Luke 1:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.

NIV: Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.

NASB: They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.

CSB: Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord.

NLT: Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.

KJV: And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

NKJV: And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Zechariah and Elizabeth are an older, childless married couple (Luke 1:7). Both are descendants of Aaron, and Zechariah is a priest whose family is part of the "division" of Abijah (Luke 1:5; 1 Chronicles 24:10). Each of the 24 divisions would rotate in priestly duties within the temple during the year. Luke emphasizes these two are God-fearing, righteous people; their lack of children is not a punishment for their sin or mistakes (John 9:1–3).

The term "blameless," as used here, does not imply being entirely sinless. It's not a suggestion that Elizabeth and Zechariah are morally perfect—it means there is nothing in their lives which others can criticize. To be "blameless" is very much the same as to lack a "blemish." This is reference to one's reputation and general character. Zechariah and Elizabeth are well-known and well-respected for their obedience to God.

Soon, God will send an angel to Zechariah, delivering news which is both encouraging and difficult to believe (Luke 1:11–13).

Luke 1:5–25 explains how Elizabeth, the childless wife of a priest, learns that she will give birth to a prophet. This child will eventually be known as John the Baptist. Her husband, Zechariah, learns this from an angel but doubts due to his advanced age. As a result, he is rendered temporarily mute, and likely deaf as well (Luke 1:62). As predicted, he and Elizabeth conceive and await the birth of their son. This occurs several months before Elizabeth's relative, Mary, receives even more amazing news from an angel.

The angel Gabriel predicts two miraculous births. The first is a son born to Zechariah and Elizabeth: an older, childless priest and his wife. Because Zechariah initially doubts this message, he is temporarily made unable to speak. Their child will be known as John the Baptist, a powerful herald of the Messiah. The Promised One whom John will proclaim is the second birth predicted by Gabriel. He tells an engaged virgin, Mary, that God will miraculously conceive His Son in her. The two women meet and rejoice over their blessings. John's arrival sets the stage for Luke's familiar account of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Luke was a travelling companion of the apostle Paul (Acts 16:10); his book of Acts is a direct "sequel" to the gospel of Luke (Acts 1:1–3). Those two books make up more than a quarter of the New Testament. Luke begins by explaining how his orderly approach is meant to inspire confidence in Christian faith. His work is based on eyewitness interviews and other evidence. The first chapter details the miraculous conceptions of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Chapter 2 continues with Jesus' birth.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.

Accessed 11/21/2024 4:59:09 PM