Luke 1 Commentary

Updated: Wed, 12/18/2024 - 10:54 By admin

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From Jensen's Survey of the NT by permission
John MacArthur's Introduction to the Gospel of Luke
Charles Swindoll's Introduction to Luke
Luke Overview Chart by Charles Swindoll

Click chart to enlarge LIFE OF CHRIST IN GOSPEL OF LUKE (See Shaded Areas)
Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission

Ryrie Study Bible -Borrow

Source: ESV Global Study Bible

Book Overview: Only 8% deals with Jesus life before ministry 25% deals with His last week before He died. Luke is the longest single book in the NT. (Luke 1 is the longest chapter in the NT) Luke and Acts constitute 28% of the NT, making Luke the most prolific of its contributors. It contains 4 beautiful hymns: Mary’s Magnificat (the true Ave Maria); Zacharius’ Benedictus; the Gloria in Excelsis of the heavenly host; & the Nunc Dimittis of Simeon [Latin for “now dismiss” = “I'm ready to be called home now”] Key Word: Jesus the Son of Man. Key Verse: Lukes 1:3,4, Luke 19:10+ “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” So not only Jews but Samaritans & Gentiles; poor & rich; respectable & despised; tax collectors and religious leaders. Key Chapter: Luke 15:1-32 captures in 3 parables, the lost sheep/coin/son is the crux of the Gospel; that God through Christ has come to seek and save that which was lost. Those who believe His claims are challenged to count the cost of discipleship – Those who oppose will not be satisfied until the Son of Man hangs lifeless on a cross. Dr Luke writes with the Greeks in mind – thus he translates the Aramaic terms, and explains Jewish customs and geography. He traces Jesus genealogy back, not to Abraham [Father of the Jews] (Matthew), but back to Adam [father of all mankind] (Lk 3:38+) You can tell Luke loves people: by the portraits of Zacharias, the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, the repentant tax collector Zacchaeus, the 2 disciples on the Emmaus Road. He gave a special place to women in his writings: “Elizabeth, Mary, Anna, Martha & Mary, Bernice, Candace, Damaris, Dorcas, Drusilla, Joanna, Lydia, Priscilla, Sapphira, & Susanna.” He gave a special place to children in his writings: e.g. the childhood of John & Jesus (Brian Bell - Sermon)

Lk 1:1-2:52 = First 30 yrs of Jesus’ life
Lk.3:1- Lk 19:28 = Last 3 yrs of Jesus’ life;
Lk.19:29 - Lk 24:53 = Last 1 week of Jesus’ life.

Steven Cole introduces his sermon series on Luke with these thoughts - Luke has a number of distinctive features. He devotes more space to the birth and infancy of Jesus than any other gospel. He alone mentions the incident from Jesus’ youth, when He was left behind at the Temple (Lk 2:46+). On the other end of Jesus’ life, Luke alone mentions the ascension (Lk 24:50-51+) and, in his companion volume (Acts 1:9-11+) traces the history of Jesus’ followers beyond that momentous event. Luke clearly has a universal emphasis, showing that the Gospel is for every class, race, and nation. The angels tell the shepherds that the news of the Savior Who has been born is “good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people” (Lk 2:10+). The aged Simeon prophesies that this Child is God’s salvation which He has prepared in the presence of all peoples, “a light of revelation to the Gentiles” (Lk 2:32+). As John the Baptist preaches, Luke alone (of the synoptics) cites Isaiah, that “all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Lk 3:6+). When our Lord begins His ministry at Nazareth, He creates animosity by pointing out that Elijah was sent to a Gentile widow in Sidon and that the Gentile Naaman the leper was cleansed (Lk 4:25-27+). Luke closes with Jesus’ commission that “repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations” (Lk 24:47+). Not just Gentiles, but sinners of every stripe are the focus of Luke’s gospel. He uses the word “sinner(s)” 16 times (first use Lk 5:30+), more than Matthew (5), Mark (5), and John (4) combined (ED: IN FACT MORE THAN ANY OTHER BOOK IN THE BIBLE - EVEN PAUL ONLY USED IT 7x!) ....Luke is the only synoptic gospel to call Jesus “Savior” (Lk 2:11+). He alone uses the word salvation (soteria - 6 times) and ten times he uses the word for preaching the good news (euaggelizo/euangelizo - 1st use Lk 1:19+), which is only used once in the other gospels (Mt 11:5+). Luke alone of the three synoptic writers uses the word grace (charis 8 times - 1st Lk 1:30+) and Luke is the only Gospel writer to use the words “redemption” ( lutrosis in Lk 1:68, Lk 2:38, apolutrosis in Lk 21:28) and “redeem”. The theme verse of Luke occurs in the context of the salvation of the despised tax collector, Zaccheus, where Jesus explains His mission: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lk 19:10+).....Luke has been called the Gospel of Prayer because of his emphasis, not only on our need to pray, but also on Jesus’ prayer life. Nine times Luke tells of prayers that Jesus offered in the crises of His life, and seven of these are unique to Luke (Scroggie, p. 370). It has also been called the Gospel of the Holy Spirit, Who is named more in Luke than in Matthew and Mark together, and even more than in John (Sidlow Baxter, scroll to p217). There is a marked emphasis on Jesus’ dependence on the Spirit (cf Lk 4:1,14+). Thus Luke shows us Jesus as the Savior who was fully human, but who triumphed as man through dependence on prayer and the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:1-4 Faith Rooted in History)

