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Chapter 1
Introduction
We infer from Paul's letters that Luke was a qualified physician (Col. 4:14) and we may assume that he was not a Jew, since Paul does not include him among "those of the circumcision" (Colossians 4:11). He joined Paul at Troas to journey into Macedonia as far as Philipipi. He is not mentioned on the second missionary journey but is found to be with Paul on the third missionary journey. Luke is also the writer of the book of Acts.
1:1-2 Now many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, like the accounts passed on to us by those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning.
In commencing his gospel Luke says that many believer's had attempted to write about the life of Jesus Christ having received their information from those who had been eyewitnesses of all the events that had occurred and the teachings they had received from Lord Jesus Christ and who had faithfully passed it on.
1:3-4 So it seemed good to me as well, because I have followed all things carefully from the beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know for certain the things you were taught.
Having considered the need for a full orderly account Luke had closely investigated everything from the beginning (John the Baptist's conception) and had decided to write his gospel for someone called Theophilus so that he would know that what he had heard was true.
The Conception of John the Baptist
1:5 During the reign of Herod king of Judea, there lived a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and he had a wife named Elizabeth, who was a descendant of Aaron.
Luke sets the time as being in the days of Herod Antipas, sometimes called Herod the Great, king of Judea by appointment of the Roman Emperor's. There was a priest of Abijah's division named Zechariah. The divisions of the priests were appointed by King David for serving in the temple (1 Chron. 24:10). His wfe was Elizabeth a descendent of Aaron the first high priest.
1:6 They were both righteous in the sight of God, following all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
They were both righteous in the eyes of God and lived blameless lives according to the law and commandments of the Lord.
1:7 But they did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both very old.
They were both getting on in years and had never had a child because Elizabeth was unable to conceive.
1:8-9 Now while Zechariah was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the holy place of the Lord and burn incense.
Zechariah was serving in the temple according to the order of his division and as the priestly custom was to cast lots to decide which function each priest should perfom it fell to him to go into the temple to burn incense.
1:10 Now the whole crowd of people were praying outside at the hour of the incense offering.
While the incense was being burned inside the temple the crowds of people were praying outside.
1:11-12 An angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense, appeared to him. And Zechariah, visibly shaken when he saw the angel, was seized with fear.
While he was doing this and angel of the Lord appeared to him standing at the right side of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw him he was shaken and overwhelmed with fear.
1:13-14 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; you will name him John. Joy and gladness will come to you, and many will rejoice at his birth.
The angel reassures him that there is no need to be afraid for he is a messenger from God and brings him good news. God had heard his and Elizabeth's persistent prayers for a child (Eph. 6:18). Elizabeth will have a son and his name is to be John (Jehovah's gift). Not only will he be the pride and joy of their lives but many people will be glad that he was born.
1:15-16 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.
He shall be exceedingly great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or any strong drink (Numbers 6:2-3).He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while he is still in Elizabeth's womb and because of his preaching the Word of God many people in Israel will repent and return to the Lord their God.
1:17 And he will go as forerunner before the Lord 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, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.
He shall go before Jesus Christ in the same spirit and power that Elijah did. In the same manner of life and zeal for the truth, rebuking and exhorting to repentance. Through him many parents and children and those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly shall turn to God (Mal. 4:5-6).
1:18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is old as well."
Zechariah could not believe the angel's words so he asks what proof is there that this will happen for he and Elizabeth were advanced in years.
1:19-20 The angel answered 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 now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will be silent, unable to speak, until the day these things take place."
For answer the angel makes known his name "Gabriel" which in the original was made up of two words meaning "the might of the strong God" (Clarke). Also his position "who stands in the presence of God" so he is the messenger of God sent directly from the presence of God to bring the good news. Because Zacheriah did not believe what Gabriel had told him he was struck dumb and would not be able to speak again until John the Baptist was born.
1:21 Now the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they began to wonder why he was delayed in the holy place.
Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zacheriah to come out of the temple and began to wonder why it was that he had not appeared.
1:22 When he came out, he was not able to speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision in the holy place, because he was making signs to them and remained unable to speak.
When he finally came out and they discovered that he could not speak to them they understood by the signs that he made that he had seen a vision in the temple.
1:23 When his time of service was over, he went to his home.
When he had come to the end of his service in the temple, Zechariah went home.
