Biblical Commentary

  • Luke 1:26-38

    The Annunciation. Foretelling the birth of Jesus. Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. Having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!"

  • Luke 1:39-55

    Mary's visit to her kinswoman Elizabeth. The Magnificat Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, for he has looked at the humble state of his handmaid. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name.

  • Luke 1:57-80

    The birth of John the Baptist. Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of the father. His mother answered, "Not so; but he will be called John."

  • Luke 2:1-20

    The birth of Jesus (see also Matthew 1:18-25). Mary gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn. There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people"

  • Luke 2:15-21

    The shepherds visit Jesus. When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.

  • Luke 2:22-40

    The Presentation of the baby Jesus in the Temple. When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."

  • Luke 2:41-52

    Jesus' visit to the Temple as a boy. Jesus' parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast, and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.

  • Luke 3:1-6

    John the Baptist's proclamation in the wilderness (Part 1). The word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins.

  • Luke 3:7-18

    John the Baptist's proclamation in the wilderness (Part 2). John said, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don't say, 'We have Abraham for our father;' for God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones! Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire."

  • Luke 3:15-22

    John the Baptist is NOT the Messiah. Jesus' baptism (see also Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; John 1:29-34). John said, "I baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire."

  • Luke 4:1-13

    The temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13). Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread."

  • Luke 4:14-21

    The people of Nazareth reject Jesus, Part 1 (see also Matthew 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6). Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor."

  • Luke 4:21-30

    The people of Nazareth reject Jesus, Part 2. (see also Matthew 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6). The people of Nazareth were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as they heard these things. They rose up, threw Jesus out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill that their city was built on, that they might throw him off the cliff. But he, passing through the middle of them, went his way.

  • Luke 5:1-11

    Jesus calls Peter, James, and John as his first disciples (see also Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20). Jesus entered into Simon's boat, and asked Simon to put out a little from the land. Jesus sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch."

  • Luke 6:17-26

    All the multitude sought to touch Jesus, for power came out of him and healed them all.

  • Luke 6:20-31

    Jesus pronounces blessings and woes (see also Matthew 5:1-12). Jesus said, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled."

  • Luke 7:1-10

    Jesus heals a Centurion's servant (see also Matthew 8:5-13). A centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant.

  • Luke 7:11-17

    At Nain, Jesus raises a widow's son from the dead. Jesus came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!" He who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.

  • Luke 7:36 – 8:3

    Jesus forgives a woman's sins, thus offending his Pharisee host. Jesus said, "I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

  • Luke 7:36 – 8:3

    Jesus forgives a woman's sins, thus offending his Pharisee host. Jesus said, "I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

  • Luke 8:26-39

    Jesus heals a demoniac in the land of the Gerasenes (see also Matthew 8:28 - 9:1; Mark 5:1-20). They arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, a man who had demons for a long time met him. He wore no clothes, and didn't live in a house, but in the tombs.

  • Luke 9:11-17

    The feeding of the Five Thousand (see also Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; John 6:1-15). The day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said to Jesus, "Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and farms, and lodge, and get food, for we are here in a deserted place." But Jesus said to them, "You give them something to eat."

  • Luke 9:18-24

    Peter says that Jesus is the Messiah (see also Matthew 16:24-28; Mark 8:31 - 9:1). Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do the multitudes say that I am?" They answered, "'John the Baptizer,' but others say, 'Elijah,' and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God."

  • Luke 9:28-43

    Jesus' Transfiguration (see also Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; 2 Peter 1:16-18). Jesus took Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling. Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory, and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

  • Luke 9:51-62

    It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before his face. They went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, so as to prepare for him. They didn't receive him, because he was traveling with his face set towards Jerusalem.

  • Luke 10:1-20

    Jesus sends the Seventy as laborers for the harvest (10:1-12, 17-20). Jesus condemns Chorazin and Bethsaida (10:13-16). "The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest."

  • Luke 10:25-37

    The Parable of the Good Samaritan (see also Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34). "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. A priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion."

  • Luke 10:38-42

    "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her."

  • Luke 11:1-13

    The Lord's Prayer (see also Matthew 6:9-15). "When you pray, say, 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.'"

  • Luke 12:13-21

    The Parable of the Rich Fool. "God said, 'You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

  • Luke 12:32-40

    Treasure in Heaven (12:32-34). Be watchful for the Lord's coming (12:35-40). Jesus said, "Sell that which you have, and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don't grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn't fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

  • Luke 12:49-56

    Jesus brings division rather than peace (see also Matthew 10:34-39). "There will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

  • Luke 13:1-9

    Unless you repent, you will perish (13:1-5). The Parable of the Fig Tree (13:6-9). "I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down. Why does it waste the soil?" The gardener answered, "Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it, and fertilize it. If it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down."

  • Luke 13:10-17

    Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day. Behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and she was bent over, and could not straighten up. When Jesus saw her, he said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity."

  • Luke 13:22-30

    "Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in, and will not be able."

  • Luke 13:31-35

    Jesus' lament over Jerusalem (see also Matthew 23:37-39). "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, like a hen gathers her own brood under her wings, and you refused!"

  • Luke 14:1, 7-14

    "When you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may tell you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

  • Luke 14:25-33

    The cost of discipleship (see also Matthew 10:34-39). "If anyone comes to me, and doesn't disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can't be my disciple."

  • Luke 15:1-10

    The Parable of the Lost Sheep (see also Matthew 18:10-14). “Which of you, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it?”

  • Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

    The Parable(s) of the Prodigal Son and the Elder Brother. “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ The father divided his livelihood between them. Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled ...

  • Luke 16:1-13

    The Parable of the Dishonest Manager. "A rich man had a manager. An accusation was made that this manager was wasting the rich man's possessions. The rich man called the manager, and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer be manager.'"

  • Luke 16:19-31

    The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. "A rich man was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. A beggar, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table."

  • Luke 17:5-10

    "If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would tell this sycamore tree, 'Be uprooted, and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you." (17:5-6). "We are only servants who have done their duty (17:7-10).

  • Luke 17:11-19

    "Weren't ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there none found who returned to give glory to God, except this stranger?" Then Jesus said, "Get up, and go your way. Your faith has healed you."

  • Luke 18:1-8

    The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge. The judge said, 'Though I neither fear God, nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.'"

  • Luke 18:9-14

    The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. "Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector."

  • Luke 19:1-10

    Jesus invites himself to Zacchaeus’ home. Jesus said, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” Zacchaeus hurried, came down, and received him joyfully. When they saw it, they murmured, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.”

  • Luke 19:28-40

    Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (see also Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; John 12:12-19). They threw their cloaks on the colt, and set Jesus on them. As he went, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude ...

  • Luke 20:27-38

    Sadducees question Jesus about the resurrection of the dead (see also Matthew 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27). Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, ask Jesus, "Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies having a wife, and he is childless, his brother should take the wife, and raise up children for his brother. There were seven brothers. In the resurrection whose wife of them will she be? For the seven had her as a wife."

  • Luke 21:5-19

    Jesus foretells the destruction of the Temple (21:5-6) and answers his disciples question, "When will this be, and what will be the signs (21:7-19). (See also Matthew 24:1-14; Mark 13:1-13).

  • Luke 21:25-36

    The Son of Man's coming again (25-28; see also Matthew 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27) The fig tree (29-33; see also Matthew 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-31). Be careful not to be weighed down by cares of this life (34-38; see also Matthew 24:36-44; Mark 13:32-37).

  • Luke 22:14 – 23:56

    The Lord's Supper (22:14-23). Peter's denial (22:31-34; 22:54-62). Scripture fulfilled in Jesus (22:35-38). Jesus prays on the Mount of Olives (22:39-46). The betrayal and arrest of Jesus (22:47-53). Jesus is mocking and beaten (22:63-65). Jesus before the Council (22:66-71). Jesus before Pilate (23:1-5). Jesus before Herod (23:6-12). Barabbas (23:13-25). Jesus' crucifixion (23:26-43). Jesus' death (23:44-49). Jesus' burial (23:50-56). See also Matthew 26-27; Mark 14-15; John 13, 18-19).

  • Luke 22:14 – 23:56

    The Lord's Supper (22:14-23). Peter's denial (22:31-34; 22:54-62). Scripture fulfilled in Jesus (22:35-38). Jesus prays on the Mount of Olives (22:39-46). The betrayal and arrest of Jesus (22:47-53). Jesus is mocking and beaten (22:63-65). Jesus before the Council (22:66-71). Jesus before Pilate (23:1-5). Jesus before Herod (23:6-12). Barabbas (23:13-25). Jesus' crucifixion (23:26-43). Jesus' death (23:44-49). Jesus' burial (23:50-56). See also Matthew 26-27; Mark 14-15; John 13, 18-19).

  • Luke 23:33-43

    Jesus' crucifixion (see also Matthew 27:32-44; Mark 15:21-32; John 19:16-24). When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."

  • Luke 24:1-12

    Jesus' resurrection (see also Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; John 20:1-10). On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they and some others came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

  • Luke 24:13-35

    Walk to Emmaus (see also Matthew 16:12-13). When Jesus had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave to them. Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished out of their sight.

  • Luke 24:36b-48

    Jesus appears to his disciples (24:36-49; see also John 20:19-23; Acts 1:3-5; 1 Corinthians 15:5). Jesus' Ascension (24:50-53; see also Mark 16:19-20; Acts 1:9).

  • Luke 24:44-53

    Jesus opens the disciples' minds to understand the scriptures (24:44-49). The ascension of Jesus (24:50-53; see also Mark 16:19-20; Acts 1:9).