Luke 1

1 Many [a large number, numerous] have undertaken [attempted, taken in hand] to compose [set in order, compile] an account [narrative, story] of the things [events, matters] that have been fulfilled [accomplished, completed] among [in the midst of, surrounded by] us [believers, the community], word study 2 just as [in the same manner, exactly] they were handed down [delivered, surrendered] to us [to me, to the apostles] by the initial [first, from the beginning] eyewitnesses [those who saw with their own eyes, autotpai] and servants [ministers, attendants] of the word [Logos, the divine message]. word study 3 Therefore, having carefully [with great care, diligently] investigated [traced the course, searched out perfectly] everything from the beginning [from above, from the very first], it seemed good [I thought it fitting, it was my opinion] also to me [and I, having had perfect understanding] to write [to record, to put in writing] an orderly [in order, one after another] account for you [to you, unto thee], most excellent [noble, of high rank] Theophilus [friend of God], word study 4 so that you may know [come to a deep understanding of, recognize] the certainty [security, firmness] of the things [words, teachings] you have been [instructed, taught by word of mouth] taught [instructed, given teaching]. word study 5 In the time [during the reign] of Herod [the king of Judea, a ruler of the Jewish people] king of Judea [a region in southern Palestine] there was a priest [a spiritual leader, one who serves God] named Zechariah [a faithful servant of God], who belonged to the priestly division [a group of priests who served at the Temple] of Abijah [a descendant of Aaron], and whose wife Elizabeth [a daughter of Aaron, a woman of faith] was a daughter [a female descendant] of Aaron [the brother of Moses, a leader of the Israelites]. word study 6 Both of them were righteous [just and fair] in the sight of [the one true] God, walking [in a blameless and upright manner, carefully following] blamelessly in all the commandments [divine instructions, ordinances] and decrees [righteous acts, justifications] of the Lord [the supreme authority, God]. word study 7 But they had no [absolutely none, without any] children, because Elizabeth [a faithful Israelite] was [existed as] barren [sterile, unable to conceive], and they were both [as a couple, together] well along [advanced, growing old] in years [their lifetime, days]. word study 8 One day [it came to pass, now] while Zechariah’s division [his priestly order, group] was on duty [serving, executing their course] and he was serving [acting, executing the priest’s office] as priest [minister, spiritual leader] before [in the presence of, facing] God [the Supreme Being, Almighty], word study 9 he was chosen by lot [randomly selected, according to custom], according to the custom [usual practice, tradition] of the priesthood [office of spiritual leaders], to enter [go into, access] the temple [sacred place of worship] of the Lord [God, Master] and burn incense [offer fragrant prayers, worship]. word study 10 And at the hour [of worship, a specific time] of the incense offering [fragrant prayer, burning of perfumes], the whole [entire, all-inclusive] congregation [multitude, large group of people] was praying [worshiping, offering prayers] outside [in the courtyard, externally]. word study 11 Just then [at that moment, suddenly] an angel [messenger of God, heavenly being] of the Lord [God, the supreme authority] appeared [was seen, became visible] to Zechariah, standing [in an upright position, firmly] at the right [right-hand] side [position, location] of the altar [table for offering sacrifices] of incense [fragrant powder]. word study 12 When Zechariah [Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist] saw him, he was [troubled, startled] startled and gripped with fear [alarm]. word study 13 But the angel [messenger of God] said to him, “Do not be afraid [fear not, have no fear], Zechariah, because your prayer [petition, request] has been heard [listened to, answered]. Your wife Elizabeth [a faithful Israelite, relative of Mary] will bear you a son [a child, a male offspring], and you are to give him the name [a designation, an identity] John [meaning God is gracious]. word study 14 He will be a [deep and lasting] joy and [exultation or gladness] delight to you, and many [a large number of people] will rejoice [feel happy and glad] at his [the act of being born or coming into the world] birth, word study 15 for he will be great [of high esteem, highly respected] in the sight [presence, before] of the Lord [God, the supreme authority]. He shall never [at no time, not ever] take wine [or any intoxicating drink] or strong drink [alcoholic beverage], and he will be filled [completely controlled, empowered] with the Holy [set apart, sacred] Spirit [the divine breath, God’s presence] even from his mother’s [birth, conception] womb [the place of fetal development]. word study 16 Many [a large number, great numbers] of the sons [children, descendants] of Israel [the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants] he will turn back [convert, persuade to turn away from sins] to the Lord [the supreme Master] their God [the one true deity, their Creator]. word study 17 And he will go on before the Lord [in the presence of, facing] in the spirit [the vital principle] and power [miraculous ability] of Elijah [the prophet], to turn [convert, change] the hearts [seat of thoughts, feelings] of the fathers [male parents, ancestors] to their children [offspring, descendants] and the disobedient [unpersuadable, rebellious] to the wisdom [insight, discernment] of the righteous [just, upright]—to make ready [prepare, equip] a people [a group, a nation] prepared [made ready, equipped] for the Lord [the supreme God, Master].” word study 18 “How can I be sure [know with certainty, have confidence] of this?” Zechariah [a righteous priest, a godly man] asked the angel [a heavenly messenger, a divine envoy]. “I am an old man [advanced in years, a presbyter], and my wife [my partner, my companion] is well along [far advanced, well stricken] in years [in her days, in her life].” word study 19 “I am Gabriel [God’s chief angel, a heavenly messenger],” replied the angel [a divine emissary]. “I stand [am constantly present, serving] in the presence [before the face] of God [the supreme Deity], and I have been sent [dispatched on a mission] to speak [communicate, proclaim] to you and to bring [announce, proclaim] you this good news [glad tidings, the gospel]. word study 20 And now you will be silent [unable to speak, dumb] and unable to speak [not able to utter a word] until the day [at the appointed time] this comes to pass [is fulfilled, happens], because you did not believe [have faith in, trust] my words [messages, declarations], which will be fulfilled [completed, accomplished] at their proper time [in their season, at the right moment].” word study 21 Meanwhile [at the same time, while waiting], the people [a crowd, a group of individuals] were waiting [looking forward to, anticipating] for Zechariah [the father of John the Baptist] and wondering [marvelling, feeling great surprise] why he took [delayed, tarried] so long [an unusually great time] in the temple [a sacred place of worship, the inner sanctuary]. word study 22 When he came out [from the temple, after his encounter] and was unable [had no power, was powerless] to speak [to utter words, to communicate] to them, they realized [perceived, understood] he had seen [experienced, beheld] a vision [a supernatural revelation, an appearance] in the temple [the sacred place of worship, the sanctuary]. He kept making signs [gestures, motions] to them but remained [continued to be, stayed] speechless [mute, unable to speak]. word study 23 And when the days [periods of time, seasons] of his service [ministry, priestly duty] were complete [fulfilled, accomplished], he returned [departed, went away] home [to his own house, his residence]. word study 24 After [following, with] these days, his wife Elizabeth [a faithful Israelite] became pregnant [conceived, seized by the Holy Spirit] and for five [a specific number] months remained in [hid herself, secluded] seclusion [from men’s eyes, alone]. She declared [said, spoke], word study 25 “The Lord [God, the supreme ruler] has done this for me [to take away my shame]. In these days [when He looked upon me with favor] He has shown me favor [pity, kindness, and compassion] and taken away my disgrace [reproach, shame, and humiliation] among the people [in the eyes of others, among men].” word study 26 In the sixth [specific, appointed] month, God [the one true deity, Creator] sent [dispatched, commissioned] the angel [heavenly messenger] Gabriel [a mighty archangel] to a town [city, community] in Galilee [a region of ministry] called [named, known as] Nazareth [a city of humble origins], word study 27 to a [young, unmarried] virgin [a chaste maiden] pledged [engaged, betrothed] in marriage [to be married, espoused] to a man [an adult male, a husband] named Joseph [a descendant of Jacob], who was of the [royal, ancestral] house of David [the king of Israel]. And the [chaste, pure] virgin’s [the maiden’s] name was Mary [a beloved daughter]. word study 28 The angel [messenger of God] appeared to her and said, “Greetings [rejoice, be happy], you who are highly favored [freely loved, blessed]! The Lord [God, Master] is with [among, accompanying] you [as your helper]. ” word study 29 Mary was greatly [deeply, exceedingly] troubled [disturbed, alarmed] at his words [message, saying] and wondered [pondered, thought carefully] what kind [manner, nature] of greeting [salutation] this might be [could mean, signify]. word study 30 So the angel [a heavenly messenger] told her, “Do not be afraid [do not fear or dread], Mary [the mother of Jesus], for you have found [discovered, met with] favor [grace, graciousness] with God [the one true deity]. word study 31 Behold [see, perceive, experience], you will conceive [in your womb, become pregnant] and give birth to a son [a child, a male offspring], and you are to give Him [assign to Him, bestow upon Him] the name [character, authority, identity] Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation]. word study 32 He will be [very] great and will be called the Son [having God’s nature] of the Most High [the supreme God]. The Lord [Master, Ruler] God will give Him the throne [seat of authority] of His father [ancestor] David, word study 33 and He will reign [as King, with absolute authority] over the house [family, descendants] of Jacob [the progenitor of the Israelites] forever [for all eternity, throughout the ages]. His kingdom [royal power, dominion] will never [at no time, under no circumstances] end [come to a close, cease to exist]!” word study 34 “How [in what manner, by what means] can this be,” Mary [the mother of Jesus] asked the angel [a heavenly messenger], “since [because, as a result of] I am a virgin [have not known a man, without sexual experience]?” word study 35 The angel [messenger of God] replied, “The Holy Spirit [the divine Presence, breath of God] will come upon [invade, arrive at] you, and the power [miraculous ability, strength] of the Most High [the supreme God, heavenly Father] will overshadow [cover with a shadow, bring divine influence] you. So the Holy One [set apart, consecrated] to be born will be called [invited, named] the Son [child, offspring] of God [the supreme deity, Creator]. word study 36 Look, even Elizabeth [your cousin, a relative] your relative has conceived [become pregnant, received life] a son [a male child, a descendant] in her old age [senility, advanced years], and she who was called [known as, referred to as] barren [sterile, unable to bear children] is in her sixth [the sixth position, a specific time] month [a period of time, a lunar cycle]. word study 37 For no [none, not any] word [declaration, utterance] from [with, beside] God [the one true deity] will ever [at any time] fail [be impossible, come to nothing] [be void of power, not be able to do]. ” word study 38 “I am the Lord’s [supreme Master, God] servant [female slave, handmaid],” Mary [the mother of Jesus] answered. “May it happen [be done, come to pass] to me according to [in line with, following] your word [declaration, utterance].” Then [at that time, next] the angel [heavenly messenger] left [departed, went away] her. word study 39 In those days [during that time, in these days] Mary [the mother of Jesus] got ready [arose, prepared herself] and hurried [with haste, quickly] to a town [city, village] in the hill country [hilly region, mountains] of Judah [the region of Judea, the land of the Jews], word study 40 where she entered [went into, came to] the home [house, dwelling place] of Zechariah [the father of John the Baptist] and greeted [paid respects to, saluted] Elizabeth [a faithful relative of Mary]. word study 41 When Elizabeth [the mother of John the Baptist] heard Mary’s [the mother of Jesus] greeting, the baby [infant, unborn child] leaped [moved with joy, sprang] in her womb [belly, stomach], and Elizabeth was filled [completely filled, fulfilled] with the Holy [set apart, sacred] Spirit [breath, divine presence]. word study 42 In a loud [great, intense] voice she exclaimed [cried out, spoke with a loud cry], “Blessed [highly favored, praised] are you among [in the midst of] women, and blessed [highly favored, praised] is the fruit [product, offspring] of your womb [belly, the place where a child grows]! word study 43 And why [for what reason, whence] am I so honored [favored, blessed], that the mother [parent, one who gives birth] of my Lord [God, the supreme authority] should come [visit, arrive] to me [towards me, with me]? word study 44 For as soon as the sound [voice, noise] of your greeting [salutation, welcome] reached my ears [the ability to hear and understand], the baby [infant, unborn child] in my womb [belly, stomach] leaped [to leap with joy, sprang] for joy [exultation, gladness]. word study 45 Blessed [happy, fortunate] is she who has believed [trusted, had faith] that the Lord’s [Master, God] word [promise, message] to her will be fulfilled [completed, perfected, brought to pass].” word study 46 Then Mary [the mother of Jesus] said: “My [innermost being, I] soul [the seat of emotions and desires] magnifies [makes great, praises] the Lord [God, the supreme authority], word study 47 and my [inner being, vital principle] spirit [the breath of life] rejoices [is glad, has jumped for joy] in God [the one true deity, my Deliverer] my Savior [Rescuer, Deliverer from harm]! word study 48 For He has looked with favor [pity, regarded with compassion] on the humble state [lowliness, low estate] of His servant [female slave, handmaiden]. From now on [from this hour, henceforth] all generations [every age, all people] will call me blessed [happy, fortunate, pronounced fortunate]. word study 49 For the Mighty One [the All-Powerful, God Almighty] has done [accomplished, brought about] great things [mighty deeds, magnificent works] for me [to me, on my behalf]. Holy [set apart, sanctified] is His [divine, heavenly] name [character, reputation, authority]. word study 50 His [toward all generations, from the very first] mercy [showing pity, loving-kindness] extends to those who [reverently, with awe] fear [have reverence for, stand in awe of] Him, from [one] generation [of people, a group of contemporaries] to [another] generation [of people, a succession of descendants]. word study 51 He has performed [shown, demonstrated] mighty deeds [acts of power, great things] with His arm [strength or power]; He has scattered [dispersed, put to flight] those who are proud [arrogant, having an inflated sense of self] in the thoughts [imagination, mind] of their hearts [the seat of emotions, inner being]. word study 52 He has brought down [taken away from power, removed] rulers [mighty kings, those in authority] from their thrones [seats of power, positions of rule], but has exalted [lifted up, elevated] the humble [lowly, those of low degree, oppressed]. word study 53 He has filled [satisfied, to take one’s fill] the hungry [those who crave] with good things [beneficial], but has sent [to send out/away] the rich [wealthy] away empty [without anything]. word study 54 He has helped [given aid and support to] His servant [child, minister] Israel [the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants], remembering [to recall, to bring to mind] to be merciful [showing pity, having kindness], word study 55 as He promised [to our ancestors, as He spoke] to our fathers [the patriarchs], to Abraham [the father of the faithful] and his descendants [seed, offspring] forever [for all eternity, to the age].” word study 56 Mary [the mother of Jesus] stayed [remained, abode] with Elizabeth [her relative, a righteous woman] for about [approximately, around] three [a specific number, a period of time] months [a period of time, a lunar cycle] and then [after that, at a later time] returned [turned back, went back] home [to her own house, her residence]. word study 57 When the time [of fulfillment, the appointed season] came for Elizabeth [a faithful Israelite, relative of Mary] to have her child [to give birth, to bring forth], she gave birth [bore, delivered] to a son [a male child, an offspring]. word study 58 Her neighbors [and kinsfolk, relatives] and relatives heard [were informed, learned] that the Lord [God, the supreme authority] had shown [magnified, demonstrated] her great [abundant, extraordinary] mercy [kindness, pity], and they rejoiced [celebrated, were glad] with her. word study 59 On the eighth [one of eight, a specific sequence] day, when they came [gathered, arrived] to circumcise [cut around, a Jewish ritual] the child [a young person, a babe], they were going to name [call, invite] him after [in honor of, following] his father [male parent, paternal figure] Zechariah [a name meaning ‘God remembers’, a significant ancestor]. word study 60 But his mother [the woman who gave birth to him] replied [answered and said], “No [Not so, absolutely not]! He shall be called [invited to be known as, named] John [God is gracious].” word study 61 They said to her, “There is [none, nobody] no one among your relatives [kindred] who bears [is called by, named with] this [specific, given] name.” word study 62 So they made signs [through gestures, to inquire] to his father [the male parent, Zechariah] to find out [to discover, to know] what [which name, what he desired] he wanted [to will, to desire] to name [to call, to designate] the child [the son, the newborn]. word study 63 Zechariah asked [for a writing tablet, to write a message] for a tablet [a small writing surface, like a notebook] and wrote [recorded, inscribed], “His name [the character or authority, the identity] is John [God is gracious].” And [also, additionally] they were all [every single one, the entire group] amazed [to marvel, filled with wonder]. word study 64 Immediately [at once, instantly] Zechariah’s mouth [the organ of speech] was opened [released, set free] and his tongue [the instrument of language] was released [loosed, freed], and he began [started, commenced] to speak [utter words, communicate], praising [blessing, giving thanks to] God [the one true deity, Creator]. word study 65 All their neighbors [those dwelling around them, nearby residents] were filled with awe [fear, deep reverence], and people throughout the hill country [hilly, mountainous region] of Judea [southern Palestine, the land of the Jews] were talking about [discussing, spreading news of] these events [declarations, utterances, all these sayings]. word study 66 And all [everyone, the entire crowd] who heard this [the news, the announcement] wondered [were amazed, pondered] in their hearts [their innermost thoughts, emotions] and asked, “What then will this child [young one, infant] become [grow up to be, turn out to be]?” For the Lord’s [God’s, Master’s] hand [power, guidance] was with him [accompanied, supported him]. word study 67 Then his father [the male parent] Zechariah was filled [completely directed, fulfilled] with the Holy [set apart, sacred] Spirit [the vital principle, breath of God] and prophesied [spoke under inspiration from God, telling forth His message]: word study 68 “Blessed [praiseworthy, worthy of admiration] be the Lord [God], the God [the one true deity] of Israel [the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants], because He has visited [come to care for, looked upon] and redeemed [bought back, set free] His people [a specific nation or group of individuals, His own]. word study 69 He has raised up [given us, lifted up] a horn [symbol of strength, power] of salvation [rescue, spiritual safety] for us [to save us, for our benefit] in the house [family, lineage] of His servant [faithful one, child] David [King of Israel, ancestor of Jesus], word study 70 as He spoke through [through the mouth of, by the authority of] His holy [set apart, dedicated to God] prophets [messengers of God, interpreters of His will], those [who have been since the world began, from the earliest times] of ages past [from of old, long ago], word study 71 salvation [rescue, safety, or deliverance] from our enemies [those who are against us, or hate us] and from the hand [power, or control] of all [every, or each] who hate [detest, or love less] us, word study 72 to show [perform, do] mercy [pity, compassion] to our [ancestors’, forefathers’] fathers and to remember [be mindful of, recall] His [the Lord’s] holy [set apart, sacred] covenant [agreement, promise], word study 73 the oath [a sacred promise, sworn vow] He swore [pledged, made a vow] to our father [ancestral patriarch] Abraham, to grant [bestow, give generously] us word study 74 deliverance [rescue, freedom] from hostile [enemy, hateful] hands [power, control], that we [I, us, as believers] may serve [minister, worship] Him [the Lord, God] without [free from, unencumbered by] fear [dread, anxiety], word study 75 in [true, spiritual] holiness [pious living, devotion to God] and [moral, God-pleasing] righteousness [living according to God’s will] before [in the presence of, face to face with] Him all [every, the entirety of] the days [24-hour periods, periods of time] of our [our entire, whole] lives [physical and spiritual existence, eternal being]. word study 76 And you, child [a young one, a babe], will be called [named, recognized as] a prophet [one who speaks for God, a messenger] of the Most High [the Highest, the supreme God]; for you will go on [precede, go before] before the Lord [the Master, God] to prepare [make ready, clear the way] the way [the path, the road] for Him [God, the Messiah], word study 77 to give [provide, bestow] to His people [a nation, His followers] the knowledge [understanding, spiritual insight] of salvation [rescue, spiritual deliverance] through [by means of, in] the forgiveness [pardon, remission] of their sins [transgressions, moral failures], word study 78 because of the tender [loving, caring] mercy [pity, compassion] of our God [the one true deity], by which the Dawn [dayspring, new beginning] will visit us from on high [heaven, the lofty height], word study 79 to shine [give light, enlighten] on those who live [sit, dwell] in darkness [spiritual blindness, absence of light] and in the shadow [darkness, gloom] of death [physical or spiritual separation from God], to guide [direct, lead] our feet [steps, paths] into the path [way, road] of peace [harmony, prosperity, freedom from war].” word study 80 And the child [young one, infant] grew and became strong [spiritually empowered, matured] in spirit [the vital principle, breath of life]; and he lived in the wilderness [desert, solitary place] until the time [day, appointed hour] of his public appearance [manifestation, revelation] to Israel [God’s chosen people, the nation]. word study