Dedication to Theophilus
Luke begins his Gospel with a formal preface...
Luke begins his Gospel with a formal preface in the style of the best Greek writers of his day. These four verses are some of the finest literary Greek in the New Testament.
1Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth
Luke’s first two chapters give an account of...
Luke’s first two chapters give an account of Jesus’ birth and introduce key themes that will appear later in Luke–Acts. The announcements and birth stories for Jesus and John the Baptist run side by side, showing their parallel roles in bringing God’s salvation. At each point, Jesus is shown to be greater. John is the forerunner announcing Jesus’ coming; Jesus is the Savior.
5In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. 6Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord. 7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
his order was on duty that week... he...
- his order was on duty that week . . . he was chosen by lot: It was common in Old Testament times to cast lots (similar to throwing dice) to determine God’s will (1 Chr 26:13–16; Neh 11:1; Prov 16:33; Jon 1:7). There were twenty-four orders of priests (1 Chr 24:1–19) that took turns in the Temple, and lots were cast to determine which priest would serve in the sanctuary. There were a large number of priests, so this privilege might come only once in a priest’s lifetime. The angel appeared at the most sacred moment of Zechariah’s life.
- to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense:. Luke uses the word here translated sanctuary (Greek naos) for the Temple building, not the whole Temple grounds, which he calls hieron (Luke 2:27). The Temple building included the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (see Heb 9:1–5). The priests burned incense twice a day in the Holy Place.
8One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.
11Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear: Fear...
- Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear: Fear and awe are common reactions when someone sees an angel or experiences the presence of God (Judg 6:22–23; 13:22; Isa 6:5). The person is often reassured by a saying such as Don’t be afraid.
- you are to name him John: John means “the Lord has shown favor.” This favor came to Elizabeth and Zechariah through their son and to the Israelite nation through the Messiah, whose coming John would announce.
12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. 16Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God. 17And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children† and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”
19“I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”
21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple. 22When he came out and was unable to speak to them, they realized he had seen a vision in the temple. He kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. 23And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.
24After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared, 25“The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
Gabriel Foretells Jesus’ Birth
26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings,† you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”†
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
These verses echo God’s covenant with David (2...
These verses echo God’s covenant with David (2 Sam 7:11–16), the foundational promise of the coming Messiah (see also Isa 9:6–7; 11:1–5; Jer 23:5–6; 33:15–16; Ezek 37:24–25).
32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, 33and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”
34“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born† will be called the Son of God. 36Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. 37For no word from God will ever fail.”†
38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah, 40where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”
Mary’s Song
Mary’s song is the first of three songs...
Mary’s song is the first of three songs of praise in the birth narrative. It is called the Magnificat (“magnifies”), from the first word in the Latin translation. The song has many parallels to Hannah’s prayer in 1 Sam 2:1–10. The fact that God cares for the oppressed and reverses their fortunes is a common theme throughout Luke’s Gospel. The coming of God’s Kingdom brings salvation to rejected and outcast people.
46Then Mary said:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!48For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant.From now on all generations will call me blessed.49For the Mighty One has done great things for me.Holy is His name.50His mercy extends to those who fear Him,from generation to generation.51He has performed mighty deeds with His arm;He has scattered those who are proudin the thoughts of their hearts.52He has brought down rulers from their thrones,but has exalted the humble.53He has filled the hungry with good things,but has sent the rich away empty.
Gabriel’s words in 1:32–33 recalled God’s covenant with...
- Gabriel’s words in 1:32–33 recalled God’s covenant with David; here Mary alluded to God’s covenant with Abraham (Gen 12:1–3; 17:3–8).
- The coming of Jesus brought glory to Israel and salvation to the Gentiles (see Luke 2:32).
56Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
The Birth of John the Baptist
57When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
59On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah. 60But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
61They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.”
they used gestures: Zechariah was mute and deaf...
they used gestures: Zechariah was mute and deaf (see study note on 1:20). Zechariah’s obedience in naming the child John confirmed his faith, and his voice and hearing were restored.
62So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.
63Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. 64Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.
65All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events. 66And all who heard this wondered in their hearts and asked, “What then will this child become?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
Zechariah’s Song
This second hymn of the birth narrative is...
This second hymn of the birth narrative is called the Benedictus (“Blessed” or “Praise”), from the first word of the Latin translation. The hymn expects God’s Messiah to deliver the Israelites from their enemies. Salvation entails physical deliverance and forgiveness of sins (1:77).
67Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,because He has visited and redeemed His people.69He has raised up a horn of salvation for usin the house of His servant David,70as He spoke through His holy prophets,those of ages past,71salvation from our enemiesand from the hand of all who hate us,72to show mercy to our fathersand to remember His holy covenant,73the oath He swore to our father Abraham,74deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,75in holiness and righteousness before Himall the days of our lives.
And you, my little son: Zechariah turned from...
- And you, my little son: Zechariah turned from speaking about the coming Messiah to address his newborn son, John, who would prepare the Messiah’s way.
- called the prophet of the Most High: John was the last and greatest in the line of Old Testament prophets (see 7:28).
- prepare the way for the Lord: See Isa 40:3.
80And the child grew and became strong in spirit;† and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel.