Reading through the Gospels 2

Luke 1:5-17

Luke 1:5-25 THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST FORETOLD

This begins the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth and the birth of John.  The angel Gabriel came to Zechariah in the temple to tell him that his wife, who is beyond child years, would have a baby. The name "John" means "the Lord has shown favor." Zechariah and Elizabeth received God's grace in having a child beyond their childbearing years.  Nothing is impossible for God and I should be open to the impossible happening for me too.  My prayers can include things which seem impossible to me.

Herod ruled from 37 to 1 BC, giving this story a time frame. At this time there were about 20,000 priests throughout the country. The priests were divided into 24 separate groups of about 1,000 each, according to David's instructions (1 Chronicles 24:3-19).  Zechariah was a member of the order of Abijah (verse 5) (line of Aaron)(Abijah chief priest of Levites in Nehemiah 12:4), on duty this particular week. Each morning a priest was to enter the Holy Place in the Temple to burn incense. The priests would cast lots to decide who would enter the inner sanctuary, and one day the lot fell to Zechariah, which was perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  How amazing is God's timing and God's plan! 

A whole multitude of people were praying outside when the Angel came to Zechariah inside the temple. I never saw this verse before, but it gives me a visual of this army of prayer warriors that were praying when the Angel of the Lord arrived. This gives me a sense of unity as the Angel delivers this important message to Zechariah.

I can imagine his excitement for this high point in his life as he entered the temple. Was his heart beating rapidly? Mine would have been! Already in a state of intense excitement and happiness, a euphoria, all of the sudden an Angel appears before Zechariah and "fear fell upon him." I'm not so sure I wouldn't have fainted! I would have at least fallen to the floor with my heart having dropped out of overwhelming internal jolts.

 In verse 14, Luke uses the word 'joy' for the first of many times (1:14, 1:44, 1:47, 2:10, 8;13, 10:17, 15:7, 15:10, 24:41, 24:52) Every parent's heart longs for their child to be successful in life, whatever definition of success might be for them.  What great joy and gladness when a parents dreams come true! Not only that, but many people (for ages to come) will rejoice at his birth! I cannot imagine knowing that before my child is even conceived. Then there is the cherry on top that John will be great before the Lord.  Verse 15 mentions that John will be filled with the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is also a common theme of Luke.

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February 4, 2026

(Luke 1:14 ESV) And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,

(Luke 1:44 ESV) For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

(See this page for the writing that includes Luke 1:44)

The first verse in this study of JOY is about the angel Gabriel foretelling the birth of John the Baptist to his father Zechariah, and the second verse is about baby John in the womb of his mother Elizabeth when Mary arrives to visit with the baby Jesus in her womb. John leaps for JOY. Both verses are about John the Baptist.

In Luke 1:14 it is interesting that in the phrase "joy and gladness," the word used for "gladness" is the same Greek word used for "joy" in verse 44. It might as well say, "joy and joy" or "exulting joy and exulting joy again!" This word for joy is only found 5 times in the Bible, and two of them are right here.

Exulting is an action word meaning to show a feeling of elation or jubilation, similar to the meaning of the word rejoice.

Should I write another Little Diddy? They are short and easier to read.

Please pray with me. Holy Spirit, thanks for the feeling of joy within me. Move me to action so that this joy may spread. Amen.

Luke 1:14 for joy - Concordance G5479 chara: χαρά, Pronounced khar-ah' (khar-ah') Meaning joy, gladness, delight, greatly joyful, from the root word G5463 (χαίρω - rejoice); Found 59 times in the Greek New Testament.

Luke1:44 for joy and in Luke 1:14 it is the word for gladness - Concordance G20 agalliasis: ἀγαλλίασις, Pronounded ag-al-lee'-as-is Meaning exultation, great joy, extreme joy, gladness; Found only 5 times in the Greek New Testament

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Old Elizabeth and Zachariah
have no children
seems impossible.

 

Angel Gabriel says
it's possible!
you will have
joy and gladness!
Joy upon joy!
Joy in every sense of the word!

 

Many will rejoice at his birth!
Your son will be
great before the Lord!

 

This joy is not
just for his parents
It is a community-wide
message of joy!
Not just for the town
but for the
community of all believers
for all time

 

It happens
John is in
Elizabeth's belly
Jesus is in
Mary's belly
two pregnant women
and Mary travels
a very long way
to visit Elizabeth
John leaps for joy
in Elizabeth's belly!

 

Joy is announced
before birth
Joy is for all
An unborn baby is first
to recognize Jesus
who is also unborn

 

A feeling of joy
being near Jesus
a little prenatal hop
an original happy dance
no words
just vibes of joy

 

A mom feels joy
bouncing inside her
another mom feels joy
seeing an exulting
joyful expression
Joy shows up early
before anyone
comprehends