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In this lesson:
"The Gospel According to St. Luke" "Christ the Man." Study Tip: Think of ways to apply each biblical teaching to your life. |
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Authorship:
The Gospel According to St. Luke was written by Luke through the Holy Spirit. Luke was Greek and the only Gentile writer of the New Testament. Described as a "beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14), Luke worked closely with Paul (2 Timothy 4:11) and
traveled with him on at least one of the missionary journeys (see map below). The devoted Luke also accompanied Paul when
he was taken in chains to stand trial in Rome, and they were shipwrecked together on the island of Melita. After three months, they caught another ship to Rome (Acts 27:1-28:16) where Paul was held under house arrest for two years (Acts 28:30-31). Luke never met Jesus, but much of his writings come straight from eyewitnesses who did (Luke 1:1-2). Luke includes several stories from the Virgin Mary's life, so he likely knew her well. Written around A.D. 61, Luke followed up this work by writing "The Acts of the Apostles" a short time later. Little more is known about Luke, he is mentioned only three times in the Bible (Colossians 4:14;
2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24), yet between his two books he wrote a quarter of the New Testament, making him a major contributor to Christianity and worthy of study.
Purpose and Theme:
The Gospel According to St. Luke is the longest and most comprehensive of the four Gospels. Like Matthew and Mark, it emphasizes Jesus' Galilean ministry. Luke himself tells us that the purpose of his Gospel is to present a truthful record of Jesus' life and teachings and to give his readers a deeper understanding of their religion (1:1-4; Acts 1:1). As you read, notice how Luke repeatedly explains Jewish customs to the reader, proof that he wrote for a Gentile (non-Jewish) audience. Luke shows us that
Jesus is the long-awaited Jewish and Gentile Messiah. He depicts Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah who was rejected by Israel and then offered to the world. Christ's compassion towards Gentiles and sinners is a constant theme throughout this Gospel, and more than any other book, Luke shows Jesus' concern for women. Plus, being a doctor, Luke makes many references to diseases and their cures. Luke also gives a broad view of the beginnings of Christianity. Forgiveness and the role of the Holy Spirit are prominent features throughout. But perhaps Luke's central theme is best summed up in verse 19:10; "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Within the pages of Luke, you will find seventeen parables and seven miracles exclusive to the Gospel of Luke. Much of the writings in verses 9:51-18:35 don't appear anywhere else in the Gospels (see below). Of the 1,151 verses in Luke, 607 have commonality with the Gospels of Matthew, Mark or both, leaving 544 unique to Luke.
Luke is broken down into three main segments:
1) Verses 1:1- 4:13 - Opening greetings; The births of John and Jesus; John foretells Jesus' coming; Mary's song of praise (1:46-55); Zechariah's song of praise (1:67-79); Jesus is born (2:1-20); Jesus is baptized and tempted.
2) Verses 4:14- 19:27 - Jesus' ministry begins; Calling the disciples; The teachings, parables, and miracles.
3) Verses 19:28- 24:53 - Passion week; Jesus enters Jerusalem; The death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.
Who was:
Theophilus -
The name Theophilus means, "one who loves God." Luke dedicated this Gospel and the "Acts of the Apostles" to Theophilus (Acts 1:1). Not much is known about him other than he was a Christian and since Luke addresses him as "most excellent," he probably held a high government position. The Swiss Theologian Federic Louis Godet (Oct. 25, 1812- Oct. 29, 1900) was a bit more specific. He believed that Theophilus was "a great lord residing in the capital of Syria." The Clementine Recognitions seem to confirm this. Written around AD 150, it tells of a man named Theophilus, "who was at the head of all the men in power at the city (of Antioch), consecrated, under the name of a church, the great basilica (the palace) in which he resided." Is this the same man Luke wrote to? Some Bible scholars do not believe Theophilus was a real person at all. They submit that he was simply the personification of Christian love.
Herod -
King Herod the Great reigned over Judea for almost 35 years as a bloodthirsty tyrant. He murdered, among others, his wife Mariamne, his mother-in-law Alexandra, two brothers-in-law Costobarus and Alexander, dozens of innocent children in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16-18) and three of his sons (two by strangulation). The Roman emperor Augustus Caesar said, "It is better to be Herod's hog than to be his son!" After being placed on the Judean throne by Roman Emperor Mark Antony, he built numerous cities and rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem that was destroyed by the Babylonians. Many of the ancient ruins tourists visit in Israel today date back to Herod's era. Part Jew and part Gentile, he lived in constant fear of being overthrown. He called himself "the King of the Jews," but most Jews hated him and mockingly called him "a half-Jew." From his deathbed, Herod gave orders for all prominent Jewish men to be rounded up and killed upon his death so there would be mourning at his passing. His instructions were ignored.
Zacharias -
A Jewish priest married to the virgin Mary's cousin Elisabeth, and father to John the Baptist. He was the first to learn that the Messiah would soon arrive (Luke 1:17).
Aaron -
The son of Amram the Levite and Jochebed (Exodus 6:20), Moses' older brother, his spokesman (Exodus 4:16; 7:2), and second in command as well as the first Jewish High Priest. Moses killed an Egyptian and was forced to flee Egypt. Forty years later, God sent Aaron to find Moses in the wilderness (Exodus 4:27) and to help him lead the Israelites out of
Egyptian slavery. When Moses went to receive the Ten Commandments from God, Aaron, two of his four sons, and seventy elders accompanied him partway up Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:1-2). While he waited for Moses to return, Aaron made a pagan idol, the golden calf (Exodus 32:2-5) for people to worship. Forgiven, God gave Aaron the power to end a plague which killed thousands (Numbers 16:1-50). As the first High Priest, Aaron was a foreshadowing of Christ (Exodus 28:1; 29:7) and helped prepare the Jews for the coming Messiah. But like Moses, Aaron died before reaching the promised land (Numbers 20:12; 20:23-29). After his death at the age of 123, Aarons rod was preserved as a memorial (Hebrews 9:2-6) and kept in the Ark. The Old Testament calls for all Jewish priests to be descendants of Aaron (Exodus 39:41; Leviticus 1:5; 1:7-8; 1:11). Aaron is also mentioned in the Koran and honored by Moslems.
Elisabeth -
A descendant of Aaron, Elisabeth was deeply religious (Luke 1:6), the mother of John the Baptist, wife of Zacharias, and a cousin to the Virgin Mary (1:36).
John -
John the Baptist was the son of the Jewish priest Zacharias and mother Elizabeth (Luke 1:8-13; 3:2). Elizabeth was the Virgin Mary's cousin (Luke 1:34-36), thus making John and Jesus distant cousins. John was a prophet of the Old Covenant sent by God to preach repentance (Matthew 3:2), to bridge the gap between the Old and New Testaments, and to prepare "the way" for the Messiah's arrival (Luke 1:17), a mission so important it is mentioned in all four Gospels (Matthew 3:1-17; Mark 1:2-5; Luke 3:4-11; John 1:19-27). Jesus said there was never a person born greater than John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11; Luke 7:28). John was the first prophet in four hundred years and a lifetime Nazarite. To honor God, Nazarite Jews made religious offerings, took periodic vows not to drink alcohol, cut their hair, and to avoid contact with the dead. These vows lasted anywhere from thirty to one hundred days. Only three men in the Bible were under lifetime Nazarite vows, Samson (Judges 13:2-7), Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11) and John (Luke 1:15). All three were set aside by God to perform extraordinary missions. John's purpose was to prepare the way for the Messiah, as prophesied in Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1 and 4:5-6. He was eventually beheaded by King Herod Antipas for denouncing Herod's marriage to his niece and brothers ex-wife, Herodias, and other "evils" (Luke 3:19-20). To learn more about Nazarite vows, read Numbers 6:1-21.
Elias -
Elias (Greek for Elijah) is perhaps the most famous of Israel's prophets, for no other is mentioned as often in the New Testament. Elijah came from Tishbeh in Gilead, was devoutly religious, and prepared Israel to accept God. After the breakup of King David's Israel in 931 BC, Elijah preached against the growing paganism and idol worship under King Ahab and his gentile wife, Jezebel. As Jews turned away from God, Elijah called on Israel to repent of its sins. Followers of the pagan God Baal and his wife Ashtoreth sacrificed infants and placed their remains in jars. Elias brought these murderers to justice (I Kings 18:40). He was given the power to perform miracles (2 Kings 1:9-14; 2:8) and caused the rain to stop for three and a half years (1 Kings 17:1; James 5:17). Elias ascended into heaven without dying in "a chariot of fire" (2 Kings 2:11) and stood with Moses at Jesus' side during the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-8). Over four hundred years before the birth of Christ, the Old Testament promised that Elias would return just before "the day of the Lord" (Malachi 4:5-6). John the Baptist was compared to Elias (see Today's Question below). To learn more about Elias, see 1 Kings 17:1-20, 1 Kings 18:1-46 and 2 Kings 1-2.
The Gospel According to St. Luke was written by Luke through the Holy Spirit. Luke was Greek and the only Gentile writer of the New Testament. Described as a "beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14), Luke worked closely with Paul (2 Timothy 4:11) and
traveled with him on at least one of the missionary journeys (see map below). The devoted Luke also accompanied Paul when
he was taken in chains to stand trial in Rome, and they were shipwrecked together on the island of Melita. After three months, they caught another ship to Rome (Acts 27:1-28:16) where Paul was held under house arrest for two years (Acts 28:30-31). Luke never met Jesus, but much of his writings come straight from eyewitnesses who did (Luke 1:1-2). Luke includes several stories from the Virgin Mary's life, so he likely knew her well. Written around A.D. 61, Luke followed up this work by writing "The Acts of the Apostles" a short time later. Little more is known about Luke, he is mentioned only three times in the Bible (Colossians 4:14;
2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24), yet between his two books he wrote a quarter of the New Testament, making him a major contributor to Christianity and worthy of study.
Purpose and Theme:
The Gospel According to St. Luke is the longest and most comprehensive of the four Gospels. Like Matthew and Mark, it emphasizes Jesus' Galilean ministry. Luke himself tells us that the purpose of his Gospel is to present a truthful record of Jesus' life and teachings and to give his readers a deeper understanding of their religion (1:1-4; Acts 1:1). As you read, notice how Luke repeatedly explains Jewish customs to the reader, proof that he wrote for a Gentile (non-Jewish) audience. Luke shows us that
Jesus is the long-awaited Jewish and Gentile Messiah. He depicts Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah who was rejected by Israel and then offered to the world. Christ's compassion towards Gentiles and sinners is a constant theme throughout this Gospel, and more than any other book, Luke shows Jesus' concern for women. Plus, being a doctor, Luke makes many references to diseases and their cures. Luke also gives a broad view of the beginnings of Christianity. Forgiveness and the role of the Holy Spirit are prominent features throughout. But perhaps Luke's central theme is best summed up in verse 19:10; "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Within the pages of Luke, you will find seventeen parables and seven miracles exclusive to the Gospel of Luke. Much of the writings in verses 9:51-18:35 don't appear anywhere else in the Gospels (see below). Of the 1,151 verses in Luke, 607 have commonality with the Gospels of Matthew, Mark or both, leaving 544 unique to Luke.
Luke is broken down into three main segments:
1) Verses 1:1- 4:13 - Opening greetings; The births of John and Jesus; John foretells Jesus' coming; Mary's song of praise (1:46-55); Zechariah's song of praise (1:67-79); Jesus is born (2:1-20); Jesus is baptized and tempted.
2) Verses 4:14- 19:27 - Jesus' ministry begins; Calling the disciples; The teachings, parables, and miracles.
