Dedication to Theophilus

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us,

I, too, decided, as one having a grasp of everything from the start, to write a well-ordered account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering at his delay in the sanctuary.

Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

The Birth of Jesus

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.

(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”),

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed

and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

where for forty days he was tested by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over he was famished.

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.”

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.

And the devil said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please.

Then the devil led him to Jerusalem and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,

When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice,

“Leave us alone! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.”

But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet and come out of him!” Then the demon, throwing the man down before them, came out of him without doing him any harm.

Moreover, demons also came out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah.