Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 1
The Reverend Jeffrey G. Bohan, Senior Pastor
St. Luke Lutheran Church – Bloomsburg, PA

1:1-4 – The Prologue (Introduction) – This is what tells us the purpose for this writing, and gives us some background on the author, what his reasons are, etc. Scholars call this one of the most literarily stylized sentences of the New Testament, rivaled only by John 1. This prologue is sophisticated in its day, and would appeal to a “secular” audience that is used to the conventional historical writing of the day.

1. Luke is concerned about the “events that have been fulfilled among us,” this is the subject matter.

2. We realize that there are multiple accounts of the things this book is going to be about, and the author knows of them, has researched them, and is using them in creating this “orderly account.”

3. These writers (including Luke) are dependent upon those who were “eyewitnesses.” This is key to any history of the day; to be thought to be accurate it had to come from “eyewitnesses.” This shows the connection that Luke is making from Jesus, to eyewitnesses, to Luke’s writing. Thus the tradition of the Christian Church from Jesus to eyewitnesses to gospel to disciples down through the ages is intact. We will see this same type of connection made in the geneology of Jesus (chapter 3).

4. This writing is for Theophilus in order that he may know the truth about the things he has already been instructed about. Is this a putting into writing the exact things that were taught to Theophilus? Is this an orderly account to correct some things Theophilus has been taught?? Not sure, but it is clear that Theophilus is a benefactor of some sort, higher class (ie. Most excellent), and deserving of instruction by the author, and needing to have the “truth” written down in an orderly form.

The next two stories are really to be compared together to notice the similarities, but then to realize the very apparent differences between them. John & Jesus are both very very important figures, but it is obvious when these stories are compared what place each has in the story being told.

1:5-25 – The Annunciation (announcing) of the Birth of John the Baptist
This story starts with an upstanding priestly couple, Zechariah (priestly order of Abijah), and Elizabeth (descendent of Aaron, Moses’ brother and right hand man!!), and we hear some pretty incredible things about them: They are righteous before God, living blamelessly, keeping the commandments (not many can say this!!) Sadly no children, Elizabeth was barren. This is the biblical clue for WAKE UP GOD IS GOING TO DO SOMETHING HERE!!!!! Remember Abraham & Sarah from Old Testament, Luke actually takes some quotes from there. Zechariah and Elizabeth are the Abraham & Sarah of this story; an old childless couple. These two have every sign of ones who are faithful, obedient, and ready for God to appear at any moment. Are they??

As a priest Zechariah is to take care of the temple, and every once in a while one is chosen to go into the sanctuary of the Lord (where God dwells) to offer incense, etc. Zechariah gets the opportunity (marked by God) this time. The priests who cast lots were the ones who had never had the opportunity before, and so since Zechariah is quite old, he has been waiting his whole life to enter this part of the temple. He had never been in there before! Now, remember, this is the place where God dwells!! A priest should expect to see God!! Yet, when Zechariah sees the angel Gabriel he is terrified (which is always the normal reaction to an angel), though maybe as a priest he should have at least expected it (compare with Mary later). Every time an angel appears the first words are always, “Don’t be afraid!!” They expect to be an intrusion into what we would normally expect.

Gabriel then launches into his story. Their prayer is answered by God, they will have a son, and continues with everything about this son. Parenting instructions: You will name him John; You will rejoice; He will be great; Parenting instructions: No strong drink; He will be filled with the Holy Spirit (important for Luke throughout Gospel, watch for more from the HS); he will turn many back to God; he will be like Elijah; he will turn the disobedient into righteous; for the purpose of preparing the way! John is going to enter into the illustrious history of the prophets who were chosen very young: Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, David.

Zechariah’s question is Abraham’s question from the OT actually quoted by Luke, however, Zechariah should know the story pretty well!! Gabriel’s proof is who he is, and that he stands in God’s presence, and is bringing God’s word!!! Because Zechariah didn’t believe he will be mute, unable to speak. When Zechariah finally comes out he can’t speak, and the crowd knows he has seen a vision. He is gesturing wildly because he can’t speak!! After Zechariah’s service he returns home, and they conceive a child. Elizabeth’s seclusion allows for Mary not knowing about this until the angel appears to Mary in the next scene.

1:26-38 – The Annunciation (announcing) of the Birth of Jesus
Contrast this meeting by the angel Gabriel with the previous one. The angel comes to an unknown woman, of no status, not a priest. There is no OT biblical equivalent to a young unmarried woman receiving the joyous news that she is going to have a baby. Mary is engaged to Joseph who is from the house of David. At age 12 a woman’s vow was considered valid, but an age is not given, so we can surmise that she is at least 12, possibly a little older. This meeting doesn’t happen in a special religious place (like the temple), but in a small remote village, Nazareth. We aren’t given any information about Mary’s family yet, and so Luke seems to be portraying her as an unknown to us. She is meant to be a surprise, biblically, for us. God is doing something new. The obstacle that God needed to overcome in John’s birth is that Zechariah & Elizabeth are old, which is a traditional OT birth miracle. The obstacle in Jesus’ conception & birth is that Mary is not married, this is an even great miracle birth by a virgin!!

Gabriel greets Mary in a very special way! Though Mary isn’t “terrified” like Zechariah, only “perplexed.” But then as Mary is perplexed we hear the traditional angelic words, “Do not be afraid!”
Both John & Jesus will be great, but Jesus will also be “Son of the Most High.” Jesus will be given the throne of David, and he will rule forever. Here is the ultimate in Kingship!! However, in Luke the traditional king is not what Jesus is, in fact, Jesus never calls himself a King, rather others accuse him of being a king, and for this he is executed. Throughout Gabriel’s speech he is emphasizing God’s action, this is what God is doing. God has chosen Mary for this special purpose. The angel doesn’t seem to mind Mary’s question, though it seems similar to Zechariah’s. It is possible that Zechariah was looking for some proof, while Mary is just wondering how it is going to happen. The angel then describes the incredible process, certainly very unusual (different from Zechariah & Elizabeth, another reason why Mary’s question makes more sense. The explanation is the Holy Spirit, “will come upon you.” This will come up again in the book of Acts as the Holy Spirit rests on the believers. And the Holy Spirit will “overshadow” Mary. This kind of overshadowing is similar to the description of God’s presence in the tent in Exodus 40:35 “Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” This child will by Holy!

For proof the angel tells Mary of Elizabeth’s conception of a child, and she is well enough along for Mary to be able to see for herself. We now learn that Mary & Elizabeth are relatives. “Nothing will be impossible with God!!” Important statement here, as it continues the focus not on Mary, or Elizabeth, or Zechariah, but the focus is on what God is doing here!! Finally, the scene ends with Mary’s faithful pronouncement that she will be God’s pawn, and God can move her around as He sees fit. She is linked to the OT Hannah in her willing obedience (1 Sam 1:18).