About the Author

Luke was a Gentile, making him the only non Jewish author of a biblical book in the New Testament. He was a physician by profession, as indicated by Paul in Colossians 4:14, where he is called “Luke, the beloved physician.” This medical background may explain his careful, orderly, and detailed approach to writing.

Luke was a close companion of the Apostle Paul, joining him during significant portions of his missionary journeys. The book of Acts contains several “we” passages (Acts 16:10 to 17, Acts 20:5 to 21:18, Acts 27:1 to 28:16) that suggest Luke was personally present during these events, traveling alongside Paul through cities such as Philippi, Jerusalem, and eventually Rome.

Unlike many other biblical authors, Luke was not an eyewitness to Jesus’s earthly ministry. Instead, he identifies himself as a careful historian who gathered information from those who were eyewitnesses, stating this directly in Luke 1:1 to 4. His writing reflects meticulous research, historical accuracy, and a strong concern for order and detail.

Luke’s ministry was centered on faithful documentation and support of the gospel message. While he was not one of the twelve apostles, his role as a historian and companion to Paul was essential to the spread and preservation of Christian teaching. His devotion to Christ is evident in the depth, compassion, and theological richness found throughout his writings.

Introduction

Luke chapter 1 opens the Gospel with a formal introduction to Theophilus, explaining Luke’s careful, orderly investigation into the life of Jesus Christ. The chapter then moves into two intertwined birth announcements: the angel Gabriel’s appearance to the priest Zacharias, foretelling the miraculous birth of John the Baptist to his barren and aged wife Elisabeth, and Gabriel’s appearance to the virgin Mary in Nazareth, announcing that she would conceive and give birth to Jesus, the Son of God, through the Holy Spirit.

The chapter highlights the parallel yet contrasting responses of Zacharias and Mary to angelic news. Zacharias doubts and is struck silent until John’s birth, while Mary, though puzzled, responds in faith with humble submission: “Let it be to me as you say.”

Following the announcement, Mary visits her relative Elisabeth, who is six months pregnant with John. Upon Mary’s greeting, the unborn John leaps in Elisabeth’s womb, and Elisabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, blesses Mary and recognizes her as the mother of the Lord. Mary responds with a song of praise known as the Magnificat, exalting God for His mercy and faithfulness to Israel.

The chapter closes with the birth of John the Baptist, the restoration of Zacharias’s speech, and his prophetic song (the Benedictus), which foretells John’s role as the forerunner who will prepare the way for the Messiah.

This chapter establishes important biblical and historical context: it takes place during the reign of Herod the Great in Judaea, connects to Old Testament priestly customs, and fulfills prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah and His herald, echoing themes from the prophets Malachi and Isaiah.

Chapter 1 (BBE)

1 As a number of attempts have been made to put together in order an account of those events which took place among us,

2 As they were handed down to us by those who saw them from the first and were preachers of the word,

3 It seemed good to me, having made observation, with great care, of the direction of events in their order, to put the facts in writing for you, most noble Theophilus;

4 So that you might have certain knowledge of those things about which you were given teaching.

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, there was a certain priest, by name Zacharias, of the order of Abijah; and he had a wife of the family of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

6 They were upright in the eyes of God, keeping all the rules and orders of God, and doing no wrong.

7 And they were without children, because Elisabeth had never given birth, and they were at that time very old.

8 Now it came about that in his turn he was acting as priest before God,

9 And as was the way of the priests, he had to go into the Temple to see to the burning of perfumes.

10 And all the people were offering prayers outside, at the time of the burning of perfumes.

11 And he saw an angel of the Lord in his place on the right side of the altar.

12 And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear came on him.

13 But the angel said, Have no fear, Zacharias, for your prayer has come to the ears of God, and your wife Elisabeth will have a son, and his name will be John.

14 And you will be glad and have great delight; and numbers of people will have joy at his birth.

15 For he will be great in the eyes of the Lord; he will not take wine or strong drink; and he will be full of the Spirit of God from his birth.

16 And through him great numbers of the children of Israel will be turned to the Lord their God.

17 And he will go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, turning the hearts of fathers to children, and guiding the feet of those who go without wisdom into the way of righteousness; to make ready a people whose hearts have been turned to the Lord.

18 And Zacharias said to the angel, How may I be certain of this? for I am an old man, and my wife is far on in years.

19 And the angel said, I am Gabriel, who stands before God; I have been sent to say these words to you, and to give you this good news.

20 And now, because you have not believed my words, you will be without power of talking, until the day when these things come about.

21 And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and were surprised because he was so long in the Temple.

22 And when he came out he was not able to say anything to them; and they saw that he had seen a vision, because he made signs to them, but words he had not.

23 And when the days of his work in the Temple were ended, he went back to his house.

24 After that time, Elisabeth his wife was with child, and she kept herself from men’s eyes for five months,

25 Saying, The Lord has done this to me, and has taken away my shame in the eyes of men.

26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin who was to be married to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in to her, and said, Peace be with you, to whom special grace has been given; the Lord is with you.

29 But she was greatly troubled at his words, and said to herself, What may be the sense of this greeting?

30 And the angel said, Have no fear, Mary: for you have grace in the eyes of God.

31 And see, you will give birth to a son, and his name will be Jesus.

32 He will be great, and will be named the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God will give him the kingdom of his father David:

33 He will have rule over the house of Jacob for ever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.

34 And Mary said to the angel, How is this possible? for I have had no knowledge of any man.

35 And the angel said to her, The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will come to rest on you; so that the child to come to birth from you will be named holy, Son of God.

36 And see, your cousin Elisabeth is now to become a mother, though she is old; the one who was not able to have children before this is now six months on the way.

37 For no word of God is without power.

38 And Mary said, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be to me as you say. And the angel went away.

39 Then Mary got up and went quickly into the hill country, to a town of Judah;

40 And went into the house of Zacharias, and said, Peace be with Elisabeth.

41 And when Elisabeth was aware of Mary’s voice, the baby made a sudden movement inside her, and she was full of the Holy Spirit.

42 And she said in a loud voice, May a blessing be given to you among women, and to the fruit of your body.

43 How has it come about that the mother of my Lord comes to me?

44 For, when your voice came to my ears, the baby in my body made a sudden move for joy.

45 For blessed is she who had faith that the Lord’s word to her would have effect.

46 And Mary said: My soul gives glory to God;

47 And my spirit is glad in God my Saviour.

48 For he has had pity on his servant, though she is poor and lowly placed: for from this time all generations will give witness to the blessing on me.

49 For he who is strong has done great things for me; and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is from generation to generation to those who give him worship.

51 He has done works of power with his arm; he has put to flight those who were full of pride in their hearts.

52 He has put down the strong ones from their seats, lifting up on high the men of low degree.

53 Those who were without food he has made full of good things, and the men of wealth he has sent away with empty hands.

54 He has given help to Israel, his servant, keeping in mind his mercy,

55 As he said he would do to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed for ever.

56 And Mary was with her about three months, and then went back to her house.

57 Now the time came for Elisabeth to give birth, and she had a son.

58 And her neighbours and relations, when they had news of the great mercy of the Lord to her, came together with her and had joy in her happiness.

59 And on the eighth day they came to make the child undergo circumcision; and they were going to give him the name of his father, Zacharias,

60 But his mother said, No; his name is John.

61 And they said, There is no one among your relations who has that name.

62 And they made signs to his father, questioning him what name was to be given to him.

63 And he sent for something on which to write, and put down: John is his name: and they were all surprised.

64 And in that minute he was able to make sounds, and his tongue was made free, and he gave praise to God.

65 And fear came on all those who were living round about them: and there was much talk among the people living in all the hill country of Judaea about these things.

66 And all who had word of it kept it in their minds, saying, What will this child come to be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.

67 And Zacharias his father was full of the Holy Spirit and gave witness, saying,

68 Praise be to the Lord God of Israel, because he has come to his people to make them free,

69 He has given us a strong Saviour, of the family of his servant David,

70 As he said, by the mouth of his holy prophets, that he would come.

71 Salvation from those who are against us, and from the hands of those who have hate for us;

72 To give effect to his mercy in relation to our fathers and to keep in mind his holy agreement,

73 The oath which he took to Abraham our father,

74 To make us free from the fear of our haters, and give us the power of worshipping him without fear,

75 Holy and upright before him, all our days.

76 And you, child, will be named the prophet of the Most High: you will go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways;

77 To give knowledge of salvation to his people, through the forgiveness of their sins,

78 Because of the loving mercies of our God, by which the dawn from heaven will come to us,

79 To give light to those in dark places, and in the shadow of death, so that our feet may be guided into the way of peace.

80 And the child became tall and strong in spirit; and he was in the waste land till the day when he came before the eyes of the people.

Important Verses

Luke 1:31 33 These verses declare the identity and mission of Jesus before His birth, naming Him as Son of the Most High who will reign forever on David’s throne, fulfilling Old Testament promises made to Israel.

Luke 1:35 This verse describes the miraculous, virgin conception of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, a foundational truth of Christian doctrine concerning Christ’s divine and human nature.

Luke 1:37 Elisabeth’s declaration that “no word of God is without power” affirms the certainty of God’s promises and encourages faith regardless of circumstance.

Luke 1:38 Mary’s response of submission, “I am the servant of the Lord; may it be to me as you say,” stands as a model of humble obedience and trust in God’s will.

Luke 1:46 55 Known as the Magnificat, this song of praise reflects deep gratitude and reveals God’s character as one who exalts the humble and fulfills His covenant promises.

Luke 1:76 79 Zacharias’s prophecy over his son John identifies him as the forerunner of the Messiah, connecting directly to the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1 concerning one who prepares the way of the Lord.