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| Chapter 1 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ 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 even as they were delivered unto us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word, 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of these things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed. 5 ¶ There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly course of Abijah; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blameless in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. 7 And they had no child because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 8 And it came to pass that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, 9 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 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the time of incense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, "Fear not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 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 Spirit even from his mother’s womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall 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 unto the angel, "Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years." 19 And the angel answering, said unto him, "I am Gabriel who stands in the presence of God, and am sent to speak unto thee and to show thee these glad tidings. 20 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 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple. 22 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 And it came to pass that as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 24 And after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25 "Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein He looked on me, to take away my reproach among men." 26 ¶ And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her and said, "Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women." 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying and cast about in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, "Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favor with God. 31 And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name Jesus. 32 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 and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His Kingdom there shall be no end." 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, "The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee. Therefore also that Holy Being who shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And behold, thy cousin Elizabeth: 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." 38 And Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And the angel departed from her. 39 ¶ And Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, 40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elizabeth. 41 And it came to pass, when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 And she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And why is it granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord." 46 And Mary said, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is His name. 50 And His mercy is on them that fear Him, from generation to generation. 51 He hath shown strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away. 54 He hath helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, 55 as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever." 56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. 57 ¶ Now Elizabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbors and her kindred heard how the Lord had shown great mercy upon her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 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 answered and said, "Not so, but he shall be called John." 61 And they said unto her, "There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name." 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, saying, "His name is John." And they marveled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke and praised God. 65 And fear came on all who dwelt round about them; and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all those who 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. 67 ¶ And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, 68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and redeemed His people, 69 and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David. 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all that hate us, 72 to perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, 73 the oath which He swore to our father Abraham: 74 that He would grant unto us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. 76 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 to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, 78 through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79 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 And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts until the day of his appearing unto Israel. |
v1-4 It is obvious from the first verses that Luke had set out to make sure all the information he wrote down was the truth, he used two sources of information, "eyewitnesses," they were not just someone who watched from the distance but people who had examined all that had been done and heard, they watched Jesus as His popularity increased, watched Him heal, give sight to the blind, life to the dead, then saw the agony He suffered as He completed His ministry, reliable witnesses. Secondly Luke used those who had kept records of the life of Jesus, the apostles and close followers like Mark. Luke put his record of the life of Christ together in an orderly way, by time and event, so that Theophilus "had perfect understanding." The ‘Plan’ starts. God is full of surprises, without notice, His planned way of Salvation starts with a miracle birth. An elderly childless couple, Zacharias and Elizabeth, who walked with the Lord, find themselves expecting a child, the Lord’s messenger to be, John the Baptist as prophesied, Isaiah 40:3-8. v5 Luke gives us the information which identifies the time and people involved. v6,7 God chose this couple because they lived lives right before God, obeying His law and commandments. We are also told that Elizabeth was unable to have children and that they were both advanced in years. A childless couple were looked down upon by the Jewish people of that time. A lack of children had become a reason for divorce. This couple would have suffered shame and sorrow, Psalm 127:3, but God was about to use this heartbroken couple to His glory. v8-23 The Angelic messenger. Zacharias was a priest, at that time the priesthood had many thousand members divided into twenty four groups, each group took it in turn to carry out the temple duties twice a year for one week. Zacharias was chosen to "burn the incense," a job which was an honour for a priest and may have only done it once in their life. While the sacrificed animal was burned upon the alter outside the temple the offering priest would enter into the Holy Place and poured incense over an alter full of hot coals there. As the smoke arose from the altar the priest would offer a set prayer of blessing and messianic salvation for Israel. v9,10 Zacharias is all alone in the sacred place carefully obeying the set pattern of offering, outside the people are praying that the offering will be accepted. v11,12 As the smoke rises up, suddenly "an angel of the Lord is standing on the right side of the altar of incense." As expected Zacharias is very scared, but the angel calms