Luke 1:5-38
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Gabriel Predicts John’s Birth
5 In the days of King Herod(A) of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division[a](B) named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both were righteous in God’s sight,(C) living without blame(D) according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. 7 But they had no children[b] because Elizabeth could not conceive,[c] and both of them were well along in years.[d]
8 When his division was on duty(E) and he was serving as priest before God, 9 it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.(F) 10 At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 An angel of the Lord(G) appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear.[e] 13 But the angel said to him:
Do not be afraid,(H) Zechariah,
because your prayer has been heard.
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
and you will name him John.(I)
14 There will be joy and delight for you,
and many will rejoice at his birth.
15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord
and will never drink wine or beer.(J)
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit
while still in his mother’s womb.(K)
16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel
to the Lord their God.
17 And he will go before Him
in the spirit and power of Elijah,
to turn the hearts of fathers
to their children,(L)
and the disobedient
to the understanding of the righteous,
to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.(M)
18 “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”[f]
19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel,(N) who stands in the presence of God,(O) and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. 20 Now listen! You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept making signs to them(P) and remained speechless. 23 When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home.
24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, 25 “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace(Q) among the people.”
Gabriel Predicts Jesus’ Birth
26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel(R) was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,(S) 27 to a virgin engaged(T) to a man named Joseph, of the house of David.(U) The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”[g] 29 But she was deeply troubled(V) by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 Then the angel told her:
Do not be afraid, Mary,(W)
for you have found favor with God.
31 Now listen:
You will conceive and give birth to a son,
and you will call His name Jesus.(X)
32 He will be great
and will be called the Son of the Most High,(Y)
and the Lord God will give Him
the throne of His father David.(Z)
33 He will reign over the house of Jacob(AA) forever,
and His kingdom will have no end.(AB)
34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?”[h]
35 The angel replied to her:
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,(AC)
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore, the holy One to be born
will be called the Son of God.(AD)
36 And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”(AE)
38 “I am the Lord’s slave,”[i] said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Luke 1:5 One of the 24 divisions of priests appointed by David for temple service; 1Ch 24:10
- Luke 1:7 Lit child
- Luke 1:7 Lit Elizabeth was sterile or barren
- Luke 1:7 Lit in their days
- Luke 1:12 Lit and fear fell on him
- Luke 1:18 Lit in her days
- Luke 1:28 Other mss add blessed are you among women
- Luke 1:34 Lit since I do not know a man
- Luke 1:38 Lit Look, the Lord’s slave
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