Slovak Evangelical translation

1Keďže sa mnohí pokúsili rad-radom vyrozprávať udalosti, ktoré sa u nás stali, 2ako nám ich podali tí, čo od počiatku boli očitými svedkami a stali sa služobníkmi slova - 3aj ja, ktorý som všetko znova dôkladne zistil, rozhodol som sa, vznešený Teofil, napísať ti to rad-radom, 4aby si poznal spoľahlivosť rečí, ktorým ťa vyučovali. 5Za judského kráľa Herodesa žil kňaz Zachariáš z týždennej kňazskej triedy Abiovej; jeho manželka bola z dcér Áronových a volala sa Alžbeta. 6Obaja boli spravodliví pred Bohom, žijúc bez úhony podľa všetkých prikázaní a ustanovení Pánových. 7Nemali však deti, lebo Alžbeta bola neplodná a obaja pokročilí vekom. 8Raz, keď podľa poriadku svojej triedy konal kňazskú službu pred Bohom, 9na neho padol lós podľa obyčaje kňazského úradu, aby vošiel do chrámu Pánovho a zapálil kadidlo. 10Všetko množstvo ľudu v hodinu kadenia modlilo sa vonku. 11Vtedy zjavil sa mu anjel Pánov, ktorý stál z pravej strany kadivého oltára. 12Ako ho Zachariáš uzrel, preľakol sa a zmocnila sa ho bázeň. 13Ale anjel mu povedal: Neboj sa, Zachariáš, lebo vypočutá bola tvoja modlitba; manželka Alžbeta porodí ti syna; dáš mu meno Ján, 14bude ti radosťou a potešením a mnohí sa budú radovať z jeho narodenia; 15lebo bude veľký pred Pánom; víno a opojný nápoj nebude piť a Duchom Svätým naplnený bude už od života matky. 16Mnohých zo synov izraelských obráti k Pánovi, ich Bohu; 17on sám pôjde vopred pred Ním v duchu a moci Eliášovej, aby srdcia otcov obrátil k synom, neposlušných k rozumnosti spravodlivých, a tak ľud hotový pripravil Pánovi. 18I povedal Zachariáš anjelovi: Po čom to poznám? Veď som starý a moja manželka je tiež v rokoch. 19Anjel mu odpovedal: Ja som Gabriel, ktorý stojí pred Bohom, a som poslaný hovoriť s tebou a zvestovať ti túto radostnú novinu. 20Ajhľa, onemieš a nebudeš môcť hovoriť až do dňa, keď sa to stane, pretože si neuveril mojim slovám, ktoré sa splnia svojím časom. 21Ľud čakal na Zachariáša a čudoval sa, že je tak dlho v chráme. 22Keď však vyšiel, nemohol k nim prehovoriť; z toho poznali, že mal videnie v chráme. Lebo dával im znaky a zostal nemý. 23Keď vyplnil dni svojej kňazskej služby, šiel domov. 24A po tých dňoch počala Alžbeta, jeho manželka, a skrývala sa päť mesiacov, hovoriac: 25To mi učinil Pán v dňoch, keď zhliadol (na mňa), aby ma zbavil hanby pred ľuďmi. 26Potom v šiestom mesiaci poslal Boh anjela Gabriela do galilejského mesta Nazareta 27k panne, zasnúbenej s mužom, ktorý sa volal Jozef a bol z domu Dávidovho; panna sa volala Mária. 28Keď anjel vošiel k nej, povedal: Buď pozdravená, milosťou obdarená, Pán s tebou! Blahoslavená medzi ženami! 29Ona, zarazená jeho rečou, premýšľala, aký to pozdrav. 30Ale anjel jej povedal: Neboj sa, Mária, lebo si našla milosť u Boha. 31Ajhľa, počneš, porodíš syna a dáš Mu meno Ježiš. 32Bude veľký, Synom Najvyššieho sa bude volať a Pán Boh Mu dá trón Jeho otca Dávida. 33Bude kraľovať nad domom Jákobovým naveky a Jeho kráľovstvu nebude konca. 34A Mária povedala anjelovi: Ako sa to stane? Veď ja nepoznám muža! 35Odpovedal jej anjel: Duch Svätý zostúpi na teba a moc Najvyššieho ťa zatieni; preto aj to, čo sväté narodí sa z teba, bude sa volať Syn Boží. 36Hľa, Alžbeta, tvoja príbuzná, ktorú nazývali neplodnou, tiež počala v starobe a je už v šiestom mesiaci. 37Lebo Bohu nič nebude nemožné. 38Vtedy povedala Mária: Som služobnica Pánova, staň sa mi podľa tvojho slova! A anjel odišiel od nej. 39V tie dni vstala Mária a rýchlo sa vydala na cestu do hornatého kraja, do mesta Júdovho. 40I vošla do domu Zachariášovho a pozdravila Alžbetu. 41Keď Alžbeta počula pozdrav Máriin, nemluvniatko sa pohlo v jej živote a Duch Svätý naplnil Alžbetu. 42I zvolala silným hlasom a povedala: Požehnaná medzi ženami a požehnaný plod tvojho života! 43Ale ako to, že matka môjho Pána prišla ku mne? 44Lebo, ajhľa, len čo mi zaznel v ušiach hlas tvojho pozdravu, radostne pohlo sa mi v živote nemluvniatko. 45A blahoslavená, ktorá uverila, že sa splní, čo jej povedal Pán. 46Vtedy povedala Mária: Velebí moja duša Pána 47a môj duch sa rozveselil v Bohu, v mojom Spasiteľovi, 48že zhliadol na poníženie svojej služobnice, veď, ajhľa, blahoslaviť ma budú odteraz všetky pokolenia, 49pretože Mocný učinil so mnou veľké veci, a sväté je Jeho meno 50a Jeho milosrdenstvo s tými, čo sa Ho boja, z pokolení na pokolenia. 51Dokázal moc svojím ramenom, rozprášil tých, čo sa povyšovali zmýšľaním srdca; 52mocných zhodil z trónov a povýšil ponížených, 53lačných nasýtil dobrými vecami a bohatých prepustil naprázdno; 54ujal sa Izraela, svojho služobníka, pamätlivý milosrdenstva, 55ako povedal našim otcom, Abrahámovi a jeho potomstvu naveky. 56Mária zostala s ňou asi tri mesiace, potom sa vrátila domov. 57Alžbete však prišiel čas, aby porodila; i porodila syna. 58A susedia a príbuzní počujúc, že Pán zveľadil pri nej svoje milosrdenstvo, radovali sa s ňou. 59Na ôsmy deň prišli obrezať dieťatko a chceli ho pomenovať Zachariášom, menom otcovým. 60Ale matka odpovedala takto: Nie, bude sa volať Ján. 61I povedali jej: Veď nemáš nikoho v rodine, kto by sa tak volal; 62a dávali znak otcovi, ako ho chce pomenovať. 63On si pýtal tabuľku a napísal slová: Ján je jeho meno! A divili sa všetci. 64Hneď nato otvorili sa mu ústa, rozviazal jazyk, i prehovoril a velebil Boha. 65Vtedy prišiel strach na všetkých susedov a po celom hornatom kraji judskom sa rozprávalo o všetkom tomto; 66všetci, ktorí to počuli, vštepili si to do srdca a hovorili: Čo len bude z tohto dieťaťa? Veď aj ruka Pánova bola s ním. 67Ale Zachariáš, jeho otec, naplnený Duchom Svätým, prorokoval hovoriac: 68Požehnaný Pán Boh izraelský, že navštívil svoj ľud a vykúpil ho,  69vyzdvihol nám roh spasenia v dome svojho služobníka Dávida, 70ako hovoril ústami svojich starodávnych svätých prorokov, 71že nás vyslobodí od našich nepriateľov a z ruky všetkých, ktorí nás nenávidia, 72aby učinil milosrdenstvo s našimi otcami a rozpomenul sa na svoju svätú zmluvu, 73na prísahu, ktorou sa zaviazal nášmu otcovi Abrahámovi, že budeme vyslobodení 74z ruky nepriateľov a bez bázne budeme Mu slúžiť 75v svätosti a v spravodlivosti pred Jeho tvárou po všetky dni života. 76A ty, dieťatko, budeš sa volať prorokom Najvyššieho, lebo pôjdeš pred tvárou Pánovou, aby si Mu pripravoval cestu 77a učil Jeho ľud známosti spasenia, totiž, že náš Boh odpustí hriechy 78zo svojho milosrdného srdca, s ktorým zhliadol na nás ako vychádzajúce slnko z výsosti, 79aby svietil sediacim v tme a tôni smrti a upravil nám nohy na cestu pokoja. 80A to dieťatko rástlo a mocnelo na duchu a bolo na púšti až do dňa svojho vystúpenia pred Izraelom.


