Online Bible

Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1

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Luke 1 NASB - New American Standard BibleLuke 1 NASB - New American Standard Bible

Chapter 1 of Luke—New American Standard Bible (NASB)

  1. ¶ Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things [a]1accomplished among us,
  2. just as they were handed down to us by those who 2from the beginning [b]were 3eyewitnesses and [c]4servants of 5the [d]word,
  3. it seemed fitting for me as well, 6having [e]investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you 7in consecutive order, 8most excellent 9Theophilus;
  4. so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been [f]10taught.
  5. 11In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named [g]Zacharias, of the 12division of [h]Abijah; and he had a wife [i]from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
  6. They were both 13righteous in the sight of God, walking 14blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
  7. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in [j]years.
  8. ¶ Now it happened that while 15he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division,
  9. according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot 16to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
  10. And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer 17outside at the hour of the incense offering.
  11. And 18an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.
  12. Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and 19fear [k]gripped him.
  13. But the angel said to him, “20Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and 21you will [l]give him the name John.
  14. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
  15. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will 22drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit [m]while yet in his mother’s womb.
  16. And he will 23turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.
  17. It is he who will 24go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of 25Elijah, 26TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to 27make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
  18. ¶ Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For 28I am an old man and my wife is advanced in [n]years.”
  19. The angel answered and said to him, “I am 29Gabriel, who [o]30stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
  20. And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
  21. ¶ The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple.
  22. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he 31kept [p]making signs to them, and remained mute.
  23. When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home.
  24. ¶ After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she [q]kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying,
  25. “This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to 32take away my disgrace among men.”
  26. ¶ Now in the sixth month the angel 33Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called 34Nazareth,
  27. to 35a virgin [r]engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, 36of the [s]descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was [t]Mary.
  28. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, [u]favored one! The Lord [v]is with you.”
  29. But she 37was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.
  30. The angel said to her, “38Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.
  31. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you 39shall name Him Jesus.
  32. He will be great and will be called the Son of 40the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him 41the throne of His father David;
  33. 42and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, 43and His kingdom will have no end.”
  34. Mary said to the angel, “How [w]can this be, since I [x]am a virgin?”
  35. The angel answered and said to her, “44The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of 45the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason 46the [y]holy Child shall be called 47the Son of God.
  36. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and [z]she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.
  37. For [aa]48nothing will be impossible with God.”
  38. And Mary said, “Behold, the [ab]bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
  39. ¶ Now [ac]at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to 49the hill country, to a city of Judah,
  40. and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
  41. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was 50filled with the Holy Spirit.
  42. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
  43. And [ad]how has it happened to me, that the mother of 51my Lord would come to me?
  44. For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.
  45. And 52blessed is she who [ae]believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her [af]by the Lord.”
  46. ¶ And Mary said:
    ¶ “53My soul [ag]54exalts the Lord,
  47. And 55my spirit has rejoiced in 56God my Savior.
  48. “For 57He has had regard for the humble state of His [ah]bondslave;
    For behold, from this time on all generations will count me 58blessed.
  49. “For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
    And holy is His name.
  50. “59AND HIS MERCY IS [ai]UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION
    TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.
  51. “60He has done [aj]mighty deeds with His arm;
    He has scattered those who were proud in the [ak]thoughts of their heart.
  52. “He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
    And has 61exalted those who were humble.
  53. “62HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS;
    And sent away the rich empty-handed.
  54. “He has given help to Israel His servant,
    [al]In remembrance of His mercy,
  55. 63As He spoke to our fathers,
    64To Abraham and his [am]descendants forever.”
  56. ¶ And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.
  57. ¶ Now the time [an]had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son.
  58. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had [ao]65displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her.
  59. ¶ And it happened that on 66the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, [ap]after his father.
  60. But his mother answered and said, “No indeed; but 67he shall be called John.”
  61. And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.”
  62. And they 68made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called.
  63. And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “69His name is John.” And they were all astonished.
  64. 70And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God.
  65. Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all 71the hill country of Judea.
  66. All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For 72the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.
  67. ¶ And his father Zacharias 73was filled with the Holy Spirit, and 74prophesied, saying:
  68. ¶ “75Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    For He has visited us and accomplished 76redemption for His people,
  69. And has raised up a 77horn of salvation for us
    In the house of David 78His servant—
  70. 79As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets 80from of old—
  71. [aq]81Salvation 82FROM OUR ENEMIES,
    And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US;
  72. 83To show mercy toward our fathers,
    84And to remember His holy covenant,
  73. 85The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,
  74. To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,
    Might serve Him without fear,
  75. 86In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
  76. “And you, child, will be called the 87prophet of 88the Most High;
    For you will go on 89BEFORE THE LORD TO 90PREPARE HIS WAYS;
  77. To give to His people the knowledge of salvation
    [ar]By 91the forgiveness of their sins,
  78. Because of the tender mercy of our God,
    With which 92the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
  79. 93TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH,
    To guide our feet into the 94way of peace.”
  80. 95And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

FOOTNOTES

  1. ^ Or on which there is full conviction
  2. ^ Lit became
  3. ^ Or ministers
  4. ^ I.e. gospel
  5. ^ Or followed
  6. ^ Or orally instructed in
  7. ^ I.e. Zechariah
  8. ^ Gr Abia
  9. ^ I.e. of priestly descent
  10. ^ Lit days
  11. ^ Or fell upon
  12. ^ Lit call his name
  13. ^ Lit from
  14. ^ Lit days
  15. ^ Lit stand beside
  16. ^ Or beckoning to or nodding to
  17. ^ Lit was hidden
  18. ^ Or betrothed; i.e. the first stage of marriage in Jewish culture, usually lasting for a year before the wedding night. More legal than engagement
  19. ^ Lit house
  20. ^ Gr Mariam; i.e. Heb Miriam; so throughout Luke
  21. ^ Or woman richly blessed
  22. ^ Or be
  23. ^ Lit will
  24. ^ Lit know no man
  25. ^ Lit the holy thing begotten
  26. ^ Lit this is the sixth month to her who
  27. ^ Lit not any word
  28. ^ I.e. female slave
  29. ^ Lit in these days
  30. ^ Lit from where this to me
  31. ^ Or believed, because there will be
  32. ^ Lit from
  33. ^ Lit makes great
  34. ^ I.e. female slave
  35. ^ Lit unto generations and generations
  36. ^ Lit might
  37. ^ Lit thought, attitude
  38. ^ Lit So as to remember
  39. ^ Lit seed
  40. ^ Lit was fulfilled
  41. ^ Lit magnified
  42. ^ Lit after the name of
  43. ^ Or Deliverance
  44. ^ Or Consisting in

