Devine Scripture

Luke 1:5

What does Luke 1:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 1:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 1:5 means

Luke introduces Zacharias, a priest of the course of Abijah, and his wife Elisabeth, who is also from Aaron’s daughters. This places them in the legitimate priestly line and indicates their religious status and respectability. Mentioning Herod locates events in history. The couple’s identity signals God’s involvement in ordinary, covenantal Israel. Their priestly pedigree underscores the irony and significance of their barrenness and forthcoming child—God is at work within the established structures of Israel’s faith.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

There was in the days of Herod, king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

There was in the days of Herod, king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, there was a certain priest, by name Zacharias, of the order of Abijah; and he had a wife of the family of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest, by name Zacharias, of the course of Abijah, and his wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elisabeth;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zachary, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest, by name Zacharias, of the course of Abia, and his wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth.

Context

This is the first narrative detail after Luke’s preface. It introduces key characters and historical setting. By naming their priestly lineage and situating them under Herod, Luke connects the forthcoming miraculous births to Israel’s religious institutions and to concrete history, preparing the reader for divine interruption of normal human experience.

v.4that thou mightest know the certainty concerning the things wherein thou wast instructed.

v.5This passage

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

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 2:1

    Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,

  • 1 Chronicles 24:19

    This was the ordering of them in their service, to come into the house of Jehovah according to the ordinance given unto them by Aaron their father, as Jehovah, the God of Israel, had commanded him.

  • 1 Chronicles 24:10

    the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,

  • Nehemiah 12:4

    Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah,

  • Nehemiah 12:17

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

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Luke 1

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Luke 1.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Luke 1:5.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary