Tyndale Open Study NotesLuke 1

Luke begins his Gospel with a formal introduction written in the style of skilled Greek writers of his time. These first four verses use a careful and formal style. They are among the best-written Greek in the New Testament.

• Many people had already begun to write accounts of Jesus’s life. Luke was not the first to write this history. Most scholars think Luke used the Gospel of Mark and other written and spoken sources.

• fulfilled: This word can mean "finished" or "completed," but Luke is referring to Jesus making Old Testament promises come true (4:21; 24:44).

• As a good historian, Luke carefully investigated the history of Jesus from the start to provide a reliable story.

• an orderly account: Some versions translate this phrase as “in consecutive order.” But it means an organized or carefully written account, not a sequence of time.

• The name Theophilus means “loved by God” or “one who loves God.” It is likely a personal name, not meant to describe a name.

  Different theories suggest he might be:

  1. an unbeliever who was influential in society,

  2. a person newly converted to Christianity needing guidance,

  3. the judge at the apostle Paul’s trial (the book of Acts ends with Paul in prison in Rome, waiting for his trial, or

  4. the person who funded Luke’s writing project.

  The fourth option is the most likely because it was common when writing literature to honor the person who funded it. The Greek word translated as most excellent indicates someone of important social status.

The Gospel of Luke's first two chapters describe the birth of Jesus and introduce key themes that appear later in Luke and Acts. The announcements and birth stories of Jesus and John the Baptist appear together, emphasizing their roles in bringing God's salvation.

At each point, Luke's Gospel shows Jesus to be greater. John is the forerunner announcing the coming of Jesus, while Jesus is the Savior.

• Herod king of Judea: See the profile on "Herod the Great."

• a priest named Zechariah: He was a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses (Exodus 28:1).

• who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah: See the study note on Luke 1:8–9 and also 1 Chronicles 24:10.

• Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron: Jews considered it especially spiritual for a priest to marry a woman from a priestly family.

Elizabeth was barren: Giving birth to children was a woman's greatest role in this culture. Being unable to have children made women feel ashamed. God miraculously intervened in the lives of various Old Testament women so they could have children (Genesis 18:10–12; 25:21; 30:22–23; Judges 13; 1 Samuel 1:1–28).

• Zechariah's division was on duty … he was chosen by lot: It was common in Old Testament times to cast lots (similar to throwing dice) to determine God’s will (1 Chronicles 26:13–16; Nehemiah 11:1; Proverbs 16:33; Jonah 1:7). There were 24 orders of priests that took turns serving in the temple (1 Chronicles 24:1–19). They cast lots to choose which priest would serve in the sanctuary of the temple. There were many priests, so this honor might come only once in a priest's life. The angel appeared at the most holy moment of Zechariah's life.

• to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense: Luke uses the Greek word naos to refer to the temple building. He did mean the whole temple complex (hieron), which he refers to as "the temple courts" (Luke 2:27). The temple complex included the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (see Hebrews 9:1–5). The priests burned incense twice a day in the Holy Place.

• he was startled and gripped with fear: Fear and awe are common reactions when someone sees an angel or experiences the presence of God (Judges 6:22–23; 13:22; Isaiah 6:5). The person is often reassured by a saying such as "Do not be afraid."

• you are to give him the name John: In Hebrew, the name John means "the Lord has shown favor." This favor came to Elizabeth and Zechariah through their son and to the Israelite nation through the Christ (Messiah), whose coming John would announce.

• He shall never take wine or strong drink: In the Old Testament, avoiding alcohol was part of the Nazirite vow (a special commitment to God; see Numbers 6:1–21). This commitment or promise to God was usually temporary (see Acts 18:18; 21:23, 26).

  It was a commitment for life for some people, such as:

  • Samson (Judges 13:4–7),

  • Samuel (compare 1 Samuel 1:11), and

  • John the Baptist.

• filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb: See Luke 1:41, 44.

he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah: The prophet Malachi prophesied that God would send Elijah before the time of God's salvation (see Malachi 3:1; 4:5–6). John the Baptist filled this role by preparing the way for the Lord's coming.

I am Gabriel: The Bible names two angels:

• Gabriel (Daniel 8:16; 9:21)

• Michael (Daniel 10:13; 12:1; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7)

• now you will be silent and unable to speak: God's discipline for Zechariah’s lack of faith also confirmed the prophecy. The Greek word translated as "unable to speak" in 1:22 can also mean "deaf" (7:22; compare 1:62).

• Zechariah is contrasted with Mary, the mother of Jesus, who responded with faith (1:38).

for five months remained in seclusion: Why she did this is uncertain and does not seem related to any Old Testament custom or command. Perhaps it was an act of spiritual commitment to honor God for answered prayer.

