New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Luke 1
1
Many people have attempted to write about the things that have taken place among us.
Reference
Faith
John 20:31
2
Reports of these things were handed down to us. There were people who saw these things for themselves from the beginning and then passed the word on.
Reference
Parallel theme
Hebrews 2:3
Mark 1:1
Acts 4:20
Acts 1:3
Witness
John 15:27
Acts 26:16
2 Peter 1:16
1 Peter 5:1
Acts 1:8
Luke 24:48
3
I myself have carefully looked into everything from the beginning. So it seemed good also to me to write down an orderly report of exactly what happened. I am doing this for you, most excellent Theophilus.
Reference
People
Good
Acts 15:25
Acts 15:28
Ecclesiastes 12:9
Parallel theme
Acts 1:1
Acts 26:25
Acts 23:26
Acts 24:3
Acts 11:4
Acts 15:19
Luke 1:1
5
Herod was king of Judea. During the time he was ruling, there was a priest named Zechariah. He belonged to a group of priests named after Abijah. His wife Elizabeth also came from the family line of Aaron.
Reference
People
Kingdom
Matthew 2:1
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 24:10
1 Chronicles 24:19
Nehemiah 12:17
Nehemiah 12:4
6
Both of them did what was right in God's eyes. They obeyed all the Lord's commandments and rules faithfully.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Kings 9:4
References God
Genesis 17:1
Acts 24:16
1 Thessalonians 3:13
Philippians 2:15
Job 1:1
Job 1:8
Righteousness
Genesis 7:1
7
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was not able to have any. And they were both very old.
Reference
8
One day Zechariah's group was on duty. He was serving as a priest in God's temple.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Chronicles 31:2
Luke 1:5
Exodus 29:9
Exodus 28:1
Exodus 28:41
Exodus 29:1
Exodus 29:44
Exodus 30:30
References God
1 Chronicles 24:19
2 Chronicles 8:14
9
He happened to be chosen, in the usual way, to go into the temple of the Lord. There he was supposed to burn incense.
Reference
10
The time came for this to be done. All who had gathered to worship were praying outside.
Reference
11
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah. The angel was standing at the right side of the incense altar.
Reference
References Lord
Judges 13:3
13
But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will have a child. It will be a boy, and you must name him John.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Samuel 2:21
Psalm 113:9
Genesis 25:21
Luke 2:21
Psalm 118:21
Genesis 18:14
Matthew 14:27
Genesis 17:19
Isaiah 8:3
Prayer
Acts 10:31
15
He will be important in the Lord's eyes. "He must never use wine or other such drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the time he is born.
Reference
Holy
Jeremiah 1:5
Acts 2:4
Parallel theme
Galatians 1:15
Luke 7:33
1 Chronicles 17:8
Psalm 22:9
1 Chronicles 29:12
References Lord
Joshua 4:14
Joshua 3:7
Spirit
Ephesians 5:18
16
He will bring many of Israel's people back to the Lord their God.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 21:32
Daniel 12:3
References Israel
Isaiah 49:6
References Lord
Luke 1:76
Malachi 3:1
17
And he will prepare the way for the Lord. He will have the same spirit and power that Elijah had. He will teach parents how to love their children. He will also teach people who don't obey to be wise and do what is right. In this way, he will prepare a people who are ready for the Lord."
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 11:14
John 3:28
Revelation 20:4
Colossians 1:12
1 Peter 2:9
References Lord
Luke 1:76
1 Chronicles 29:18
Psalm 111:10
Spirit
Psalm 78:8
Isaiah 29:24
18
Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man, and my wife is old too."
Reference
19
The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I serve God. I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
Reference
20
And now you will have to be silent. You will not be able to speak until after John is born. That's because you did not believe my words. They will come true when the time is right."
Reference
21
During that time, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out. They wondered why he stayed in the temple so long.
22
When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple. They knew this because he kept motioning to them. He still could not speak.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 1:62
23
When his time of service was over, he returned home.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 9:25
24
After that, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant. She stayed at home for five months.
25
"The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days, he has been kind to me. He has taken away my shame among the people."