REFERENCES

  1. ^ Ro 4:21; 14:5; Col 2:2; 4:12; 1Th 1:5; 2Ti 4:17; Heb 6:11; 10:22
  2. ^ Jn 15:27; Ac 1:21f
  3. ^ 2Pe 1:16; 1Jo 1:1
  4. ^ Ac 26:16; 1Co 4:1; Heb 2:3
  5. ^ Mr 4:14; 16:20; Ac 8:4; 14:25; 16:6; 17:11
  6. ^ 1Ti 4:6
  7. ^ Ac 11:4; 18:23
  8. ^ Ac 23:26; 24:3; 26:25
  9. ^ Ac 1:1
  10. ^ Ac 18:25; Ro 2:18; 1Co 14:19; Ga 6:6
  11. ^ Mt 2:1
  12. ^ 1Ch 24:10
  13. ^ Ge 7:1; Ac 2:25; 8:21
  14. ^ Pp 2:15; 3:6; 1Th 3:13
  15. ^ 1Ch 24:19; 2Ch 8:14; 31:2
  16. ^ Ex 30:7f
  17. ^ Le 16:17
  18. ^ Lu 2:9; Ac 5:19
  19. ^ Lu 2:9
  20. ^ Mt 14:27; Lu 1:30
  21. ^ Lu 1:60, 63
  22. ^ Nu 6:3; Jg 13:4; Mt 11:18; Lu 7:33
  23. ^ Mt 3:2, 6; Lu 3:3
  24. ^ Lu 1:76
  25. ^ Mt 11:14
  26. ^ Ml 4:6
  27. ^ Lu 1:76
  28. ^ Ge 17:17
  29. ^ Da 8:16; 9:21; Lu 1:26
  30. ^ Mt 18:10
  31. ^ Lu 1:62
  32. ^ Ge 30:23; Is 4:1; 25:8
  33. ^ Lu 1:19
  34. ^ Mt 2:23
  35. ^ Mt 1:18
  36. ^ Mt 1:16, 20; Lu 2:4
  37. ^ Lu 1:12
  38. ^ Mt 14:27; Lu 1:13
  39. ^ Is 7:14; Mt 1:21, 25; Lu 2:21
  40. ^ Mr 5:7; Lu 1:35, 76; 6:35; Ac 7:48
  41. ^ 2Sa 7:12, 13, 16; Is 9:7
  42. ^ Mt 1:1
  43. ^ 2Sa 7:13, 16; Ps 89:36, 37; Da 2:44; 7:14, 18, 27; Mt 28:18
  44. ^ Mt 1:18
  45. ^ Lu 1:32
  46. ^ Mr 1:24
  47. ^ Mt 4:3; Jn 1:34, 49; 20:31
  48. ^ Ge 18:14; Je 32:17; Mt 19:26
  49. ^ Jos 20:7; 21:11; Lu 1:65
  50. ^ Lu 1:67; Ac 2:4; 4:8; 9:17
  51. ^ Lu 2:11
  52. ^ Lu 1:20, 48
  53. ^ Lu 1:46-53; 1Sa 2:1-10
  54. ^ Ps 34:2f
  55. ^ Ps 35:9; Hab 3:18
  56. ^ 1Ti 1:1; 2:3; Ti 1:3; 2:10; 3:4; Jd 25
  57. ^ Ps 138:6
  58. ^ Lu 1:45
  59. ^ Ps 103:17
  60. ^ Ps 98:1; 118:15
  61. ^ Jb 5:11
  62. ^ Ps 107:9
  63. ^ Ge 17:19; Ps 132:11; Ga 3:16
  64. ^ Ge 17:7
  65. ^ Ge 19:19
  66. ^ Ge 17:12; Le 12:3; Lu 2:21; Pp 3:5
  67. ^ Lu 1:13, 63
  68. ^ Lu 1:22
  69. ^ Lu 1:13, 60
  70. ^ Lu 1:20
  71. ^ Lu 1:39
  72. ^ Ac 11:21
  73. ^ Lu 1:41; Ac 2:4, 8; 9:17
  74. ^ Jl 2:28
  75. ^ 1Ki 1:48; Ps 41:13; 72:18; 106:48
  76. ^ Lu 1:71; 2:38; Heb 9:12
  77. ^ 1Sa 2:1, 10; Ps 18:2; 89:17; 132:17; Eze 29:21
  78. ^ Mt 1:1
  79. ^ Ro 1:2
  80. ^ Ac 3:21
  81. ^ Lu 1:68
  82. ^ Ps 106:10
  83. ^ Mc 7:20
  84. ^ Ps 105:8f, 42; 106:45
  85. ^ Ge 22:16ff; Heb 6:13
  86. ^ Eph 4:24
  87. ^ Mt 11:9
  88. ^ Lu 1:32
  89. ^ Ml 3:1; Mt 11:10; Mr 1:2; Lu 7:27
  90. ^ Lu 1:17
  91. ^ Je 31:34; Mr 1:4
  92. ^ Ml 4:2; Eph 5:14; 2Pe 1:19
  93. ^ Is 9:2
  94. ^ Is 59:8; Mt 4:16
  95. ^ Lu 2:40

Read Luke Chapter 1 in other Bible versions:

Comments

  1. Kiamia DoelKiamia Doel
    Jan 9, 2025 23:00 GMT

    The NWT adds words to the text that are not in the greek Manuscripts to fit it's own doctrinal position for example

    Compare the wording of the NWT and the NKJV at Colossians 1:15-17

    NKJV says

    15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

    NWT says

    15 He is the image of the invisible God,the firstborn OF all creation;16 because by means of him all OTHER things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible,whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All OTHER things have been created through him and for him. 17 Also, he is before all OTHER things,and by means of him all OTHER things were made to exist,

    The word “other” is not in the Greek but they add it Why? So they can decieve their followers into thinking that Christ was created by the Father and that he then created other things, that is not what the Greek says.

    1. SmeSme
      Feb 27, 2025 11:17 GMT

      Truth is from God and those that follow him. As for lies? John8:44

      Kiamia, I noticed you used a modern version of kjv to make your point about the nwt.

      Why didn’t you use the original kjv of col1:15?

      Is it because it disproves your point? It proves the opposite of what you wrote?

      Here is kjv col1:15 ¶” Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn OF every creature:“

      Now I appeal to your Christian nature to correct your mistake as God is watching each of us, and let us bless the God of Jesus his father.

      Kjv 1Pe 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ….

  2. YanekYanek
    Dec 24, 2024 22:18 GMT

    Joshua, Jehovah’s Witnesses have never denied the deity of the Messiah in his prehuman existence. While on Earth he was fully 100% human. I do not mean he was a mere human, he was not affected by Adam’s unfaithful behavior, he was sinless.

  3. David yakubuDavid yakubu
    Oct 29, 2022 08:05 GMT

    When i do read some comments and seeing that its the same people that are supposed to be called believers but are talking ill of other denominations, it hurts. Let us all remember that We should judge not

    1. jonas smithjonas smith
      Apr 23, 2023 02:57 GMT

      The bible tells us to test the spirits. Satan disguises himself as angel of light. So yes some denomination are not teaching the truth. You are responsible for judging which ones are not. You have to judge the truth at all times. this is what the bible teaches

  4. THTH
    Apr 7, 2021 00:20 GMT

    The NWT is a very good translation. Dr. Jason David BeDuhn PhD attests to that in his book Truth in Translation. drive.google.com/...5p16melHzg8/view

    1. James LernerJames Lerner
      Jul 20, 2024 09:48 GMT

      The NWT is Satanic filth to its very core.

      The JW Cult is Satanic to its very core.

      Praise Yahweh I will never be a victim of JW brainwashing. If I burn in Hell for eternity or I am ultimately annihilated so be it

      May Yahweh's curse rest on the Watchtower Society and its Satanic leadership

    2. jim mcleodjim mcleod
      Aug 22, 2021 06:16 GMT

      NWT is a false translation that takes away from the deity of Jesus !

  5. SlightlyChaoticSlightlyChaotic
    Jan 30, 2021 16:33 GMT

    Thank you for taking the time to provide this service. I like seeing the NASB on your web page in the same format as I read on paper. On other sites, the text area is smaller, and so I have to keep scrolling down to read and sometimes I lose the context. So I really appreciate the format.

    As far as the NWT, you are certainly free to do whatever you think best with your own web pages. I'd suggest that you make a note anytime you have a translation that is associated with only one denomination or church, for example:
    New World Translation (Jehovah's Witness version).

    In Jesus' parable of the wheat and the tares. the main idea seems to be that you can't easily distinguish between God's people and not-God's people on this earth, so our Lord's response is to wait until they are shown to be the kind of people they are inside. But the NWT seems like false teaching to me. So I think the warning passages from Jesus' apostles are more applicable, as in 2 Peter 3:15-16, when he talks about Paul's writings:
    "There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures."
    And we also have the positive exhortations, as in 2 Timothy 2:15:
    "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

    1. BroderickBroderick
      Jan 31, 2021 00:57 GMT

      Your suggestion regarding the denominational flagging is duly noted. But I can’t help but wonder, wouldn’t a Catholic also want “Protestant versions” marked as well?

      As for the parable, I’m pretty sure the slaves were convinced in their own minds that they could tell the tares from the wheat. After all, aren’t they the ones who identified the problem in the first place? But the master obviously thought otherwise.

      Furthermore, even at the time when Jesus himself was walking the earth, not everybody who claimed fellowship actually followed him causing John to inquire at Mark 9:39, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him . . . for he who is not against us is for us.”

  6. Joshua HarderJoshua Harder
    Dec 11, 2020 17:48 GMT

    Hello, question.. why have you included the NWT with other legitimate bible translations? Or why have you not atleast included a warning to readers? Don't you fear that someone could be influenced by the Watchtower's intentional heresies? Thank you.

    1. KevinKevin
      Jul 11, 2021 17:45 GMT

      en.m.wikipedia.org/..._Holy_Scriptures

      See the section critical review

    2. ChrisChris
      Jan 8, 2021 07:15 GMT

      Please site these intentional heresies. I am well versed in the watch tower outline and agree they are in many ways incorrect but i also bet i can point many out from EVERY established or main denomination. There is much to learn from them all as one who drinks milk?

      Judge not lest ye be judged, that is not to pass judgement on you either brother.

      I debate with scripture. I don't hold it to be true that Michael is Y'Shua HaMeshiach but I also firmly hold it to be true that our G-d and Heavenly Father are not the word encarnate and only begotten son.

      I love not seeing "lord" which i relate to baal. I feel the catholic church is a satanic establishment and I am aware a freemason started the hovies but there are evil in high places and our fight is also with principalities.

      What i'm saying is that in my darkest hours, those two were some of if not the only ones who would bring a Bible and eucharist and pray with me.

      We all fall short of the glory of G-d.

      Don't forget the NWT was recognized as the most accurate translation on Jeopardy.

      Lastly, this is different I noted than the NWT i have read and am very familiar with. Pull up the watchtower page and compare. I truly look forward to getting this one!

  7. julietjuliet
    Aug 17, 2022 09:36 GMT

    the sky is blue

  8. mercymercy
    Aug 12, 2022 21:23 GMT

    i am Mercy, the sky is blue what else do you need

    1. mercymercy
      Aug 12, 2022 21:25 GMT

      i am so sorry, it was a big mistake

  9. God is able to do all thingsGod is able to do all things
    May 17, 2021 17:59 GMT

    Jesus how much love calling yo name

  10. EmpiralEmpiral
    Jul 4, 2025 19:06 GMT

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