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1 Eyewitnesses begin their amazing testimony.2 The ancestry of Jesus is recorded.3 An angel meets Zechariah in the Temple.4 A child is miraculously conceived.5 Mary visits her aunt Elizabeth.6 John, son of Zechariah, is born.7 Shepherds hear news about a baby in a manger.8 Wise men search for the new king of the Jews.9 Jesus grows up in Nazareth.10 John, son of Zechariah, becomes John the Baptizer.
11 John baptizes Jesus.12 The Holy Spirit leads Jesus to an encounter with Satan.13 John the Baptizer recognizes Jesus as the Lamb of God.14 Disciples of John the Baptizer meet Jesus for the first time.15 The wedding feast continues after Jesus changes water into wine.16 The merchants are driven out of the Temple.17 Nicodemus learns about spiritual birth.18 Jesus and his disciples baptize many in Judea.19 A Samaritan woman comes for water and finds life.20 A government official seeks healing for his sick son.
21 At his boyhood home, Jesus is rejected.22 Jesus invites some men to follow him.23 A man possessed by an evil spirit is delivered.24 Peter’s mother-in-law is healed.25 Jesus works after sunset.26 Fishermen are taught about fishing.27 A leper is cleansed.28 A paralyzed man is lowered through the roof to see Jesus.29 Matthew is invited to follow Jesus.30 The disciples don’t follow religious tradition.
31 A man with a shriveled hand is healed on the Sabbath.32 Jesus teaches a large crowd at the Galilean seashore.33 Jesus selects twelve apostles out of his group of followers.34 Jesus teaches about blessings that follow tough times.35 God’s people are to let their light shine.36 God seeks righteous behavior that is more than the Law required.37 People are to show kindness to even their enemies.38 Jesus teaches about prayer.39 What you treasure needs to have lasting value.40 Jesus teaches the principles of God’s Kingdom.
41 A Roman officer recognizes Jesus as a man under God’s command.42 A widow’s son at Nain is raised from the dead.43 Jesus gives testimony about John the Baptizer.44 People are rebuked for not believing.45 A Pharisee invites Jesus to dinner and learns about forgiveness.46 Jesus is accused of using satanic power when he casts out evil spirits.47 Jesus identifies his true family.48 Jesus uses a farming illustration to teach about hearing God’s word.49 Jesus describes what the Kingdom of God is like.50 Jesus calms a violent storm.
51 Jesus delivers a man who was possessed by many evil spirits.52 Jairus’s daughter is raised from the dead.53 Jesus is like the prophet who isn’t appreciated in his own country.54 Jesus sends workers into the fields.55 A lame man at the Bethesda pool is healed.56 Jesus claims equality with God.57 Herod thinks John the Baptizer has returned from the dead.58 With five loaves, Jesus feeds five thousand men.59 Jesus walks with Peter on the water.60 Jesus is the bread of life.
61 Traditions of men don’t make people right with God.62 A Greek woman begs help for her daughter.63 Jesus does spectacular miracles.64 With seven loaves, Jesus feeds four thousand men.65 Religious leaders ask for undeniable proof.66 Jesus warns of danger in religious teachings.67 A man sees trees that walk.68 Peter recognizes Jesus as the Messiah sent from God.69 Three disciples see Jesus talk with Moses and Elijah.70 Jesus delivers when the disciples can’t.
71 The disciples receive private tutoring.72 Jesus goes to Jerusalem unannounced.73 Guards are sent to arrest Jesus.
74 Jesus forgives a woman who was caught in adultery.75 Jesus teaches in the Temple.76 Jesus sends another seventy-two disciples into the fields of ministry.77 A good Samaritan helping a Jew shows how to love others.78 Jesus heals a man who was born blind.79 The good shepherd cares for his sheep.80 Martha becomes frustrated with her sister’s behavior.
74 Jesus forgives a woman who was caught in adultery.75 Jesus teaches in the Temple.76 Jesus sends another seventy-two disciples into the fields of ministry.77 A good Samaritan helping a Jew shows how to love others.78 Jesus heals a man who was born blind.79 The good shepherd cares for his sheep.80 Martha becomes frustrated with her sister’s behavior.
81 The disciples learn more about how to pray.82 from an evil spirit, a man is able to speak.83 A Pharisee asks Jesus to dinner.84 Jesus warns against religious hypocrisy.85 A rich man shows how greed is never satisfied.86 The Lord’s coming requires constant readiness.87 Jesus stresses the importance of bearing fruit.88 The Kingdom demands a wholehearted effort.89 People start to stone Jesus for blasphemy.90 Pharisees reveal a threat on Jesus’ life.
91 Jesus teaches about the banquet table.92 A builder must count the cost.93 That which is lost is especially important.94 Jesus teaches on faithfulness.95 Jesus teaches about divorce.96 A dead man wants to tell his brothers about his eternal torment.97 Servants must be faithful to their duties.98 Lazarus is raised from the dead.99 One of ten lepers thanks Jesus.100 Jesus tells about the day of his return.
101 Jesus teaches about prayer.102 The value of children is stressed.103 People should recognize the value of eternal rewards.104 The disciples are told that Jesus must suffer and die.105 Two disciples seek the highest honor.106 Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus.
107 Two blind men want to see.108 Mary anoints Jesus with expensive perfume.109 People cheer as Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey.110 Some Greek men want to see Jesus.
107 Two blind men want to see.108 Mary anoints Jesus with expensive perfume.109 People cheer as Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey.110 Some Greek men want to see Jesus.
111 Jesus curses a fig tree.112 Religious leaders question Jesus’ authority.113 Sharecroppers kill the landowner’s son.114 Jesus compares the Kingdom to a wedding feast.115 Religious leaders seek to trap Jesus with a question about taxes.116 Jesus teaches about life after death.117 A man asks what is the most important commandment.118 Jesus answers a question about the Messiah.119 Jesus condemns the religious leaders.120 A widow gives everything to God.
121 Jesus reveals what will happen before his return.122 A good servant works without supervision.123 A story about ten virgins shows the importance of being ready.124 People have a responsibility to use what they have been given.125 Jesus compares God’s judgment to the separation of sheep and goats.126 Judas agrees to betray Jesus.127 Two disciples prepare for Passover.128 Jesus celebrates Passover with the disciples.129 Jesus washes the disciples’ feet.130 Jesus predicts his betrayal.
131 Peter declares his loyalty, but Jesus predicts denial.132 Jesus gives final words to his disciples.133 On the way to Gethsemane, Jesus teaches his disciples.134 Jesus gives an intercessory prayer.135 Jesus prays at Gethsemane.136 Religious leaders arrest Jesus.137 Jesus is tried before Caiaphas.138 The ruling council gives Jesus the death sentence.139 Judas commits suicide.140 Jesus stands before Pilate.
141 Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Antipas.142 Pilate pacifies the mob by ordering Jesus to be crucified.143 On the way to crucifixion, Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry Jesus’ cross.144 Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies.145 Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus give Jesus a hasty burial before sundown.146 The tomb is opened, and people can’t find Jesus’ body.147 Jesus appears to two of his followers on the way to Emmaus.148 Jesus appears to his disciples for the first time.149 The disciples watch Jesus ascend into the clouds
5 Mary visits her aunt Elizabeth.
Luke 1:39–56
We have no indication that anyone other than Mary went from Nazareth to the house of Elizabeth (Luke 1:39–40). Why might Mary have joined a caravan of strangers and enter the house in the Judean hill country alone?
Author insights pending
Referring to Elizabeth, the Greek suggenes is often translated “cousin,” but the word actually tells us only that she was a relative. The assumption that she was Mary’s cousin is difficult to support because of the wide separation of ages. What do you think their relationship was (Luke 1:36, 39–40)?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
At no more than hearing Mary’s voice, how could Elizabeth know so much about Mary’s pregnancy (Luke 1:41–45)?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
How do you think Mary felt when she saw that Elizabeth was pregnant (Luke 1:46)?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Men, but not women, were educated in the synagogues. Where do you think Mary gained her insights that were shared with Elizabeth (Luke 1:46–55)?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Do you think Mary’s response to Elizabeth at the moment of greeting, as Luke gives it, are her exact words (Luke 1:46–55)? Or might her lengthy statement summarize her insights gained from what she had heard during the past weeks?—from the Holy Spirit, prayer, or meditation. Why?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Because the Jewish calendar has thirteen months, not twelve, we know that a normal pregnancy in first-century Israel lasted ten months. When Gabriel said Elizabeth was pregnant, she was in her sixth month (Luke 1:36). Mary stayed with her for three months (Luke 1:56). If Mary stayed until after John was born, why do you think Luke didn’t mention that fact?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
What reasons might Mary have had for leaving before the birth of John (Luke 1:56)?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Sometime after seeing the angel, Mary hurried to the Judean hill country, to the town where Zechariah lived. As she entered the house, she greeted Elizabeth.
Luke 1:39–40 Sometime after seeing the angel, Mary hurried to the Judean hill country, to the town where Zechariah lived. As she entered the house, she greeted Elizabeth.
Luke 1:39–40 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
The instant Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, the Holy Spirit filled her, and she felt the baby leap in her womb. Overwhelmingly thrilled, she exclaimed, “Of all women, you are most blessed because of the child in your womb. Why am I so honored that the mother of my Lord should come to see me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that every word God has spoken will come to pass.”
Luke 1:41–45 The instant Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, the Holy Spirit filled her, and she felt the baby leap in her womb. Overwhelmingly thrilled, she exclaimed, “Of all women, you are most blessed because of the child in your womb. Why am I so honored that the mother of my Lord should come to see me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that every word God has spoken will come to pass.”
Luke 1:41–45 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
“Oh, how my soul sings praise to the Lord,” Mary said. “I rejoice in God my Savior, who took notice of me, a lowly servant. From now on, every generation will call me blessed because the Mighty One has done a miraculous work in me. His mercy reaches to all who fear him. With his might, he does tremendous things, scattering the proud and arrogant. He has brought rulers down from their thrones while lifting up the humble. With good food, he has filled the stomachs of the poor, but he has sent the rich away with empty bowls. He has remembered his promise to Abraham and his children, showing mercy and helping his servant Israel.”
Luke 1:46–55 “Oh, how my soul sings praise to the Lord,” Mary said. “I rejoice in God my Savior, who took notice of me, a lowly servant. From now on, every generation will call me blessed because the Mighty One has done a miraculous work in me. His mercy reaches to all who fear him. With his might, he does tremendous things, scattering the proud and arrogant. He has brought rulers down from their thrones while lifting up the humble. With good food, he has filled the stomachs of the poor, but he has sent the rich away with empty bowls. He has remembered his promise to Abraham and his children, 55 showing mercy and helping his servant Israel.”
Luke 1:46–55 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
For about three months, Mary stayed with Elizabeth. Then she returned home.
Luke 1:56 For about three months, Mary stayed with Elizabeth. Then she returned home.
Luke 1:56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.