Luke 1:1–17

Luke Writes to Theophilus

¹Many have attempted to write about what had taken place among us. ²They received their information from those who had been eyewitnesses and servants of God’s word from the beginning, and they passed it on to us. ³I, too, have followed everything closely from the beginning. So I thought it would be a good idea to write an orderly account for Your Excellency, Theophilus. ⁴In this way you will know that what you’ve been told is true. 

The Angel Gabriel Appears to Zechariah

⁵When Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the division of priests named after Abijah. Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. ⁶Zechariah and Elizabeth had God’s approval. They followed all the Lord’s commands and regulations perfectly. ⁷Yet, they never had any children because Elizabeth couldn’t become pregnant. Both of them were too old to have children. 

⁸Zechariah was on duty with his division of priests. As he served in God’s presence, ⁹he was chosen by priestly custom to go into the Lord’s temple to burn incense. ¹⁰All the people were praying outside while he was burning incense. 

¹¹Then, to the right of the incense altar, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. ¹²Zechariah was troubled and overcome with fear. 

¹³The angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son, and you will name him John. ¹⁴He will be your pride and joy, and many people will be glad that he was born. ¹⁵As far as the Lord is concerned, he will be a great man. He will never drink wine or any other liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. ¹⁶He will bring many people in Israel back to the Lord their God. ¹⁷He will go ahead of the Lord with the spirit and power that Elijah had. He will change parents’ attitudes toward their children. He will change disobedient people so that they will accept the wisdom of those who have God’s approval. In this way he will prepare the people for their Lord.”