3) Verses 19:28- 24:53 - Passion week; Jesus enters Jerusalem; The death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.
Who was:
Theophilus -
The name Theophilus means, "one who loves God." Luke dedicated this Gospel and the "Acts of the Apostles" to Theophilus (Acts 1:1). Not much is known about him other than he was a Christian and since Luke addresses him as "most excellent," he probably held a high government position. The Swiss Theologian Federic Louis Godet (Oct. 25, 1812- Oct. 29, 1900) was a bit more specific. He believed that Theophilus was "a great lord residing in the capital of Syria." The Clementine Recognitions seem to confirm this. Written around AD 150, it tells of a man named Theophilus, "who was at the head of all the men in power at the city (of Antioch), consecrated, under the name of a church, the great basilica (the palace) in which he resided." Is this the same man Luke wrote to? Some Bible scholars do not believe Theophilus was a real person at all. They submit that he was simply the personification of Christian love.
Herod -
King Herod the Great reigned over Judea for almost 35 years as a bloodthirsty tyrant. He murdered, among others, his wife Mariamne, his mother-in-law Alexandra, two brothers-in-law Costobarus and Alexander, dozens of innocent children in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16-18) and three of his sons (two by strangulation). The Roman emperor Augustus Caesar said, "It is better to be Herod's hog than to be his son!" After being placed on the Judean throne by Roman Emperor Mark Antony, he built numerous cities and rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem that was destroyed by the Babylonians. Many of the ancient ruins tourists visit in Israel today date back to Herod's era. Part Jew and part Gentile, he lived in constant fear of being overthrown. He called himself "the King of the Jews," but most Jews hated him and mockingly called him "a half-Jew." From his deathbed, Herod gave orders for all prominent Jewish men to be rounded up and killed upon his death so there would be mourning at his passing. His instructions were ignored.
Zacharias -
A Jewish priest married to the virgin Mary's cousin Elisabeth, and father to John the Baptist. He was the first to learn that the Messiah would soon arrive (Luke 1:17).
Aaron -
The son of Amram the Levite and Jochebed (Exodus 6:20), Moses' older brother, his spokesman (Exodus 4:16; 7:2), and second in command as well as the first Jewish High Priest. Moses killed an Egyptian and was forced to flee Egypt. Forty years later, God sent Aaron to find Moses in the wilderness (Exodus 4:27) and to help him lead the Israelites out of
Egyptian slavery. When Moses went to receive the Ten Commandments from God, Aaron, two of his four sons, and seventy elders accompanied him partway up Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:1-2). While he waited for Moses to return, Aaron made a pagan idol, the golden calf (Exodus 32:2-5) for people to worship. Forgiven, God gave Aaron the power to end a plague which killed thousands (Numbers 16:1-50). As the first High Priest, Aaron was a foreshadowing of Christ (Exodus 28:1; 29:7) and helped prepare the Jews for the coming Messiah. But like Moses, Aaron died before reaching the promised land (Numbers 20:12; 20:23-29). After his death at the age of 123, Aarons rod was preserved as a memorial (Hebrews 9:2-6) and kept in the Ark. The Old Testament calls for all Jewish priests to be descendants of Aaron (Exodus 39:41; Leviticus 1:5; 1:7-8; 1:11). Aaron is also mentioned in the Koran and honored by Moslems.
Elisabeth -
A descendant of Aaron, Elisabeth was deeply religious (Luke 1:6), the mother of John the Baptist, wife of Zacharias, and a cousin to the Virgin Mary (1:36).
