The One Year Bible Club with Teaching
Commentary by Nick Boork
March 13
Luke 1:1-25
Commentary by Nick Boork
March 13
Luke 1:1-25
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March 13 - Luke 1:1-25
Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. 8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, 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 to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘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.” 18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. 23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
OKAY, HERE'S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Let's look at who Luke was and the audience he was writing to:
Luke wrote both the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.
Luke was a physician and close traveling companion of the apostle Paul.
In his introduction, Luke gives the purpose of writing;
1:3-4 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
Luke was a Greek and he wrote to Theophilus. Who was Theophilus? The most common view is Theophilus was a Roman official because Luke referred to him as "most excellent" (Luke 1:3). However another view is that the name Theophilus was an Honorary title. This tradition maintains that Theophilus was not a person. The word in the Greek means "Friend of God" and so Luke wrote both the gospel of Luke and Acts to anyone who fits that description. Luke wanted to record everything he understood about Jesus starting with the birth of John the Baptist all the way till the ascension of Jesus Christ back to heaven.
Luke apparently knew Mary the mother of Jesus and interviewed her personally as well as the twelve apostles. Luke records many stories like the parable of the prodigal son and the good Samaritan along with many details that are not found in the other Gospels.
Now let's look at the priest named Zacharias the father of John the Baptist.
When Zacharias went into the temple to offer up incense in worship to God the Lord sent an angel to tell him his prayers had been answered and his wife Elizabeth would get pregnant and give birth to a son whose name would be John. The Lord would use John in a mighty way as a prophet to prepare the people of Israel to believe and follow the Messiah, Jesus Christ. However, Zacharias asked the angel “HOW can this be?” In other words, Zacharias did not respond in faith to the word of the Lord that came through the angel Gabriel but reasoned in his mind about HOW this could happen. Being a priest and knowing the history of Israel and the power of God should have caused Zacharias to respond in faith saying praise the Lord that's great, AMEN! But because of his unbelief he was given a sign he wasn't looking for. Now he would be mute and not able to speak or declare what God was doing until the day his son John would be born.
WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) The Gospel of Luke is like a treasure chest full of divine knowledge into the life and ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2) If you're a lover of God you will love studying the gospel of Luke because Christ is revealed in many unique ways.
3) God answers prayer today. What looks impossible with men is possible with God!
4) When God gives you a vision respond in faith because nothing is too hard for the Lord!
Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. 8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, 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 to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘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.” 18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. 23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
OKAY, HERE'S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Let's look at who Luke was and the audience he was writing to:
Luke wrote both the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.
Luke was a physician and close traveling companion of the apostle Paul.
In his introduction, Luke gives the purpose of writing;
1:3-4 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
Luke was a Greek and he wrote to Theophilus. Who was Theophilus? The most common view is Theophilus was a Roman official because Luke referred to him as "most excellent" (Luke 1:3). However another view is that the name Theophilus was an Honorary title. This tradition maintains that Theophilus was not a person. The word in the Greek means "Friend of God" and so Luke wrote both the gospel of Luke and Acts to anyone who fits that description. Luke wanted to record everything he understood about Jesus starting with the birth of John the Baptist all the way till the ascension of Jesus Christ back to heaven.
Luke apparently knew Mary the mother of Jesus and interviewed her personally as well as the twelve apostles. Luke records many stories like the parable of the prodigal son and the good Samaritan along with many details that are not found in the other Gospels.
Now let's look at the priest named Zacharias the father of John the Baptist.
When Zacharias went into the temple to offer up incense in worship to God the Lord sent an angel to tell him his prayers had been answered and his wife Elizabeth would get pregnant and give birth to a son whose name would be John. The Lord would use John in a mighty way as a prophet to prepare the people of Israel to believe and follow the Messiah, Jesus Christ. However, Zacharias asked the angel “HOW can this be?” In other words, Zacharias did not respond in faith to the word of the Lord that came through the angel Gabriel but reasoned in his mind about HOW this could happen. Being a priest and knowing the history of Israel and the power of God should have caused Zacharias to respond in faith saying praise the Lord that's great, AMEN! But because of his unbelief he was given a sign he wasn't looking for. Now he would be mute and not able to speak or declare what God was doing until the day his son John would be born.
WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) The Gospel of Luke is like a treasure chest full of divine knowledge into the life and ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2) If you're a lover of God you will love studying the gospel of Luke because Christ is revealed in many unique ways.
3) God answers prayer today. What looks impossible with men is possible with God!
4) When God gives you a vision respond in faith because nothing is too hard for the Lord!
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll