Luke 1 – The Birth of Redemption Foretold
The Gospel of Luke opens with divine encounters, fulfilled prophecy, and preparation for the coming of Christ. From Zechariah’s silence to Mary’s song, this chapter sets the stage for God’s redemptive plan.
Certainty in the Things Believed
Luke writes with purpose and precision to Theophilus, anchoring faith in eyewitness testimony and fulfilled prophecy. As the story of redemption unfolds, we are drawn into angelic announcements, miraculous conceptions, and prophetic praise.
✔ Zechariah and Elizabeth receive a promise in old age.
✔ Mary is visited by Gabriel and humbly accepts her call.
✔ John the Baptist will prepare the way.
✔ Jesus is declared the Son of the Highest.
📖 Key Verse: “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” – Luke 1:37
🔎 The impossible is just the beginning when God is at work.
Luke Chapter 1 - Overview
Luke 1:1–4 – An Orderly Account for Certainty
📖 Luke 1:1–2 – *”Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration… even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses…”
🔎 Foundation of credibility:
🔹 Luke acknowledges other Gospel efforts, but his account is carefully constructed using eyewitness testimony—those who saw, heard, and walked with Jesus.
🔹 This makes Luke’s Gospel not hearsay, but a historic and Spirit-guided investigation.
➡️ Faith Insight: Christianity is not based on myth—it is built upon verifiable history and fulfilled prophecy.
📖 Luke 1:3–4 – *”It seemed good to me also… to write unto thee in order… that thou mightest know the certainty of those things.”
🔎 Personal and precise:
🔹 Luke writes to Theophilus (“lover of God”)—likely a real person, but also symbolically all who seek truth with open hearts.
🔹 His goal: to give believers confidence in what they’ve been taught—certainty, not speculation.
➡️ Spiritual Insight: God invites us to a faith that is both heartfelt and intellectually sound—faith built on truth.
Luke 1:5–25 – Zechariah, Elizabeth, and a Silenced Sign
📖 Luke 1:5–7 – *”There was in the days of Herod… a certain priest named Zechariah… and his wife… were both righteous before God… and they had no child.”
🔎 Righteous yet barren:
🔹 Zechariah and Elizabeth lived faithfully, yet carried a deep unfulfilled longing.
🔹 Barrenness was often seen as shameful in that culture, but God saw them as righteous.
➡️ Spiritual Insight: God’s delays are not His denials. Faithfulness matters—even when prayers seem unanswered.
📖 Luke 1:8–13 – *”His lot was to burn incense… and there appeared unto him an angel… Fear not, Zechariah: for thy prayer is heard.”
🔎 Answered in the sanctuary:
🔹 Zechariah was chosen by lot—seemingly random, but divinely appointed.
🔹 Gabriel brings news that God has heard a long-held prayer—John will be their son and the forerunner of the Messiah.
➡️ Ministry Insight: Sometimes God answers while we’re serving—faithfulness creates space for divine encounter.
📖 Luke 1:14–17 – *”Thou shalt have joy and gladness… he shall be great in the sight of the Lord… and shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah.”
🔎 The forerunner’s profile:
🔹 John would be set apart, filled with the Spirit, and carry the prophetic anointing of Elijah.
🔹 His mission: prepare hearts for the Lord by calling people to repentance.
➡️ Prophetic Echo: Malachi 4:5–6 foretold this role. John’s arrival marks the first fulfillment of the final Old Testament prophecy.
📖 Luke 1:18–22 – *”Whereby shall I know this?… thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak…”
🔎 Doubt silences the priest:
🔹 Zechariah’s doubt is met with discipline—not rejection, but a pause of his voice.
🔹 God honors his role but teaches him trust in silence.
➡️ Faith Insight: When we struggle to believe, God may silence the noise so we can better hear His truth.
📖 Luke 1:23–25 – *”And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived… Thus hath the Lord dealt with me.”
🔎 Joy after silence:
🔹 Elizabeth conceives—God’s promise begins to take form.
🔹 Her words are filled with gratitude and awe—God has removed her reproach.
➡️ Final Insight: What begins in silence and surrender ends in joy and testimony.
Luke 1:26–38 – Gabriel and the Virgin Birth
📖 Luke 1:26–28 – *”And in the sixth month… the angel Gabriel was sent from God… to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph.”
🔎 Divine interruption:
🔹 God sends Gabriel not to a palace, but to a humble village and a young virgin named Mary.
🔹 The greeting is unique—“highly favored”—a term denoting grace bestowed, not earned.
➡️ Spiritual Insight: God often chooses the humble and hidden to fulfill His greatest plans.
📖 Luke 1:29–33 – *”Thou shalt conceive… and bring forth a son… and shalt call His name JESUS.”
🔎 The promise of the Messiah:
🔹 Mary is chosen to bear the Son of God—Jesus, meaning “Yahweh saves.”
🔹 Gabriel describes Him with royal language: Son of the Highest, heir to David’s throne, and eternal King.
➡️ Prophetic Fulfillment: Isaiah 9:6–7 is echoed in these words—the child born will be the eternal ruler.
📖 Luke 1:34–35 – *”How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?… The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee.”
🔎 A supernatural conception:
🔹 Mary’s question is not doubt but wonder. She’s told the miracle will be the work of the Holy Spirit.
🔹 Jesus will be holy, the Son of God, not by human lineage but divine origin.
➡️ Christ Connection: The incarnation is a mystery of grace—fully God, fully man—born to save.
📖 Luke 1:36–38 – *”For with God nothing shall be impossible… Be it unto me according to Thy word.”
🔎 Faith that yields:
🔹 Gabriel gives evidence—Elizabeth’s pregnancy—and assures Mary that God’s power knows no limits.