John -
John the Baptist was the son of the Jewish priest Zacharias and mother Elizabeth (Luke 1:8-13; 3:2). Elizabeth was the Virgin Mary's cousin (Luke 1:34-36), thus making John and Jesus distant cousins. John was a prophet of the Old Covenant sent by God to preach repentance (Matthew 3:2), to bridge the gap between the Old and New Testaments, and to prepare "the way" for the Messiah's arrival (Luke 1:17), a mission so important it is mentioned in all four Gospels (Matthew 3:1-17; Mark 1:2-5; Luke 3:4-11; John 1:19-27). Jesus said there was never a person born greater than John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11; Luke 7:28). John was the first prophet in four hundred years and a lifetime Nazarite. To honor God, Nazarite Jews made religious offerings, took periodic vows not to drink alcohol, cut their hair, and to avoid contact with the dead. These vows lasted anywhere from thirty to one hundred days. Only three men in the Bible were under lifetime Nazarite vows, Samson (Judges 13:2-7), Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11) and John (Luke 1:15). All three were set aside by God to perform extraordinary missions. John's purpose was to prepare the way for the Messiah, as prophesied in Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1 and 4:5-6. He was eventually beheaded by King Herod Antipas for denouncing Herod's marriage to his niece and brothers ex-wife, Herodias, and other "evils" (Luke 3:19-20). To learn more about Nazarite vows, read Numbers 6:1-21.
Elias -
Elias (Greek for Elijah) is perhaps the most famous of Israel's prophets, for no other is mentioned as often in the New Testament. Elijah came from Tishbeh in Gilead, was devoutly religious, and prepared Israel to accept God. After the breakup of King David's Israel in 931 BC, Elijah preached against the growing paganism and idol worship under King Ahab and his gentile wife, Jezebel. As Jews turned away from God, Elijah called on Israel to repent of its sins. Followers of the pagan God Baal and his wife Ashtoreth sacrificed infants and placed their remains in jars. Elias brought these murderers to justice (I Kings 18:40). He was given the power to perform miracles (2 Kings 1:9-14; 2:8) and caused the rain to stop for three and a half years (1 Kings 17:1; James 5:17). Elias ascended into heaven without dying in "a chariot of fire" (2 Kings 2:11) and stood with Moses at Jesus' side during the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-8). Over four hundred years before the birth of Christ, the Old Testament promised that Elias would return just before "the day of the Lord" (Malachi 4:5-6). John the Baptist was compared to Elias (see Today's Question below). To learn more about Elias, see 1 Kings 17:1-20, 1 Kings 18:1-46 and 2 Kings 1-2.
The Gospel According to St. Luke
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Luke 1:1-17
John the Baptist 1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. 5 THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, 9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. |
Margin notes:
"Many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration." (1:1) - "Many have written an account." "The course of Abia." (1:5) - Means "The order of Abia." Abia (also called Abijah) was the eighth order of priests (1 Chronicles 24:10). Per instructions laid out by King David (1 Chronicles 24:3-19), priests were divided into twenty-four different orders. "Both righteous before God." (1:6) - "Both believed in God." "They both were now well stricken in years." (1:7) - "They were both well along in years." "While he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course." (1:8) - Means, Zacharias' priestly order (Abia) was on duty at the Temple that week. "His lot was to burn incense." (1:9) - Each priest was assigned weekly job in the Temple by lottery. This week, Zacharias was to burn the incense in the Temple twice a day (Exodus 30:7-8). The rising smoke from the burning incense symbolically carried Jewish prayers to heaven. The honor of burning the incense was the height of a priest's career. Due to the large number of priests, many were never selected for such a distinction. "The whole multitude of the people were praying without." (1:10) - "Many people were praying outside." "Drink neither wine nor strong drink." (1:15) - To show their devotion to God, devout Jews would take a Nazarite vow not to drink alcohol or cut their hair for a set period (Numbers 6:1-21). "He shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias." (1:17) - The closing lines of the Old Testament promised that Elijah would return to prepare the way for the Messiah (Malachi 4:5). The angel (Gabriel) is telling Zacharias, the 400-year-old promise is about to be fulfilled. "To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children." (1:17) - The last specified virtue in the Old Testament, parental love (Malachi 4:6). |
New Living Translation
Luke 1:1-17
Introduction
1 Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us.
2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples.
3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus,
4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5 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.
