King James Version

What Does Luke 1:5 Mean?

Luke 1:5 in the King James Version says “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wif... — study this verse from Luke chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Luke 1:5 · KJV


Context

3

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,

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Zechariah and Elisabeth are introduced as righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all commandments. The Greek 'dikaioi' (δίκαιοι, righteous) indicates their justified standing and moral uprightness. Their blamelessness in observing the law demonstrates that even perfect external obedience cannot guarantee answered prayer—Elisabeth remained barren despite their righteousness. This sets up the theme that God's timing and purposes transcend human merit, and His miraculous intervention comes by grace, not works.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Zechariah served in the priestly division of Abijah (one of 24 divisions rotating temple service). Priests married within Levitical families, and Elisabeth's Aaronic descent doubly qualified their son for prophetic ministry. Barrenness was considered a divine curse in Jewish culture (Genesis 30:23), making Elisabeth's situation particularly painful for a righteous priestly couple. This echoes the patriarchal narratives (Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah) where God opened barren wombs to accomplish His purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the contrast between Zechariah and Elisabeth's righteousness and their barrenness challenge merit-based thinking about God's blessings?
  2. What does God's choice of elderly, childless parents for John the Baptist teach about His sovereign timing and methods?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
Ἐγένετο1 of 29

There was

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἐν2 of 29

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ταῖς3 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡμέραις4 of 29

the days

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

Ἡρῴδου5 of 29

of Herod

G2264

heroic; herod, the name of four jewish kings

τοῦ6 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλέως7 of 29

the king

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

τῆς8 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰουδαίας9 of 29

of Judaea

G2449

the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine

ἱερεύς10 of 29

priest

G2409

a priest (literally or figuratively)

τις11 of 29

a certain

G5100

some or any person or object

ὄνομα12 of 29

name

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

Ζαχαρίας13 of 29

Zacharias

G2197

zacharias (i.e., zechariah), the name of two israelites

ἐκ14 of 29

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

ἐφημερίας15 of 29

the course

G2183

diurnality, i.e., (specially) the quotidian rotation or class of the jewish priests' service at the temple, as distributed by families

Ἀβιά16 of 29

of Abia

G7

abijah, the name of two israelites

καὶ17 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

18 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γυνὴ19 of 29

wife

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

αὐτῆς20 of 29

her

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐκ21 of 29

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῶν22 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θυγατέρων23 of 29

the daughters

G2364

a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)

Ἀαρών24 of 29

of Aaron

G2

aaron, the brother of moses

καὶ25 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸ26 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄνομα27 of 29

name

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

αὐτῆς28 of 29

her

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ἐλισάβετ29 of 29

was Elisabeth

G1665

elisabet, an israelitess


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 1:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 1:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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