A. The Annunciation of the Births of John the Baptist and Jesus (1:5-56)

The gospel story begins where it ends (24:52-53), in the temple. But while it ends with belief, it begins with doubt. The priest Zechariah could not believe that he and his wife, Elizabeth, were to be the parents of a child who was to fulfill the expectation of a returning Elijah (Mal 4:5-6). Because of his unbelief Zechariah was deprived of speech (1:20).

Mary, the cousin of Elizabeth, was told that she was to be the mother of the Son of God, the promised Messiah of the house of David. His conception would not take place through the agency of a man but through the Holy Spirit. She reacted to the news at first with uncertainty (v.34) but then with acceptance, belief, and joy (vv.38, 45, 47). Her song of thanksgiving is known as the “Magnificat” (vv.46-55). This hymn celebrates God’s exaltation of the lowly and God’s care for the hungry. It is reminiscent of Hannah’s song after the birth of Samuel (1Sa 2:1-10), and Luke may be implying that Samuel and Hannah prefigured Jesus and Mary.