Introduction

Since many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us,

just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word,

it seemed fitting to me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in an orderly sequence, most excellent Theophilus;

so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.

Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division,

Now an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.

Zechariah was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb.

And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.

And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in her years.”

The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.

And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”

But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple, and he repeatedly made signs to them, and remained speechless.

When the days of his priestly service were concluded, he went back home.

Now after these days his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying,

Jesus’ Birth Foretold

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth,

And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”

But she was very perplexed at this statement, and was pondering what kind of greeting this was.

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;

But Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”