🔹 Mary responds with complete surrender. She chooses obedience in the face of unknown cost.
➡️ Faith Insight: True faith says yes—not because it understands everything, but because it trusts the One who does.
Luke 1:39–56 – Mary and Elizabeth Rejoice
📖 Luke 1:39–45 – *”And Mary arose in those days… and entered into the house of Zechariah, and saluted Elizabeth… the babe leaped in her womb.”
🔎 Spirit-filled confirmation:
🔹 Mary travels to visit Elizabeth—a journey of shared faith and awe.
🔹 At her greeting, John leaps in Elizabeth’s womb and she is filled with the Holy Spirit, declaring Mary blessed among women.
➡️ Spiritual Insight: The presence of Christ—even in the womb—awakens spiritual life. True fellowship stirs up faith and joy.
📖 Luke 1:46–56 – *”And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord… He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden…”
🔎 The Magnificat – Mary’s prophetic song:
🔹 Mary praises God for His mercy, power, and faithfulness.
🔹 Her words echo Hannah’s prayer (1 Samuel 2)—a declaration of God lifting the humble and overthrowing the proud.
🔹 She magnifies not herself, but the God who chooses the lowly to accomplish the mighty.
➡️ Faith Insight: Praise is the natural overflow of a heart that believes God’s Word. Mary’s song shows that worship is rooted in remembrance and reverence.
Luke 1:57–80 – The Birth of John and Zechariah’s Song
📖 Luke 1:57–66 – *”Now Elisabeth’s full time came… and they called him Zechariah… and his mouth was opened immediately.”
🔎 Joy and astonishment:
🔹 John’s birth is met with joy and wonder. When Zechariah confirms the name “John,” his tongue is loosed.
🔹 The neighbors marvel, sensing God’s hand was on this child.
➡️ Faith Insight: Obedience unlocks testimony—when we agree with God’s Word, the silence breaks into praise.
📖 Luke 1:67–79 – *”And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying…”
🔎 Zechariah’s prophetic song – the Benedictus:
🔹 He praises God for redemption, salvation, and covenant mercy.
🔹 He identifies John’s role as prophet of the Most High, preparing the way for the Lord.
🔹 He foresees the coming of light to those in darkness—a Messianic vision grounded in hope.
➡️ Prophetic Echo: This song bridges Old and New Testaments—God has visited His people, just as promised.
📖 Luke 1:80 – *”And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit… until the day of his showing unto Israel.”
🔎 Preparation in the wilderness:
🔹 John grows quietly, away from the spotlight, being formed by God.
🔹 Great callings require seasons of solitude and spiritual strength.
➡️ Ministry Insight: Before John preached publicly, he was shaped privately. Preparation precedes power.
Luke Chapter 1 - Deeper Study
Overview: Promise Begins with Preparation
🔹 Author: Luke the physician, companion of Paul.
🔹 Theme: God is faithful to His promises.
🔹 Focus: The arrival of John and Jesus as foretold by the prophets.
Key Takeaways
🔑 God keeps His word, no matter how long the wait.
🔑 Faith isn’t always immediate—but God is still merciful.
🔑 Every detail of Christ’s coming was orchestrated with purpose.
Prophetic Patterns & Dual Fulfillment
🔮 John the Baptist – Foretold as the forerunner (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1).
🔮 Virgin birth – Fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14.
🔮 Songs of praise – Echo the psalms and Hannah’s prayer (1 Samuel 2).
Historical & Cultural Context
📜 Herod the Great – A Roman client king ruling over Judea.
📜 Temple service – Zechariah’s priestly duties connect to the daily offerings.
📜 Betrothal – A legal engagement in Jewish culture, binding before marriage.
💡 Final Reflection: A God Who Moves First
Before anyone repents, before Jesus is born, God is already moving toward humanity. He speaks, sends, prepares—and invites us to believe.
📌 Are you listening for His voice in the silence?
📌 Do you believe that nothing is impossible with God?
📌 Will you respond like Mary: “Be it unto me according to Thy word”?
🚀 Faith grows when we remember: God always moves first.
Dedication to Theophilus
Luk 1:1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
Luk 1:2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
Luk 1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
Luk 1:4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
Luk 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
Luk 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Luk 1:7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
Luk 1:8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,
Luk 1:9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
Luk 1:10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
Luk 1:11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Luk 1:12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
Luk 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Luk 1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
Luk 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
Luk 1:16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
Luk 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, 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.
Luk 1:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
Luk 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
Luk 1:20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
Luk 1:21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
Luk 1:22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
Luk 1:23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
Luk 1:24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
Luk 1:25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
Birth of Jesus Foretold
Luk 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
Luk 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
Luk 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Luk 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Luk 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Luk 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Luk 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luk 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
Luk 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luk 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
Luk 1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
Luk 1:40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
Luk 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
Luk 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Luk 1:43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Luk 1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Luk 1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat
Luk 1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Luk 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Luk 1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Luk 1:49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
Luk 1:50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
Luk 1:51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Luk 1:52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
Luk 1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Luk 1:54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
Luk 1:55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
Luk 1:56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
The Birth of John the Baptist
Luk 1:57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
Luk 1:58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
Luk 1:59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
Luk 1:60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
Luk 1:61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
Luk 1:62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
Luk 1:63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
Luk 1:64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
Luk 1:65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.
Luk 1:66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Zechariah’s Prophecy
Luk 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Luk 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Luk 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
Luk 1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
Luk 1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
Luk 1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
Luk 1:73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
Luk 1:74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
Luk 1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
Luk 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Luk 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
Luk 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
Luk 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luk 1:80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
Date Written
Around 60-62 AD
Written By
Luke the physician
Language
Greek
Verses
80