Dedication to Theophilus
(Acts 1:1–3)
Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, Act 1:1-32Pe 1:16-19Jhn 20:311Ti 3:162Ti 4:17 just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Jhn 15:27Act 26:16Heb 2:32Pe 1:161Jn 1:1-3Act 1:21-22Act 1:3Act 10:39-41 Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, Act 1:1Act 26:25Ecc 12:9Act 11:4Act 15:19Act 23:26Act 24:3Act 15:25 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Jhn 20:31Act 18:251Co 14:19Gal 6:62Pe 1:15-16Rom 2:18
Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a daughter of Aaron. 1Ch 24:10Mat 2:11Ch 24:19Neh 12:17Neh 12:4 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord. Gen 7:1Gen 17:1Php 2:151Ki 9:4Job 1:1Act 24:162Pe 3:14Col 1:22 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years. Heb 11:111Sa 1:2Gen 18:11Gen 25:212Ki 4:14Gen 17:17Jdg 13:2-3Gen 16:1-2
One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 1Ch 24:192Ch 8:142Ch 31:2Luk 1:5Exo 29:1Exo 29:9Ezr 6:182Ch 11:14 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 2Ch 29:111Ch 23:13Exo 30:7-8Num 16:401Sa 2:282Ch 26:16Heb 9:61Ch 6:49 And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside. Lev 16:17Rev 8:3Heb 4:14Heb 9:24
Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. Act 10:3-4Exo 40:26-27Jdg 13:3Jdg 13:9Rev 9:13Act 5:19Exo 30:1-10Exo 37:25-29 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear. Jdg 13:22Jdg 6:22Act 10:4Luk 2:9-10Rev 1:17Dan 10:7Luk 1:29Mrk 16:5
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 1Sa 2:21Act 10:31Psa 113:9Gen 25:21Psa 127:3-5Luk 2:21Gen 18:14Psa 118:21 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, Luk 1:58Pro 23:24Gen 21:6Pro 15:20Pro 23:15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. Jer 1:5Num 6:2-4Eph 5:18Gal 1:15Jdg 13:4-6Luk 7:33Act 2:4Jos 4:14 Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God. Mat 21:32Isa 40:3-5Mal 3:1Mat 3:1-6Dan 12:3Isa 49:6Luk 1:76 And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children 1and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Mal 4:5-6Mat 11:14Luk 1:76Jhn 1:21-30Mat 17:11-12Mrk 9:11-131Ch 29:18Jhn 3:28
“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” Gen 17:17Gen 18:12Isa 38:22Luk 1:72Ki 7:2Luk 1:34Rom 4:19Jdg 6:36-40
“I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. Luk 1:26Mat 18:10Dan 8:16Dan 9:21-23Luk 2:10Heb 4:14 And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” Ezk 3:26Ezk 24:27Heb 6:182Ti 2:13Luk 1:22Luk 1:45Rev 3:19Tit 1:2
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple. Num 6:23-27 When he came out and was unable to speak to them, they realized he had seen a vision in the temple. He kept making signs to them but remained speechless. Act 12:17Jhn 13:24Luk 1:62Act 19:33Act 21:40 And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home. 1Ch 9:252Ki 11:5-7