OUTLINE OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE (adapted from Ryrie Study Bible)

I. Preface: The Method and Purpose of Writing, Luke 1:1–4
II. The Identification of the Son of Man with Men, Luke 1:5–4:13
III. The Ministry of the Son of Man to Men, Luke 4:14–9:50
IV. The Repudiation of the Son of Man by Men, Luke 9:51–19:27
V. The Condemnation of the Son of Man for Men, Luke 19:28–23:56
VI. The Vindication of the Son of Man before Men, Luke 24:1–53

OUTLINE OF LUKE
Lk 1:1-4+	Prologue	Sources Purpose Recipients
Lk 1:5-4:13+	Pre-Public Life (first 30 years)	Announcements Births Ministries
Lk 4:14-9:50+	Galilean Ministry	Rejection Authentication Instruction Miracles Revelation
Lk 9:51-19:27+	Travelogue to Jerusalem	Discipleship Rejection
Lk 19:28-21:38+	Entrance into Jerusalem	Triumphal Entry Temple Cleansing Confrontations Olivet Discourse
Lk 22:1-24:53+	Passion Narrative	Passover Supper Gethsemane Arrest and Trial Crucifixion Resurrection Ascension
KEY VERSE - Luke 19:10+ “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Source: ESV Study Bible (online) - Asterisk (*) denotes approximation (see note on Jesus' birth date)

Related Resources:

Who was Luke in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org
Luke Bible Introduction - John MacArthur
Analysis of Luke - James Van Dine (27 pages)
Gospel of Luke - Greek words unique to Luke (with several only rarely used elsewhere)

Luke 1:1 In as much as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us,

AMPLIFIED SINCE [as is well known] many have undertaken to put in order and draw up a [thorough] narrative of the surely established deeds which have been accomplished and fulfilled in and among us,

GNT Ἐπειδήπερ πολλοὶ ἐπεχείρησαν ἀνατάξασθαι διήγησιν περὶ τῶν πεπληροφορημένων ἐν ἡμῖν πραγμάτων

Barclay Since many have set their hands to the task of drawing up an account of the events which were completed amongst us,

CSB Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us,

ESV Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us,

KJV Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

Lenski Since many have taken in hand to recount a narrative about the matters among us that have been brought to completion

NET Now many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,

NIV Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,

NLT Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us.

NJB Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have reached their fulfilment among us,

Wuest - Since it is well known and a fact of importance that many have undertaken to draw up in its historical sequence a narrative of events concerning which there has been a wide diffusion of knowledge among us, (Eerdmans Publishing)

of the things accomplished among us. John 20:31. Ac. 1:1–3. 1 Ti. 3:16. 2 Pe. 1:16–19.
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

Source: Ryrie Study Bible (see also NT Timeline)

Source: ESV Global Study Bible

AN ACCOUNT OF WHAT
JESUS ACCOMPLISHED

In the Timeline above the date of writing of the Gospel of Luke is given as circa 62 A.D. but others say 60 A.D.

Luke 1:1-4 is Luke's preface, but it is one long sentence and is the most complex Greek writing in the entire New Testament. The following discussion will attempt to break up Luke's preface into bite-sized segments, and is more detailed than usual because Luke chooses his words so carefully and we need to be careful to understand his meanings. It is clear that he wanted the reader to have no doubt that his gospel was accurate and trustworthy. Luke describes facts which should be the foundation of a sure faith in his writing! Like Luke, I am a medical doctor and a pathologist by specialty. My observations and reports had to be accurate and trustworthy for patient's lives were dependent on careful observation and accurate reporting. How much more are we all as those whose souls are sick and in need of the Great Physician dependent on Luke's trustworthy record of Jesus, so that we might find eternal life in His name.

