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CHAPTER 1Gabriel promises Zacharias that Elisabeth shall bear a son, whom they shall name John—He also tells Mary she shall be the mother of the Son of God—Mary visits Elisabeth and utters a Psalm of praise—John the Baptist is born—Zacharias prophesies of John's mission. |
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1 aFORASMUCH
as bmany have taken in hand to set forth in order a
declaration of those things cwhich are most surely believed
among us,
2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were aeyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent aTheophilus, 4 That thou mightest aknow the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. |
1a
D&C 128:20; 2a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of; |
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5 ¶ THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of
Judaea, a certain priest named aZacharias, of the course of
bAbia: and his wife was of the daughters of
Aarona, and her name was
Elisabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and aordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was abarren, and they both were now well astricken in years. |
5a his wife was of the daughters of Aaron Elisabeth, Mary's 'cousin' or 'kinswoman' was of the daughters of Aaron, meaning that she was not only a Levite but that she was of the priestly house of the temple as was her husband Zacharias. Just how Mary and Elisabeth were related is likely by a maternal marriage. Either Elisabeth's mother was of he tribe of Joseph, or Mary's mother was of the tribe of Levi or even of more distance, but the connection would be maternal as the house of Mary was that of David and the tribe of Elisabeth would be that of Levi through their paternal ancestry. Elisabeth being stricken in years would likely be about three times young Mary's age. And though she is called 'cousin', the term 'cousin' here means a relative and due to Elisabeth's age, she would likely be an 'aunt', perhaps Mary's mother sister. |
1a
D&C 128:20; 2a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of; |
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8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the
apriest's office before God in the order of his
acourse,
9 According to the custom of the apriest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. |
1a
D&C 128:20; 2a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of; |
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11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, aFear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a bson, and thou shalt call his name John. |
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14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither awine nor strong drink; and he shall be bfilled with the cHoly Ghost, even from his mother's womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of aEliasa, to turn the hearts of the bfathers to the children, and the cdisobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people dprepared for the Lord. |
17a the spirit and power of Elias
To understand what is actually meant by 'the spirit and power of Elias', one
must first understand the name 'Elias'. Perhaps the first point here ought to
be to point out that 'Elias' is but the Greek form of the Hebrew name 'Elijah',
so in fact the statement ought to be 'the spirit and power of Elijah'. A
pirmary and notable prophet of the Old Testament is the Prohet Elijah. But as
such, that Elijah of himself was but a man like any other man of mortality.
There just isn't much spirit and power of mortal man by which one might go
forth in. Thus we need to look further into the actual meaning of the name
Elijah. 'Eli' - 'Jah' literally means 'God Jehovah' or even 'Elohiem Jehovah'.
And the Old Testament prophet called by that name was in fact as so many of
Old Testament figures but give a name of God, 'Elijah' or 'God Jehovah'. NOT
that this prophet Elijah was God, but that he did go forth in and by 'the
spirit and power of God' even 'God Jehovah'. In short he was a prophet of God
and as any other true prophet of God he was so lead by and did work by the
Spirit and Power of God. And here now in lies a great 'secret' that men may
work in and by the spirit and power of God. Of course that 'spirit' which
does attend men unto this end is but the Holy Ghost, that third member of the
Godhead whose calling and position is but to govern God's spiritual
relationship unto, to and with man. So in one technical sense the 'true Spirit
of Elijah' by which man does work is but the Holy Ghost and as such the Holy
Ghost my also be address by the name title of Elijah or the Spirit of Elijah
and in the Greek Elias and the Spirit of Elias.
Every true prophet of God does so work in, by and through the Spirit of God or the very Spirit of Elijah [God/Elohiem Jehovah]. Thus it ought not be so surprising that such who do so work after this manner of God do so bear that name of God as Elijah or Elias. Gabriel who is Noah was also called by this name even before Elijah the later prophet was (see D&C 27:7). This name/title also has been used not only with Noah and the Old Testament prophet Elijah, but it has also been used in relationship to John the Baptist and even Jesus Christ himself who is Jehovah. In reference to Jesus Christ being sent forth in 'the spirit and power of Elijah/Elias', it ought to be noted that Jesus was in his mortal ministry subject to that same avenue of communion with God as any of us are, and that is that 'Spirit of God' know as the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost was with John the Baptist from his birth as he was also with Christ, though Christ had a special 'witness' by the Holy Ghost descend upon him at the time of his baptism also. That 'spirit' of the Holy Ghost did abide with Jesus throughout his life. It is likely that the 'angel' which Luke reports as being in the Garden of Gethsemane with the Savior was but that self same Holy Ghost in person who had come and take a step back fromt he Savior that he might suffer the atonement alone by himself as it was so required of him to do. Even upon the cross did Jesus exclaim 'Elias or Eloi/Eli, hast though forsaken or withdrawn from me?' And in that case the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost, would have had to so withdrawn from him in order that he might die. This workings of the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost with man, is also further outlined and stated in the 40th chapter of Isaiah where it speaks of God the Father putting 'his spirit', the Holy Ghost, upon him [Jesus Christ]; and thus outlining exactly how it is that the 'spirit' does work in, by and through man that even a 'bruised reed shall not be broken by it' but that he will have power to bring forth judgment unto truth, etc. |
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18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I
aknow this? for I am an bold man, and my
wife well cstricken in years.
