We continue this issue to the Systematic Study of the New Testament, which includes the study of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and the book of Acts. The study is based on the Portuguese version of the New Testament that the reader can see from this link: http://www.bibliaonline.com.br/asv/mc/1. 

Relevant answers to questions are at the end of the text below. 

Questions 

1. As they called the parents of John the Baptist?

2. What an angel warned Mary about the coming of Jesus?

3. Why Joseph had to go to Bethlehem of Judea, at a time when Mary's pregnancy was well advanced?

4. Like the shepherds who watched over his flock knew that nearby, an inn, was born the Christ?

5. Completed the eight days of purification, the baby Jesus was taken where? and why?

Text for reading

1. The Gospel according to Luke - The canonicity of the Gospel of Luke and its authenticity is indisputable is cemented in undeniable evidence. This Gospel is considered the Gospel of forgiveness and salvation. This is a faithful narrative of the life of the Lord, but - insisting on what else had touched - Luke has eliminated a number of details that were not related with the meekness of God, while that highlighted all the gestures and words attested to the gentleness of the Master. Converted by the time of the year 40, Luke belonged to the intellectual circles of Antioch, Syria. (editor’s note: In regards Emmanuel in his book "Paul and Stephen," was Lucas who suggested to adopt the name of Christianity instead of the Pathway, to describe the new movement.) His medical studies and the reading of the historians have given him a taste for rigorous research. It is therefore a writer and painter, and his narrative is vivid and colorful. (The Holy Bible, Volume I, pp. XXIX, published by Books of Brazil SA) 

2. Gabriel announces to Zacharias the coming of John the Baptist - After listening to the angel of the Lord say that his wife would bear a son, Zechariah the priest claimed that he was already very old and his wife. Responding to him, the angel said: "I am Gabriel, who stand before God and am sent to speak unto thee and give thee these glad tidings. And behold, thou shalt be dumb, and unable to speak until the day when these things happen, because he did not believe my words, that their time will be fulfilled." The people who waited for Zacharias at the temple gate, he wondered at the time he remained there, and since he could not speak, he understood there had a vision. Elizabeth his wife, eventually conceiving, as was spoken by the angel, but hid herself five months. (Luke 1:18 to 1:25.) 

3. Mary, now pregnant, visits her cousin Elizabeth - The announcement of the birth of Jesus was made to Mary, wife of Joseph, the same angel Gabriel who announced her pregnancy to her cousin Elizabeth, known person sterile. Mary then went to Judah, where they resided Zechariah and Elizabeth, to visit them. It happened, however, that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the babe leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud voice, saying: "Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And where it comes from me to me to come visit me the mother of my Lord? For behold, when you get to my ears the voice of your greeting, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be fulfilled the things of the Lord were told her." Mary replied, "My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden: for behold from henceforth all generations will call me blessed, because I did great things the mighty, and holy is his name. And his mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. With his arm acted valiantly; scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. Testified mighty from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly. Filled the hungry, and sent the rich empty. He helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever." (Luke 1:26 to 1:55.) 

4. The boy was born John Zachary and returns to speak - Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home. Sometime later, completed the period of gestation, was born John Zechariah's mouth was then opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke blessing God, spreading the news on all the mountains of Judea. All who listened, asked, "Who will, therefore, this boy?" And Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, he hath visited and redeemed his people, and raised a horn of salvation in the house of his servant David. As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets since the world began, to deliver us from our enemies and the hand of all who hate us, to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant and the oath that He swore to Abraham our father to grant us that, freed from the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our lives. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; to give his people knowledge of salvation, the forgiveness of their sins, in the bowels of mercy of our God with the Orient from on high visited us, to enlighten those who sit in darkness and shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. " The child John grew and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts until the day he had to prove to Israel. (Luke 1:56 to 1:80.)

Answers to questions 

1. As they called the parents of John the Baptist?  

Zacharias, who was a priest of the order of Abijah and Elizabeth, a descendant of the daughters of Aaron the couple had no children, because Elizabeth was barren and both were considered advanced in age. One day Zechariah exercising the priesthood, he entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense when the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar. Seeing him, Zechariah was troubled and afraid. But the angel said: Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth will give birth to a son, and thou shalt call his name John And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth, because it will be great before the Lord, and drink no wine nor strong drink, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from the womb of its mother. And many of the children of Israel to the Lord your God and go before him in spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to prepare unto the Lord a people provisions. (Luke 1:5 to 1:17.) 

2. What an angel warned Mary about the coming of Jesus? 

Gabriel was the angel sent by God to Nazareth in Galilee. Mary had married a man named Joseph, the house of David. Having entered the angel in the place where Mary was, he said: Hail, highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Seeing him, she was troubled at his words, because he understood that greeting might be. Gabriel then said: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favor with God. And behold conceive in thy womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. This will be great and will be called Son of the Highest: and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob, and his kingdom will never end. Mary asked, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? Responding to him, Gabriel said, will come upon you the Holy Spirit, and the power of the Most High will cover you with his shadow, so also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:26 to 1:35.) 

3. Why Joseph had to go to Bethlehem of Judea, at a time when Mary's pregnancy was well advanced?  

The trip was made by a legal obligation, since in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, forcing everyone to enlist. All were paid for it, enlisting, each in his own city. Joseph, who lived in Nazareth in Galilee, it was then, for this purpose by the city of David called Bethlehem, in Judea, because he belonged to the house and lineage of David. (Luke 2:1 to 2:7.) 

4. Like the shepherds who watched over his flock knew that nearby, an inn, was born the Christ?  

The pastors also were told by an angel of the Lord came upon them, surrounding them with brilliance, and said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for the city of David, born to you today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign: find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. The pastors were then to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph and the babe lying in a manger. (Luke 2:8 to 2:16.) 

5. Completed the eight days of purification, the baby Jesus was taken where? and why?   

The boy was taken to Jerusalem, that under the Law of Moses, was presented to the Lord, since, according to what was written in the law, all male firstborn should be devoted to the Lord. (Luke 2:21 to 2:24.)