Luke 1 BSB
Dedication to Theophilus
1 Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, See the Greek order
2 just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word. See the Greek order
3 Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, See the Greek order
4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. See the Greek order
Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth
5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. See the Greek order
6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord. See the Greek order
7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years. See the Greek order
8 One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, See the Greek order
9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. See the Greek order
10 And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside. See the Greek order
11 Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. See the Greek order
12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear. See the Greek order
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. See the Greek order
14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, See the Greek order
15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. See the Greek order
16 Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God. See the Greek order
17 And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” See the Greek order
18 “How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” See the Greek order
19 “I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. See the Greek order
20 And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” See the Greek order
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple. See the Greek order
22 When he came out and was unable to speak to them, they realized he had seen a vision in the temple. He kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. See the Greek order
23 And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home. See the Greek order
24 After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared, See the Greek order
25 “The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” See the Greek order
Gabriel Foretells Jesus’ Birth
26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, See the Greek order
27 to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. See the Greek order
28 The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” See the Greek order
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. See the Greek order
30 So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. See the Greek order
31 Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. See the Greek order
32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, See the Greek order
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!” See the Greek order
34 “How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” See the Greek order
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. See the Greek order
36 Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. See the Greek order
37 For no word from God will ever fail.” See the Greek order
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her. See the Greek order
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah, See the Greek order
40 where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. See the Greek order
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. See the Greek order
42 In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! See the Greek order
43 And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? See the Greek order
44 For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. See the Greek order
45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.” See the Greek order
Mary’s Song
46 Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, See the Greek order
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! See the Greek order
48 For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed. See the Greek order
49 For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name. See the Greek order
50 His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. See the Greek order
51 He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts. See the Greek order
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble. See the Greek order
53 He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. See the Greek order
54 He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful, See the Greek order
55 as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.” See the Greek order
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. See the Greek order
The Birth of John the Baptist
57 When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. See the Greek order
58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. See the Greek order
59 On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah. See the Greek order
60 But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.” See the Greek order
61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.” See the Greek order
62 So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child. See the Greek order
63 Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. See the Greek order
64 Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God. See the Greek order
65 All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events. See the Greek order
66 And all who heard this wondered in their hearts and asked, “What then will this child become?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. See the Greek order
Zechariah’s Song
67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: See the Greek order
68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. See the Greek order
69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, See the Greek order
70 as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past, See the Greek order
71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, See the Greek order
72 to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, See the Greek order
73 the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us See the Greek order
74 deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear, See the Greek order
75 in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives. See the Greek order
76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, See the Greek order
77 to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, See the Greek order
78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, See the Greek order
79 to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” See the Greek order
80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel. See the Greek order