Reference
26
In the sixth month after Elizabeth had become pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee.
Reference
27
He was sent to a virgin. The girl was engaged to a man named Joseph. He came from the family line of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
Reference
28
The angel greeted her and said, "The Lord has given you special favor. He is with you."
Reference
Blessing
Luke 1:42
Judges 5:24
Parallel theme
Luke 1:30
Ephesians 1:6
Acts 18:10
Isaiah 43:5
Matthew 12:48
References Lord
Daniel 10:19
Judges 6:12
Hosea 14:2
29
Mary was very upset because of his words. She wondered what kind of greeting this could be.
Reference
30
But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary. God is very pleased with you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 1:13
Matthew 14:27
Luke 12:32
Isaiah 41:14
Isaiah 44:2
Matthew 28:5
Hebrews 13:6
References God
Romans 8:31
Isaiah 41:10
Acts 27:24
31
You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You must name him Jesus.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 7:14
Matthew 1:23
Galatians 4:4
Luke 1:13
Luke 1:27
References Jesus
Matthew 1:21
Matthew 1:25
Luke 2:21
32
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king like his father David of long ago.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 28:18
2 Samuel 7:16
References David
Isaiah 16:5
Revelation 3:7
References God
Luke 1:35
Mark 5:7
Acts 2:30
Romans 1:4
References Lord
Psalm 132:11
Luke 1:76
33
He will rule forever over his people, who came from Jacob's family. His kingdom will never end."
Reference
Kingdom
Daniel 2:44
Hebrews 1:8
Daniel 7:27
2 Samuel 7:16
Revelation 11:15
Psalm 45:6
Micah 4:7
Daniel 7:18
Parallel theme
Matthew 28:18
Galatians 3:29
34
"How can this happen?" Mary asked the angel. "I am a virgin."
35
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come to you. The power of the Most High God will cover you. So the holy one that is born will be called the Son of God.
Reference
Holy
Matthew 1:18
Matthew 1:20
Romans 1:4
Mark 1:24
Parallel theme
Hebrews 4:15
Luke 1:27
Acts 8:36
References God
John 1:49
John 1:34
Matthew 27:54
36
Your relative Elizabeth is old. And even she is going to have a child. People thought she could not have children. But she has been pregnant for six months now.
37
Nothing is impossible with God."
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 18:14
Numbers 11:23
Philippians 3:21
Zechariah 8:6
Job 13:2
References God
Matthew 19:26
Jeremiah 32:27
Mark 10:27
Jeremiah 32:17
Luke 18:27
38
"I serve the Lord," Mary answered. "May it happen to me just as you said it would." Then the angel left her.
Reference
39
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in Judea's hill country.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 1:65
40
There she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth.
41
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby inside her jumped. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Reference
Holy
Luke 1:67
Luke 1:15
Acts 4:8
Acts 2:4
Acts 7:55
Acts 6:3
Parallel theme
Luke 1:44
Psalm 22:10
Genesis 25:22
Spirit
Revelation 1:10
42
In a loud voice she called out, "God has blessed you more than other women. And blessed is the child you will have!
Reference
44
As soon as I heard the sound of your voice, the baby inside me jumped for joy.
45
You are a woman God has blessed. You have believed that what the Lord has said to you will be done!"
Reference
46
Mary said, "My soul gives glory to the Lord.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Corinthians 2:14
1 Peter 1:8
Philippians 3:3
References Lord
Psalm 35:9
Isaiah 61:10
1 Corinthians 1:31
Isaiah 45:25
Romans 5:11
Philippians 4:4
48
He has taken note of me even though I am not important. From now on all people will call me blessed.
Reference
Blessing
Malachi 3:12
Luke 11:27
Luke 1:28
Genesis 30:13
Luke 1:42
Parallel theme
Psalm 138:6
1 Samuel 1:11
Psalm 136:23
Isaiah 66:2
1 Samuel 2:8
50
He shows his mercy to those who have respect for him, from parent to child down through the years.
