Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Luke 1:2–5

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
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 Theophilus,
That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
¶ THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapter
More
Report an issueTell us about a text or study problem

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

4 selected · 6 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

20 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 2

  1. John 15:27Rank 1 from verse 2
    Open

    27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

  2. Acts 26:16Rank 2 from verse 2
    Open

    16But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

  3. Hebrews 2:3Rank 3 from verse 2
    Open

    3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

  4. 2 Peter 1:16Rank 4 from verse 2
    Open

    16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

  5. 1 John 1:1–3Rank 5 from verse 2
    Open

    1THAT which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

    2(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

    3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

From verse 3

  1. Acts 1:1Rank 1 from verse 3
    Open

    1THE former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

  2. Acts 26:25Rank 2 from verse 3
    Open

    25But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

  3. Acts 11:4Rank 3 from verse 3
    Open

    4But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,

  4. Ecclesiastes 12:9Rank 4 from verse 3
    Open

    9And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

  5. Acts 15:19Rank 5 from verse 3
    Open

    19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

From verse 4

  1. John 20:31Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

  2. Acts 18:25Rank 2 from verse 4
    Open

    25This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

  3. 1 Corinthians 14:19Rank 3 from verse 4
    Open

    19Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

  4. Galatians 6:6Rank 4 from verse 4
    Open

    6Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

  5. 2 Peter 1:15–16Rank 5 from verse 4
    Open

    15Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

    16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

From verse 5

  1. 1 Chronicles 24:10Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    10The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,

  2. Matthew 2:1Rank 2 from verse 5
    Open

    1NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

  3. 1 Chronicles 24:19Rank 3 from verse 5
    Open

    19These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the Lord, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.

  4. Nehemiah 12:17Rank 4 from verse 5
    Open

    17Of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai;

  5. Nehemiah 12:4Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    4Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah,

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 1:2

COMBINED MEANING

even

↗

1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

delivered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of deliver. Sense 1: To rescue, save, free, or bring safely out of danger or bondage. Sense 2: To hand over, give up, or place into another's power or possession. Sense 3: To bring forth, convey, declare, or commit something to another. Sense 4: To give birth or be delivered of a child.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

us

↗

The first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the speaker together with one or more others as recipients or objects of an action or relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

word

↗

Sense 1: A spoken or written expression, saying, message, command, promise, report, or matter. Sense 2: God's revealed word.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 1:3

COMBINED MEANING

seemed

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of seem, meaning to appear, be regarded, or be fitting.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

perfect

↗

Complete, whole, sound, mature, upright, fully fitted, finished, exact, or lacking nothing required for the person, work, knowledge, state, purpose, or standard in view; to perfect is to bring to that intended completion or maturity.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

understanding

↗

1. The capacity or act of perceiving, comprehending, discerning, judging, interpreting, or applying knowledge. 2. Knowledge, insight, wisdom, or prudent judgment possessed or gained. 3. Skill or ability in a work, art, subject, vision, saying, or interpretation.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

very

↗

Sense 1: Truly, actually, exactly, or the same in identity. Sense 2: To a great or marked degree, used to intensify the quality named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

write

↗

Sense 1: To form letters or words, inscribe, record, compose, copy, or communicate in writing. Sense 2: By figure, to impress and establish something upon the heart or mind.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

order

↗

Sense 1: Arrangement in a sequence, position, rank, class, manner, pattern, or appointed course. Sense 2: An instruction, rule, prescribed service, or kind of office. Sense 3: To set in order: to arrange, recount, repair, regulate, or complete.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 1:4

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

know

↗

To perceive, understand, recognize, experience, or be assured of something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hast

↗

Sense 1: Have: possess, hold, receive, or experience. Sense 2: Used as an auxiliary verb.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

instructed

↗

Taught, trained, informed, directed, counselled, warned, or corrected concerning a matter.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 1:5

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

certain

↗

1. A particular person, thing, place, time, amount, or number not named or not further specified; also some members or portion of a group. 2. Sure, settled, true, reliable, or known beyond doubt.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

priest

↗

One appointed to sacred service, ministering in things pertaining to God or a deity, especially by offering gifts or sacrifices.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

named

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of name, meaning to call, designate, or mention by name.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

course

↗

Sense 1: An appointed order, rotation, division, or turn of service. Sense 2: A path, direction, progress, sequence, or manner in which something proceeds.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

name

↗

Sense 1: A word, appellation, or designation by which a person or thing is called or known. Sense 2: The person or persons named or represented. Sense 3: Reputation, character, renown, or remembrance. Sense 4: The authority, behalf, or standing represented by a name. Sense 5: As a verb, to call, designate, or mention by name.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Luke 1:1–25

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

Read all 25 verses in Luke 1:1–25

1:1FORASMUCH as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

1:2Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

Selected passage

1:3It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

Selected passage

1:4That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

Selected passage

1:5¶ THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

Selected passage

1:6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

1:7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

1:8And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,

1:9According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

1:10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

1:11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

1:12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

1:13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

1:14And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

1:15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.

1:16And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

1:17And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

1:18And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

1:19And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

1:20And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

1:21And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

1:22And 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.

1:23And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

1:24And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

1:25Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Find a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.