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The First Six Months

Wayne Galloway
03/30/25 - Sunday Evening Worship

Series: Studies in Luke

1 Studies in Luke

 

The First Six Months

Lk. 1:1-4, 5-39

 

Introduction:

 

1.  The books of Luke and Acts were written by the same author.

2.  That Luke and Acts go together as two elements of the same account is evident by comparing Lk. 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1.

     a.  Both are written to Theophilus.

     b.  Acts 1:1 mentions “the first account” implying that Acts is the “second account.”

     c.  Both are “about all that Jesus began to do and teach.”

3.  The author is very particular about arranging things in an orderly way.  There is the first account, then the second.  He is concerned about time and gives various time stamps throughout his record.  Here in Acts 1:1, for example, his account is “about all what Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven.”  Another example is evident in Luke 1.  Verses 1-38 is about the first six months.  Verses 39-79 is about the next three months.  You can notice such time stamps throughout the account.

4.  Luke was a physician and traveling companion of Paul.  He is mentioned in Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:11; Philemon 24.

5.  While some question his authorship it is traditionally accepted that Luke wrote both the gospel and Acts.  (It is outside our purpose to investigate the evidence here.)  The author does not identify himself by name.  The use of the first person "we" appears in what are referred to as the "we sections" of Acts (cf. 27:1).

6.  Who is this “Theophilus”?  (His name means loved by God, lover of God, friend of God.) There are a variety of theories about who Theophilus was, but fact is we don’t really know.

 

Discussion:

 

I.  The author’s objective is stated in verses 1-4.

 

    A.  To compile an account.

    B.  Of the things handed down to us.  It is as if he considers himself a sort of third 

          generation from Jesus.  Not by age, but by communication.  There was Jesus, then the 

          eyewitnesses, then “us” (the author, Luke, and Theophilus).  Cf. Heb. 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 

          1:16ff.

   C.  He is going to write them out “in orderly fashion” (cf. ESV).  Contrast “consecutive 

          order” (NASB).  Not necessarily “chronological order” but an orderly way.  Cf. Acts 

          11:4; 18:23.  But not necessarily out of chronological order either.

   D.  Note that he says he has investigated everything carefully from the beginning.  This 

          may challenge some people’s theory of inspiration, but it doesn’t mine.  In my

          judgment “inspiration” doesn’t necessarily involve word for word dictation.  It is 

         whatever the Holy Spirit does to make sure what He wants communicated is

         communicated.  This can involve giving new information word for word, and/or 

          supervising the selection and communication of information that is known by the 

          author.

   E.  The objective:  “So that Theophilus knows the exact truth about the things he has been 

          taught.”   So, the objective is to refine, make clear, more explicit what Theophilus has 

          already been taught.   Thus, what we read here is confirmative in nature.

 

II.  The birth of John (5-25).

 

     A.  Note the time stamp:  “in the days of Herod, the king of Judea.”

     B.  Zacharias was a priest of the division of Abijah.  During the last days of David and the 

           early days of Solomon the priests were divided into divisions (1 Chron. 24).  They 

           served, selected by lot. (We don’t know exactly how this worked.  Might compare to 

           our “drawing straws” or selecting a number from one to ten, or flipping a coin.)

    C.  Zacharias prayed.

    D.  Gabriel was sent.

           1.  Your petition has been heard.  What had he prayed?  We don’t know yet, but it will 

                 be revealed (note 1:67ff).

           2.  Zacharias’ son will go as a forerunner before “Him,” “the Lord” (note v. 17 and 

                 compare Mal. 4:5-6).  Recall that God has been silent for 400 years.

           3.  Note the angel says, “You will give him the name John.”

     E.  Zacharias is doubtful (19-20).

           1.  I am Gabriel who stands in the presence of God and have been sent to you to bring 

                 good news, and you doubt the message??

           2.  You will be silent!!

           3.  Zacharias’ doubt seems to stem from his and Elizabeth’s old age (v. 18).

 

III.  Jesus’ birth anticipated (26-38).

 

      A.  Note the time stamps (v. 24).  Elizabeth is in her fifth month.  In the sixth month 

             Gabriel comes to Mary (26).

       B.  Mary is of the descendants of David.

       C.  Gabriel speaks to Mary—not Joseph.

       D.  Note vs. 32 and compare 2 Sam. 7:12ff.

       E.  A virgin (v. 34).

             1.  Controversy over the word translated “virgin.”

             2.  Some say, “young woman” but such a translation does not do justice to the 

                   context.  

                    a.  Gabriel must explain (35).

                    b.  Elizabeth conceived in her old age (36).

                    c.  Nothing is impossible with God (37).

         F.  Compare Mary’s response with Zacharias’.

 

Conclusion:

 

1.  Among the many fascinating things in this text, what is the most fascinating thing to you?

2.  If you were in Zacharias’ shoes, what would you have prayed for?  Why?  Do you think Zacharias was expecting such an immediate and direct response?  Will your prayers change because of his prayer?  How?

3.  If you were in Mary’s shoes, would you trust the word of the Lord like she did?  Why?  Why not?  What challenges would you face?

4.  Do you think Gabriel was being fair to Zacharias by making him silent?  Do you think this was a fitting sign for him of the truth of what Gabriel said?

5.  When you teach others about these events what will you say?  Why? 

6.  Do you believe these events actually took place?  Why?  Why not?  How might this affect your teaching others?

7.   Will you speak to others about this text?  Will you read the text with them?  Will you invite them to read the text with us?