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Birth Announcement of John the Baptist

During the reign[a] of Herod[b] king of Judea, there lived a priest named Zechariah who belonged to[c] the priestly division of Abijah,[d] and he had a wife named Elizabeth,[e] who was a descendant of Aaron.[f] They[g] were both righteous in the sight of God, following[h] all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.[i] But they did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren,[j] and they were both very old.[k]

Now[l] while Zechariah[m] was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty,[n] he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood,[o] to enter[p] the Holy Place[q] of the Lord and burn incense. 10 Now[r] the whole crowd[s] of people were praying[t] outside at the hour of the incense offering.[u] 11 An[v] angel of the Lord,[w] standing on the right side of the altar of incense, appeared[x] to him. 12 And Zechariah, visibly shaken when he saw the angel,[y] was seized with fear.[z] 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard,[aa] and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son; you[ab] will name him John.[ac] 14 Joy and gladness will come[ad] to you, and many will rejoice at[ae] his birth,[af] 15 for he will be great in the sight of[ag] the Lord. He[ah] must never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.[ai] 16 He[aj] will turn[ak] many of the people[al] of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go as forerunner before the Lord[am] in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,[an] to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.”

18 Zechariah[ao] said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this?[ap] For I am an old man, and my wife is old as well.”[aq] 19 The[ar] angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands[as] in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring[at] you this good news. 20 And now,[au] because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time,[av] you will be silent, unable to speak,[aw] until the day these things take place.”

21 Now[ax] the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they began to wonder[ay] why he was delayed in the Holy Place.[az] 22 When[ba] he came out, he was not able to speak to them. They[bb] realized that he had seen a vision[bc] in the Holy Place,[bd] because[be] he was making signs to them and remained unable to speak.[bf] 23 When his time of service was over,[bg] he went to his home.

24 After some time[bh] his wife Elizabeth became pregnant,[bi] and for five months she kept herself in seclusion.[bj] She said,[bk] 25 “This is what[bl] the Lord has done for me at the time[bm] when he has been gracious to me,[bn] to take away my disgrace[bo] among people.”[bp]

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Notas al pie

  1. Luke 1:5 tn Grk “It happened that in the days.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  2. Luke 1:5 sn Herod was Herod the Great, who ruled Palestine from 37 b.c. until he died in 4 b.c. He was known for his extensive building projects (including the temple in Jerusalem) and for his cruelty.
  3. Luke 1:5 tn Grk “of,” but the meaning of the preposition ἐκ (ek) is more accurately expressed in contemporary English by the relative clause “who belonged to.”
  4. Luke 1:5 sn There were twenty-four divisions of priesthood and the priestly division of Abijah was eighth on the list according to 1 Chr 24:10.
  5. Luke 1:5 tn Grk “and her name was Elizabeth.”
  6. Luke 1:5 tn Grk “a wife of the daughters of Aaron.”sn It was not unusual for a priest to have a wife from a priestly family (a descendant of Aaron); this was regarded as a special blessing.
  7. Luke 1:6 tn Grk “And they.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
  8. Luke 1:6 tn Grk “walking in” (an idiom for one’s lifestyle).sn The description of Zechariah and Elizabeth as following…blamelessly was not to say that they were sinless, but that they were faithful and pious. Thus a practical righteousness is meant here (Gen 6:8; Deut 28:9).
  9. Luke 1:6 tn The predicate adjective has the effect of an adverb here (BDF §243).
  10. Luke 1:7 sn Elizabeth was barren. Both Zechariah and Elizabeth are regarded by Luke as righteous in the sight of God, following all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly (v. 6). With this language, reminiscent of various passages in the OT, Luke is probably drawing implicit comparisons to the age and barrenness of such famous OT personalities as Abraham and Sarah (see, e.g., Gen 18:9-15), the mother of Samson (Judg 13:2-5), and Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Sam 1:1-20). And, as it was in the case of these OT saints, so it is with Elizabeth: After much anguish and seeking the Lord, she too is going to have a son in her barrenness. In that day it was a great reproach to be childless, for children were a sign of God’s blessing (cf. Gen 1:28; Lev 20:20-21; Pss 127 and 128; Jer 22:30). As the dawn of salvation draws near, however, God will change this elderly couple’s grief into great joy and grant them the one desire time had rendered impossible.
  11. Luke 1:7 tn Grk “were both advanced in days” (an idiom for old age).
  12. Luke 1:8 tn Grk “Now it happened that.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  13. Luke 1:8 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Zechariah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  14. Luke 1:8 tn Grk “serving as priest in the order of his division before God.”sn Zechariah’s division would be on duty twice a year for a week at a time.
  15. Luke 1:9 tn Grk “according to the custom of the priesthood it fell to him by lot.” The order of the clauses has been rearranged in the translation to make it clear that the prepositional phrase κατὰ τὸ ἔθος τῆς ἱερατείας (kata to ethos tēs hierateias, “according to the custom of the priesthood”) modifies the phrase “it fell to him by lot” rather than the preceding clause.
  16. Luke 1:9 tn This is an aorist participle and is temporally related to the offering of incense, not to when the lot fell.
  17. Luke 1:9 tn Or “temple.” Such sacrifices, which included the burning of incense, would have occurred in the holy place according to the Mishnah (m. Tamid 1.2; 3.1; 5-7). A priest would have given this sacrifice, which was offered for the nation, once in one’s career. It would be offered either at 9 a.m. or 3 p.m., since it was made twice a day.
  18. Luke 1:10 tn Grk “And,” but “now” better represents the somewhat parenthetical nature of this statement in the flow of the narrative.
  19. Luke 1:10 tn Grk “all the multitude.” While “assembly” is sometimes used here to translate πλῆθος (plēthos), that term usually implies in English a specific or particular group of people. However, this was simply a large group gathered outside, which was not unusual, especially for the afternoon offering.
  20. Luke 1:10 tn The plural verb is used here on the probability that the crowd acted as individuals, each person praying on their own but at the same time. English versions are divided on how they handle this; see, e.g., NRSV, HCSB, which have the singular verb “was praying.”
  21. Luke 1:10 tn The “hour of the incense offering” is another way to refer to the time of sacrifice.
  22. Luke 1:11 tn Grk “And an angel.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, δέ (de) has not been translated here.
  23. Luke 1:11 tn Or “the angel of the Lord.” Linguistically, “angel of the Lord” is the same in both testaments (and thus, he is either “an angel of the Lord” or “the angel of the Lord” in both testaments). For arguments and implications, see ExSyn 252; M. J. Davidson, “Angels,” DJG, 9; W. G. MacDonald argues for “an angel” in both testaments: “Christology and ‘The Angel of the Lord’,” Current Issues in Biblical and Patristic Interpretation, 324-35.
  24. Luke 1:11 sn This term is often used to describe a supernatural appearance (24:34; Acts 2:3; 7:2, 30, 35; 9:17; 13:31; 16:9; 26:16).
  25. Luke 1:12 tn The words “the angel” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
