Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us (Luke 1:1)
The opening verse of the Gospel of Luke acknowledges the existence of other narratives about the life and teachings of Jesus. In saying "those things which have been fulfilled among us," Luke hints at the realisation of Old Testament prophecies. This makes the Gospel not just a storytelling exercise but a testament to God's faithfulness. Similar texts, like John 21:25, speak about the vast amount of events in Jesus's life, much more than could be recorded.
In an age of information overload, the concept of a verified, orderly narrative becomes increasingly important. Luke's focus on writing a structured account teaches us to value accuracy and reliability in how we represent the truth, especially spiritual truth.
just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us (Luke 1:2)
Luke emphasises the role of "eyewitnesses" and "ministers of the word," stressing that his account isn't second-hand information but is rooted in the testimony of those who directly experienced the events. This is consistent with the claims in 1 John 1:1, where the apostle talks about what "we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes."
In our current culture, where "fake news" is a common phrase, the importance of direct eyewitness accounts and credible sources cannot be overstated.
it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, (Luke 1:3)
Luke addresses "most excellent Theophilus," likely a high-ranking official or a dignitary. Luke's meticulous research and "perfect understanding" aim to present an "orderly account," setting his gospel apart for its high degree of scrutiny and methodology, echoing Proverbs 4:7: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom."
This speaks to the modern sceptic or anyone demanding evidence. Luke embodies the principle that faith and intellect are not mutually exclusive but can and should coexist harmoniously.
that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. (Luke 1:4)
The end goal for Luke is not just to provide information but to establish "certainty" for Theophilus—and by extension, for us—regarding the teachings of Lord Jesus. This aligns with 1 Peter 3:15, which exhorts believers to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. (Luke 1:5)
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea:
Luke sets the stage by positioning the story "in the days of Herod, king of Judea," grounding it in a specific historical context.
Herod the Great was a tyrant. He had nine (some say ten) wives, one of whom he had executed for no apparent reason. Ethnically, he was not a descendant of Israel but of Jacob’s brother Esau – therefore an Edomite or an Idumean. He was also known for his building programs.
a certain priest named Zacharias of the division of Abijah:
Zechariah is not just any priest, but one "of the division of Abijah," referencing 1 Chronicles 24, where David divided the priests divided twenty-four courses, and each priest served in the temple two weeks out of the year. Elizabeth, his wife, comes from the priestly line of Aaron, solidifying their religious credentials.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. (Luke 1:6-7)
And they were both righteous before God:
Their righteousness is not just outward but "before God," indicating a heart-level obedience, reminding us of Micah 6:8's call to "walk humbly with your God." "Walking blamelessly" suggests a lifestyle of ongoing integrity and commitment.
It’s a reminder that religious pedigree or ritualistic compliance isn't enough; a genuine, heart-level relationship with God is what truly counts. This should be a cornerstone of our own faith journeys.
But they had no child because Elizabeth was barren:
The mention of barrenness strikes a discordant note. It echoes stories like those of Sarah (Genesis 11:30) or Hannah (1 Samuel 1:5-6), where barrenness was often considered a sign of divine disfavour. "Advanced in years" intensifies the apparent hopelessness of their situation.
Now, just because you are righteous does not mean that you will not have challenges in life. Many of us have 'barren' areas in our lives—unfulfilled desires, unanswered prayers—that make us question our worth or God's favour. Yet, as with Zechariah and Elizabeth, these are often the areas where God manifests His glory in unforeseen ways.
8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division. 9 According to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. (Luke 1:8-9)
Over the years, the number of priests multiplied. Bible scholars estimate that there were nearly 20,000 priests during the time of Jesus. As a result, lots were used to determine which priests would serve and when. For a priest, the lot to serve might fall only once in his lifetime. For a godly man like Zacharias, this was likely the most significant event of his life, a tremendous privilege, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Amidst the monotonous cycles of religious duties, a divine interruption was about to occur in Zacharias's life.
The Altar of Incense Location
And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. (Luke 1:10)
Hour of incense
Luke 1:10 brings us to a moment of communal spirituality where "the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense." This was no ordinary moment; it was a prescribed time of collective worship when incense was offered in the Holy Place. This coincided with the morning and evening sacrifices, as laid out in Exodus 30:7-8. The incense symbolised the prayers and intercessions of the people rising up to God
May my prayer be set before you like incense. (Psalm 141:2)
3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. (Revelation 8:3-4)
As New Testament Christians, should we burn incense today?
Now, the ceremonies of the old covenant were pictures and shadows of what Christ would accomplish in His atoning work on the cross. Incense is also part of that picture, as the sacrifice of Christ is the sweet aroma that goes before the Father on our behalf. So, there is no need to burn incense today.
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. (Luke 1:11-12)
Standing on the right side of the altar of incense:
The angel stands "at the right side" of the altar, a place generally considered a position of favour and authority
The Lord (God) says to my Lord (the Messiah), Sit at My right hand until I make Your adversaries Your footstool. (Psalm 110:1)
And He (the Lord) will cause the sheep to stand at His right hand, but the goats at His left. (Matthew 25:33).
There is one more thing I want to highlight. Divine encounters don't always happen at dramatic or 'high' moments; they can take place in the middle of what we might consider our spiritual 'duties'. All this happened as Zacharias went out about his duty as usual.
Prayer activates the angels of God into action.
In Daniel 10, when Prophet Daniel prayed, angels were set into motion. In Acts 10, when Cornelius prayed, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. When you pray, the angels of God will be set in motion, working on your behalf.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer, is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:13-17)
In these verses, the entire life of John the Baptist was revealed by the angel of the Lord.
Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard:
The words "Do not be afraid" echo other biblical visitations (Genesis 15:1; Matthew 28:5), where the supernatural presence of God induces human fear.
If you have no child, then launch out into prayer. The God of Zacharias and Elizabeth will answer you mightily. Even if you are well advanced in years, God can bless you with a child.
Are you seeking direction for your life; then declare a season of prayer; God will reveal direction for your entire life.
In our moments of doubt and anxiety, God hears our prayers—even the ones we might have given up on. The assurance replaces fear with hope.
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord:
The greatness of John is framed "in the sight of the Lord," setting a spiritual metric for success. His Nazirite vow of abstaining from "wine or other fermented drink" (Numbers 6:1-21) indicates his consecration to God.
And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God
Evoking Elijah (Malachi 4:5-6) denotes the magnitude and nature of John's ministry. He would serve as a spiritual bridge "to turn the hearts" of the divided families and the nation, reconciling them back to God and each other.
John the Baptist serves as a model for any who would aspire to call a wayward culture back to spiritual integrity and genuine faith.
Together, these verses sketch an inspiring portrait of John’s life and mission, offering a blueprint for what it means to be a person fully committed to God's purpose.
And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” (Luke 1:18)
Zechariah's question exposes the struggle between faith and human reasoning. Despite standing before an angel, Zechariah seeks assurance. He focuses on the natural circumstances—his old age and his wife's barrenness—much like Sarah did when she laughed at the angelic prophecy of her giving birth in old age (Genesis 18:12).
Very often, we, too, ask "How?" when faced with God's promises or directions, especially when they defy our rational expectations. While God respects our need for understanding, Zechariah's response is a cautionary tale about the limits of human reason in the realm of faith.
And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you [d]these glad tidings. (Luke 1:19)
Gabriel's response reaffirms his authority and source of the message. He is not just any angel; he "stands in the presence of God," implying closeness to the Divine and, thus, credibility. Gabriel is also the angel who later appears to Mary and delivers another birth announcement (Luke 1:26-38).
Fascinating Biblical Facts About the Angel Gabriel
1. Chief Messenger:
While the Bible does not specifically assign ranks to angels, Gabriel is generally considered a high-ranking or archangel. His name means "God is my strength," and he plays a significant role in delivering important messages from God. In the Jewish tradition, Gabriel is one of the seven archangels who stand in the presence of God.
2. Announcer of Births:
Gabriel seems to specialise in birth announcements! He tells Zechariah about the impending birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:11–20) and then goes to Mary to announce that she would conceive and give birth to Jesus (Luke 1:26–38). Two critical births that changed the course of history, and Gabriel got to break the news!
3. Gabriel in the Old Testament:
Many scholars identify Gabriel as the "man" who helps the prophet Daniel understand his visions (Daniel 8:16; 9:21). Gabriel appears to give Daniel insight into the future, which includes visions of the end times. This makes him a messenger not just of immediate events but also of end times.
4. The Sound of the Trumpet:
In Christian eschatology (teaching on the end times), Gabriel is often associated with the blowing of the trumpet that announces the return of Christ and the resurrection of the dead. While the Bible doesn't specifically name Gabriel as the trumpeter, his role as a chief messenger and the one who announced key births makes it a popular interpretation.
But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their own time.” (Luke 1:20)
Zechariah's unbelief carries a consequence: he is rendered mute until the prophecy is fulfilled. While it may seem harsh, his silence could serve as a period for introspection and growth in faith. It also prevents him from potentially spreading doubt among the people through his words.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites' words of doubt and fear cost them entry into the Promised Land of Canaan. Given this historical context, one could argue that God was actually doing Zechariah a favour by rendering him mute. This divine act of silencing him could be seen as a protective measure, ensuring that Zechariah did not speak words of doubt that might jeopardise his blessing, much like the Israelites did. By taking away his ability to vocalise his scepticism, God preserved the sanctity of the divine promise, allowing it to come to fruition without being tainted by human doubt.
Unbelief has its consequences, often robbing us of the fuller experiences God wants to offer.
21 And the people waited for Zacharias and marvelled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. (Luke 1:21-22)
Ordinarily, this would be followed by a priestly blessing upon the gathered people (Numbers 6:24-26). However, his inability to speak disrupts the ritual's traditional flow.
Zechariah's experience should make us ponder the power of words and silence in our lives. In a world overflowing with words—tweets, blogs, and endless chatter—what would it mean for us to embrace silence, even if momentarily, to hear the divine whispers?
So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. (Luke 1:23)
Zechariah’s dedication to his duties, even when faced with personal challenges, serves as a lesson to fulfil our own responsibilities with integrity, whether they are spiritual, familial, or work-related.
24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” (Luke 1:24-25)
Elizabeth's pregnancy was nothing short of miraculous. She was beyond child-bearing age and had been barren. Elizabeth’s decision to remain in seclusion for five months might have been due to a variety of reasons—cultural, personal, or spiritual.
If she had told people that she was pregnant, they probably would have made fun of her, so she decided to keep it to herself by hiding for five months. After five months, her pregnancy would be clearly visible, and thus, it would be hard for anyone to discredit it.
26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (Luke 1:26-28)
Now in the sixth month:
Here, timing is crucial: It's the "sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy." This connects Mary's story with Elizabeth's, establishing a divine timeline and hinting at the significant role each will play in the other's life.
Nazareth was a nondescript town in Galilee often looked down upon. “Nathanael answered him, Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46).
to a virgin betrothed to a man:
The term "virgin" is emphasised, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about a virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14). Mary is "pledged to be married to Joseph," but they are not yet living together, reinforcing her virgin status. Joseph is "a descendant of David," fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would come from David’s line (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
Rejoice, highly favoured one:
Gabriel's greeting is unusual and speaks volumes. Mary is "highly favoured," a term used sparingly in the Bible.
The angel said to her: Gabriel said three things to Mary.
- She was highly favoured.
- That the Lord was with her.
- She was blessed.
Mary was full of grace, and so is the believer. But Mary’s grace was a received grace, not grace to give to others.
The only other place it is used is Ephesians 1:6, where Paul says to the church at Ephesus and to the body of Christ generally, ". . . to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved."
From this, we can see that everyone in the body of Christ is highly favoured because God has accepted us through the justification brought about by Christ's sacrifice.
29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom, there will be no end.” (Luke 1:29-33)
And bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus:
the focus was not on Mary, but on a Son, to be named JESUS (a common name). This Son was unmistakably identified as the Messiah predicted by the Old Testament.
This points to the transformative power of names and identities. Like Jesus, each individual may have a common name but is called to live a unique and purposeful life.
Lord God will give Him the throne of His father, David:
He will be the Messiah prophesied to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16), who has the rightful authority to rule over Israel and of His kingdom; there will be no end.
Revelation 22:16 further ties Jesus to David's lineage, where Jesus refers to Himself as "the Root and the Offspring of David."
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” (Luke 1:34)
Mary's question is not one of doubt but of curiosity, seeking clarification for how this miraculous event will unfold. Her inquiry is logical—she is a virgin, and humanly speaking, her becoming pregnant is impossible.
Isaiah 7:14 prophesies that a virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, confirming that God had this miracle in the works for centuries.
In the modern world, full of sceptics, Mary teaches us it's okay to ask questions in our journey of faith as long as those questions lead us closer to understanding and submission to God's will.
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)
This sets apart the birth of Jesus from all other births; He is the "Son of God."
The word overshadow means “to cover with a cloud,” as in the cloud of Shekinah glory (Exodus 16:10, 19:9, 24:16, 34:5, 40:34) or the cloud of transfiguration (Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:34).
Now indeed, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. (Luke1:36)
The angel gives Mary the news of Elizabeth's pregnancy as a form of assurance and also as evidence of God's capability to perform miracles.
Memory Verse
For with God, nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)
God can do whatever God wants to do. Nothing is outside of God’s dominion. Because God is holy, every decision that He makes will be holy and good.
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