Lockman - Bible questions and answers

		Luke 1:1 Since [as is well known] many have undertaken to compile an orderly account of the things which have been fulfilled among us [by God],
		Luke 1:2 exactly as they were handed down to us by those [with personal experience] who from the beginning [of Christ's ministry] were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word [that is, of the teaching concerning salvation through faith in Christ],
		Luke 1:3 it seemed fitting for me as well, [and so I have decided] after having carefully searched out and investigated all the events accurately, from the very beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus; [Acts 1:1]
		Luke 1:4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught [that is, the history and doctrine of the faith].
		Luke 1:5 ¶ In the days of Herod [the Great], king of Judea, there was a certain priest whose name was Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron [the first high priest of Israel], and her name was Elizabeth.
		Luke 1:6 They both were righteous (approved) in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
		Luke 1:7 But they were childless, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both far advanced in years.
		Luke 1:8 ¶ Now it happened while Zacharias was serving as priest before God in the appointed order of his priestly division,
		Luke 1:9 as was the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter [the sanctuary of] the temple of the Lord and burn incense [on the altar of incense]. [Ex 30:7]
		Luke 1:10 And all the congregation was praying outside [in the court of the temple] at the hour of the incense offering.
		Luke 1:11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.
		Luke 1:12 When Zacharias saw the angel, he was troubled and overcome with fear.
		Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your petition [in prayer] was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.
		Luke 1:14 "You will have great joy and delight, and many will rejoice over his birth,
		Luke 1:15 for he will be great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord; and will never drink wine or liquor, and he will be filled with and empowered to act by the Holy Spirit while still in his mother's womb. [Num 6:3]
		Luke 1:16 "He will turn many of the sons of Israel back [from sin] to [love and serve] the Lord their God.
		Luke 1:17 "It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]--in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord." [Is 40:3; Mal 4:5, 6]
		Luke 1:18 ¶ And Zacharias said to the angel, "How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in age."
		Luke 1:19 The angel replied and said to him, "I am Gabriel; I stand and minister in the [very] presence of God, and I have been sent [by Him] to speak to you and to bring you this good news. [Dan 8:16; 9:21]
		Luke 1:20 "Listen carefully, you will be continually silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe what I told you; but my words will be fulfilled at their proper time."
		Luke 1:21 ¶ The people [outside in the court] were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering about his long delay in the temple.
		Luke 1:22 But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute.
		Luke 1:23 When his time of priestly service was finished, he returned to his home.
		Luke 1:24 ¶ Now after this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she secluded herself completely, saying,
		Luke 1:25 "This is how the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor on me, to take away my disgrace among men." [Gen 30:23; Is 4:1]
		Luke 1:26 ¶ Now in the sixth month [of Elizabeth's pregnancy] the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,
		Luke 1:27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
		Luke 1:28 And coming to her, the angel said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."
		Luke 1:29 But she was greatly perplexed at what he said, and kept carefully considering what kind of greeting this was.
		Luke 1:30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
		Luke 1:31 "Listen carefully: you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.
		Luke 1:32 *"He will be great and* eminent and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;**
		Luke 1:33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end." [Is 9:6, 7; Dan 2:44]
		Luke 1:34 Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin and have no intimacy with any man?"
		Luke 1:35 Then the angel replied to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a cloud]; for that reason the holy (pure, sinless) Child shall be called the Son of God. [Ex 40:34; Is 7:14]
		Luke 1:36 "And listen, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.
		Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing [is or ever] shall be impossible."
		Luke 1:38 Then Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel left her.
		Luke 1:39 ¶ Now at this time Mary arose and hurried to the hill country, to a city of Judah (Judea),
		Luke 1:40 and she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
		Luke 1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, her baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him.
		Luke 1:42 And she exclaimed loudly, "Blessed [worthy to be praised] are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
		Luke 1:43 "And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?
		Luke 1:44 "For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
		Luke 1:45 "And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord."
		Luke 1:46 ¶ And Mary said, "My soul magnifies and exalts the Lord,
		Luke 1:47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
		Luke 1:48 "For He has looked [with loving care] on the humble state of His maidservant; For behold, from now on all generations will count me blessed and happy and favored by God!
		Luke 1:49 "For He who is mighty has done great things for me; And holy is His name [to be worshiped in His purity, majesty, and glory].
		Luke 1:50 "AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO [stand in great awe of God and] FEAR HIM. FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION. [Ps 103:17]
		Luke 1:51 "He has done mighty deeds with His [powerful] arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
		Luke 1:52 "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And exalted those who were humble.
		Luke 1:53 "HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent the rich away empty-handed.
		Luke 1:54 "He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,
		Luke 1:55 Just as He promised to our fathers, To Abraham and to his descendants forever." [Gen 17:7; 18:18; 22:17; 1 Sam 2:1-10; Mic 7:20]
		Luke 1:56 ¶ And Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, and then returned to her home.
		Luke 1:57 ¶ Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son.
		Luke 1:58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown His great mercy toward her, and they were rejoicing with her.
		Luke 1:59 ¶ It happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child [as required by the Law], and they intended to name him Zacharias, after his father; [Gen 17:12; Lev 12:3]
		Luke 1:60 but his mother answered, "No indeed; instead he will be called John."
		Luke 1:61 And they said to her, "None of your relatives is called by that name."
		Luke 1:62 Then they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called.
		Luke 1:63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote as follows, "His name is John." And they were all astonished.
		Luke 1:64 At once Zacharias' mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began speaking, praising and blessing and thanking God.
		Luke 1:65 Then fear came on all their neighbors; and all these things were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea.
		Luke 1:66 All who heard these things kept them in mind, saying, "What then will this little boy turn out to be?" For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him [to bring about his birth].
		Luke 1:67 ¶ Now Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him, and he prophesied, saying,
		Luke 1:68 "Blessed (praised, glorified) be the Lord, the God of Israel, Because He has visited us and brought redemption to His people,
		Luke 1:69 And He has raised up a horn of salvation [a mighty and valiant Savior] for us In the house of David His servant--
		Luke 1:70 Just as He promised by the mouth of His holy prophets from the most ancient times--
		Luke 1:71 Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; [Ps 106:10]
		Luke 1:72 To show mercy [as He promised] to our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant [the promised blessing],
		Luke 1:73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,
		Luke 1:74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear,
		Luke 1:75 In holiness [being set apart] and righteousness [being upright] before Him all our days.
		Luke 1:76 "And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD (the Messiah) TO PREPARE HIS WAYS; [Is 40:3; Mal 4:5]
		Luke 1:77 To give His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins,
		Luke 1:78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise (the Messiah) from on high will dawn and visit us, [Mal 4:2]
		Luke 1:79 TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet [in a straight line] into the way of peace and serenity." [Is 9:2]
		Luke 1:80 ¶ The child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel [as John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah].

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