Gospel according to Luke

Prologue

1
1 Many have tried to relate in an orderly manner the events that were fulfilled among us, 2 as they
were transmitted to us by those who have been eyewitnesses and servants of the Word from the
beginning. 3 Therefore, after carefully informing myself of everything from the beginning, I have
also decided to write for you, His Excellency Theophilus, an orderly account, 4 so that you may
know well the solidity of the teachings you have received.
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS' INFANCY

4 The central core of the Gospels is the proclamation of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus,
what we call the "Paschal Mystery". But Luke wants to present the mystery of Christ in its
fullness, and that is why the same thing that Matthew goes back to the birth and childhood of the
Lord, which are also "Gospel", that is, Good News.
4 This account is full of expressions and images taken from the Old Testament, and contains
numerous allusions to messianic prophecies, which are fulfilled in the person of the Lord. Thus
this evangelist teaches us that, although Jesus is born of Mary, his origin is not merely human.
He comes from the Holy Spirit to give us Salvation. And the joy of that salvation is proclaimed
in the hymns of praise of the Virgin Mary, Zechariah, and the elder Simeon.
4 On the other hand, St. Luke draws a parallel between the childhood of Jesus and that of John,
called the Baptist. This does not mean that the two can be equalized. John is only the
"forerunner" who goes "before the Lord preparing his ways." Jesus, on the other hand, is the
"rising sun", who comes "to illuminate those who are in darkness and in the shadow of death,
and to guide our steps along the path of peace" (1. 76,78-79).
The announcement of the birth of John the Baptist
5 Inthe time of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the priestly class of
Abijah. His wife, named Elizabeth, was a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both were righteous in God's
eyes and irreproachably followed all the commandments and precepts of the Lord. 7 But they had
no children, for Elizabeth was barren; and both were of advanced age.
8 One day when his class was on duty and Zechariah exercised the priestly function before
God, 9 it was his turn in luck, according to liturgical custom, to enter the Sanctuary of the Lord to
burn the incense. 10 The whole assembly of the people stood outside, in prayer, while incense
was offered.
11 Then the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of
incense. 12 Seeing him, Zechariah was bewildered and afraid. 13 But the Angel said to him, "Fear
not, Zechariah; your plea has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will give you a son whom you
will call John. 14 He will be for you a cause of joy and joy, and many will rejoice in his
birth,15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. You will not drink wine or alcoholic
beverages; He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb,16 and will cause many
Israelites to return to the Lord, their God. 17 He will precede the Lord with the spirit and power
of Elijah, to reconcile parents with their children and to draw rebels to the wisdom of the
righteous, thus preparing for the Lord a well-disposed People." 18 But Zechariah said to
the Angel, "How can I be sure of this? Because I am old and my wife is old." 19 The Angel
answered him, "I am Gabriel, the one who stands before God, and I have been sent to speak to
you and to announce this good news to you. 20 You will be speechless, unable to speak until the
day when these things happen, for not having believed in my words, which will be fulfilled in
due time." 21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, surprised that he would stay so
long in the Sanctuary. 22 When he went out, he could not speak to them, and everyone
understood that he had had some vision in the Sanctuary. He expressed himself by signs, because
he had become mute.
23 Atthe end of the time of his service in the Temple, he returned home. 24 Soon after, his wife
Elizabeth conceived a child and remained in hiding for five months. 25 She thought, "This is what
the Lord has done for me, when He decided to deliver me from what I was ashamed of before
men."
The announcement of the birth of Jesus
26 In the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee, called
Nazareth, 27 to a virgin who was betrothed to a man belonging to David's family, named Joseph.
The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The Angel entered her house and greeted her, saying, "Rejoice,
full of grace, the Lord is with you." 29 Hearing these words, she was bewildered and wondered
what that greeting might mean. 30 But the Angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for God
has favored you. 31 You shall conceive and bear a son, and name 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 David, his
father, 33 will reign over the house of Jacob forever and his kingdom will have no end." 34 Mary
said to the Angel, "How can that be, if I have no relations with any man?" 35 The Angel
answered him, "The Holy Spirit will descend upon you, and the power of the Most High will
cover you with his shadow. That is why the child will be holy and will be called the Son of
God. 36 Your relative Elizabeth also conceived a son in spite of her old age, and the one who was
considered sterile is already in her sixth month, 37 because there is nothing impossible for
God." 38 Mary then said, "I am the servant of the Lord, may what you have said be fulfilled in
me." And the Angel walked away.
Mary's visit to Elizabeth
39 Inthose days, Mary departed and went without delay to a village on the mountain of
Judah. 40 He entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 As soon as she heard
Mary's greeting, the child jumped for joy in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy
Spirit, 42 exclaimed: "You are blessed among all women and blessed is the fruit of your
womb! 43 Who am I, that the mother of my Lord may come to visit me? 44 As soon as I heard
your greeting, the child jumped for joy in my womb. 45 Happy with you for having believed that
what was announced to you by the Lord will be fulfilled."
The song of the Virgin Mary
46 Mary then said,
46 "My soul sings the greatness of the Lord, 47 and my spirit shudders with joy in God, my
Savior, 48 because he looked kindly at the smallness of his servant.
48 From now on all generations will call me happy, 49 because the Almighty has done great
things in me: His Name is holy!
50 His mercy extends from generation to generation upon those who fear Him.
51 He deployed the strength of his arm, dispersed the proud of heart.
52 He brought down the mighty from his throne and raised up the humble.
53 He showered the hungry with goods and dismissed the rich empty-handed.
54 He succored Israel, his servant, remembering his mercy,
55 as he had promised our fathers, on behalf of Abraham and his offspring forever."
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 When the time came when Elizabeth was to be a mother, she gave birth to a son. 58 When her
neighbors and relatives learned of the great mercy with which God had treated her, they rejoiced
in her.
The Circumcision of John the Baptist
59 After eight days, they gathered to circumcise the child, and they wanted to call him Zechariah,
like his father; 60 But the mother said, "No, his name must be John." 61 They said to him, "There
is no one in your family who bears that name." 62 Then they asked the father for signs what name
he wanted to be given. 63 He asked for a blackboard and wrote, "His name is John." Everyone
was amazed. 64 And at that very moment, Zechariah regained his speech and began to praise
God. 65 This event made a great impression among the surrounding people, and was told to him
throughout the mountainous region of Judea. 66 All who found out kept this memory in their
hearts and said to themselves, "What will this child become?" For the hand of the Lord was with
him.
The Song of Zechariah
67 Then Zechariah, his father, was filled with the Holy Spirit and said prophetically:
68 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people,
69 and has given us a mighty Savior in the house of David, his servant,
70 as he had announced long before by the mouth of his holy prophets,
71 to save us from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us.
72 Thus he had mercy on our fathers and remembered his holy Covenant,
73 of the oath he took to our father Abraham
74 to grant us that, free from fear, torn from the hands of our enemies,
75 let us serve him in holiness and righteousness under his gaze, throughout our lives.
76 And you, child, will be called the Prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord
preparing his ways,
77 to make salvation known to his people through the forgiveness of sins;
78 thanks to the merciful tenderness of our God, who will bring us from heaven the visit of the
rising Sun,
79 to enlighten those who are in darkness and in the shadow of death,
79 and guide our steps along the path of peace."
80 The child was growing and strengthening in his spirit; and he lived in deserted places until the
day he manifested himself to Israel.