Reference
Grace
Exodus 20:6
Psalm 118:4
Psalm 103:11
Psalm 147:11
Parallel theme
Genesis 17:7
Psalm 145:19
Psalm 31:19
Psalm 115:13
Revelation 19:5
Psalm 85:9
51
He has done mighty things with his arm. He has scattered those who are proud in their deepest thoughts.
Reference
52
He has brought down rulers from their thrones. But he has lifted up people who are not important.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ezekiel 17:24
James 4:10
Luke 18:14
Ecclesiastes 4:14
1 Samuel 2:4
Amos 9:11
Mark 6:3
53
He has filled those who are hungry with good things. But he has sent those who are rich away empty.
Reference
55
to Abraham and his children down through the years. He has done it just as he said to our people of long ago."
Reference
56
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months. Then she returned home.
57
The time came for Elizabeth to have her baby. She gave birth to a son.
58
Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very kind to her. They shared her joy.
Reference
59
On the eighth day, they came to have the child circumcised. They were going to name him Zechariah, like his father.
Reference
61
They said to her, "No one among your relatives has that name."
62
Then they motioned to his father. They wanted to find out what he would like to name the child.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 1:22
63
He asked for something to write on. Then he wrote, "His name is John." Everyone was amazed.
Reference
64
Right away Zechariah could speak again. His first words gave praise to God.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 1:20
Jeremiah 1:9
Ezekiel 33:22
Matthew 9:33
References God
Ezekiel 3:27
Resurrection
Psalm 51:15
Isaiah 12:1
65
The neighbors were all filled with fear and wonder. All through Judea's hill country, people were talking about all these things.
Reference
66
Everyone who heard this wondered about it. And because the Lord was with John, they asked, "What is this child going to be?"
Reference
68
"Give praise to the Lord, the God of Israel! He has come and set his people free.
Reference
Blessing
Psalm 106:48
Psalm 41:13
1 Kings 1:48
Ephesians 1:3
1 Chronicles 29:20
Redemption
Psalm 111:9
Luke 2:38
Ephesians 1:7
References God
Luke 7:16
References Lord
Exodus 4:31
69
He has acted with great power and has saved us. He did it for those who are from the family line of his servant David.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ezekiel 29:21
1 Samuel 2:10
Psalm 89:17
References David
Mark 11:10
Revelation 22:16
Psalm 89:3
Resurrection
Amos 9:11
Salvation
Psalm 18:2
2 Samuel 22:3
1 Samuel 2:1
71
He has saved us from our enemies. We are rescued from all who hate us.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ezekiel 34:28
Jeremiah 32:37
Luke 1:74
Ezekiel 34:25
Salvation
Psalm 106:10
Jeremiah 23:6
Deuteronomy 33:29
72
He has been kind to our people. He has remembered his holy covenant.
Reference
Covenant
Psalm 106:45
Leviticus 26:42
Ezekiel 16:60
Grace
Micah 7:20
Parallel theme
Romans 11:28
Genesis 26:4
Genesis 28:14
74
He promised to save us from our enemies, so that we could serve him without fear.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Timothy 1:7
Hebrews 9:14
Revelation 2:10
Hebrews 2:15
Romans 8:15
Luke 1:71
Isaiah 45:17
75
He wants us to be holy and godly as long as we live.
Reference
Holy
2 Timothy 1:9
Ephesians 1:4
1 Thessalonians 4:7
Parallel theme
Ephesians 2:10
Righteousness
Ephesians 4:24
76
"And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare the way for him.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 16:17
Luke 1:35
Prophecy
Matthew 3:3
Matthew 14:5
John 1:23
Mark 11:32
References Lord
Malachi 3:1
Luke 1:32
77
You will tell his people how they can be saved. You will tell them that their sins can be forgiven.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 1:34
Salvation
Acts 5:31
Luke 3:6
Sin
Acts 10:43
Acts 2:38
Acts 3:19
John 1:29
Luke 3:3
Jeremiah 31:34
Ephesians 1:7
78
All of that will happen because our God is tender and caring. His kindness will bring the rising sun to us from heaven.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Peter 1:19
Malachi 4:2
Ephesians 5:14
Numbers 24:17
Philippians 2:1
Revelation 22:16
Isaiah 11:1
Zechariah 6:12
References God
Colossians 3:12
1 John 3:17
Summary of Luke 1
Luke 1 begins with the author explaining that he has carefully investigated the events surrounding Jesus and intends to provide an orderly account so that Theophilus can have confidence in the teaching he has received, establishing the Gospel as a carefully arranged narrative grounded in testimony from eyewitnesses and early Christian messengers.