Matthew Henry - Concise Commentary
 1   Luke will not write of things about which Christians may safely differ from one another, and hesitate within themselves; but the things which are, and ought to be surely believed. The doctrine of Christ is what the wisest and best of men have ventured their souls upon with confidence and satisfaction. And the great events whereon our hopes depend, have been recorded by those who were from the beginning eye-witnesses and ministers of the word, and who were perfected in their understanding of them through Divine inspiration.

 5   The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners as all are, and were justified and saved in the same way as others; but they were eminent for piety and integrity. They had no children, and it could not be expected that Elisabeth should have any in her old age. While Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, the whole multitude of the people were praying without. All the prayers we offer up to God, are acceptable and successful only by Christ's intercession in the temple of God above. We cannot expect an interest therein if we do not pray, and pray with our spirits, and are not earnest in prayer. Nor can we expect that the best of our prayers should gain acceptance, and bring an answer of peace, but through the mediation of Christ, who ever lives, making intercession. The prayers Zacharias often made, received an answer of peace. Prayers of faith are filed in heaven, and are not forgotten. Prayers made when we were young and entering into the world, may be answered when we are old and going out of the world. Mercies are doubly sweet that are given in answer to prayer. Zacharias shall have a son in his old age, who shall be instrumental in the conversion of many souls to God, and preparing them to receive the gospel of Christ. He shall go before Him with courage, zeal, holiness, and a mind dead to earthly interests and pleasures. The disobedient and rebellious would be brought back to the wisdom of their righteous forefathers, or rather, brought to attend to the wisdom of that Just One who was coming among them. Zacharias heard all that the angel said; but his unbelief spake. In striking him dumb, God dealt justly with him, because he had objected against God's word. We may admire the patience of God towards us. God dealt kindly with him, for thus he prevented his speaking any more distrustful, unbelieving words. Thus also God confirmed his faith. If by the rebukes we are under for our sin, we are brought to give the more credit to the word of God, we have no reason to complain. Even real believers are apt to dishonour God by unbelief; and their mouths are stopped in silence and confusion, when otherwise they would have been praising God with joy and gratitude. In God's gracious dealings with us we ought to observe his gracious regards to us. He has looked on us with compassion and favour, and therefore has thus dealt with us.

 26   We have here an account of the mother of our Lord; though we are not to pray to her, yet we ought to praise God for her. Christ must be born miraculously. The angel's address means only, Hail, thou that art the especially chosen and favoured of the Most High, to attain the honour Jewish mothers have so long desired. This wondrous salutation and appearance troubled Mary. The angel then assured her that she had found favour with God, and would become the mother of a son whose name she should call Jesus, the Son of the Highest, one in a nature and perfection with the Lord God. JESUS! the name that refreshes the fainting spirits of humbled sinners; sweet to speak and sweet to hear, Jesus, a Saviour! We know not his riches and our own poverty, therefore we run not to him; we perceive not that we are lost and perishing, therefore a Saviour is a word of little relish. Were we convinced of the huge mass of guilt that lies upon us, and the wrath that hangs over us for it, ready to fall upon us, it would be our continual thought, Is the Saviour mine? And that we might find him so, we should trample on all that hinders our way to him. Mary's reply to the angel was the language of faith and humble admiration, and she asked no sign for the confirming her faith. Without controversy, great was the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh, 1Tim 3:16. Christ's human nature must be produced so, as it was fit that should be which was to be taken into union with the Divine nature. And we must, as Mary here, guide our desires by the word of God. In all conflicts, let us remember that with God nothing is impossible; and as we read and hear his promises, let us turn them into prayers, Behold the willing servant of the Lord; let it be unto me according to thy word.

 39   It is very good for those who have the work of grace begun in their souls, to communicate one to another. On Mary's arrival, Elisabeth was conscious of the approach of her who was to be the mother of the great Redeemer. At the same time she was filled with the Holy Ghost, and under his influence declared that Mary and her expected child were most blessed and happy, as peculiarly honoured of and dear to the Most High God. Mary, animated by Elisabeth's address, and being also under the influence of the Holy Ghost, broke out into joy, admiration, and gratitude. She knew herself to be a sinner who needed a Saviour, and that she could no otherwise rejoice in God than as interested in his salvation through the promised Messiah. Those who see their need of Christ, and are desirous of righteousness and life in him, he fills with good things, with the best things; and they are abundantly satisfied with the blessings he gives. He will satisfy the desires of the poor in spirit who long for spiritual blessings, while the self-sufficient shall be sent empty away.

 57   In these verses we have an account of the birth of John the Baptist, and the great joy among all the relations of the family. He shall be called Johanan, or Gracious, because he shall bring in the gospel of Christ, wherein God's grace shines most bright. Zacharias recovered his speech. Unbelief closed his mouth, and believing opened it again: he believers, therefore he speaks. When God opens our lips, our mouths must show forth his praise; and better be without speech, than not use it in praising God. It is said, The hand of the Lord was working with John. God has ways of working on children in their infancy, which we cannot account for. We should observe the dealings of God, and wait the event.

 67   Zacharias uttered a prophecy concerning the kingdom and salvation of the Messiah. The gospel brings light with it; in it the day dawns. In John the Baptist it began to break, and increased apace to the perfect day. The gospel is discovering; it shows that about which we were utterly in the dark; it is to give light to those that sit in darkness, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. It is reviving; it brings light to those that sit in the shadow of death, as condemned prisoners in the dungeon. It is directing; it is to guide our feet in the way of peace, into that way which will bring us to peace at last, Roma 3:17. John gave proofs of strong faith, vigorous and holy affections, and of being above the fear and love of the world. Thus he ripened for usefulness; but he lived a retired life, till he came forward openly as the forerunner of the Messiah. Let us follow peace with all men, as well as seek peace with God and our own consciences. And if it be the will of God that we live unknown to the world, still let us diligently seek to grow strong in the grace of Jesus Christ.