Zacharias fear with a message from God. v13-17 "God has heard your prayers, you will have a son called John." John was to be special, "he would be great in the sight of the Lord," John was the special messenger from God to prepare the people for the coming Messiah. v18 Zacharias is full of unbelief. "How can it be!!!" Zacharias, though living a life pleasing to God could not see that nothing is impossible to God. v19,20 The angel Gabriel, has been sent by God with the message and silences the old man’s doubts, he is given a sign, the angel silences the voice of Zacharias because of his doubt, until the baby is born. v21 The people standing outside were concerned, "why was Zacharias so long? Is there a problem with the offering?" v22,23 When Zacharias eventually appears they soon realize that he had seen a vision. Zacharias tries to tell them what has happened but he remains mute, unable to speak. v24,25 Zacharias returns home after completing his priests duties. Elizabeth becomes pregnant, just as Gabriel had said. Elizabeth’s reaction to God’s surprise is very different to Zacharias. She is full of happiness and praise for God. Notes about this event, Nothing is impossible to God, sometimes it is the impossible which is the best work of God. If God does not answer prayers immediately, it does not mean No! All that happens will be to God’s Glory and a blessing to the believer. Betrothal. Before we continue with the story let us look at the Jewish betrothal customs of the time. The marriages are usually arranged by the parents of the couple, once they have agreed the arrangement then the couple become engaged, betrothed. This betrothal is more binding than a normal engagement, it is as final as marriage, even though the marriage ceremony has not yet taken place. To end this betrothal the bridegroom has to go through a divorce process, only sexual relationship with another man before or during the betrothal would be accepted as a reason for cancellation. v26-56 Gabriel meets Mary. We now move from Judea, the home of Zacharias and Elizabeth, down to the hills of Galilee, where a teenage girl, Mary, is looking forward to a long uneventful life married to Joseph, a carpenter. Unknown to her God has other plans for her. v28 Suddenly Gabriel appears to her in her home in the small town of Nazareth, a town with a poor reputation, John 1:46. God thinks otherwise. Mary is referred to as a "virgin" - one who has not had a sexual relationship who is betrothed to Joseph. v28,29 While the families are watching Mary for failure, God moves, Gabriel comes into her and makes this amazing announcement, "You have been chosen by God for a special task." This event and greeting scares Mary. v30-33 Gabriel continues, God has chosen you to have a baby which will become the Messiah. v34 Mary, does not want proof, she asks "how can this be, I am a virgin" v35 The power of the Holy Spirit will come on you and you will have the Son of God. Note that the Trinity is involved with this event, "power of the Highest," the Father, "The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee," finally,"a Holy Being who shall be born called the Son of God." Why did God use this process? It is Man who disobeyed and needs to be punished for sin. God had four paths which He could have followed:- 1) Use good human mother and father as parents, this would produce a child which was fully human with a nature of sin, humanity but no deity. 2) Create a being in heaven, possibly a special angel, which would have no human mother and father, the result would be all deity but no humanity. 3) Take over a human body, this would mean that there would still be two different as the Spirit of God would still not be human. 4) Create a baby which was part human, the female egg, and the Spirit of God which replaced the man, this would result in a baby fully human and fully divine. This would make a sinless human person who could take the punishment for sin, the perfect sacrifice. v36,37 Gabriel then tells Mary of God’s action with Elizabeth, reminding her that nothing is impossible with God. v38 Mary is about to pay a price if she allows God to do this to her, she will become accused by her family and friends of failing in her betrothal, an adulteress, the penalty for this was to be stoned to death. Mary submits to the Will of God. "be it unto me according to your word." As the message sinks in Mary wants to tell others of the event, Joseph is naturally the first to hear, Unfortunately, according to Matthew 1:19, Joseph he does not appreciate the event, he is immediately concerned, according to Jewish rules she should be stoned as an adulteress, if not as a blasphemer with her claims of who the father was. What to do? While he sleeps God sends His messenger in a dream and supplies all the answers, Matt 1:19-25. v39 Meanwhile, Mary has gone to visit Elizabeth. v40-57 Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. v41-45 Elizabeth knows that she carries the prophesied forerunner for the Messiah, but where is the Messiah? The answer comes as soon as Mary enters the house. Elizabeth’s baby reacts and because the Holy Spirit is on Elizabeth she realizes why. v46-55 The response by Mary we call the "Magnificat," it echo’s the feelings of all who have felt the power and grace of God. Mary’s heart is poured out in glory to God. v56 After three months Mary returns to Nazareth to be wed to Joseph and open her life to the attitude of neighbour’s and friends. v57-80 The Birth of John the Baptist. The birth of John the Baptist was prophesied in Malachi 4:5, that Elijah would come before the Messiah. This is a basic family event but is full of miracles. Zacharias has now been dumb for nine months because he did not believe the angel, John 1:20. v62 suggest he may also have been made deaf, "they made signs to his father." Finally, the day of arrival for the baby to be born. v58 Elizabeth is full of joy and her friends and neighbour’s join her in this joy. Zacharias however is still silent because of his unbelief. Zacharias had many months to consider the promise of God concerning the baby. v59,60 As was normal, the baby, eight days after the birth, was circumcised, it was at this time that the child would normally be given their name. The neighbour’s and family thought that, as normal, the baby would be named after the father or a relative, but Elizabeth, responding to the instruction of God, v13, said it was to be "John." v62-65 "They made signs to his father," suggesting he was also deaf, and he writes the name ‘John’ as the angel from God had told him. The people were amazed at this, and were even more amazed and very frightened when immediately Zacharias starts to speak, praising God. What had happened was told around the area. The actual birth is mentioned in one verse only v57, the name and the time of praise for the birth. are considered more important. v67-75 The praises of Zacharias. Right away he puts the Lord first instead of himself, even thought he would have been the centre of the event. Being full of the Holy Spirit He praises God for His plan to save the people of Israel and fulfil the promise He had made to David, to remember His holy covenant. v76-79 Finally, with the pride of a new father, Zacharias now turns to prophesy about the child. God had waited quietly for four hundred years, now this new baby was to be the messenger announcing the coming Messiah. v80 It is most likely that the parents of John died while he was young, it appears from the record of Luke that the future John the Baptist lived in the desert area’s where he was open to the teaching of God. |
Easy English Translation
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