19 And the aangel answering said unto him, I am bGabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be adumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou bbelievest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. |
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21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. 23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the adays of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. |
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24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my areproach among men. |
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26 And in the sixth month the
aangel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee,
named Nazareth,
27 To a avirgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among awomena. |
28a Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women All of these superlatives addressing Mary, the mother of Jesus, seem to be fitting and in place with one such lines of greeting used by John the Apostle in his second epistle when he address she to whom he writes as 'the elect lady'. Mary was the selected 'elect' lady who had been favored and chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. And though we do not worship Mary or pray unto her, it is most fitting to show honor and respect with such titles, which recognize the 'blessed' and 'elect lady', Mary the mother of Jesus. | |
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29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, aFear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name aJESUS. |
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32 He shall be great, and shall be called the
aSon of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him
the bthrone of his father cDavid:
33 And he shall areign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no bend. |
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34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be,
seeing I aknow not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The aHoly Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the bSon of God. |
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36 And, behold, thy acousin
Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her bold age:
and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37 For with God nothing shall be aimpossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. |
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80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit,
and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto
Israela.
80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit,
and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto
Israela.
39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into
the hill countrya with haste,
into a city of Judaa;
40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and asaluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was afilled with the Holy Ghost: |
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42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said,
Blessed art thou among awomen, and blessed is
the fruit of thy womb.
43 And awhence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. |
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46 And Mary asaid, My soul doth
bmagnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit hath arejoiced in God my bSaviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his ahandmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me bblessed. |
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49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great
athings; and bholy is his
name.
50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the aproud in the imagination of their hearts. |
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52 He hath put down the mighty from their
seats, and exalted them of alow degree.
53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54 He hath aholpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55 As he spake to our afathers, to Abraham, and to his bseed for ever. 56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. |
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57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
58 And her neighbours and her acousins hearda how the Lord had shewed great bmercy upon her; and they rejoiced with hera. |
58a And her neighbours and her cousins heard ... and they rejoiced with her It was well published of the fame of the birth of John the Baptist. Many knew of it, so it was of little surprise that when Herod sought the death of the Messiah, that the fame of the birth of John came to his ears. And thus was the child John of Zacharias specifically sought out and Zacharias murdered when he would not devulge the hiding place of Elisabeth and John. | |
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59 And it came to pass, that on the
aeighth day they came to bcircumcise the
child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this namea. |
61a There is none of they kindred that is called by this name It was customary for the name of a child to be named by one of the family names. John was not one such name in the priestly family of Zacharias. Interestingly, the Savior's earthly adoptive parent Joseph was of a family who would have named him from one of their noted ancestors, also a Joseph. Also, Joseph of Arimathaea, a supposed relation to Jesus, who provided the tomb for his burial, also carried the family name of Joseph. It is not unlikely that these two were knowingly of the House David to whom that family named belonged legally and rightfully, as the House of David is an Ephrathite house and by the Law of God descendants of Joseph of Egypt. | |
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62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. |
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65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them:
and all these sayings were anoised abroad throughout
all the hill country of
Judaeaa.
66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. |
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67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy
Ghost, and aprophesied, saying,
68 aBlessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath bvisited and credeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; |
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70 As he aspake by the mouth of his
holy bprophets, which have been since the world began:
71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72 To perform the mercy apromised to our fathers, and to remember his holy bcovenant; |
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73 The aoath which he sware to our
bfather Abraham,
74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without afear, 75 In aholiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. |
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76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of
the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to
aprepare his ways;
77 To give aknowledge of salvation unto his people by the bremission of their sins, 78 Through the atender mercy of our God; whereby the bdayspring from on high hath visited us, 79 To give alight to them that sit in bdarkness and in the shadow of cdeath, to guide our feet into the way of peace. |
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| 80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israela. | ||