After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared, “The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” Gen 30:22-23Isa 4:1Isa 54:1-4Gen 21:1-21Sa 1:6Gen 25:21Heb 11:111Sa 1:19-20
Gabriel Foretells Jesus’ Birth
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, Mat 2:23Luk 1:19Jhn 7:41Jhn 1:45-46Luk 2:4 to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. Mat 1:18Isa 7:14Mat 1:16Mat 1:20-21Mat 1:23Gen 3:15Jer 31:22Luk 2:4-5 The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, 2 you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. 3” Jdg 6:12Dan 10:19Luk 1:30Eph 1:6Dan 9:21-23Act 18:10Jer 1:18-19Luk 1:42
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. Act 10:17Act 10:4Luk 1:12Mrk 6:49-501Sa 9:20-21Luk 1:66Luk 2:19Luk 2:51 So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Luk 1:13Luk 12:32Rom 8:31Isa 41:10Act 18:9-10Mat 14:27Mat 28:5Isa 44:2 Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. Isa 7:14Mat 1:21Mat 1:25Luk 2:21Mat 1:23Gal 4:4Luk 1:13Luk 1:27 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, Isa 9:6-7Isa 16:52Sa 7:11-13Luk 1:35Psa 132:11Heb 1:2-8Mat 28:18Mrk 5:7 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!” Dan 2:44Heb 1:8Dan 7:13-14Dan 7:272Sa 7:16Psa 89:35-37Rev 11:15Mat 28:18
“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” Jdg 13:8-12Act 9:6
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born 4will be called the Son of God. Mat 1:18Jhn 1:49Jhn 1:34Mat 1:20Luk 1:31-32Heb 4:15Rom 1:4Mat 26:63-64 Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail. 5” Mat 19:26Jer 32:27Mrk 10:27Jer 32:17Luk 18:27Gen 18:14Num 11:23Php 3:21
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her. Rom 4:20-21Psa 119:38Psa 116:162Sa 7:25-29
Mary Visits Elizabeth
In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah, Luk 1:65Jos 10:40Jos 15:48-59Jos 20:7Jos 21:9-11 where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luk 1:67Luk 1:44Act 4:8Act 2:4Luk 1:15Act 7:55Psa 22:10Rev 1:10 In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Gen 22:18Jdg 5:24Luk 1:28Luk 19:38Luk 1:48Psa 21:6Act 2:26-28Psa 72:17-19 And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Jhn 20:28Jhn 13:131Sa 25:41Luk 2:11Jhn 13:5-8Luk 20:42-44Luk 7:7Mat 3:14 For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.” Jhn 20:29Jhn 11:40Luk 11:27-28Luk 1:202Ch 20:20
Mary’s Song
(1 Samuel 2:1–11)
Then Mary said: 1Sa 2:1-10Psa 34:2-3Psa 35:9Isa 61:10Psa 103:1-21Co 1:31Isa 45:25Rom 5:11
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! Psa 35:91Ti 2:3Hab 3:18Isa 45:21-22Luk 2:11Tit 2:10Zec 9:91Ti 1:1
For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. Psa 138:61Co 1:26-28Mal 3:121Sa 1:11Luk 11:27Psa 136:23Luk 1:281Sa 2:8
From now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Eph 3:20Psa 126:2-3Psa 111:9Psa 99:3Jer 10:6Gen 17:1Isa 57:15Rev 15:4
Holy is His name.
His mercy extends to those who fear Him, Psa 103:17-18Exo 20:6Gen 17:7Psa 118:4Exo 34:6-7Psa 145:19Psa 103:11Psa 115:13
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; Psa 98:1Isa 52:101Sa 2:3-4Isa 51:9Rom 1:21Dan 4:37Exo 15:6-71Sa 2:9-10
He has scattered those who are proud
in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones, Ezk 17:24Jas 4:10Psa 107:40-411Sa 2:6-8Luk 18:14Ecc 4:14Psa 113:6-81Sa 2:4
but has exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things, Psa 107:8-9Luk 6:21Psa 34:10Luk 6:24Mat 5:6Rev 7:16-171Co 1:26Jhn 6:35
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel, Psa 98:3Mic 7:20Isa 44:21Isa 46:3-4Isa 49:14-16Jer 31:20Isa 63:7-16Jer 31:3
remembering to be merciful,
as He promised to our fathers, Gen 17:19Psa 105:6-10Gal 3:16-17Psa 132:11-17Gen 22:18Gen 26:4Rom 11:28-29Gen 12:3
to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
The Birth of John the Baptist
When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. Luk 1:13Gen 21:2-3Luk 2:6-7Num 23:19 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. Rom 12:151Co 12:26Luk 1:14Luk 1:25Psa 113:9Rut 4:14-17Gen 19:19Isa 66:9-10
On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah. Gen 17:12Lev 12:3Luk 2:21Php 3:5Act 7:8Gen 21:3-4 But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.” Luk 1:132Sa 12:25Isa 8:3Luk 1:63Mat 1:25
They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.” So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child. Luk 1:22
Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. Isa 30:8Luk 1:60Luk 1:13Hab 2:2Jer 17:1Pro 3:3 Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God. Luk 1:20Exo 4:15-16Ezk 33:22Jer 1:9Dan 4:34-37Mrk 7:32-37Psa 51:15Ezk 29:21
All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events. Luk 1:39Act 2:43Act 5:11Act 5:5Luk 7:16Jos 10:40Jos 10:6Rev 11:11 And all who heard this wondered in their hearts and asked, “What then will this child become?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. Act 11:21Luk 2:19Luk 2:511Ki 18:461Sa 2:18Gen 37:11Gen 39:2Jdg 13:24-25
Zechariah’s Song
Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: Jol 2:28Luk 1:41Luk 1:152Pe 1:212Sa 23:2Num 11:25
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, Psa 106:48Luk 7:16Psa 111:9Psa 41:13Exo 4:311Ki 1:48Exo 3:16-17Eph 1:3
because He has visited and redeemed His people.
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us Psa 18:2Ezk 29:212Sa 22:31Sa 2:10Psa 89:171Sa 2:1Isa 9:6-7Isa 11:1-9
in the house of His servant David,
as He spoke through His holy prophets, Act 3:21-242Pe 1:21Rom 1:21Pe 1:122Sa 23:2Act 28:25Gen 12:3Gen 3:15
those of ages past,
salvation from our enemies Psa 106:10Deu 33:29Jer 23:6Zep 3:15-20Ezk 34:28Jer 32:371Jn 3:8Ezk 34:25
and from the hand of all who hate us,
to show mercy to our fathers Heb 6:13-18Lev 26:42Mic 7:20Psa 106:45Ezk 16:60Gen 26:4Gen 28:14Luk 1:54-55
and to remember His holy covenant,
the oath He swore to our father Abraham, Gen 22:16-18Deu 7:8Psa 105:9Deu 7:12Jer 11:5Gen 26:3Heb 6:13Heb 6:16-17
to grant us deliverance from hostile hands, 2Ti 1:7Zep 3:15-17Isa 54:13-14Heb 9:14Rom 8:15Heb 2:15Rev 2:10Zec 9:8-10
that we may serve Him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before Him Eph 4:24Eph 2:10Tit 2:11-142Ti 1:91Th 4:7Eph 1:4Jer 31:33-341Pe 1:14-16
all the days of our lives.
And you, child, will be called Mal 3:1Isa 40:3-5Mrk 1:2-3Jhn 1:23Mat 11:9-10Mat 14:5Mat 3:3Act 16:17
a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord
to prepare the way for Him,
to give to His people the knowledge of salvation Act 5:31Act 10:43Act 2:38Jhn 1:34Act 3:19Eph 1:7Jhn 1:29Act 19:4
through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God, Mal 4:22Pe 1:19Rev 22:16Num 24:17Eph 5:14Isa 11:1Col 3:12Zec 3:8
by which the Dawn 6will visit us from on high,
to shine on those who live in darkness Isa 9:2Act 26:18Mat 4:16Isa 42:7Eph 5:8Jhn 12:46Jhn 8:12Psa 107:14
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet
into the path of peace.”
And the child grew and became strong in spirit; 7 and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel. Luk 2:40Mrk 1:3-4Luk 2:521Sa 3:19-20Mat 3:1Jdg 13:24-25Jhn 1:31Mat 11:7