Who is Theophilus, and why does Luke write to him at the start of this chapter?

Theophilus is called “most excellent,” which suggests he was a man of rank who had already been taught about Jesus. Luke writes to him so that he can know for sure that what he has heard is true. Luke explains that many have written about Jesus, but he has carefully looked into everything from the beginning. By putting the story in good order, based on eyewitness reports, Luke wants Theophilus to have a steady, well-grounded faith, not a vague or secondhand belief.

Why are Zacharias and Elisabeth described as righteous but still childless?

Zacharias and Elisabeth are shown as a godly couple who walk in God’s commandments and are called righteous before God, yet they have no children and are old. This tells us that their barrenness is not a punishment, but a place of long, painful waiting. God uses their situation to show His power and mercy. When John is finally given to them, it is clear that his birth is a gift from God, linked to His plan to send a herald who will prepare the people for the coming Lord.

What is John the Baptist’s role according to this chapter?

John is promised as a special child who will be “great in the sight of the Lord.” He is set apart by his lifestyle and filled with the Holy Ghost even from the womb. His work is to turn many of Israel’s children back to the Lord their God. He will go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, turning hearts and calling the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. In short, he prepares a people ready for the Lord by pointing them to repentance and the coming salvation.

Why does Gabriel silence Zacharias, and what does this teach about doubt and faith?

When Gabriel announces the birth of John, Zacharias looks at his and Elisabeth’s age and asks for a sign instead of resting on God’s word. Gabriel answers that he stands in God’s presence and was sent to bring good news. Because Zacharias did not believe, he is made unable to speak until the promise is fulfilled. This shows that unbelief has real consequences, even for a faithful man, yet God still keeps His promise. When John is born and named, Zacharias’ tongue is loosed, and he praises God, showing restored faith and joy.

What does the angel’s message to Mary tell us about who Jesus is?

Gabriel calls Mary “highly favoured” and tells her she will bear a son named Jesus. He will be great, called the Son of the Highest, and will receive the throne of David, ruling over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end. Mary learns that this will happen by the Holy Ghost coming upon her and the power of the Highest overshadowing her, so the child will be holy and called the Son of God. This shows Jesus as both truly human and uniquely God’s Son, the promised King and Savior.

What is the meaning of Mary’s response, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord”?

Mary’s words show humble trust. She calls herself the Lord’s servant and yields to His plan: “be it unto me according to thy word.” She does not understand every detail, and the path ahead will be costly, but she accepts God’s will rather than argue or demand proof. Her answer is a picture of faith that submits to God’s word even when it is surprising. For readers today, her response encourages a willing heart that says yes to God’s calling, trusting His wisdom and goodness.

Why does the baby in Elisabeth’s womb leap when Mary arrives?

When Mary greets Elisabeth, the baby inside Elisabeth, who will be John, leaps in her womb, and Elisabeth is filled with the Holy Ghost. She understands this as joy, not just a random movement. She calls Mary “the mother of my Lord” and blesses her for believing God’s word. This moment shows that God is at work even before birth, that John is already responding to the presence of the coming Messiah, and that the Holy Ghost is confirming who Jesus is and honoring Mary’s faith.

What is Mary’s Magnificat about, and what does it show about God’s character?

Mary’s song praises God for looking on her low estate and doing great things for her. She calls God her Savior and speaks of His holiness and mercy to those who fear Him. She celebrates how God scatters the proud, brings down the mighty, lifts up the lowly, fills the hungry with good things, and sends the rich away empty. She also recalls His mercy to Israel and His promise to Abraham. The song shows God as holy, powerful, kind to the humble, and faithful to His ancient promises.

What does Zacharias’ prophecy say about salvation and the ‘dayspring from on high’?

When Zacharias’ speech returns, he blesses the Lord God of Israel for visiting and redeeming His people. He speaks of a horn of salvation raised up in David’s house, meaning a strong Savior. He says God is keeping His promises and oaths, saving His people so they can serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness. He calls Jesus the “dayspring from on high” who gives light to those in darkness and the shadow of death and guides feet into the way of peace. Salvation here is both rescue and a new, peaceful life with God.

How can this chapter shape a believer’s faith and prayers today?

This chapter shows that God works through real history, hears long-held prayers, and keeps His word even when it seems too late. Zacharias and Elisabeth remind us to stay faithful in dry seasons. Mary’s humble “be it unto me” teaches us to trust God’s plan. The songs of Mary and Zacharias can shape our own praise, focusing on God’s mercy, power, and faithfulness. When we pray, we can remember that with God nothing is impossible and that He is guiding His people toward light and peace through Jesus.

Luke.1.1

Luke 1:1

KJV

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

Dedication to Theophilus

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 delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

3 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 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, 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 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth 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 without 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 Elisabeth 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 Ghost, 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 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 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, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew 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 marvelled 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 Elisabeth 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.

Gabriel Foretells Jesus’ Birth

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 favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour 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 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, 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.

38 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 Elizabeth

39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

41 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 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43 And whence is this 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 performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Mary’s Song

46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

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 shewed 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 holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

55 As he spake 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.

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed 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 And 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 table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

66 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.

Zechariah’s Song

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which 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 sware 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 till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Cross References

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