Luke 1 – Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part, verse-by-verse approach, to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Luke 1:1-4: Luke’s Introduction

A. Find Out:    

1. What had many done? v.1
   • Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
2. How had this been possible? v.2
   • just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eye witnesses and servants of the word.
3. What had Luke done? v.3a
   • With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning
4. What had Luke then decided to do? v.3b
   • I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
5. With what aim in mind? v.4
   • so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

B. Think:

1. Read also Luke 3:1,2    What does that detail tell us?
2. Was Luke’s the only account written at this time?
3. What impression does Luke convey to us in these verses?

C. Comment:

In the beginning of this particular Gospel, we find Luke making some comments which should greatly reassure us about what we will be reading. Cynics and critics say you can’t believe the Bible because it is unreliable. Luke’s opening words challenge that viewpoint.

He tells us, first of all, that a number of people have already been writing about these things. Whether that includes Matthew and Mark (John wrote a lot later) we aren’t told. What he does tell us is that we can believe what was written because the information came from eye witnesses, those who had actually been with Jesus.

He also tells us that he himself had actually investigated it all, from the outset. We know from the book of Acts that he travelled with Paul and was a clear believer, but we aren’t told when he first started checking out the truth of all he had heard. He is a doctor, a man of science, an investigator of truth and he’s investigated the Gospel accounts.

Having carried out that investigation, as he realises that others are writing accounts, it seems only sensible to him to write up what he’s found out so that his friend can be certain about the truth of what he’s heard. These opening words thus give us great confidence when we come to read about Jesus. This is no casual writing, no collection of myths. This is history as 3:1,2 clearly shows us. We can believe it!

D. Application:

1. The Gospels are historical accounts, carefully compiled. Luke was careful about his research about Jesus. Do we take similar time, effort and care in checking the records?
2. Jesus is an historical figure. He came in time-space history. Christianity is a supernatural religion based in material space-time history. Am I aware of the historical dimension of my faith?  Do I need to learn more about the foundations of my faith?

Passage: Luke 1:5-12: Introducing Zechariah and Elizabeth

A. Find Out:

1. What was the background of Zechariah and Elizabeth? v.5
   • In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
2. What sort of people were they? v.6
   • Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.
3. Yet what one problem did they have? v.7
   • But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
4. What was Zechariah chosen to do, when? v.8,9
   • Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
5. What happened while he was there? v.11
   • Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
6. What was his response? v.12
   • When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.

B. Think:

1. What sort of person does Zechariah appear to be up until now?
2. Why do you think he was afraid when the angel came?
3. What do you think that indicates about him?

C. Comment:

Luke starts his history of Jesus by describing first the coming of the forerunner, John the Baptist, and gives us the background to his birth. Both of his parents come from the priestly family and both are described as really good people. Their one sadness was that they had no children.

The initial absence of children is seen, in a number of scriptural instances, to have been the precursor to the arrival of a special child with much blessing to follow e.g. Sarai having Isaac (Gen. 11:30 on), Rebekah having Jacob & Esau (Gen. 25:21 on), Hannah having Samuel (1 Sam 1). Now this couple have waited years and years and are both quite old and they are about to have their experience of God’s life-bringing intervention.

Seemingly by chance, chosen by lot (but there are no “chances” with God), Zechariah has the privilege of burning incense in the temple. It is there in the temple that an angel appears to him. Why was Zechariah afraid? Was it that the presence of a holy angel was awe inspiring, or was it that it was just so unexpected? It is so easy to go through religious ritual or spiritual exercises and not expect God to turn up. How often when we are praying or worshipping do we expect the presence of the Lord to come in supernatural ways?

D. Application:

1. Childlessness is an opportunity for God to come and bless. We can be lacking in many areas of life. Dare we believe that God can come and bring change to us and in us?
2. Are we alert for the presence of God to come to us? How often when, for instance, we are praying or worshipping, do we expect the presence of the Lord to come in supernatural ways?
3. God works within the details of our lives. Do we understand that things do not happen ‘by chance’ with God?
4. Being ‘religious’ is insufficient. Christianity is all about having a living relationship with God, which performing religious ritual cannot match.

Passage: Luke 1:13-25: Zechariah struggles to believe

A. Find Out:

1. What would happen and what should Zechariah do? v.13
   •  But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
2. What effect will the child have and why? v.14,15a,16,17
   • He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’
3. What is the child to do and what will happen to him? v.15b,c
   • He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
4. What Zechariah’s response to this? v.18
   • Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well on in years.’
5. What was the angel’s response to him & what happened? v.19-22
   • The angel said to him, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.’
   • 21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realised he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
6. What subsequently happened? v.23-25
   • When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 ‘The Lord has done this for me,’ she said. ‘In these days he has shown his favour and taken away my disgrace among the people.’

B. Think:

1. What are we told about the baby who will be John the Baptist
2. What are we told about Zechariah’s response to Gabriel?
3. How did Elizabeth view her pregnancy?

C. Comment:

First of all consider Zechariah. Zechariah was first of all afraid (v.12) and now he exhibits clear unbelief (v.20). This is a man with a deep religious background, who keeps the Law meticulously but who never the less struggles with faith. Keeping the Law and moving in faith are two different things. It’s fairly easy to keep the rules, but it’s not so easy to respond when God comes and speaks, either through an angel or more likely to us today, through the Holy Spirit. The key issue is always “Will we believe what He says, and will we do it?” In this instance the Lord gave Zechariah a token to remain with him that would remind him that God had spoken and God meant it – silence!

Next consider what we are told about John the Baptist.  First he will bring joy to his parents, because they have waited so long for him. Second, he will take a high place in God’s estimation and in God’s plans. Third, he is going to be a Nazarite, v.15 (see Num 6:1-4), one who is separated to God for a special purpose. Fourth, he is going to be filled with the Spirit even from birth. (see 1:41 for that fulfilment). Fifth, his ministry will mean many people coming back to God (v.16), as he ministers with the same authority as Elijah (v.17) to bring reconciliation within families, God’s basic building block.

D. Application:

1. When God speaks, He looks for belief and faith in us. The key issue is always will we believe what He says, and will we do it? Religious ritual is not enough, faith is.
2. God’s will is impossible. So often what God says seems impossible to us. Dare we believe Him?
3. A ministry of reconciliation. This was John’s ministry. So it is ours. (2 Cor 5:18 ,19)

Passage: Luke 1:26-38: Introducing Mary

A. Find Out:

1. What are we told about Mary? v.27
   • a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
2. Who came and said what to her? v.26,28,30
   • In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee … The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ … But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God.
3. What are we told about her son? v.31-33,35c
   • You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants for ever; his kingdom will never end.’
4. How did the angel say this would happen? v.35
   • The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
5. What were the different responses in Mary? v.29,34,38
   • Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. … ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ …‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’
6. What encouragement did the angel give? v.36,37
   • Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.’

B. Think:

1. How was Jesus to be different from John?
2. How were Mary’s responses different from Zechariah’s?

C. Comment:

Luke now moves from telling us about how John’s birth was foretold, to how Jesus’ birth was also foretold, by the same angel.

Mary is a young woman, soon to be married to a man called Joseph, a descendant of king David. That’s all we’re told about her. But the angel calls her favoured, and then tells her she’ll have a child, what he’ll be like and how it will happen.

Let’s first consider her responses. Unlike Zechariah she isn’t fearful, just wondering why she should be called favoured. Next she points out she is a virgin as that seems a natural stumbling block, and although betrothed to Joseph presumably they had not intended to get married just yet. Her question is obviously not unbelief, simply wanting to clear the way for God’s will to be done. Finally she simply accepts it all with those vital words: “May it be as you have said”.

Then let’s consider the description of her son. His name is to be Jesus (or Jeshua / Joshua) meaning deliverer. He will be Son of God, he will be a ruler, but a ruler for ever ! This description is clear: this one will be called the Son of God, holy. For Mary, the magnitude of that could probably not be realised, the words could be taken to mean he will be seen to be holy, a child of God. The words about him ruling for ever reveal him to be THE Son of God.

D. Application:

1. Open-hearted faith. This was Mary’s response. May we be the same when the Lord speaks to us.
2. A Son to be worshipped. This son is THE Son of God who deserves our worship. May he get it!
3. The challenge of the supernatural. When God speaks it is exciting, but remember obedience is more important than the thrill.

Passage: Luke 1:39-45: Mary visits Elizabeth

A. Find Out:

1. Who went where? v.39,40
   • At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.
2. What 3 things happened to Elizabeth ? v.41
   • When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
3. How did she immediately respond? v.42
   • In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!
4. What did she ask? v.43
   • But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
5. Of what was she aware? v.44
   • As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
6. Who did she say was blessed? v.45
   • Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her!’

B. Think:

1. When was Elizabeth filled with the Spirit?
2. What two signs were there that this was happening?
3. Of what supernatural knowledge was she aware?

C. Comment:

Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, both women carry a baby that had been spoken about by the angel Gabriel, Elizabeth’s conceived by human means and God’s help, Mary’s by means of the Holy Spirit without the help of a man.

Observe first what happened when Mary spoke: Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. A person being “filled” with the Spirit was not completely unknown – see Ex 31:3 & 35:31 – but in the O.T. the Holy Spirit mostly “came upon” a person. This was the first time the Spirit filled a person as was to become common in the N.T. church. The signs of this happening, for Elizabeth , was first, the baby within her leaping as he responded to the Spirit and second, the prophetic utterances that came from her.

So let’s next note just what she said under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. First, she acknowledges Mary’s privileged position and that of the child she is carrying (v.42). Second, she acknowledges that Mary’s baby is her “Lord”. Third, she recognises the link between Mary’s greeting and what has happened to her. Fourth, she blesses Mary for believing what she has been told. It is possible that much of what Elizabeth says is in response to what Mary might have told her previously, yet it now comes with a strong sense of faith by the Spirit.

D. Application:

1. When a person is filled with the Spirit things happen. Do I allow fear to reject the supernatural working of God in me?
2. When a person is filled with the Spirit revelation comes. Am I aware of the Lord being able to bring me revelation and insight and understanding?

Passage: Luke 1:46-56: Mary’s Prophetic Song

A. Find Out:

1. What was Mary wanting to do? v.46,47
   • And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
2. Why? v.48,49
   • for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
     From now on all generations will call me blessed,
     for the Mighty One has done great things for me –
      holy is his name.
3. What did she know about the Lord? v.50
   • His mercy extends to those who fear him,
         from generation to generation.
4. What had He done? v.51,52a
   • He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
      he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
     52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
5. Who also had He cared for? v.52b,53
   • but has lifted up the humble.
     53 He has filled the hungry with good things
         but has sent the rich away empty.
6. What had He done generally? v.54,55
   • He has helped his servant Israel,
         remembering to be merciful
     55 to Abraham and his descendants for ever,
         just as he promised our ancestors.’

B. Think:

1. How would you describe the nature of this song?
2. What did she feel about herself?
3. What did she feel about God?

C. Comment:

This hymn of praise, sometimes known as “the Magnificat” is in fact, a prophetic declaration as a result of the presence of the Holy Spirit who has just filled Elizabeth and would do nothing less for Mary.

It is first a spontaneous outpouring of praise. When the Holy Spirit comes, that is always the first thing that happens, whether it be in prayer, in tongues or in prophecy, He always glorifies God.

Mary rejoices in what the Lord has done for her. The Spirit enables her momentarily to fully appreciate the wonder of what has happened and she rejoices. But then, inspired by the Spirit, she goes further and her sense of understanding of God’s greatness in the history of Israel is expanded.

She recognises the Lord who is first of all merciful to those who fear Him. But then He is a mighty sovereign God who deals with the proud and arrogant, whoever they may be, even rulers.   But He’s also a compassionate God who cares for the humble and the hungry and needy. He has blessed Israel again and again, from the very outset of their inception in their father Abraham.    As she is released in the Spirit, Mary is just aware of God’s goodness, to her and to her nation. This is revelation! This is truth! This comes as the Spirit brings release and she is a mouthpiece of the Lord.

D. Application:

1. The Holy Spirit always brings praise & honour to God. Have I known and do I know the filling of the Spirit that brings spontaneous praise and worship?
2. The Holy Spirit always brings truth and revelation. Have I known that experience in prayer where praise turns into revelation?

Passage: Luke 1:57-66: John’s birth & naming

A. Find Out:

1. What was the feeling about Elizabeth ? v.57,58
   • When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
2. What happened on the eighth day? v.59
   • On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah
3. What was Elizabeth ‘s instruction and with what response? v.60,61
   •  but his mother spoke up and said, ‘No! He is to be called John.’
   • 61 They said to her, ‘There is no one among your relatives who has that name.’
4. So how did they check this? v.62
   • Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.
5. What was Zechariah’s response and what then happened? v.63,64
   • He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, ‘His name is John.’ 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.
6. What sort of reaction did this provoke? v.65,66
   • All the neighbours were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, ‘What then is this child going to be?’ For the Lord’s hand was with him.

B. Think:

1. What does the naming by the parents indicate here?
2. What sign was given that they were right?
3. Why were the onlookers surprised?

C. Comment:

Everything about the coming of John was eventful:  the way the angel dealt with his father, the way his mother was filled with the Spirit part way through her pregnancy, and now in the way he is named.

The fact that both Elizabeth and Zechariah are set on calling him John indicates the sureness of their faith. Somehow Zechariah must have communicated to Elizabeth what had happened in the temple and what the angel had said. The fact that she then soon became pregnant must have confirmed in their minds that this was an encounter with God. So, at the formal time of naming him, they both agree that they are not to follow tradition but name him John.

At the point that Zechariah publicly confesses this name, his mouth is released and he is able to speak again. The result is that the whole neighbourhood hears of this and there is a recognition that this child is going to be special.

Why did all this happen? Perhaps it was just God’s signpost to get the attention of some of his people. Apparently He had been quiet in the life of Israel for hundreds of years. Suddenly the divinely supernatural is happening again. God is with His people and unusual things are happening – and this is just the start! When God is truly “with” His people the unusual WILL happen!

D. Application:

1. God often uses the unusual to catch our attention. Don’t write off unusual things as chance. God uses them to catch our attention. Do we take note?
2. When God moves the unusual happens. Ours IS a supernatural faith. Do we recognise Him? Do we accept He does impossible things?
3. Obedience is a requirement in Christianity. This family’s obedience seemed over a simple thing. Do we see the significance of the ‘simple things’?

Passage: Luke 1:67-80: Zechariah prophesies

A. Find Out:

1. What two things happened to Zechariah? v.67
   • His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
2. List the things he said God had done in v.68-75
   • 68 ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
         because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
     69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
         in the house of his servant David
     70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
     71 salvation from our enemies
         and from the hand of all who hate us –
     72 to show mercy to our ancestors
         and to remember his holy covenant,
     73     the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
     74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
         and to enable us to serve him without fear
     75     in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
3. What did he say John would be? v.76a
   • And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
4. What did he say John would do? v.76b,77
   • or you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
     77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
         through the forgiveness of their sins,
5. Why, and what else would happen? v.78,79
   • because of the tender mercy of our God,
         by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
     79 to shine on those living in darkness
         and in the shadow of death,
     to guide our feet into the path of peace.’
6. What happened to John? v.80
   • And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

B. Think:

1. Look up Acts 2:4, 4:8-, 4:31 , 10:44 -46, 19:6 What happened whenever someone was “filled with the Holy Spirit”?
2. What does Zechariah tell us about John’s and Jesus’ ministries?

C. Comment:

As Zechariah’s tongue is released he is filled with the Spirit and prophesies. The New Testament shows us that each time people were filled with the Spirit they were released in praise in tongues or in prophecy. When the Spirit fills a person they are released in a new way.

Zechariah first extols God as the One who has come down to redeem His people from captivity and deliver them from their enemies. Remember this is Holy Spirit inspired, so this is truth. God HAS come to do this but perhaps not in the way His people expected.  How easy it is for us to misunderstand prophecy when it comes.

Next, he prophesies about his own son, that he will a prophet for God who will prepare the people for God by bringing them to repentance so they can receive forgiveness of sins.

Finally there is a glimpse of what God is going to do, seen in v.78,79,  as He comes to earth from heaven to lead His people into peace. Whether Zechariah understood the full meaning of what he was saying is unclear, but this describes exactly what would happen, that God, in the form of His Son, would come down from heaven (see Jn 6:38) and bring light into darkness (see Jn 1:4,5,9)

D. Application:

1. When a person is filled with the Spirit, filling brings a new release of love and revelation. Have you been filled?
2. Jesus comes to bring light and life to us. Have I received the revelation of who Jesus is, and have I received his life?