R C H Lenski makes an excellent prefatory comment on Luke's lengthy sentence in Luke 1:1-4 - The first sentence is periodic, packed with concise information, beautifully constructed in the manner of the best literary Koine, and not surpassed by any Greek writers (Herodotus, Thucydides, Polybius). The perfection of this sentence can be fully appreciated only by those who are able to read it in its Greek original. Even the best translation loses altogether too much, to say nothing of the specific terms used in the original which cannot be conveyed in translation with the desired exactness. (See context in The Interpretation of St. Luke's Gospel)

Warren Wiersbe - If ever a man wrote a book filled with good news for everybody, Dr. Luke is that man. His key message is, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10+). He presents Jesus Christ as the compassionate Son of man, who came to live among sinners, love them, help them, and die for them. In this Gospel you meet individuals as well as crowds, women and children as well as men, poor people as well as rich people, and sinners along with saints. It’s a book with a message for everybody, because Luke’s emphasis is on the universality of Jesus Christ and His salvation: “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:10+). (See context in Be Compassionate) .(Bible Exposition Commentary)

Hindson and Kroll introduce Luke 1:1-4 with a helpful comment - The first eighty-two words of the text compose just one sentence, Luke’s preface. It was customary in the first century to write a formal literary prologue for most works. The purpose of such a preface was to announce the reasons for writing, the methods followed, and the dedication of the work, often to the one paying for its production. Josephus, for example, a first-century Jewish historian, follows this same pattern in his Antiquities of the Jews. Luke’s style and vocabulary in these opening four verses comprise perhaps the best example of classical Greek in the New Testament. It is also an indication of Luke’s extraordinary education and his fitness for the task God gave to him of writing such a complete biography of Christ.

Ralph Earle observes "that the preface to Luke's Gospel (Lk 1:1-4) is written in the purest classical Greek of any part of the NT. Luke was probably the only non-Jewish NT writer. He wrote as a Greek for Greeks. His preface is in the conventional style of the introductory sentences of the books of the great Greek historians such as Herodotus and Thucydides (ED: as well as scientific manuals and treatises of the Hellenistic world.)." (Borrow Word meanings in the New Testament )

In as much as (epeideper) - Amp = "Since [as is well known]"; Wuest = "Since it is well known and a fact of importance" Luke is saying in essence "since many did it, I, too, am doing it." He is not impugning their writings or saying that their imperfections (something he does not accuse them of) impelled him to do a "better job."

Many have undertaken (epicheireo) to compile (anatassomai) an account (diegesis) - NLT - "Many people have set out to write accounts" Many refers to previous written testimonies, of which there are no traces extant. Note also that Luke is not referring to the later apocryphal gospels, none of which are inspired and all of which are "non-historical inventions." (Lenski) (for more on this topic see Fabricating Jesus How Modern Scholars Distort The Gospels) Luke's point is that when he wrote his Gospel, there were other accounts of Jesus' ministry. He did not specifically the name or number of any of these sources. Gilbrant notes that "The mention of "many others" (polloi) either shows that his work was an improvement on previous attempts, or demonstrates the importance of the work by citing the numerous times it has been treated." The idea of to compile (anatassomai) an account (diegesis) is “to recount a detailed narrative.” (Lenski)

I Howard Marshall explains many have undertaken - Luke is using the work of previous writers positively to justify his own venture rather than stating that he is writing despite their efforts which were, after all, the indispensable sources for his own work....This word (MANY) was used frequently at the beginning of speeches and documents in a formal manner and need not be taken too literally (Acts 24:2; Heb. 1:1; in Acts 24:10 it refers to a few years). Luke’s stress was not on the number of his predecessors but on the legitimacy of his claims to be associated with them (See page 47 Luke - NIGTC)

Hindson and Kroll on many have undertaken - Apparently there were a number of early attempts to record parts of Christ’s life and work, and also the beginnings of the New Testament church after His death and resurrection. These early narratives were probably written by other believers, with whom Luke seems to classify himself (Lk 1:3 me as well). They may have been truthful, authentic, and genuine accounts, but they were not God-breathed (2Ti 3:16+), and thus passed off the scene as they were replaced by the inspired documents penned by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Luke is not referring here to the accounts drawn up by the other Gospel writers. (KJV Commentary)

John MacArthur points out that "It is important to note that Luke was not critical of those who had undertaken (epicheireo a term often used in connection with literary endeavors) to compile an account (anatassomai diegesis a phrase often used to refer to historical writing) of Jesus’ life and ministry. He did not pen his Gospel as a corrective to those accounts, but because God prompted him to write a comprehensive narrative of the life of Christ and the spread of His salvation gospel. Luke’s reason for referring to his sources was twofold. First, it establishes his history as a legitimate, reliable account. He was a careful historian who used credible methods of research and writing, and based his content on the firsthand accounts of eyewitnesses. Second, Luke’s use of those sources places his Gospel squarely in the orthodox tradition. His volume was not a bizarre, different, heretical gospel. Luke’s account was consistent with the teaching of the apostles (cf. Acts 2:42) and with those of eyewitnesses and especially the other Spirit-inspired Gospel writers (cf. John 20:30–31; 21:24–25). (See context in Luke 1-5 MacArthur New Testament Commentary)