1:24-25 After some time his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she kept herself in seclusion. She said, "This is what the Lord has done for me at the time when he has been gracious to me, to take away my disgrace among people."
Soon after this Elizabeth became pregnant and didn't go out in public for five months. She acknowledged that it was the Lord who had healed her of barrenness and enabled her to conceive therefore taking away her disgrace among the people. To have children was considered to be a blessing from God and a fulfilment of His promise of fruitfulness (Lev. 26:9). To be barren was considered to be a sign of God's displeasure.
Gabriel's Announcment to Mary
1:26-27 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.
Six months after Elizabeth had become pregnant God sent Gabiel to Mary who lived in Nazareth in Galilee. She was a virgin promised in marraige to Joseph who was descendent of King David.
1:28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one, the Lord is with you!"
When the angel entered into her house he greeted her by saying "Rejoice ! the grace of the Lord is is upon you".
1:29 But she was greatly troubled by his words and began to wonder about the meaning of this greeting.
These words greatly disturbed her for she could not understand what the angel meant.
1:30 So the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God!
As he did with Zachariah so Gabriel reassures Mary and repeats that she has found grace in the sight of God.
1:31 Listen: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.
He then makes known to her the startling news that she would become pregnant and give birth to a son and that he was to be given the name Jesus which signifies Saviour (Isa. 7:14).
1:32-33 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. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end."
"He shall be great" in wisdom, power and glory and shall be the Son of God (Luke 3:22 and Isa. 9:6-7). God will give him the throne of His father David (Matt. 1:1 and 1 Kings 2:4) and he will reign over Israel forever.
1:34 Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?"
Mary could not understand how she could become pregnant for she had never had sexual intercourse with a man.
1:35 The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God.
The angel made it quite clear that this would be nothing to do with man but the Holy Spirit will come upon her and the power of the Most High shall bring the conception and the child that will be born will be the Son of God.
1:36-37 And look, your relative Elizabeth has also become pregnant with a son in her old age — although she was called barren, she is now in her sixth month! For nothing will be impossible with God.
He also makes known that her relative Elizabeth is also six months pregnant although elderly and was barren. Nothing is ever impossible with God (Gen. 18:14).
1:38 So Mary said, "Yes, I am a servant of the Lord; let this happen to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
Mary confesses her belief in Gabriel's announcment to her and her faith in God that it will happen as he had told her. Then the angel left. Mary's Visit to Elizabeth
1:39-40 In those days Mary got up and went hurriedly into the hill country, to a town of Judah, and entered Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth.
After the angel Gabriel had departed from Mary she immediately set out on her journey to visit Elizabeth who lived in the mountainous area of Judea. On entering the house of Zacharias her greeting to Elizabeth had a startling effect.
1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
As soon as Elizabeth heard the greeting the baby leaped in her womb not with a natural movement but at the voice of Mary who had now conceived the Messiah, the Christ; Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit because of the child in her womb (John 1:15).
1:42 She exclaimed with a loud voice, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb!
For the anointing of the Holy Spirit Elizabeth pronounces a benediction. Highly honoured by God among all women and blessed is the baby in your womb.
1:43 And who am I that the mother of my Lord should come and visit me?
It seems incredible to Elizabeth that the woman whom God had chosen to bear His Son should come to visit her. Elizabeth acknowledges that the child that Mary carries is her Lord.
1:44 For the instant the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
Elizabeth mentions that she knew Mary was the mother of her Lord because her baby had jump for joy within her.
1:45 And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled."
She then continues with her benediction. Mary is greatly blessed because she believed that the Lord would do what He had said.
Mary's Song of Praise
1:46-47 And Mary said, "My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior."
Mary responded with "My soul magnifies, extols the Lord and my spirit rejoices with great joy in God my Saviour. This shows us that Mary was divinely influenced and completely taken up with God. At this time she did not know the full extent or meaning of her words "My Saviour".
1:48 Because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant. For from now on all generations will call me blessed.
God had chosen a woman of low position who humbly considered herself to be a servant of the Lord to bring forth His Son, the Saviour of the world. Therefore, from now on all generations shall call her blessed. Mary did not say this with any high minded thought in being equal with the Son that she would give birth to but in all humility that the Sovereign God had chosen her.
1:49 Because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
She acknowledges that it is not anything that she has done or will do but it is the work of Almighty God whose Name is Holy.
1:50 From generation to generation he is merciful to those who fear him.
His compassion and kindness is shown towards all those who fear Him.
