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What does Luke 1 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

Luke's gospel opens with a direct counter to claims that Christian belief is based in "blind faith." Before the Gospels were written, men like Paul (1 Corinthians 1:1–2), Peter (1 Peter 1:1–2), and James (James 1:1) were circulating letters to fellow believers. Luke is adding his voice to an existing body of proof: the accounts of eyewitnesses and others who had first-hand knowledge of Jesus Christ. Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke was not a direct witness of Jesus' earthly ministry. He was a co-worker with the apostle Paul. This would have brought him into contact with many key figures in Jesus' life. Luke's gospel is a deliberate, researched, organized, confidence-boosting record of Christ's active life. Though it's officially dedicated to Theophilus—otherwise an anonymous figure—the scholarly approach used by Luke is valuable even to us, today (Luke 1:1–4).

Old Testament priests were drawn only from the descendants of Aaron. These families were divided into 24 groups, who would rotate their weekly service in the tabernacle or temple. One such priest is Zechariah, married to Elizabeth, and both are known for their godly lives. However, they are aging and have never had children. In the ancient world, this was not only a financial hardship, but also socially embarrassing. Zechariah is alone offering incense in the temple when the angel Gabriel appears and announces that Elizabeth will have a child. Zechariah's immediate reaction is to doubt that this will happen. As a result, he is stricken mute—and likely deaf (Luke 1:62)—until the prophecy is fulfilled. As predicted, Elizabeth conceives, and the child she bears will come to be known as John the Baptist. He will be an important herald of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:5–25).

Gabriel later delivers an even more miraculous announcement. Mary is an unmarried virgin, legally arranged to be married to a man named Joseph. The angel refers to her as "highly favored," as a passive recipient of God's grace. Inaccurate translations such as "full of grace" imply Mary was an active source of grace. This young woman will bear God incarnate, in the form of Jesus Christ. This will fulfill prophecies that Messiah would be virgin born (Isaiah 7:14) into the house of David (Isaiah 9:6–7; 2 Samuel 7:12–16). Mary's reaction is to wonder "how," not "if," the message would come true. Her humble, submissive acceptance is admirable. The circumstances of her pregnancy would have been awkward in the eyes of nonbelievers, and the pressure of this role was obvious (Luke 1:26–38).

That Mary's pregnancy through the Holy Spirit will happen immediately is confirmed when she visits Elizabeth. As soon as Mary's greeting is heard, the unborn John the Baptist moves in the womb, suddenly and dramatically. Elizabeth shouts in celebration, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, referring to Mary's pregnancy though Mary has not yet made any such announcement. Elizabeth's compliment to Mary is a subtle contrast to Zechariah's moment of doubt (Luke 1:39–45).

Mary then replies with a song of praise which reflects both love for God and familiarity with the Old Testament. She refers to God as her Savior, acknowledging that she, too, has sin which needs to be forgiven. She praises God for His power, mercy, protection, and faithfulness. In doing so, she echoes the mother of Samuel, Hannah, who prayed for a son from God (1 Samuel 1:11; 2:1). Her words quote some Old Testament passages (Psalm 103:17), directly reference others (Deuteronomy 5:10; Daniel 4:37; Obadiah 1:4) and agree with many more (Psalm 132:11; Isaiah 13:11; 1 Samuel 2:8). This song is sometimes called "The Magnificat," from the Latin translation of its first words (Luke 1:46–55).

Elizabeth was six months pregnant when Mary came to visit. Mary stays for three months, which likely means she was there for the birth of John the Baptist. Scripture does not say if Joseph knows about her condition, yet. It's possible he was unaware until she came back and began to show signs of expecting. Matthew clarifies (Matthew 1:18–22) that Joseph's initial, disappointed reaction is changed thanks to divine reassurance. At this point, they are still unmarried, so Mary returns to "her" home, likely meaning that of her father (Luke 1:56).

When Zechariah and Elizabeth's son is finally born, there is great celebration. Old Testament law required a boy to be circumcised eight days after birth (Leviticus 12:3). This was also when the baby would be formally named. By the New Testament era, Jewish families were in the habit of using traditional, family names. When Elizabeth mentions the name "John," everyone is confused. Zechariah confirms this in writing—and is immediately freed from his punishment of silence. This adds to the people's sense that the child, soon to be known as John the Baptist, is meant for an important mission (Luke 1:57–66).

Zechariah declares a prophecy about the mission of his son, John. This combines direct quotes from the Old Testament with echoes of prophetic promises. Zechariah celebrates that he has seen these things occur. He realizes that John's purpose is to be the herald of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:67–79).

John's life will be as unusual as his beginnings. Rather than living a "normal" childhood, he seems drawn to spending time alone in the wilderness (Isaiah 40:3). His spiritual strength, public memory of his miraculous birth (Luke 1:65–66), and personality quirks (Mark 1:4–6) likely magnify interest as he begins to preach (Luke 3:2–3; Matthew 3:4–6). After his first public appearance, John will consistently maintain that his role is secondary (John 1:19–23), as a herald of Christ, and that he is not the Messiah (Luke 1:80).

John's birth concludes the longest chapter, by verses, in the New Testament. Original manuscripts were written without chapter or verse divisions. These were added centuries later. Modern readers—and commenters—are often perplexed as to why tradition did not separate this passage into two or even three sections. As it stands, Luke chapter 1 is longer than 7 entire books of the New Testament; its 80 verses are more than the smallest 4 books put together.

Chapter 2 moves on to the birth of Jesus, a passage often recited and well-known, even to those unfamiliar with the rest of the Bible.

Luke 1:1–4 introduces the purpose of this gospel. Luke intends to compile an "orderly account" of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. His content is based on personal experience, eyewitness testimony, and other firsthand sources. These beliefs predate the writing of the New Testament, and Luke's goal is to inspire confidence in those truths. The book of Acts is a direct continuation of this process (Acts 1:1–3).

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.

Luke 1:26–38 relates how a virgin learned she would miraculously bear the Son of God. The angel Gabriel comes to Mary, who is engaged to a man named Joseph. Gabriel tells Mary that she will bear a son, to be named Jesus. He will be the Promised One long awaited by the people of Israel. Since Mary has never been intimate with a man, God will miraculously conceive the child. Gabriel is the same angel who predicted the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:13), and he informs Mary about this happy occurrence for her relative, Elizabeth. Mary responds in submissive faith. A parallel account is found in Matthew 1:18–25.

Luke 1:39–56 contains Mary's visit with her relative, Elizabeth, and her resulting praise of God. Both women are miraculously pregnant. Despite her old age, Elizabeth is several months pregnant with a boy who will one day be known as John the Baptist (Luke 1:13). Mary, a virgin, has recently learned that God has conceived in her the Messiah, to be named Jesus (Luke 1:31). The unborn John reacts when he hears Mary's voice. Mary responds to this with extensive praise of God, calling Him her "Savior." After staying for a while—possibly until the birth of John—Mary returns home.

Luke 1:57–80 describes the first of two births predicted by the angel Gabriel in this chapter (Luke 1:13, 31). Despite their old age, Elizabeth and Zechariah have had a son, who now needs to be named. Zechariah has been stricken mute for months, after doubting the angel's message. Elizabeth surprises her family by naming the child "John." When asked, Zechariah writes down the same name and is immediately able to speak again. Amid the awestruck reaction of family and neighbors, the legendary reputation of John the Baptist has begun. Zechariah then prophesies about the powerful ministry of his son.

Chapter Summary:

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.

Chapter Context:

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.

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