  26. Luke 1:12 tn Or “and he was afraid”; Grk “fear fell upon him.” Fear is common when supernatural agents appear (1:29-30, 65; 2:9; 5:8-10; 9:34; 24:38; Exod 15:16; Judg 6:22-23; 13:6, 22; 2 Sam 6:9).
  27. Luke 1:13 tn The passive means that the prayer was heard by God.sn Your prayer has been heard. Zechariah’s prayer while offering the sacrifice would have been for the nation, but the answer to the prayer also gave them a long hoped-for child, a hope they had abandoned because of their old age.
  28. Luke 1:13 tn Grk “a son, and you”; καί (kai) has not been translated. Instead a semicolon is used in the translation for stylistic reasons.
  29. Luke 1:13 tn Grk “you will call his name John.” The future tense here functions like a command (see ExSyn 569-70). This same construction occurs in v. 31.snDo not be afraid…you must call his name John.” This is a standard birth announcement (see Gen 16:11; Isa 7:14; Matt 1:21; Luke 1:31).
  30. Luke 1:14 tn Grk “This will be joy and gladness.”
  31. Luke 1:14 tn Or “because of.”
  32. Luke 1:14 tn “At his birth” is more precise as the grammatical subject (1:58), though “at his coming” is a possible force, since it is his mission, as the following verses note, that will really bring joy.
  33. Luke 1:15 tn Grk “before.”
  34. Luke 1:15 tn Grk “and he”; because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the conjunction καί (kai) has not been translated here. Instead a new English sentence is begun in the translation.
  35. Luke 1:15 tn Grk “even from his mother’s womb.” While this idiom may be understood to refer to the point of birth (“even from his birth”), Luke 1:41 suggests that here it should be understood to refer to a time before birth.sn He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. This is the language of the birth of a prophet (Judg 13:5, 7; Isa 49:1; Jer 1:5; Sir 49:7); see 1:41 for the first fulfillment.
  36. Luke 1:16 tn Grk “And he.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  37. Luke 1:16 sn The word translated will turn is a good summary term for repentance and denotes John’s call to a change of direction (Luke 3:1-14).
  38. Luke 1:16 tn Grk “sons,” but clearly this is a generic reference to people of both genders.
  39. Luke 1:17 tn Grk “before him”; the referent (the Lord) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  40. Luke 1:17 sn These two lines cover all relationships: Turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children points to horizontal relationships, while (turn) the disobedient to the wisdom of the just shows what God gives from above in a vertical manner.
  41. Luke 1:18 tn Grk “And Zechariah.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  42. Luke 1:18 tn Grk “How will I know this?”
  43. Luke 1:18 tn Grk “is advanced in days” (an idiom for old age).
  44. Luke 1:19 tn Grk “And the.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  45. Luke 1:19 tn Grk “the one who is standing before God.”
  46. Luke 1:19 tn Grk “to announce these things of good news to you.”
  47. Luke 1:20 tn Grk “behold.”
  48. Luke 1:20 sn The predicted fulfillment in the expression my words, which will be fulfilled in their time takes place in Luke 1:63-66.
  49. Luke 1:20 sn Silent, unable to speak. Actually Zechariah was deaf and mute as 1:61-63 indicates, since others had to use gestures to communicate with him.
  50. Luke 1:21 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
  51. Luke 1:21 tn The imperfect verb ἐθαύμαζον (ethaumazon) has been translated as an ingressive imperfect.
  52. Luke 1:21 tn Or “temple.” See the note on the phrase “the holy place” in v. 9.
  53. Luke 1:22 tn Grk “And when.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  54. Luke 1:22 tn Grk “and they.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  55. Luke 1:22 tn That is, “he had had a supernatural encounter in the holy place,” since the angel came to Zechariah by the altar. This was not just a “mental experience.”
  56. Luke 1:22 tn Or “temple.” See the note on the phrase “the holy place” in v. 9.
  57. Luke 1:22 tn Grk “and,” but the force is causal or explanatory in context.
  58. Luke 1:22 tn Grk “dumb,” but this could be understood to mean “stupid” in contemporary English, whereas the point is that he was speechless.
  59. Luke 1:23 tn Grk “And it happened that as the days of his service were ended.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  60. Luke 1:24 tn Grk “After these days.” The phrase refers to a general, unspecified period of time that passes before fulfillment comes.
  61. Luke 1:24 tn Or “Elizabeth conceived.”
  62. Luke 1:24 sn The text does not state why Elizabeth withdrew into seclusion, nor is the reason entirely clear.
  63. Luke 1:24 tn Grk “she kept herself in seclusion, saying.” The participle λέγουσα (legousa) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  64. Luke 1:25 tn Grk “Thus.”
  65. Luke 1:25 tn Grk “in the days.”
  66. Luke 1:25 tn Grk “has looked on me” (an idiom for taking favorable notice of someone).
  67. Luke 1:25 sn Barrenness was often seen as a reproach or disgrace (Lev 20:20-21; Jer 22:30), but now at her late age (the exact age is never given in Luke’s account), God had miraculously removed it (see also Luke 1:7).
  68. Luke 1:25 tn Grk “among men,” but the context clearly indicates a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) here.

