The Prologue
Many people have tried to write down the story of the events that happened among us. They based their accounts on what the original eyewitnesses told them—those who saw these things with their own eyes and who served by spreading the message. Since I have carefully researched everything from the very beginning, I decided it would be good for me to write everything down in proper order for you, most honored Theophilus. I want you to know for certain that the things you have been taught are true.
The Annunciation of John the Baptist
During the reign of King Herod in Judea, there lived a priest named Zechariah who served in the priestly group called the division of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was also from a priestly family, descended from Aaron. Both Zechariah and Elizabeth lived good lives that pleased God, carefully following all of the Lord's commands and laws. However, they had never been able to have children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and by this time they were both very old. One day when Zechariah's priestly division was taking its turn serving in the temple, he was chosen by the casting of lots—as was the custom—to go into the Lord's temple and burn incense. This was a great honor that came only once in a lifetime. While he was inside performing this sacred duty, the whole crowd of worshipers was gathered outside, praying during the time of the incense offering. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing to the right of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw the angel, he was terrified and overwhelmed with fear. But the angel spoke to him: "Don't be afraid, Zechariah. God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to a son, and you must name him John. This child will bring you great joy and happiness, and many other people will celebrate when he is born. He will be great in the Lord's sight. He will never drink wine or any alcoholic beverage, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even while he is still in his mother's womb. He will bring many of the people of Israel back to the Lord their God. He will go ahead of the Lord with the same spirit and power that the prophet Elijah had. He will turn the hearts of fathers back to their children and help disobedient people learn to think like those who are right with God. He will prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Zechariah responded to the angel, "How can I know this will really happen? I am an old man, and my wife is also very old." The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel. I stand in God's presence, and God sent me to speak to you and bring you this good news. But because you did not believe what I told you, you will not be able to speak until the day these things happen. My words will come true at exactly the right time." Meanwhile, the people outside were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he was taking so long in the temple. When he finally came out, he could not speak to them, and they realized he must have seen a vision while inside. He kept trying to communicate with hand gestures, but he remained completely unable to speak. When his week of temple service was finished, Zechariah went back home. Soon afterward, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant. For five months she stayed hidden away from others. She said, "The Lord has done this wonderful thing for me. He has looked favorably on me and taken away the shame I felt because I had no children."
The Annunciation of Jesus
When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young woman named Mary who had never been with a man but was engaged to marry a man named Joseph. Joseph was a descendant of King David. The angel came to Mary and said, "Greetings! You are deeply blessed, and the Lord is with you." These words deeply disturbed Mary, and she wondered what this greeting could possibly mean. The angel saw her fear and said, "Don't be afraid, Mary. God is pleased with you. Listen carefully—you will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will give him the throne that belonged to his ancestor David, and he will rule over the descendants of Jacob forever. His kingdom will have no end." Mary asked the angel, "How can this happen? I have never been with a man." The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High God will cover you like a shadow. Because of this, the holy child who will be born will be called the Son of God. And look—your relative Elizabeth has also become pregnant with a son, even though she is old. People said she could never have children, but she is now six months along. Nothing is impossible for God." Mary replied, "I am the Lord's servant. Let everything happen to me just as you have said." Then the angel departed from her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
During those days, Mary prepared herself and quickly traveled to a town in the mountainous region of Judah. There she went into Zechariah's house and called out a greeting to Elizabeth. The moment Elizabeth heard Mary's voice, the baby inside her jumped, and the Holy Spirit completely filled Elizabeth. She cried out in a powerful voice, "You are blessed above all women, and the child you carry is blessed! But how can this be — that the mother of my Lord would come to visit me? The instant I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped with joy. And how blessed you are because you believed that what the Lord promised you would happen."
Mary's Song (The Magnificat)
Then Mary said, "My soul praises the Lord with all its strength, and my spirit is filled with joy because of God, who saves me! He has noticed me, even though I am just a humble servant girl. From this day forward, every generation of people will say that I have been blessed. The Mighty One has done amazing things for me. His name is holy. His mercy reaches out to all people who respect and honor Him, and this has been true from one generation to the next. He has shown His great power through mighty acts. He has scattered people who are proud and think too highly of themselves. He has pulled powerful rulers down from their thrones, but He has lifted up those who are humble and lowly. He has given good food to people who are hungry, but He has sent away rich people with nothing. He has come to help His servant Israel, remembering His promise to show mercy, just as He promised our ancestors long ago—to Abraham and all his descendants forever." Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, and then she returned to her own home.
The Birth and Naming of John the Baptist
When Elizabeth's time came to give birth, she delivered a son. Her neighbors and family members heard that the Lord had shown her tremendous kindness, and they celebrated with her. On the eighth day, they gathered to circumcise the baby. Everyone expected them to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth spoke up firmly: "No! His name will be John." The people protested, "But no one in your family has that name." Since Zechariah still could not speak, they gestured to him, asking what he wanted the child to be called. Zechariah motioned for a writing tablet. He wrote clearly: "His name is John." Everyone was stunned by this. At that very moment, Zechariah's mouth opened and his tongue was freed. He began speaking immediately, praising God with great joy. All their neighbors were filled with wonder and fear. Word of these remarkable events spread throughout the entire hill country of Judea. Everyone who heard about what had happened kept thinking about it deeply. They asked each other, "What is this child going to become when he grows up?" They could sense that the Lord's power was already working in his life.
Zechariah's Song (The Benedictus)
Then Zechariah, the father of the child, was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke these prophetic words: "Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come to visit His people and has set them free. He has given us a mighty Savior from the family line of His servant David, just as He promised long ago through His holy prophets. This salvation will rescue us from our enemies and from everyone who hates us. God is showing mercy to our ancestors and remembering His sacred promise, the oath He made to our father Abraham. He promised to rescue us from the power of our enemies so that we could serve Him without fear, living holy and righteous lives before Him every day of our lives. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare the way for Him. You will teach His people about salvation that comes through having their sins forgiven. This will happen because of our God's tender mercy. Like the rising sun, He will shine on us from heaven to give light to those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide our steps along the path of peace."
The Growth of John the Baptist
The child grew up and became powerful in spirit. He lived out in the desert wilderness until the day came for him to appear publicly before the people of Israel.