The story then moves to the final years of Herod the Great's reign, approximately 37–4 BC, when Zechariah, an elderly priest, is serving in the Jerusalem Temple with his wife Elizabeth, a faithful woman who has never been able to have children.
During Zechariah's Temple service, the angel Gabriel appears and announces that Elizabeth will have a son named John who will become a great servant of God, prepare Israel for the Lord, and minister in the spirit and power associated with the prophet Elijah.
Zechariah struggles to believe the announcement because both he and Elizabeth are elderly, and as a sign of the certainty of God's promise, he becomes unable to speak until the child is born.
Six months into Elizabeth's pregnancy, Gabriel appears to Mary, a young virgin in Nazareth who is engaged to Joseph, a descendant of David, and announces that she will conceive a son named Jesus who will be called the Son of the Most High and will receive the throne of David.
Mary asks how this can happen because she is a virgin, and Gabriel explains that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and God's power will overshadow her, while also telling her that Elizabeth, despite her age and previous infertility, is already six months pregnant.
Mary responds with humble faith, accepting God's will, and then travels to Judea to visit Elizabeth, whose unborn child leaps when Mary arrives and whose response is described as being inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Mary then delivers the beautiful song traditionally called the Magnificat, praising God for remembering His humble servant, showing mercy to generations of faithful people, bringing down the proud and powerful, lifting up the humble, feeding the hungry, and remaining faithful to His ancient covenant with Israel.
The song connects the coming birth of Jesus with God's long history of dealing with Israel, particularly His promises to Abraham and David, showing that the events occurring in Mary's life are understood as part of a much larger story that stretches back many centuries.
After remaining with Elizabeth for about three months, Mary returns home, and Elizabeth gives birth to John, whose birth causes great joy throughout the surrounding community.
On the eighth day, John is circumcised according to Jewish covenant practice, and although the relatives expect him to be named after his father, Elizabeth insists that his name must be John, following the angel's earlier instruction.
When Zechariah confirms the name in writing, his ability to speak immediately returns, and he begins praising God, demonstrating that the sign given to him at the Temple has been fulfilled.
Zechariah then delivers a prophetic song known as the Benedictus, praising God for remembering His covenant, raising up salvation through the house of David, showing mercy to Israel, and fulfilling promises that had been spoken through the prophets.
He then turns his attention to his newborn son and explains that John will become the prophet of the Most High who goes before the Lord to prepare His ways, teach people about salvation through forgiveness, and guide people from darkness toward peace.
The chapter concludes by saying that John grows and becomes strong in spirit while living in the wilderness until the appropriate time for him to appear publicly to Israel.
The historical setting is especially important because Luke deliberately places these events within recognizable political and religious circumstances, beginning during the reign of Herod the Great, whose rule over Judea lasted approximately 37–4 BC, and situating the story within the Jerusalem Temple, Jewish priestly traditions, Galilean villages, and the Judean countryside.
The chapter also establishes a remarkable connection between John and Jesus, because John's miraculous conception occurs first, Gabriel announces that John will prepare the way for the Lord, and Elizabeth's unborn child responds to Mary's presence before either child has been born.
At the same time, Luke presents Mary and Zechariah as contrasting examples of responses to God's announcement, because Zechariah initially struggles to believe the angel's promise while Mary responds with humble acceptance despite facing circumstances that are equally extraordinary.
The chapter repeatedly emphasizes that God's actions are connected to promises made many generations earlier, particularly the promises associated with Abraham, David, Israel's covenant, and the prophets, creating a bridge between the Old Testament story and the coming ministry of Jesus.