There was ginomai in en the ho days hēmera of Herod hērōdēs, king basileus of ho Judah Ioudaia, a certain tis priest hiereus by the name onoma of Zechariah Zacharias, of ek the priestly division ephēmeria of Abijah Abia; and kai his autos wife gynē was from ek the ho daughters thugatēr of Aaron Aarōn, and kai · ho her autos name onoma was Elizabeth Elisabet. And de they were eimi both amphoteroi righteous dikaios before enantion · ho God theos, walking poreuō blamelessly amemptos in en all pas the ho commandments entolē and kai ordinances dikaiōma of the ho Lord kyrios. But kai they autos did not ou have eimi a child teknon, because kathoti Elizabeth Elisabet was eimi · ho barren steira, and kai both amphoteroi of them autos were eimi advanced probainō in en · ho years hēmera.

Now de it happened ginomai, while en · ho he autos was serving hierateuō as priest before enanti God theos when en · ho his autos priestly division ephēmeria was on duty taxis, · ho · ho that according kata to the ho custom ethos of the ho priesthood hierateia, he was chosen lanchanō by lot to ho go eiserchomai into eis the ho temple naos of the ho Lord kyrios and burn incense thumiaō, 10 and kai the ho whole pas crowd plēthos of ho people laos was eimi there, praying proseuchomai outside exō at the ho hour hōra of ho incense thumiama. 11 And de an angel angelos of kyrios the Lord kyrios appeared horaō to him autos, standing histēmi at ek the right dexios side of the ho altar thusiastērion of ho incense thumiama. 12 · kai Zechariah Zacharias was troubled tarassō when he saw him and kai fear phobos fell epipiptō upon epi him autos. 13 But de the ho angel angelos said legō to pros him autos: “ Do not fear phobeomai, Zechariah Zacharias, because dioti your sy prayer deēsis has been heard eisakouō, · ho and kai · ho your sy wife gynē Elizabeth Elisabet will bear gennaō you sy a son hyios, and kai you will call kaleō · ho his autos name onoma John Iōannēs. 14 And kai for you sy there will be eimi joy chara and kai gladness agalliasis, and kai many polys will rejoice chairō because epi of · ho his autos birth genesis, 15 for gar he will be eimi great megas before enōpion the ho Lord kyrios. And kai he must pinō not ou drink pinō wine oinos and kai strong sikera drink , and kai he will be filled with pimplēmi the Holy hagios Spirit pneuma, even eti from ek his autos mother’ s mētēr womb koilia. 16 and kai he will restore epistrephō many polys of the ho sons hyios of Israel Israēl to epi the Lord kyrios · ho their autos God theos. 17 · kai He autos will go proerchomai on before enōpion him autos, in en the spirit pneuma and kai power dynamis of Elijah ēlias, to turn epistrephō the hearts kardia of fathers patēr toward epi their children teknon, and kai the disobedient apeithēs to en the wisdom phronēsis of the righteous dikaios, in order to establish hetoimazō for the Lord kyrios a people laos who are prepared kataskeuazō for him.”

18 But kai Zechariah Zacharias said legō to pros the ho angel angelos, “ How kata tis can I be sure ginōskō of this houtos? For gar I egō am eimi an old presbytēs man and kai · ho my egō wife gynē is advanced probainō in en · ho years hēmera?” 19 And kai the ho angel angelos answered apokrinomai, saying legō to him autos, “ I egō am eimi Gabriel Gabriēl, who ho stands paristēmi in the presence enōpion of ho God theos, and kai I was sent apostellō to speak laleō to pros you sy, and kai to tell euangelizō you sy the good news of these houtos things . 20 And kai now idou you will be eimi reduced to silence siōpaō and kai not be able dynamai to speak laleō until achri the hos day hēmera in which these things houtos happen ginomai, because anti hos you did not ou believe pisteuō · ho my egō words logos, which hostis will be fulfilled plēroō in eis · ho their autos time kairos.”

21 And kai the ho people laos were eimi waiting prosdokaō for · ho Zechariah Zacharias, and kai they began to wonder thaumazō why en · ho he autos stayed chronizō so long in en the ho temple naos. 22 When he came exerchomai out , · de he was not ou able dynamai to speak laleō to them autos; and kai they realized epiginōskō that hoti he had seen horaō a vision optasia in en the ho temple naos · kai ( he autos kept eimi gesturing dianeuō to them autos and kai remained diamenō mute kōphos). 23 · kai When hōs the ho days hēmera of ho his autos priestly service leitourgia were over pimplēmi, he went aperchomai to eis · ho his autos home oikos.

24 After meta · de these houtos · ho days hēmera, Elizabeth Elisabet his autos wife gynē became pregnant syllambanō, · ho and kai she kept perikrybō herself heautou in seclusion for five pente months mēn, saying legō, 25  Thus houtōs the Lord kyrios has done poieō for me egō in en the days hēmera in which hos he looked with favor to take aphaireō away my egō reproach oneidos among en people anthrōpos.”

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