Thematic Bible




Luke 1:1 (show verse)

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us,

Luke 1:2 (show verse)

just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us.

Luke 1:3 (show verse)

It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus,

Luke 1:4 (show verse)

so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Luke 1:5 (show verse)

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

Luke 1:6 (show verse)

Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord.

Luke 1:7 (show verse)

But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.

Luke 1:8 (show verse)

When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,

Luke 1:9 (show verse)

it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.

Luke 1:10 (show verse)

At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.

Luke 1:11 (show verse)

An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.

Luke 1:12 (show verse)

When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear.

Luke 1:13 (show verse)

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 will name him John.

Luke 1:14 (show verse)

There will be joy and delight for you,
and many will rejoice at his birth.

Luke 1:15 (show verse)

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord
and will never drink wine or beer.
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit
while still in his mother’s womb.

Luke 1:16 (show verse)

He will turn many of the sons of Israel
to the Lord their God.

Luke 1:17 (show verse)

And he will go before Him
in the spirit and power of Elijah,
to turn the hearts of fathers
to their children,
and the disobedient
to the understanding of the righteous,
to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.

Luke 1:18 (show verse)

“How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

Luke 1:19 (show verse)

The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news.

Luke 1:20 (show verse)

Now listen! You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

Luke 1:21 (show verse)

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.

Luke 1:22 (show verse)

When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept making signs to them and remained speechless.

Luke 1:23 (show verse)

When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home.

Luke 1:24 (show verse)

After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said,

Luke 1:25 (show verse)

“The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.”

Luke 1:26 (show verse)

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,

Luke 1:27 (show verse)

to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

Luke 1:28 (show verse)

And the angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”

Luke 1:29 (show verse)

But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be.

Luke 1:30 (show verse)

Then the angel told her:

Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.

Luke 1:31 (show verse)

Now listen:
You will conceive and give birth to a son,
and you will call His name Jesus.

Luke 1:32 (show verse)

He will be great
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 (show verse)

He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,
and His kingdom will have no end.

Luke 1:34 (show verse)

Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?”

Luke 1:35 (show verse)

The angel replied to her:

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore, the holy One to be born
will be called the Son of God.

Luke 1:36 (show verse)

And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless.

Luke 1:37 (show verse)

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Luke 1:38 (show verse)

“I am the Lord’s slave,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:39 (show verse)

In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah

Luke 1:40 (show verse)

where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.

Luke 1:41 (show verse)

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:42 (show verse)

Then she exclaimed with a loud cry:

“You are the most blessed of women,
and your child will be blessed!

Luke 1:43 (show verse)

How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

Luke 1:44 (show verse)

For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me!

Luke 1:45 (show verse)

She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!”

Luke 1:46 (show verse)

And Mary said:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

Luke 1:47 (show verse)

and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,

Luke 1:48 (show verse)

because He has looked with favor
on the humble condition of His slave.
Surely, from now on all generations
will call me blessed,

Luke 1:49 (show verse)

because the Mighty One
has done great things for me,
and His name is holy.

Luke 1:50 (show verse)

His mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear Him.

Luke 1:51 (show verse)

He has done a mighty deed with His arm;
He has scattered the proud
because of the thoughts of their hearts;

Luke 1:52 (show verse)

He has toppled the mighty from their thrones
and exalted the lowly.

Luke 1:53 (show verse)

He has satisfied the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.

Luke 1:54 (show verse)

He has helped His servant Israel,
mindful of His mercy,

Luke 1:55 (show verse)

just as He spoke to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his descendants forever.

Luke 1:56 (show verse)

And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.

Luke 1:57 (show verse)

Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son.

Luke 1:58 (show verse)

Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her His great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.

Luke 1:59 (show verse)

When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father.

Luke 1:60 (show verse)

But his mother responded, “No! He will be called John.”

Luke 1:61 (show verse)

Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.”

Luke 1:62 (show verse)

So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called.

Luke 1:63 (show verse)

He asked for a writing tablet and wrote:

HIS NAME IS JOHN.

And they were all amazed.

Luke 1:64 (show verse)

Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.

Luke 1:65 (show verse)

Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea.

Luke 1:66 (show verse)

All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.

Luke 1:67 (show verse)

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

Luke 1:68 (show verse)

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
because He has visited
and provided redemption for His people.

Luke 1:69 (show verse)

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of His servant David,

Luke 1:70 (show verse)

just as He spoke by the mouth
of His holy prophets in ancient times;

Luke 1:71 (show verse)

salvation from our enemies
and from the clutches of those who hate us.

Luke 1:72 (show verse)

He has dealt mercifully with our fathers
and remembered His holy covenant

Luke 1:73 (show verse)

the oath that He swore to our father Abraham.
He has given us the privilege,

Luke 1:74 (show verse)

since we have been rescued
from our enemies’ clutches,
to serve Him without fear

Luke 1:75 (show verse)

in holiness and righteousness
in His presence all our days.

Luke 1:76 (show verse)

And child, you will be called
a prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord
to prepare His ways,

Luke 1:77 (show verse)

to give His people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins.

Luke 1:78 (show verse)

Because of our God’s merciful compassion,
the Dawn from on high will visit us

Luke 1:79 (show verse)

to shine on those who live in darkness
and the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1:80 (show verse)

The child grew up and became spiritually strong, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.