Luke 1 ultimately presents the births of John and Jesus as the beginning of a divinely directed new chapter in Israel's history, where God's ancient promises, prophetic expectations, covenant faithfulness, and saving purposes converge through two miraculous births, with John appointed to prepare the way and Jesus identified from before His birth as the promised Davidic King and Son of the Most High.
The story then moves to the final years of Herod the Great's reign, approximately 37–4 BC, when Zechariah, an elderly priest, is serving in the Jerusalem Temple with his wife Elizabeth, a faithful woman who has never been able to have children.
During Zechariah's Temple service, the angel Gabriel appears and announces that Elizabeth will have a son named John who will become a great servant of God, prepare Israel for the Lord, and minister in the spirit and power associated with the prophet Elijah.
Zechariah struggles to believe the announcement because both he and Elizabeth are elderly, and as a sign of the certainty of God's promise, he becomes unable to speak until the child is born.
Six months into Elizabeth's pregnancy, Gabriel appears to Mary, a young virgin in Nazareth who is engaged to Joseph, a descendant of David, and announces that she will conceive a son named Jesus who will be called the Son of the Most High and will receive the throne of David.
Mary asks how this can happen because she is a virgin, and Gabriel explains that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and God's power will overshadow her, while also telling her that Elizabeth, despite her age and previous infertility, is already six months pregnant.
Mary responds with humble faith, accepting God's will, and then travels to Judea to visit Elizabeth, whose unborn child leaps when Mary arrives and whose response is described as being inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Mary then delivers the beautiful song traditionally called the Magnificat, praising God for remembering His humble servant, showing mercy to generations of faithful people, bringing down the proud and powerful, lifting up the humble, feeding the hungry, and remaining faithful to His ancient covenant with Israel.
The song connects the coming birth of Jesus with God's long history of dealing with Israel, particularly His promises to Abraham and David, showing that the events occurring in Mary's life are understood as part of a much larger story that stretches back many centuries.
After remaining with Elizabeth for about three months, Mary returns home, and Elizabeth gives birth to John, whose birth causes great joy throughout the surrounding community.
On the eighth day, John is circumcised according to Jewish covenant practice, and although the relatives expect him to be named after his father, Elizabeth insists that his name must be John, following the angel's earlier instruction.
When Zechariah confirms the name in writing, his ability to speak immediately returns, and he begins praising God, demonstrating that the sign given to him at the Temple has been fulfilled.
Zechariah then delivers a prophetic song known as the Benedictus, praising God for remembering His covenant, raising up salvation through the house of David, showing mercy to Israel, and fulfilling promises that had been spoken through the prophets.
He then turns his attention to his newborn son and explains that John will become the prophet of the Most High who goes before the Lord to prepare His ways, teach people about salvation through forgiveness, and guide people from darkness toward peace.
The chapter concludes by saying that John grows and becomes strong in spirit while living in the wilderness until the appropriate time for him to appear publicly to Israel.
The historical setting is especially important because Luke deliberately places these events within recognizable political and religious circumstances, beginning during the reign of Herod the Great, whose rule over Judea lasted approximately 37–4 BC, and situating the story within the Jerusalem Temple, Jewish priestly traditions, Galilean villages, and the Judean countryside.
The chapter also establishes a remarkable connection between John and Jesus, because John's miraculous conception occurs first, Gabriel announces that John will prepare the way for the Lord, and Elizabeth's unborn child responds to Mary's presence before either child has been born.
At the same time, Luke presents Mary and Zechariah as contrasting examples of responses to God's announcement, because Zechariah initially struggles to believe the angel's promise while Mary responds with humble acceptance despite facing circumstances that are equally extraordinary.
The chapter repeatedly emphasizes that God's actions are connected to promises made many generations earlier, particularly the promises associated with Abraham, David, Israel's covenant, and the prophets, creating a bridge between the Old Testament story and the coming ministry of Jesus.
Luke 1 ultimately presents the births of John and Jesus as the beginning of a divinely directed new chapter in Israel's history, where God's ancient promises, prophetic expectations, covenant faithfulness, and saving purposes converge through two miraculous births, with John appointed to prepare the way and Jesus identified from before His birth as the promised Davidic King and Son of the Most High.