Nazareth was a small village in Galilee, southwest of the Sea of Galilee. People did not think highly of it (see John 1:46).

• pledged in marriage: In Jewish culture, families arranged marriages, and pledging someone in marriage was a formal legal contract. Girls were usually married by their mid-teens.

• Joseph, who was of the house of David: See Matthew 1:1–16. Joseph's ancestry is important because the Christ (Messiah) was to be a descendant of King David (2 Samuel 7:11–16; Isaiah 9:7).

you are to give Him the name Jesus: The name Jesus means "the Lord saves."

These verses echo God’s covenant with David (a binding promise God made with King David; 2 Samuel 7:11–16). This promise became the foundation for the hope of a coming Messiah (the Christ, God’s chosen king and savior; see also Isaiah 9:6–7; 11:1–5; Jeremiah 23:5–6; 33:15–16; Ezekiel 37:24–25).

The Holy Spirit will come upon you: The conception of Jesus (how he began to grow in Mary’s womb) was a miracle, by the power of the Most High (a title for God). The text does not explain how this happened.

Elizabeth your relative: The King James Version calls Elizabeth Mary’s cousin, but the Greek word is less specific. It refers more generally to a female relative, so the exact family relationship is not known.

The hill country of Judah was (129 to 161 kilometers (80 to 100 miles) from Nazareth. This journey would take at least four days to travel on foot.

• The baby leaped in her womb (see 1:15): John was already announcing the Messiah’s coming.

• Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit: In the Old Testament, being filled with the Spirit was often associated with a prophetic gift. The Spirit of prophecy was again appearing in Israel (see 1:67; 2:25, 27).

Mary’s song is the first of three songs of praise in the birth story of Jesus. It is called the Magnificat (Latin for “magnifies”). The song has many similarities to Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1–10.

The fact that God cares for the oppressed and reverses their fortunes is a common theme throughout Luke’s Gospel. The coming of God’s kingdom brings salvation to rejected and outcast people.

all generations will call me blessed: In Middle Eastern culture, honor and shame were very important. People also deeply valued the family name they would leave to future generations.

His arm represents God's great power (see Psalm 98:1; Isaiah 40:10).

• Gabriel’s words in 1:32–33 refer back to God’s promise to King David. Here, Mary refers to God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3; 17:3–8).

• The arrival of Jesus brought glory to Israel and salvation to Gentiles (see Luke 2:32).

• God commanded every Israelite to circumcise their boys when eight days old (Genesis 17:9–14; Leviticus 12:3). Circumcision marked the child's entry into Israel's covenant community.

• they were going to name him after his father Zechariah: Naming a child after a relative was common. The family and friends were surprised because John was not the name of any of his relatives.

they made signs: This was because Zechariah was not able to speak or hear (see study note on 1:20). Zechariah showed his faith and obedience to God by naming the child John. As a result, God restored his voice and hearing.

the Lord's hand: This anthropomorphism (describing God with human characteristics, compare 1:51) meant that God was at work in John’s life.

This second song of praise in the birth story of Jesus is called the Benedictus (Latin for “Blessed” or “Praise”). The song expects that God’s Messiah (his chosen leader) will save the Israelites from their enemies. Salvation includes physical rescue and forgiveness of sins (1:77).

He has visited and redeemed His people: This recalls the exodus from Egypt, when God rescued his people from Pharaoh (Exodus 3:7–10, 17–20).

• He has raised up a horn of salvation: A horn of salvation refers to the horn of a strong animal like a ram or an ox. To raise up a horn means to show strength and power (see also Psalms 89:24; 132:17).

• in the house of His servant David: See study note on Luke 1:32–33.

salvation from our enemies: This refers to what many people in Israel hoped for. They expected God to rescue them from their physical enemies, especially the Romans. But Jesus came to bring a deeper salvation. He saves people from sin, from Satan, and from death.

• And you, child: Zechariah turned from speaking about the coming Messiah to address his newborn son, John, who would prepare the Messiah’s way.

• called a prophet of the Most High: JJohn was the last and greatest in the line of Old Testament prophets (see 7:28).

• prepare the way for Him: See Isaiah 40:3.

the Dawn will visit us from on high: The Old Testament identifies the Messiah (Christ) as a light shining in darkness (Isaiah 9:2; 42:6–7; 49:6; Malachi 4:2).

• the child grew and became strong in spirit: Compare 2:40, 52; 1 Samuel 2:21, 26; 3:19.

• John likely lived in the wilderness west of the Jordan River and southeast of Jerusalem. This area was a place of spiritual testing (Deuteronomy 8:2; Psalms 78, 95, 107). It was also a place for spiritual retreat and preparation (Exodus 3; 1 Kings 19:4–6, 11–18; Isaiah 40:3).