Introduction
Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.” Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary. When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”
How did Luke get his info to write his letter? Luke was a doctor (Colossians 4:14) and was very detailed. He conducted much research from many people to collect his info about Jesus.
Was he an eyewitness of did he “interview” people that were eyewitnesses? Luke was not an “apostle” of Christ(like Matthew,for example) but he did extensive interviews of people who witnessed Jesus’ministry and used that comprehensive information to compile his “report” on his findings.
In what ways does that strengthen the credibility of his writings? The wide variety of people he interviewed shows Jesus from many people’s perspectives. Also, if there was false info that he had produced,the people he interviewed would have testified against his writings when they became public.
What do you think “upright in the sight of God” means? It can mean a person that is a committed follower of God, one who has surrendered his life to Him, daily spends time with Him and is truly being transformed by Him(Romans 12:1‐2).
Any thoughts about these phrases:
• Your prayer has been heard God was actually in the temple, listening to Zechariah.
It was a holy moment that God had ordained; it meant God had been listening to
Zechariah’s prayers all these years.
• In the spirit and power of Elijah It meant that his son (who would be John the
Baptist) would have power and a connection with God similar to what Elijah the
prophet experienced (ex. 1 Kings 18). This was going to be a special son!
What was Zechariah’s reaction to the angel’s words? He doubted what was being told him.
What was the immediate result of his reaction? He lost the ability to speak (it would be gone for almost a year).