CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
Luke 1
Chapter 1 of 24
Chapter Overview
What happens in Luke 1
Luke opens with a prologue dedicating his orderly account to Theophilus, then narrates two miraculous birth announcements: the angel Gabriel appears first to the priest Zacharias to announce the birth of John the Baptist, and then to the virgin Mary to announce the birth of Jesus. The chapter culminates in Mary's song of praise (the Magnificat) and Zacharias' prophetic hymn (the Benedictus).
Scripture
Luke 1
Luke's Prologue to Theophilus
Study note
Luke begins by explaining his purpose: to write a carefully researched, orderly account of the events surrounding Jesus so that Theophilus can know the certainty of what he has been taught. This prologue establishes Luke as a historian who investigated eyewitness testimony, setting his Gospel apart as a work of deliberate scholarship and reliability.
1 Many people have already written reports. They wrote about things we are fully sure took place. Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 They wrote down what was passed on to us by people who were there from the start. Those people gave their lives to sharing God's message. Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 I looked into all of this from the very start. I checked it all with great care. Now I will write it all out for you in order, dear Theophilus. It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
4 My goal is to help you be totally confident about the things you have already learned. That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
Gabriel Announces John's Birth
Study note
The aged priest Zacharias, serving in the temple, receives an angelic visit from Gabriel announcing that his barren wife Elisabeth will bear a son named John. This child will go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah. When Zacharias doubts the message, he is struck mute until the promise is fulfilled. Elisabeth conceives and praises God for removing her reproach.
5 Back when Herod was king over Judaea, there lived a priest called Zacharias. He was part of the priestly group of Abia. His wife came from the family line of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6 Both of them lived right before God. They carefully obeyed every one of the Lord's commands and rules, and nobody could find fault with them. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7 But they had no children because Elisabeth could not get pregnant. By now they were both very old. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8 One day, when his group of priests had the job of serving, Zacharias was doing his duties before God. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
9 He was chosen by lot that day. His job was to go inside the Lord's temple. There he would burn incense. According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10 While the incense was being offered, a big crowd of people stood outside praying. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11 Then, an angel of the Lord arrived and stood to the right of the incense altar. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 The sight of the angel shook Zacharias deeply, and fear rushed over him. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 The angel told him, "Don't be afraid, Zacharias. God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elisabeth is going to have a baby boy, and you should name him John." But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14 "He will bring you so much happiness, and many other people will celebrate when he is born." And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15 "This child will be important in God's eyes. He must never drink wine or any strong drink. Even before he is born, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit." For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
16 "He will bring many of the people of Israel back to the Lord their God." And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17 "He will go ahead of the Lord with the same spirit and power that Elias had. He will bring fathers and children back together and turn those who refuse to obey toward the wisdom of those who do what is right. His job will be to get people ready for the Lord's coming." And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, 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 Zacharias asked the angel, "How can I be sure this will truly happen? I am old, and so is my wife." And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19 The angel replied, "My name is Gabriel. I serve right in God's presence, and he sent me here to speak to you and deliver this wonderful news." And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20 "But pay attention! Because you did not believe what I told you, you will lose your ability to speak. You will stay silent until the day all of this comes true, and it will happen right on schedule." And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
21 Outside, the people were waiting for Zacharias. They were confused about why he was taking so long inside the temple. And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22 When he finally came out, he could not say a word to them. They figured out that he must have seen something amazing in the temple, because he kept trying to communicate with hand motions and still could not talk. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23 After his time of service at the temple was complete, he headed back home. And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24 Soon after that, his wife Elisabeth found out she was pregnant. She stayed out of sight for five months, saying, And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25 "The Lord has done this wonderful thing for me. He has been gracious to me and taken away the embarrassment I felt around other people." Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
Gabriel Announces Jesus' Birth
Study note
Six months later, Gabriel visits Mary, a virgin in Nazareth engaged to Joseph of David's line, announcing she will conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear a son named Jesus who will be called the Son of the Most High and reign over an eternal kingdom. Mary's humble response -- 'I am the handmaid of the Lord' -- stands in contrast to Zacharias' doubt and models faithful obedience to God's extraordinary call.
26 Elisabeth was six months along. God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth. And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 He was sent to a young woman who had never been with a man. She was engaged to marry a man named Joseph, who was a descendant of King David. The young woman's name was Mary. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel appeared to her and said, "Hello, favored one! The Lord is right here with you. You are blessed more than any other woman." And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 His words confused and unsettled her, and she tried to figure out what this kind of greeting could possibly mean. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 The angel said, "You have nothing to worry about, Mary. God is very pleased with you." And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 "This is what will happen: you are going to become pregnant and have a baby boy, and you must give him the name JESUS." And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 "He will be an extraordinary person, and people will call him the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will give him the royal throne that belonged to his ancestor David." He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 "He will rule over the family of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never come to an end." And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Mary asked the angel, "How is this possible? I have never been with a man." Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 The angel explained, "The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High God will surround you like a shadow. Therefore the holy child born to you will be called the Son of God." And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 "And here is something else: your relative Elisabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. She is already six months pregnant, and everyone used to say she could never have children." And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38 Mary answered, "I belong to the Lord. Let everything happen to me just as you have said." After that, the angel went away. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Mary Visits Elisabeth
Study note
Mary travels to visit her relative Elisabeth, and when Elisabeth hears Mary's greeting, the baby leaps in her womb and Elisabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit. Mary responds with the Magnificat, a song celebrating God's mercy to the humble and hungry while scattering the proud and powerful. This hymn connects God's faithfulness to His promises to Abraham with the new work He is doing through Mary's child.
39 Not long after, Mary packed up quickly and traveled to a town in the hills of Juda. And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
40 She went into the home of Zacharias. She greeted Elisabeth. And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41 The moment Elisabeth heard Mary's voice, the baby inside her jumped. At that same instant, Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
42 She called out loudly, "You are the most blessed of all women, and the child you are carrying is blessed too!" And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43 "How is it that I deserve a visit from the mother of my Lord?" And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 "The second your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my belly jumped for pure happiness." For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 "How wonderful that you believed! Everything the Lord promised you is going to happen." And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
46 Mary responded, "Deep inside, I am praising the Lord with everything I have," And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 "and my spirit is overflowing with joy because of God, who saves me." And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 "He paid attention to me even though I am just a humble servant. From this point on, people in every generation will say that I am blessed." For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49 "The Mighty God has done incredible things for me. His name is set apart and holy." For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50 "He is kind to those who respect him. This goes on from one age group to the next." And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51 "He has used his mighty arm to do powerful things. He has scattered people who think too highly of themselves." He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 "He has pulled rulers down from their thrones. He has lifted up humble people who were overlooked." He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 "He has given plenty of good things to people who were starving, and he has sent the wealthy away with nothing." He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54 "He has come to help his servant Israel because he remembered his promise of mercy," He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55 "He made a promise to our fathers long ago. He promised Abraham and all his children after him. This promise lasts forever." As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
56 Mary lived with Elisabeth for around three months before going back to her own home. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
The Birth and Naming of John
Study note
Elisabeth gives birth and the family gathers for the circumcision, expecting the child to be named after his father. Both Elisabeth and the still-mute Zacharias insist the child be called John, and when Zacharias writes the name, his speech is immediately restored. Fear and wonder spread throughout the hill country of Judaea as people recognize God's hand on this child.
57 The time arrived for Elisabeth to have her baby, and she gave birth to a boy. Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
58 Her neighbors and family heard how the Lord had been so kind to her. They celebrated right along with her. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
59 Eight days later, everyone gathered for the baby's circumcision ceremony. They planned to name him Zacharias, like his dad. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
60 But his mother spoke up and said, "No! His name will be John." And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
61 They told her, "But nobody in your family has that name." And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
62 So they used hand signals to ask his father what name he wanted for the baby. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
63 Zacharias motioned for something to write on. He wrote, "His name is John." Everyone was shocked. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
64 Right away, his mouth started working again and his tongue was free. He began speaking and praising God. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
65 A sense of awe fell over everyone living nearby. People throughout the entire hill country of Judaea were talking about what had happened. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa.
66 Everybody who heard the story held on to it and wondered, "What is this child going to grow up to be?" It was clear that the Lord's hand was on him. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Zacharias' Prophetic Hymn
Study note
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Zacharias prophesies in the Benedictus, praising God for visiting and redeeming Israel by raising up a mighty savior from David's house. He then addresses his infant son John, declaring he will be a prophet who prepares the way of the Lord by giving people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins. The chapter closes noting John's growth and his time in the wilderness before his public ministry.
67 Zacharias, his father, was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke these words from God: And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
68 "All praise to the Lord, the God of Israel! He has come to his people and set them free." Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
69 "He has given us a mighty Savior from the family of his servant David," And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
70 "just as he announced long ago through his holy prophets," As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
71 "He promised to save us from our enemies. He would save us from all who are against us." That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72 "He did this to keep the mercy he promised our fathers. He also did it to honor his holy covenant with them." To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
73 "the solemn promise he swore to our ancestor Abraham," The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
74 "that once we are rescued from those who hate us, we would be free to serve him without being afraid," That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
75 "Living pure and right before him every day of our lives." In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
76 "And you, little one, will be known as the prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord to get everything ready for him," And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
77 "teaching his people that salvation comes through having their sins forgiven," To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
78 "all because of the deep, loving mercy of our God. Like the sunrise from above, he has come to visit us," Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79 "to shine light on those trapped in darkness and living under the shadow of death, and to point our feet toward the path of peace." To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
80 The boy grew up and became strong in his spirit. He spent his time living in the desert until the day he stepped out and showed himself to Israel. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
Key Themes
Themes in Luke 1
God's faithfulness to His promisesThe work of the Holy SpiritMiraculous birth announcementsHumility and faithful obedienceGod's mercy to the lowlyProphetic fulfillment
Prophetic Connections
How this chapter points to Christ
Luke 1:17 Malachi 4:5-6
Gabriel's description of John turning the hearts of fathers to children echoes Malachi's prophecy of Elijah coming before the great day of the Lord.
Luke 1:31-33 2 Samuel 7:12-16
The angel's promise that Jesus will receive the throne of David and reign over an eternal kingdom fulfills God's covenant with David about an everlasting dynasty.
Luke 1:54-55 Genesis 22:17-18
Mary's Magnificat celebrates God remembering His mercy to Abraham and his descendants forever, recalling the Abrahamic covenant promise of blessing.
Apply This Today
Living Luke 1
Luke 1 shows that God often works through unlikely people in unexpected circumstances -- an elderly barren couple and a young virgin. When God calls us to something beyond our understanding, we can respond with Mary's faith: 'Let it be done to me according to your word.' This chapter reminds us that nothing is impossible with God and that He remembers His promises across generations, inviting us to trust Him even when His plans seem impossible.
Go Deeper
Study Luke in Covenant Path
Read every chapter with study aids, bookmarks, and daily reading plans — free in the app.