Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

Luke 1

5 m In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, 1 n of o the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both p righteous before God, walking q blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because r Elizabeth was barren, and s both were advanced in years.

8 Now t while he was serving as priest before God when u his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot v to enter w the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people x were praying y outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of z the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and a fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for b your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and c you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will d rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be e great before the Lord. And f he must not drink wine or strong g drink, and g he will be h filled with the Holy Spirit, i even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and j he will go before him k in the spirit and power of Elijah, l to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and m the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, n to make ready for the Lord a people prepared."

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, o "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." 19 And the angel answered him, "I am p Gabriel. q I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, r you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in s the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in s the temple. And t he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And u when his time of v service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 "Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, w to take away my reproach among people."

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 2:1
    Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem.
  2. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 24:10
    The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah.
  3. Cross References
    Luke 1:8
    Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty.
  4. Cross References
    Luke 2:25
    Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
  5. Cross References
    Philippians 2:15
    That you may be blameless and innocent, childre...
    Philippians 3:6
    As to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to r...
    1 Thessalonians 2:10
    You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and r...
    1 Thessalonians 3:13
    So that he may establish your hearts blameless ...
    1 Thessalonians 5:23
    Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you c...
    Acts 23:1
    And looking intently at the council, Paul said,...
    Acts 24:16
    So I always take pains to have a clear conscien...
  6. Cross References
    Luke 1:36
    And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
    Judges 13:2
    There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children.
    1 Samuel 1:2
    He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
  7. Cross References
    Genesis 18:11
    Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.
    Hebrews 11:11 - 12
    By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
  8. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 24:19
    These had as their appointed duty in their service to come into the house of the Lord according to the procedure established for them by Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.
    2 Chronicles 8:14
    According to the ruling of David his father, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service, and the Levites for their offices of praise and ministry before the priests as the duty of each day required, and the gatekeepers in their divisions at each gate, for so David the man of God had commanded.
    2 Chronicles 31:2
    And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and of the Levites, division by division, each according to his service, the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to minister in the gates of the camp of the Lord and to give thanks and praise.
    Luke 1:23
    And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
  9. Cross References
    Luke 1:5
    In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
  10. Cross References
    Exodus 30:7 - 8
    And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it.
    1 Samuel 2:28
    Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel.
    1 Chronicles 23:13
    The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart to dedicate the most holy things, that he and his sons forever should make offerings before the Lord and minister to him and pronounce blessings in his name forever.
    2 Chronicles 29:11
    My sons, do not now be negligent, for the Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him and to be his ministers and make offerings to him.
  11. Cross References
    Luke 1:21 - 22
    And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple.
    Revelation 11:2
    But do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.
    Revelation 11:19
    Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.
    Hebrews 9:2 - 3
    For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place.
  12. Cross References
    Psalms 141:2
    Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!
    Revelation 5:8
    And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
    Revelation 8:3 - 4
    And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne.
  13. Cross References
    Leviticus 16:17
    No one may be in the tent of meeting from the time he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place until he comes out and has made atonement for himself and for his house and for all the assembly of Israel.
  14. Cross References
    Exodus 30:1 - 10
    You shall make an altar on which to burn incense; you shall make it of acacia wood.
    Exodus 40:26 - 27
    He put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil.
  15. Cross References
    Acts 19:17
    And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.
  16. Cross References
    Acts 10:4
    And he stared at him in terror and said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.
    Acts 10:31
    And said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.
  17. Cross References
    Luke 1:60
    But his mother answered, "No; he shall be called John.
    Luke 1:63
    And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered.
  18. Cross References
    Luke 1:58
    And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
  19. Cross References
    Luke 7:28
    I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
    Matthew 11:11
    Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
  20. Cross References
    Luke 7:33
    For John the Baptist has come eating no bread a...
    Numbers 6:3
    He shall separate himself from wine and strong ...
    Judges 13:4
    Therefore be careful and drink no wine or stron...
    Judges 13:7
    But he said to me, 'Behold, you shall conceive ...
    Judges 13:14
    She may not eat of anything that comes from the...
    Matthew 11:18
    For John came neither eating nor drinking, and ...
  21. Cross References
    Acts 2:15
    For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
    Acts 2:17
    'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
    Ephesians 5:18
    And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
  22. Cross References
    Acts 2:15
    For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
    Acts 2:17
    And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
    Ephesians 5:18
    And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
  23. Cross References
    Luke 1:41
    And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
    Luke 1:67
    And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying.
    Acts 2:4
    And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
  24. Cross References
    Isaiah 49:1
    Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.
    Isaiah 49:5
    And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him - for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength -
    Jeremiah 1:5
    "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
    Galatians 1:15
    But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace.
  25. Cross References
    Luke 1:76
    And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.
    John 3:28
    You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.
  26. Cross References
    Matthew 11:14
    And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.
  27. Cross References
    Malachi 4:6
    And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.
  28. Cross References
    Romans 10:21
    But of Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.
  29. Cross References
    Luke 7:27
    This is he of whom it is written, "'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.
    Malachi 3:1
    Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
    Matthew 11:10
    This is he of whom it is written, "'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.
    Mark 1:2
    As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way.
  30. Cross References
    Genesis 15:8
    But he said, "O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?
    Genesis 17:17
    Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, "Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?
  31. Cross References
    Luke 1:26
    In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth.
    Daniel 8:16
    And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, "Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.
    Daniel 9:21
    While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice.
  32. Cross References
    Revelation 8:2
    Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
    1 Kings 17:1
    Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.
    Job 1:6
    Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.
    Isaiah 63:9
    In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
    Matthew 18:10
    See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
  33. Cross References
    Ezekiel 3:26
    And I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be mute and unable to reprove them, for they are a rebellious house.
    Ezekiel 24:27
    On that day your mouth will be opened to the fugitive, and you shall speak and be no longer mute. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the Lord.
  34. Cross References
    Luke 1:9
    According to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
  35. Cross References
    Luke 1:21
    And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple.
  36. Cross References
    Luke 1:62
    And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called.
  37. Cross References
    2 Chronicles 23:8
    The Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded, and they each brought his men, who were to go off duty on the Sabbath, with those who were to come on duty on the Sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest did not dismiss the divisions.
    Luke 1:8
    Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty.
    2 Kings 11:5
    And he commanded them, "This is the thing that you shall do: one third of you, those who come off duty on the Sabbath and guard the king's house
    1 Chronicles 9:25
    And their kinsmen who were in their villages were obligated to come in every seven days, in turn, to be with these.
  38. Cross References
    Hebrews 10:11
    And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
  39. Cross References
    Genesis 30:23
    She conceived and bore a son and said, "God has taken away my reproach.
    1 Samuel 1:6
    And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb.
    Psalms 113:9
    He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!
    Isaiah 4:1
    And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, "We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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