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, Explain This Verse
2.
Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; Explain This Verse
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, Explain This Verse
4.
That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. Explain This Verse
5.
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. Explain This Verse
6.
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Explain This Verse
7.
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. Explain This Verse
8.
And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, Explain This Verse
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. Explain This Verse
10.
And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. Explain This Verse
11.
And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Explain This Verse
12.
And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. Explain This Verse
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. Explain This Verse
14.
And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. Explain This Verse
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. Explain This Verse
16.
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. Explain This Verse
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. Explain This Verse
18.
And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. Explain This Verse
19.
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. Explain This Verse
20.
And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. Explain This Verse
21.
And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. Explain This Verse
22.
And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. Explain This Verse
23.
And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. Explain This Verse
24.
And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Explain This Verse
25.
Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. Explain This Verse
26.
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, Explain This Verse
27.
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. Explain This Verse
28.
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Explain This Verse
29.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. Explain This Verse
30.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. Explain This Verse
31.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. Explain This Verse
32.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: Explain This Verse
33.
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Explain This Verse
34.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? Explain This Verse
35.
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Explain This Verse
36.
And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. Explain This Verse
38.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Explain This Verse
39.
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; Explain This Verse
40.
And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. Explain This Verse
41.
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: Explain This Verse
42.
And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Explain This Verse
43.
And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Explain This Verse
44.
For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Explain This Verse
45.
And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. Explain This Verse
48.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Explain This Verse
49.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. Explain This Verse
50.
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. Explain This Verse
51.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. Explain This Verse
52.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. Explain This Verse
53.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. Explain This Verse
54.
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; Explain This Verse
55.
As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. Explain This Verse
56.
And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. Explain This Verse
57.
Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. Explain This Verse
58.
And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. Explain This Verse
59.
And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. Explain This Verse
60.
And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. Explain This Verse
61.
And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. Explain This Verse
62.
And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. Explain This Verse
63.
And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. Explain This Verse
64.
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. Explain This Verse
65.
And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea. Explain This Verse
66.
And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. Explain This Verse
67.
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Explain This Verse
68.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, Explain This Verse
69.
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; Explain This Verse
70.
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: Explain This Verse
71.
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; Explain This Verse
72.
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; Explain This Verse