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The Purpose and Method of Luke’s Gospel
1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those athings which 1have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who bfrom the beginning were ceyewitnesses and ministers of the word ddelivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having 2had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, emost excellent Theophilus, 4 fthat you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
Zacharias Ministers in the Temple
5 There was gin the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, hof the division of iAbijah. His jwife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, 3his lot fell kto burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 lAnd the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.
An Angel Announces the Birth of John the Baptist
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of mthe altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, nhe was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and oyou shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and pmany will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be qgreat in the sight of the Lord, and rshall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, seven from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 tHe will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, u“How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am vGabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you 4these glad wtidings. 20 But behold, xyou will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
23 So it was, as soon as ythe days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to ztake away my reproach among people.”
Gabriel Announces Christ’s Birth
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin abetrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, b“Rejoice, highly favored one, cthe Lord is with you; 5blessed are you among women!”
29 But 6when she saw him, dshe was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found efavor with God. 31 fAnd behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and gshall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, hand will be called the Son of the Highest; and ithe Lord God will give Him the jthrone of His kfather David. 33 lAnd He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I 7do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, m“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called nthe Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For owith God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, pto a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was qfilled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, r“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 sBlessed is she who 8believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
t“My soul 9magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has urejoiced in vGod my Savior.
48 For wHe has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth xall generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty yhas done great things for me,
And zholy is His name.
50 And aHis mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
51 bHe has shown strength with His arm;
cHe has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 dHe has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
53 He has efilled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His fservant Israel,
gIn remembrance of His mercy,
55 hAs He spoke to our ifathers,
To Abraham and to his jseed forever.”
56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.
57 Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they krejoiced with her.
59 So it was, lon the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60 His mother answered and said, m“No; he shall be called John.”
61 But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.
63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all those who heard them nkept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And othe hand of the Lord was with him.
Zacharias Prophesies of John’s Ministry
67 Now his father Zacharias pwas filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
68 “Blessed qis the Lord God of Israel,
For rHe has visited and redeemed His people,
69 sAnd has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David,
70 tAs He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been usince the world began,
71 That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
72 vTo perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
73 wThe oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might xserve Him without fear,
75 yIn holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
76 “And you, child, will be called the zprophet of the Highest;
For ayou will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
77 To give bknowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the 1Dayspring from on high 2has visited us;
79 cTo give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To dguide our feet into the way of peace.”
80 So ethe child grew and became strong in spirit, and fwas in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 aThis census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to bthe city of David, which is called Bethlehem, cbecause he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, dhis betrothed 1wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And eshe brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a 2manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Angels Announce Jesus to the Shepherds
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And 3behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, fand they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, g“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy hwhich will be to all people. 11 iFor there is born to you this day in the city of David ja Savior, kwho is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a 4manger.”
13 lAnd suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory mto God in the highest,
And on earth npeace, ogoodwill 5toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made 6widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 pBut Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and qpraising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
21 rAnd when eight days were completed 7for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called sJesus, the name given by the angel tbefore He was conceived in the womb.
22 Now when uthe days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 v(as it is written in the law of the Lord, w“Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord” ), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, x“A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, ywaiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not zsee death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came aby the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29 “Lord, bnow You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes chave seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 dA light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 8And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the efall and rising of many in Israel, and for fa sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, ga sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of hAsher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow 9of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers inight and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to 1the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who jlooked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 kAnd the Child grew and became strong 2in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
41 His parents went to lJerusalem mevery year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the ncustom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the odays, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And 3Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And pall who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be qabout rMy Father’s business?” 50 But sthey did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was 4subject to them, but His mother tkept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus uincreased in wisdom and stature, vand in favor with God and men.
The Ministry of John the Baptist
Matt. 3:1–12; Mark 1:2–8; John 1:19–31
3 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, aPontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 1while bAnnas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to cJohn the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3 dAnd he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance efor the remission of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:
f“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth;
6 And gall flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”
7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, h“Brood 2of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits iworthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore jevery tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 So the people asked him, saying, k“What shall we do then?”
11 He answered and said to them, l“He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, mlet him do likewise.”
12 Then ntax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”
13 And he said to them, o“Collect no more than what is appointed for you.”
14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?”
So he said to them, “Do not 3intimidate anyone por accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”
15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, q“I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will rbaptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and sgather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”
18 And with many other exhortations he preached to the people. 19 tBut Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his 4brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20 also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.
Matt. 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; John 1:32–34
21 When all the people were baptized, uit came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am vwell pleased.”
The Genealogy of Christ Through Mary
Gen. 5:1–32; 11:10–26; Ruth 4:18–22; 1 Chr. 1:1–4, 24–27, 34; 2:1–15; Matt. 1:2–6
23 Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at wabout thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) xthe son of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, 27 the son of Joannas, the son of Rhesa, the son of yZerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattathah, the son of zNathan, athe son of David, 32 bthe son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, cthe son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 dthe son of Cainan, the son of eArphaxad, fthe son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, gthe son of God.
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