Luke 1:1-25

1:1 | By the time Luke wrote his Gospel, many others had produced their own works on the life of Jesus of Nazareth. The events that had been fulfilled refer more to the accomplishment of God’s purposes in Christ’s life than to the fulfillment of prophecy.

1:2 | Luke claims that he based his account on eyewitness testimony, using the Greek term autoptai, related to autopsy. This approach follows in the tradition of secular historians such as Josephus, Herodotus, and Polybius, who greatly valued the testimony of eyewitnesses (Acts 1:21-22).

1:3 | Theophilus means “Friend of God.” Luke also addresses the Book of Acts to this man (Acts 1:1-2).

1:4 | Luke focuses on truth (certainty) because he wants his readers to have a firm foundation for their faith and their lives. As the apostles were martyred or died, surviving Christians needed a reliable account of the person and work of Jesus Christ, not writings based on fables or wild tales such as Gnostic writers were producing.

1:5-7 | Elizabeth had little reason to believe that she could become a mother as an elderly woman despite God’s grace to both Sarah (Gen. 17:16-17) and Hannah (1 Sam. 1:5-11). But God did answer this couple’s prayer. Zacharias means “Yahweh Has Remembered Again.” God still answers prayer – but always in His timing, not necessarily ours.

1:14-17 | John the Baptist had a distinguished place in God’s plan and was especially equipped for his unique role from his mother’s womb. Joy and gladness would characterize the Messiah and His forerunner. The angel quoted a portion of Malachi 4:5-6 about the future ministry of Elijah and connected it to the career of John, who would operate in the same spirit and power (Matt. 17:1-12; John 1:21).

1:15 | It is generally agreed that John the Baptist was a Nazarite from birth, based on Gabriel’s statement that he should drink neither wine nor strong drink. Abstinence from the fruit of the vine (fermented or not) was one of three stipulations for taking a temporary or permanent Nazarite vow (Num. 6:1-21). John the Baptist was one of only three lifelong Nazarites in the Bible. The others were Samson (Judg. 13:5) and Samuel (1 Sam. 1:11).

1:18-19 | The Greek is emphatic: I am an old man! So is the angel’s rebuke of Zacharias for his doubts: I am Gabriel! Zacharias knew instantly what this meant: God’s messenger angel, whose name was revealed centuries before during Daniel’s time, had left heaven’s throne room to deliver this critical message (Dan. 8:16; 9:21-23).

1:21-23 | After priests performed their temple duties, they normally came out to the people to pronounce a blessing. Zacharias’ delay signaled that something unusual had taken place – but whether a blessing or a judgment, the people did not know. Although Zacharia could not speak, he gestured (beckoned to them) to communicate.

1:24-25 | Elizabeth stayed out of public view for five months after she and her husband conceived – about the length of time it takes for a pregnancy to show – perhaps to remove herself from curious eyes until the growth of her belly revealed the truth.