6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations.
7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.
9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.
10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.
11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar.
12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.
13 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.
14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15 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.
16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God.
17 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."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Introduction
1 Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us.
2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples.
3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus,
4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5 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.
6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations.
7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.
9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.
10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.
11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar.
12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.
13 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.
14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15 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.
16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God.
17 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."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years." (1:5-7)
"And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him." (1:12-13)
"For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (1:15-17)
"And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him." (1:12-13)
"For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (1:15-17)
Today's Question:
1. Why did Luke compare John the Baptist to the Old Testament prophet Elias? (1:17)
If you need a copy of a past lesson let me know, I'm happy to email it to you.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Luke compared John the Baptist to the Old Testament prophet Elias (Elijah) because they had similar missions. Both Elias and John were sent by God to prepare us for the significant events that were about to happen. Elias preached about the end of the age and John about the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. They were forerunners of truth, sent to encourage people to repent of their sins and turn towards God. Both stood up against evil rulers, led austere lives, and had wisdom, zeal, and the ability to change the hearts of people.
According to The Life Application Study Bible (published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream Illinois; pg. 1940), John was sent to prepare people for Jesus' arrival by softening their "hearts" and making them "open to change" (Ezekiel 11:19-20; 36:25-29), and with the advent of Jesus, change was definitely coming.
Additional note: John denied that he was Elias (John 1:21), but Jesus himself called him Elias in spirit (Matthew 17:10-13).
Gospel stories unique to Luke:
Events leading up to the births of John the Baptist and Jesus (1:5-80)
Stories from Jesus' youth (2:1-52)
Herod imprisons John the Baptist (3:19-20)
Jesus' hometown rejects Him (4:16-30)
The miracle of the catch of fish (5:1-11)
Jesus resurrects the dead son (7:11-17)
A woman anoints Jesus' feet (7:36-50)
Women travel with Jesus (8:1-3)
Miracles and preaching just before the crucifixion (10:1-18:14)
Jesus meets Zacchaeus and the parable of the 10 servants (19:1-27)
Jesus weeps for Jerusalem (19:41-44)
Jesus sweats blood (22:44)
Jesus' trial in front of Herod (23:6-12)
Jesus' last words before His ascension (24:44-49)
1. Why did Luke compare John the Baptist to the Old Testament prophet Elias? (1:17)
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Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Luke compared John the Baptist to the Old Testament prophet Elias (Elijah) because they had similar missions. Both Elias and John were sent by God to prepare us for the significant events that were about to happen. Elias preached about the end of the age and John about the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. They were forerunners of truth, sent to encourage people to repent of their sins and turn towards God. Both stood up against evil rulers, led austere lives, and had wisdom, zeal, and the ability to change the hearts of people.
According to The Life Application Study Bible (published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream Illinois; pg. 1940), John was sent to prepare people for Jesus' arrival by softening their "hearts" and making them "open to change" (Ezekiel 11:19-20; 36:25-29), and with the advent of Jesus, change was definitely coming.
Additional note: John denied that he was Elias (John 1:21), but Jesus himself called him Elias in spirit (Matthew 17:10-13).
Gospel stories unique to Luke:
Events leading up to the births of John the Baptist and Jesus (1:5-80)
Stories from Jesus' youth (2:1-52)
Herod imprisons John the Baptist (3:19-20)
Jesus' hometown rejects Him (4:16-30)
The miracle of the catch of fish (5:1-11)
Jesus resurrects the dead son (7:11-17)
A woman anoints Jesus' feet (7:36-50)
Women travel with Jesus (8:1-3)
Miracles and preaching just before the crucifixion (10:1-18:14)
Jesus meets Zacchaeus and the parable of the 10 servants (19:1-27)
Jesus weeps for Jerusalem (19:41-44)
Jesus sweats blood (22:44)
Jesus' trial in front of Herod (23:6-12)
Jesus' last words before His ascension (24:44-49)
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke