The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

1 An^(A) account^(B) of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David,^(C) the Son of Abraham:^(D)

From Abraham to David

From David to the Babylonian Exile

From the Exile to the Messiah

¹⁷ So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations; and from David until the exile to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the exile to Babylon until the Messiah, fourteen generations.^(N)

The Nativity of the Messiah

¹⁸ The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged^[g] to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit.^{(O) 19} So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man,^(P) and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.^(Q)

²⁰ But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.^{(R) 21} She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus,^(S) because he will save his people from their sins.”^(T)

²² Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

which is translated “God is with us.”^(U)

²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her^{(V) 25} but did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son.^[i] And he named him Jesus.^(W)

Wise Men Visit the King

2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem,^{(X) 2} saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?^(Y) For we saw his star at its rising^(Z) and have come to worship him.”^[j]

³ When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes^(AA) of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born.

⁵ “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet:

⁷ Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. ⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.”^[l](AC)

⁹ After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. ¹¹ Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him.^[m] Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.^{(AD) 12} And being warned^(AE) in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.

The Flight into Egypt

¹³ After they were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Get up! Take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to search for the child to kill him.”^{(AF) 14} So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and escaped to Egypt. ¹⁵ He stayed there until Herod’s death, so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled: Out of Egypt I called my Son.^[n](AG)

The Massacre of the Innocents

¹⁶ Then Herod, when he realized that he had been outwitted by the wise men, flew into a rage. He gave orders to massacre all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men.^{(AH) 17} Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

¹⁸ A voice was heard in Ramah,

The Return to Nazareth

¹⁹ After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,^{(AJ) 20} saying, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, because those who intended to kill the child are dead.” ²¹ So he got up, took the child and his mother, and entered the land of Israel. ²² But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee.^{(AK) 23} Then he went and settled in a town called Nazareth to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.^(AL)

The Dedication to Theophilus

1 Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled^[a] among us,^{(A) 2} just as the original eyewitnesses^(B) and servants of the word^(C) handed them down to us. ³ So it also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable^(D) Theophilus,^{(E) 4} so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.^[b](F)

Gabriel Predicts John’s Birth

⁵ In the days of King Herod^(G) of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division^(H) named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶ Both were righteous in God’s sight,^(I) living without blame^(J) according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. ⁷ But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.^(K)

⁸ When his division was on duty^(L) and he was serving as priest before God, ⁹ it happened that he was chosen by lot,^(M) according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.^{(N) 10} At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. ¹¹ An angel of the Lord^(O) appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.^{(P) 12} When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear.^{(Q) 13} But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid,^(R) Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard.^(S) Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.^{(T) 14} There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. ¹⁵ For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer.^(U) He will be filled with the Holy Spirit^(V) while still in his mother’s womb.^{(W) 16} He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.^{(X) 17} And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children,^(Y) and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”^(Z)

¹⁸ “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

¹⁹ The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel,^(AA) who stands in the presence of God,^(AB) and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. ²⁰ Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

²¹ Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. ²² When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making signs to them^(AC) and remained speechless. ²³ When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home.

²⁴ After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, ²⁵ “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace^(AD) among the people.”

Gabriel Predicts Jesus’s Birth

²⁶ In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel^(AE) was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,^{(AF) 27} to a virgin engaged^[c](AG) to a man named Joseph, of the house of David.^(AH) The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”^{[d] 29} But she was deeply troubled^(AI) by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. ³⁰ Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary,^(AJ) for you have found favor with God.^{(AK) 31} Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.^{(AL) 32} He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High,^(AM) and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.^{(AN) 33} He will reign over the house of Jacob^(AO) forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” ^(AP)

³⁴ Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” ^[e]

³⁵ The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,^(AQ) and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.^{(AR) 36} And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.”^(AS)

³⁸ “See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth

³⁹ In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.^{(AT) 42} Then she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed!^{[f] 43} How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!”

Mary’s Praise

⁴⁶ And Mary said:

⁵⁶ And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.

The Birth and Naming of John

⁵⁷ Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. ⁵⁸ Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her his great mercy,^(BH) and they rejoiced with her.

⁵⁹ When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day,^(BI) they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. ⁶⁰ But his mother responded, “No. He will be called John.”^(BJ)

⁶¹ Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” ⁶² So they motioned to his father^(BK) to find out what he wanted him to be called. ⁶³ He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. ⁶⁴ Immediately his mouth was opened^(BL) and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. ⁶⁵ Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. ⁶⁶ All who heard about him^(BM) took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.

Zechariah’s Prophecy

⁶⁷ Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit^(BN) and prophesied:^(BO)

⁸⁰ The child grew up and became strong in spirit,^[h](CC) and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus^(CD) that the whole empire^[i] should be registered. ² This first registration took place while^[j] Quirinius was governing Syria.^{(CE) 3} So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

⁴ Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth^(CF) in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,^(CG) because he was of the house and family line of David,^{(CH) 5} to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him^[k] and was pregnant. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger,^[l] because there was no guest room available for them.

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord^(CI) stood before them,^(CJ) and the glory of the Lord^(CK) shone around them, and they were terrified.^{[m] 10} But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid,^(CL) for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:^{[n] 11} Today in the city of David a Savior^(CM) was born for you, who is the Messiah,^(CN) the Lord.^{(CO) 12} This will be the sign for you:^(CP) You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host^[o] with the angel, praising God and saying:

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

¹⁶ They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed^(CT) at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart^(CU) and meditating on them. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God^(CV) for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

The Circumcision and Presentation of Jesus

²¹ When the eight days were completed for his circumcision,^(CW) he was named Jesus^(CX)—the name given by the angel before he was conceived. ²² And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished,^(CY) they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³ (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated^[r] to the Lord^[s](CZ)) ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons^[t](DA)).

Simeon’s Prophetic Praise

²⁵ There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout,^(DB) looking forward to Israel’s consolation,^(DC) and the Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit^(DD) that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.^{(DE) 27} Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, ²⁸ Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,

³³ His father and mother^[v] were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel^(DI) and to be a sign that will be opposed^[w]— ³⁵ and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts^[x] of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna’s Testimony

³⁶ There was also a prophetess,^(DJ) Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.^(DK) She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,^{[y](DL) 37} and was a widow for eighty-four years.^[z] She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.^{(DM) 38} At that very moment,^[aa] she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.^[ab](DN)

The Family’s Return to Nazareth

³⁹ When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.^{(DO) 40} The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on him.^(DP)

In His Father’s House

⁴¹ Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.^{(DQ) 42} When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.^{(DR) 43} After those days were over,^(DS) as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents^[ac] did not know it. ⁴⁴ Assuming he was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵ When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. ⁴⁶ After three days, they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all those who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him,^(DT) “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”^(DU)

⁴⁹ “Why were you searching for me?” he asked them. “Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?”^{[ad] 50} But they did not understand what he said to them.^(DV)

In Favor with God and with People

⁵¹ Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.^{(DW) 52} And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.^(DX)

Prologue

1 In the beginning^(A) was the Word,^(B) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.^{(C) 2} He was with God in the beginning.^{(D) 3} All things were created^(E) through him,^(F) and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. ⁴ In him was life,^[a](G) and that life was the light^(H) of men. ⁵ That light shines^(I) in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome^[b] it.^(J)

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John.^{(K) 7} He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him.^{[c] 8} He was not the light, but he came to testify^(L) about the light. ⁹ The true light^(M) that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.^[d](N)

¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was created^(O) through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. ¹² But to all who did receive^(P) him,^(Q) he gave them the right^(R) to be^[e] children^(S) of God,^(T) to those who believe^(U) in his name,^{(V) 13} who were born,^(W) not of natural descent,^[f] or of the will^(X) of the flesh,^(Y) or of the will of man,^[g] but of God.^(Z)

¹⁴ The Word^(AA) became flesh^(AB) and dwelt^[h] among us. We observed his glory,^(AC) the glory as the one and only^(AD) Son^[i] from the Father, full of grace and truth. ¹⁵ (John testified concerning him and exclaimed, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me^(AE) ranks ahead of me,^(AF) because he existed before me.’”)^{(AG) 16} Indeed, we have all received grace^(AH) upon^[j] grace from his fullness, ¹⁷ for the law was given through Moses;^(AI) grace and truth^(AJ) came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God. The one and only^(AK) Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s^(AL) side^[k]—he has revealed him.^(AM)

John the Baptist’s Testimony

¹⁹ This was John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem^(AN) sent priests^(AO) and Levites^(AP) to ask him, “Who are you?”

²⁰ He didn’t deny it but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”^(AQ)

²¹ “What then?” they asked him. “Are you Elijah?” ^(AR)

“I am not,” he said.

“Are you the Prophet?” ^(AS)

“No,” he answered.

²² “Who are you, then?” they asked. “We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What can you tell us about yourself?”

²³ He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord^[l](AT)—just as Isaiah^(AU) the prophet said.”

²⁴ Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.^{(AV) 25} So they asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you aren’t the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?”

²⁶ “I baptize with^[m] water,”^(AW) John answered them. “Someone stands among you, but you don’t know him. ²⁷ He is the one coming after me,^[n](AX) whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to untie.” ²⁸ All this happened in Bethany^[o] across the Jordan,^(AY) where John was baptizing.

The Lamb of God

²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God,^(AZ) who takes away the sin^(BA) of the world! ³⁰ This is the one I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’ ³¹ I didn’t know him,^(BB) but I came baptizing with water so that he might be revealed^(BC) to Israel.” ³² And John testified, “I saw the Spirit^(BD) descending from heaven like a dove, and he rested on him.^{(BE) 33} I didn’t know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The one you see the Spirit descending and resting on—he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’^{(BF) 34} I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”^[p](BG)

³⁵ The next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

³⁷ The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus. ³⁸ When Jesus turned and noticed them following him, he asked them, “What are you looking for?”

They said to him, “Rabbi”^(BH) (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

³⁹ “Come and you’ll see,” he replied. So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon.^[q]

⁴⁰ Andrew,^(BI) Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed him. ⁴¹ He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah”^[r](BJ) (which is translated “the Christ”),^{(BK) 42} and he brought Simon to Jesus.

When Jesus saw him, he said, “You are Simon, son of John.^[s] You will be called Cephas”^(BL) (which is translated “Peter”^[t]).

Philip and Nathanael

⁴³ The next day Jesus^[u] decided to leave for Galilee. He found Philip^(BM) and told him, “Follow me.”

⁴⁴ Now Philip was from Bethsaida,^(BN) the hometown of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael^(BO) and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law (and so did the prophets^(BP)): Jesus the son of Joseph,^(BQ) from Nazareth.”^(BR)

⁴⁶ “Can anything good^(BS) come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked him.

“Come and see,” Philip answered.

⁴⁷ Then Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here truly is an Israelite^(BT) in whom there is no deceit.”

⁴⁸ “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

“Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you,” Jesus answered.

⁴⁹ “Rabbi,”^(BU) Nathanael replied, “You are the Son^(BV) of God; you are the King of Israel!” ^(BW)

⁵⁰ Jesus responded to him, “Do you believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” ⁵¹ Then he said, “Truly I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God^(BX) ascending and descending^(BY) on the Son of Man.”^(BZ)