December 08th, 2024

If you have been following along, you would know that this Sunday is the Second Sunday in Advent. And it is the year of the C Series, and so the Gospel reading for this Sunday is from the Gospel according to Luke (3:1-14, and there is also the option of extending the reading to verse 20).

In the writings of this website, we are going through the Gospel according to Luke in the order that was given by the writer. Last week’s writing looked at the introduction of the book. This week’s writing will look at the very next section, at the events behind the birth of the man known as John the Baptist.

The following could be called a very literal translation of that next section, that what is termed Luke 1:5-25 (you may wish to look at or other translations or even a study bible to help with your understanding of the text; and it may be helpful to say that with such a translation, generally the earlier a word is in the sentence, the more important it will be; and it may also be helpful to say that the hyphens will point out that multiple words in English are based upon single words in the original Greek; and your feedback regarding such a translation would be very much appreciated).

It-happened in the days of-Herod, king of-the Judea, priest a-certain, by-name Zachariah, from set-days of-Abijah, and wife for-him, from the daughters of-Aaron, and the name of-her, Elizabeth. Now they-were righteous, both, before the God, going in all the commandments, and righteous-deeds of-the Lord, blameless. And not there-was for them a-child, according-as she-was the Elizabeth, sterile, and both, having advanced in the days of-them, they-were.

Now it-happened in the being-priest him, in the order of the set-days of-him before the God, according-to the custom of-the priesthood, his-lot-was the to-burn-incense, having-come-into, into the shrine of-the Lord, and all the multitude was of-the people, praying outside in-the hour of-the incense. Now he-appeared to-him, an-angel of-Lord, standing by right of-the altar of-the incense. And he-was-shaken, Zachariah, having-seen, and fear fell-upon upon him.

Now he-said toward him, the angel, “Not do-fear, Zachariah, because-of-that it-was-heard-favorably, the request of-you, and the wife of-you, Elizabeth, will-bear a-son for-you, and you-will-call the name of-him John; and it-will-be joy for-you and exaltation, and many over the birth of-him, they-will-rejoice. For he-will-be mega in-eyes-of the Lord, and wine and strong-drink certainly not he-will-drink, and of-Spirit, Holy, he-will-be-filled, even from womb of-mother of-him, and many of-the sons of-Israel he-will-turn-back upon Lord, the God of-them; and he, he-will-go-before, in-eyes-of him, in spirit and power of-Elijah, to-turn-back hearts of-fathers upon children, and disobedient in understanding of-the-righteous, to-prepare for-Lord a-people having-been-equipped.”

And he said, Zachariah, toward the angel, “According-to what will-I-know this? For I, I-am a-presbyter, and the wife of-me having-advanced in the days of-her.”

And having-answered the angel, he-said to-him, “I, I am Gabriel, the-one standing-beside in-eyes-of the God, and I-was-sent-out to-speak toward you and to-evangelize to-you these-things; and behold, you-will-be being-silent and not being-able to-speak until which day it-happens these-things, because, which, not you-believed the words of-me, which they-will-be-fulfilled into the appointed-time of-them.”

And it-was, the people, expecting the Zachariah, and they-were-marveling in the to-delay in the shrine, him. Now having-come-out not he-was-able to-speak to-them, and they-recognized that a-vision he-had-beheld in the shrine; and he, he-was signaling to-them, and he-was-remaining blunted.
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And it-happened, as they-were-fulfilled, the days of-the service of-him, he-came-away into the house of-him. Now after these, the days, she-conceived, Elizabeth, the wife of-him, and she was-concealing herself, months five, saying, “Thus to-me he-has-done, Lord, in days in-which he-looked-upon, to-take-away disgrace of-me in people.