنَ الرُّوحِ الْقُدُسِ، فَتَنَبَّأَ قَائِلاً: 68 «تَبَارَكَ الرَّبُّ إِلَهُ إِسْرَائِيلَ، لأَنَّهُ تَفَقَّدَ شَعْبَهُ وَعَمِلَ لَهُ فِدَاءً، 69 وَأَقَامَ لَنَا قَرْنَ خَلاصٍ فِي بَيْتِ دَاوُدَ فَتَاهُ، 70 كَمَا تَكَلَّمَ بِلِسَانِ أَنْبِيَائِهِ الْقِدِّيسِينَ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا مُنْذُ الْقَدِيمِ: 71 خَلاصٍ مِنْ أَعْدَائِنَا وَمِنْ أَيْدِي جَمِيعِ مُبْغِضِينَا، 72 لِيُتِمَّ الرَّحْمَةَ نَحْوَ آبَائِنَا وَيَتَذَكَّرَ عَهْدَهُ الْمُقَدَّسَ 73 ذلِكَ الْقَسَمَ الَّذِي أَقْسَمَ لإِبْرَاهِيمَ أَبِينَا: بِأَنْ يَمْنَحَنَا، 74 بَعْدَ تَخْلِيصِنَا مِنْ أَيْدِي أَعْدَائِنَا، أَنْ نَعْبُدَهُ بِلا خَوْفٍ، 75 بِقَدَاسَةٍ وَتَقْوَى أَمَامَهُ، طَوَالَ حَيَاتِنَا. 76 وَأَنْتَ، أَيُّهَا الطِّفْلُ، سَوْفَ تُدْعَى نَبِيَّ الْعَلِيِّ، لأَنَّكَ سَتَتَقَدَّمُ أَمَامَ الرَّبِّ لِتُعِدَّ طُرُقَهُ، 77 لِتُعْطِيَ شَعْبَهُ الْمَعْرِفَةَ بِأَنَّ الْخَلاصَ هُوَ بِمَغْفِرَةِ خَطَايَاهُمْ 78 بِفَضْلِ مَشَاعِرِ الرَّحْمَةِ لَدَى إِلهَنَا، تِلْكَ الَّتِي تَفَقَّدَنَا بِها الْفَجْرُ الْمُشْرَقُ مِنَ الْعَلاءِ، 79 لِيُضِيءَ عَلَى الْقَابِعِينَ فِي الظَّلامِ وَظِلِّ الْمَوْتِ، وَيَهْدِيَ خُطَانَا فِي طَرِيقِ السَّلامِ». 80 وَكَانَ الطِّفْلُ يَنْمُو وَيَتَقَوَّى بِالرُّوحِ؛ وَأَقَامَ فِي الْبَرَارِي إِلَى يَوْمِ ظُهُورِهِ لإِسْرَائِيلَ.

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

Dedication to Theophilus

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that (A)have been accomplished among us, (B)just as those who (C)from the beginning were (D)eyewitnesses and (E)ministers of (F)the word (G)have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write (H)an orderly account for you, (I)most excellent (J)Theophilus, that you may have (K)certainty concerning the things (L)you have been taught.

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

(M)In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah,[a] (N)of (O)the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both (P)righteous before God, walking (Q)blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because (R)Elizabeth was barren, and (S)both were advanced in years.

Now (T)while he was serving as priest before God when (U)his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot (V)to enter (W)the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people (X)were praying (Y)outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of (Z)the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and (AA)fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for (AB)your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and (AC)you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will (AD)rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be (AE)great before the Lord. And (AF)he must not drink wine or strong (AG)drink, and (AH)he will be (AI)filled with the Holy Spirit, (AJ)even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and (AK)he will go before him (AL)in the spirit and power of Elijah, (AM)to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and (AN)the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, (AO)to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, (AP)“How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am (AQ)Gabriel. (AR)I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, (AS)you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in (AT)the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in (AU)the temple. And (AV)he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And (AW)when his time of (AX)service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, (AY)to take away my reproach among people.”

Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month the angel (AZ)Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named (BA)Nazareth, 27 (BB)to a virgin betrothed[b] to a man whose name was Joseph, (BC)of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, (BD)O favoured one, (BE)the Lord is with you!”[c] 29 But (BF)she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for (BG)you have found favour with God. 31 And behold, (BH)you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and (BI)you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of (BJ)the Most High. And the Lord God (BK)will give to him the throne of (BL)his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob (BM)for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”[d]

35 And the angel answered her, (BN)“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of (BO)the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[e] will be called (BP)holy—(BQ)the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her (BR)who was called barren. 37 For (BS)nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant[f] of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And (BT)the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into (BU)the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth (BV)was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, (BW)“Blessed are you among women, and (BX)blessed is (BY)the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of (BZ)my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And (CA)blessed is she who believed that there would be[g] a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat

46 And Mary said,

(CB)“My (CC)soul (CD)magnifies the Lord,
47     (CE)and my (CF)spirit rejoices in (CG)God my Saviour,
48 for (CH)he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations (CI)will call me blessed;
49 for (CJ)he who is mighty (CK)has done great things for me,
    and (CL)holy is his name.
50 And (CM)his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
51 (CN)He has shown strength with his arm;
    (CO)he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 (CP)he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    (CQ)and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled (CR)the hungry with good things,
    and the rich (CS)he has sent away empty.
54 He has (CT)helped (CU)his servant Israel,
    (CV)in remembrance of his mercy,
55 (CW)as he spoke to our fathers,
    (CX)to Abraham and to his offspring for ever.”

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

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord (CY)had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And (CZ)on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; (DA)he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And (DB)they made signs to his father, enquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for (DC)a writing tablet and wrote, (DD)“His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 (DE)And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue (DF)loosed, and he spoke, (DG)blessing God. 65 And (DH)fear came on all their neighbours. And all these things were talked about through all (DI)the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them (DJ)laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For (DK)the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zechariah's Prophecy

67 And his father Zechariah (DL)was filled with the Holy Spirit and (DM)prophesied, saying,

68 (DN)“Blessed be the Lord (DO)God of Israel,
    for he has (DP)visited and (DQ)redeemed his people
69 and (DR)has raised up (DS)a horn of salvation for us
    (DT)in the house of his servant David,
70 (DU)as (DV)he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71 (DW)that we should be saved from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 (DX)to show the mercy promised to our fathers
    and (DY)to remember his holy (DZ)covenant,
73 (EA)the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74     that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him (EB)without fear,
75     (EC)in holiness and righteousness before him (ED)all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called (EE)the prophet of (EF)the Most High;
    for (EG)you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    (EH)in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the (EI)tender mercy of our God,
    whereby (EJ)the sunrise shall (EK)visit us[h] (EL)from on high
79 to (EM)give light to (EN)those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into (EO)the way of (EP)peace.”

80 (EQ)And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was (ER)in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:5 Greek Zacharias
  2. Luke 1:27 That is, legally pledged to be married
  3. Luke 1:28 Some manuscripts add Blessed are you among women!
  4. Luke 1:34 Greek since I do not know a man
  5. Luke 1:35 Some manuscripts add of you
  6. Luke 1:38 Greek bondservant; also verse 48
  7. Luke 1:45 Or believed, for there will be
  8. Luke 1:78 Or when the sunrise shall dawn upon us; some manuscripts since the sunrise has visited us