1:51 He has demonstrated power with his arm; he has scattered those whose pride wells up from the sheer arrogance of their hearts.
By the strength of His might arm He has done tremendous things and dispersed the proud and haughty in spirit.
1:52 He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up those of lowly position.
He has overthrown mighty kings and rulers from their thrones and has lifted up the humble (James 4:6-10 and 1 Peter 5:6).
1:53 He has filled the hungry with good things, and has sent the rich away empty.
He has fed people who are hungry with good food (Psa. 34:10 and Psa. 107:8-9) but has sent the rich away with empty hands.
1:54-55 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
He has come to the aid of His people Israel that they may remember His mercy towards them. Just as He promised that He would to Abraham and his decedents forevermore.
1:56 So Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months and left just before the birth of John.
The Birth of John the Baptist
1:57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to have her baby, and she gave birth to a son.
The time that Elizabeth should be delivered came and she gave birth to a son just as the angel Gabriel had said.
1:58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
When all the neighbours and relatives heard God had been merciful to Elizabeth, who had been barren, had given birth they greatly rejoiced with her.
1:59-61 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother replied, "No! He must be named John." They said to her, "But none of your relatives bears this name."
According to the Law of God when the boy was eight days old they took him to the synagogue to be circumcised (Genesis 17:10-14). They were about to call his name Zacharias after his father but Elizabeth stopped them and said his name is John. They could not understand this and reasoned with her that there was no one in the family that had the name John.
1:62-63 So they made signs to the baby's father, inquiring what he wanted to name his son. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they were all amazed.
So they made signs to his father Zachariah what name he wanted to give his son. He motioned to them to give him a writing tablet and he wrote on it that is name is John.
1:64 Immediately Zechariah's mouth was opened and his tongue released, and he spoke, blessing God.
As soon as he had done this his speech was given back to him and he began praising God.
1:65 All their neighbors were filled with fear, and throughout the entire hill country of Judea all these things were talked about.
A great awe fell upon all his neighbours and the news of what had happened spread right throughout the Judian hills.
1:66 All who heard these things kept them in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the Lord's hand was indeed with him.
Everyone who heard about it considered carefully and for some time within themselves what kind of a child John would be.
1:67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied.
Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied concerning John.
Zacharias Prophecy
1:68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he has come to help and has redeemed his people.
Zachariah first praises God for visiting His people and then the word of prophecy, He has come to redeem His people. This of coarse does not speak of John but of Jesus Christ.
1:69 For he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.
He has sent forth "a horn" figuratively, a "mighty deliverer or Saviour" of the lineage of David (Psa. 18:2).
1:70 As he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from long ago.
According to as He had made known through His prophets since the world began (Gen. 3:15 and Acts 3:21-24).
1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us.
God promised that he would send a Deliverer, Saviour, the Messiah who would save the people of Israel from their enemies.
1:72 He has done this to show mercy to our ancestors, and to remember his holy covenant.
He is fulfilling His promise of mercy that He made to their forefathers and has remembered the covenant He had made with them (Gal. 3:15-17).
1:73-75 The oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham. This oath grants that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, may serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him for as long as we live.
That is the covenant which He made with Abraham after he offered up his son Isaac (Gen. 22:16-17) God had granted to Israel that when He would delivered them so that they could serve Him without any fear (Isa. 45:17). To serve Him in holiness, Divine consecration, and righteousness (Eph. 4:24).
1:76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High. For you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.
Zacharias prophesy now turns to John. John will be called the prophet of the Most High for he will go before the Lord Jesus Christ preparing the way for Him (Mal. 3:1 and Mal. 4:5).
1:77 To give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.
He will make known the way of salvation to the people through the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 3:19, Acts 5:31 and Acts 10:33).
1:78 Because of our God's tender mercy the dawn will break upon us from on high.
This will be accomplished by God's tender mercy and grace through His Son Jesus Christ. This is imminent, is about to happen.
1:79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
He will cause His Light to shine into the hearts of those who are lost in the darkness of sin and by the fear of death (Eph. 5:8 and Heb. 2:15). To lead sinners into the way of peace (Eph. 2:14).
1:80 And the child kept growing and becoming strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he was revealed to Israel.
John grew up and become strong in spirit, that is in the knowledge, understanding and strength of the Lord. He lived in isolation in the dessert until the time came for him make himself seen and heard to Israel.
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