Luke 1 - Summary

Historical setting

Luke writes in an era when the events he describes are already past, and eyewitness accounts are being transmitted orally and in written form. The historical anchors he gives are the reign of Herod the Great over Judaea and the mention of Galilee as distinct territory. Herod ruled from roughly 37 to 4 BC, which places these events in the first century before the Common Era. Luke is addressing a person named Theophilus, who is unknown from other sources but apparently a patron or person of some standing. The geography encompasses the temple at Jerusalem, where priestly duties are performed; Judaea, the heartland of Jewish territory; and Galilee to the north, including the town of Nazareth. Roman rule underlies the entire setting, though Luke does not dwell on it in this chapter.

Life and customs

Jewish priests served in the temple according to a roster system: they were organized into courses, or divisions, that took turns performing sacrificial duties. Zacharias belongs to the course of Abia and performs the specific office of burning incense, considered a high honour. The burning of incense at the altar inside the sanctuary was accompanied by prayer from the people outside in the outer court. Barrenness in a marriage was regarded as a reproach or shame, particularly for a woman, and its removal was seen as divine favour. Circumcision on the eighth day was the standard practice for Jewish boys, and naming was part of the ceremony; the child would normally take the father's name or that of a relative. Being "espoused" means Mary was betrothed to Joseph in a formal commitment that carried legal weight, though the marriage was not yet consummated. The Nazirite vow, kept by one who drinks neither wine nor strong drink, was a recognized form of dedication to God.

What the text says

Luke begins by explaining his purpose (verses 1-4). Many have already set down accounts of events that believers hold to be true, drawing on eyewitness reports. He has investigated everything carefully from the beginning and now writes to Theophilus in orderly fashion so that Theophilus may know the certainty of what he has been taught.

The text then tells of Zacharias, a priest of Abia during Herod's reign, and his wife Elisabeth, herself of priestly descent from Aaron. Both are righteous and obedient before God, but have no child because Elisabeth is barren and both are elderly (verses 5-7). While Zacharias performs his priestly duty, burning incense in the sanctuary while the people pray outside, an angel appears at the right side of the altar of incense (verses 8-11). Zacharias is frightened, but the angel tells him his prayer is heard and Elisabeth will bear a son to be named John (verse 13). This son will bring joy to many; he will be great before the Lord, drink neither wine nor strong drink, and be filled with the Holy Ghost from the womb (verses 14-15). He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord and will go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, turning the disobedient to wisdom and preparing a people for the Lord (verses 16-17).

Zacharias asks how he can be certain, citing his advanced age and Elisabeth's barrenness (verse 18). The angel identifies himself as Gabriel, sent from God's presence, and pronounces that Zacharias will be unable to speak until the prophecy is fulfilled, because he has not believed (verses 19-20). The people wait outside, wondering why Zacharias delays, and when he emerges he cannot speak; they recognize he has seen a vision (verses 21-22). After his period of service ends, he returns home (verse 23), Elisabeth conceives, and hides herself for five months, saying the Lord has taken away her reproach (verses 24-25).

In the sixth month of Elisabeth's pregnancy, Gabriel is sent to Nazareth in Galilee to a virgin named Mary, espoused to Joseph of David's house (verses 26-27). The angel greets her, saying she is highly favoured and the Lord is with her (verse 28). Mary is troubled by the greeting and ponders what it means (verse 29). The angel tells her not to fear, for she has found favour with God; she will conceive and bear a son named Jesus (verses 30-31). He will be great, called the Son of the Highest, and God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever (verses 32-33). Mary asks how this can be, since she knows not a man (verse 34). The angel answers that the Holy Ghost will come upon her and the power of the Highest will overshadow her; therefore the holy thing born of her will be called the Son of God (verse 35). As a sign, Elisabeth her cousin has also conceived a son in her old age, now in her sixth month, though she was called barren (verse 36). With God nothing is impossible (verse 37). Mary responds as the Lord's handmaid, consenting to his word (verse 38).

Mary then travels with haste into the hill country of Judaea to Elisabeth's house (verses 39-40). When Elisabeth hears Mary's greeting, the babe leaps in her womb, Elisabeth is filled with the Holy Ghost, and she cries out that Mary is blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of her womb (verses 41-42). Elisabeth asks how it comes that the mother of her Lord should visit her, for the babe leaped in joy at the sound of Mary's voice (verses 43-44). She pronounces blessed the one who believed that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled (verse 45).

Mary then speaks the words that have become known as the Magnificat (verses 46-55). Her soul magnifies the Lord, her spirit rejoices in God her Saviour, for he has regarded her low estate and from now all generations will call her blessed (verses 46-48). He that is mighty has done great things for her, and his name is holy (verse 49). His mercy extends from generation to generation to those that fear him (verse 50). He has shown strength with his arm, scattered the proud in their heart's imagination, put down the mighty and exalted the lowly, filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty (verses 51-53). He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy as he spoke to Abraham and his seed forever (verses 54-55). Mary remains with Elisabeth for three months and then returns home (verse 56).

Takeaways

• Luke begins by identifying himself as a careful historian gathering eyewitness testimony to provide certainty about the events his readers have been taught.
• An angel