Keraia
Luke 1

Luke 1:5

Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth · Luke 1:5–25
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Translations

Modern
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron.
Traditional
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.
Literal
There was in the days of Herod king of Judea a certain priest, by name Zechariah, of the division of Abijah, and his wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth.
Latin
Fuit in diebus Herodis, regis Judææ, sacerdos quidam nomine Zacharias de vice Abia, et uxor illius de filiabus Aaron, et nomen ejus Elisabeth.

Original

Greek
English
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron.

Notes

Luke 1:5

  • Herod king of Judea: See the profile on "Herod the Great."

  • a priest named Zechariah: He was a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses (Exodus 28:1).

  • who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah: See the study note on Luke 1:8–9 and also 1 Chronicles 24:10.

  • Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron: Jews considered it especially spiritual for a priest to marry a woman from a priestly family.

Luke 1:5–2:52

The Gospel of Luke's first two chapters describe the birth of Jesus and introduce key themes that appear later in Luke and Acts. The announcements and birth stories of Jesus and John the Baptist appear together, emphasizing their roles in bringing God's salvation.

At each point, Luke's Gospel shows Jesus to be greater. John is the forerunner announcing the coming of Jesus, while Jesus is the Savior.

Events

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Abijah: Head of a priestly division during David's reign Elizabeth: The wife of Zechariah and mother of John the Baptist Elizabeth's father: The wife of Zechariah and mother of John the Baptist Heli's wife: The unnamed grandmother of Jesus Herod: The Great, Roman-appointed king of Judea during Jesus' birth Zechariah: Priest, father of John the Baptist

Places

Judea: The southern region of Israel, centered around Jerusalem

Glossary

Aaron Abia Abijah Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of the Acts of the Apostles Calendars (Ancient and Modern) Elizabeth Incarnation John the Baptist Luke, Gospel of Mary Priests and Levites Virgin Birth of Jesus Zacharias Zechariah (Person)

Topics

Abia: Also Called Abijah, Chief of the Twenty-Four Courses of Priests Barrenness: Miraculously Removed: Elisabeth Elisabeth (Elizabeth): The Wife of Zacharias and the Mother of John the Baptist Joy of Elisabeth, when Mary Visited Her Judea: (The Southern Division of Palestine): The Term Applies to all of Palestine In Marriage: The Jews: Often Contracted, in Their own Tribe Priests: The Four Courses Which Returned from Babylon Subdivided Into Temple: Herod the Great's Temple: Zacharias, officiating Priest In, Has a Vision of an Angel Zacharias (Zechariah): The Father of John the Baptist