Luke 1:1-7
Chapter 1
1
Several people have set out to relate the events that took place among us
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as they were told by the first witnesses who later became ministers of the word.
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After I, myself, carefully reviewed the whole story from the beginning, it seemed right for me to give you, Theophilus, an orderly account
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so that your Excellency may know the truth of all you have been taught.
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In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there lived a priest named Zechariah, who was part of the priestly clan of Abijah. Elizabeth, Zechariah’s wife, also belonged to a priestly family.
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Both of them were righteous in God’s eyes and lived blamelessly according to all the laws and commands of the Lord,
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but they had no children. Elizabeth was unable to have children, and they were both very old now.
Commentaries
Prologue.
Luke’s Gospel starts with a prologue that highlights several key points: 1. Stories about the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus already exist. 2. Some have tried to organize these stories systematically. 3. Luke also chooses to do this, aiming to give Christians a strong foundation for their faith. 4. The work is dedicated to a man named Theophilus, who might be real or fictional; Theophilus means “friend of God,” and every believer should aspire to this.
Announcement of the Birth of John the Baptist.
In this account, it is vital to consider specific details to better understand it. Zechariah and Elizabeth are described as “righteous” and “blameless” people (6), who had no children because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in age (7). However, God hears their prayers and appears to Zechariah in the temple. Elizabeth and Zechariah symbolize, in a sense, those who wait for the Lord’s promises. Zechariah is shocked by the angel’s announcement, and his subsequent silence reflects the people’s skeptical response (19-20). The future mission of the promised child is described with extraordinary characteristics (14-17). The Word of God is fulfilled, and Elizabeth’s pregnancy stands as a testimony to that fulfillment (24).