Of the things (pragma) accomplished (plerophoreo) among us - "The things that have been fulfilled." Accomplished is in the perfect tense signifying that the things had been accomplished or fulfilled in the past in the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus which retain their lasting, saving significance and power. They stand accomplished for all eternity! Accomplished is in the passive voice, the so-called divine passive as it was the Father's good purpose that the way of salvation providing for sinful men would be fully accomplished in Christ. Among us is explained by the words in the Lk 1:2, those who were eyewitnesses and servants. In context the thing accomplished among us refers to the events fulfilled in the life of Jesus, which links the Gospel with Acts, which Luke begins with a summary statement of the 3+ year ministry of Jesus. Acts simply continues the narrative of what Jesus continued to do and teach after He was taken up, except in Acts it was His Body beginning to do and teach!

Acts 1:1-2+ The first (former) account I composed (GOSPEL OF LUKE), Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.

John MacArthur adds that accomplished "is an intensive compound word that indicates the complete fulfillment of something, in this case the redemptive plan of God. Luke’s gospel, like the other three canonical gospels, emphasizes the theme of divine accomplishment. It chronicles how God accomplished salvation for His people (cf. Matt. 1:21; Luke 19:10) through the redemptive work of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospels do not relate the story of a misunderstood ethical teacher, a failed social revolutionary, a model of selfless humility, or even a heroic martyr; they reveal the Savior who is God incarnate, the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). (See context in Luke 1-5 Commentary)

Among us - In other words these things concerning Jesus Christ did not occur in a corner or in secret but out in the open for all to see. This openness means that the validity of Jesus’ claims, as well as the claims made about Him by others, are open to critical examination.

THOUGHT - God wants lost people to see His life giving Son among them. Today this happens as believers daily die to self and live supernatural Spirit filled/enabled lives which testify and point to the life of the Son in them. In a sense our lives "fulfill" Jesus' prophetic statement regarding His Spirit for He declared "He (THE HOLY SPIRIT) will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you." (Jn 16:14+). How does the Holy Spirit GLORIFY JESUS today? THROUGH YOUR LIFE LIVED IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT FOR THE GLORY OF THE LORD! Is your light shining brightly (cf Mt 5:16+, Php 2:14-15+) or is your light dim because you are sinning and quenching the flow of His power (cf 1 Th 5:19+, 1 Jn 1:6+, then confess 1 Jn 1:9+)? The lost need to see Jesus and you may be the only "Bible" many lost people ever read! What is the "Gospel" according to you, according to your life, your lifestyle, your practices before the pagans?

Holman Apologetics Commentary on the Bible on the idea of fulfilled among us - Jesus did not drop onto the scene without context. As the Evangelists made clear, he instead came as the fulfillment of messianic prophecies made throughout the OT. (Ed: See fulfillment of Messianic Prophecies)

J C Ryle - Christianity is a religion built upon facts. Let us never lose sight of this. It came before mankind at first in this shape. The first preachers did not go up and down the world, proclaiming an elaborate, artificial system of abstruse doctrines and deep principles. They made it their first business to tell men great plain facts. They went about telling a sin-laden world, that the Son of God had come down to earth, and lived for us, and died for us, and risen again. The Gospel, at its first publication, was far more simple than many make it now. It was neither more nor less than the history of Christ.

Mark Moore - Of the four Gospels, Luke alone states his purpose in an introductory paragraph. So, we will begin with him. These first four verses make up one long, carefully constructed sentence in Greek. In fact, some think that it is the finest Greek sentence in all the NT. That is interesting since the rest of chapters 1-2 are filled with Aramaic-type phrases and are not "pure" Greek. What we have then is a formal introduction in verses one to four where Luke "struts his stuff." However, he then uses idioms appropriate to his subject matter in the material that follows. He is a literary genius. We discover right away in Luke that our intellects are in for a treat! (See context in The Chronological Life of Christ)

In as much (1895)(epeideper from epeidḗ = since, and per = truly) is a conjunction since indeed, considering that, whereas, usually referring to a fact already known. It is a classical term meaning "'inasmuch as' with reference to a fact already well known." Friberg adds that it is "a causal conjunction with reference to a well-known fact." Epeideper is a reference to something which is already known to the reader, in this case to Theophilus. Abbott-Smith says that it is "a stately compound, frequent in classics and suitable for the formal introduction of Luke" BDAG adds it is an "intensified form of epeide, a marker of cause or reason." Lk 1:1 is the only use in the NT. Dr Luke uses epeideper to introduce the reason for his Gospel account.

Bock on epeideper - The conditional term epeidēper, (inasmuch as) is usually causally related to the action of the main clause: “since many have undertaken” (BDF §456.3). Those accounts laid the groundwork for why Luke writes. Ancient writers loved to show that what they were doing had precedents." (See Luke: BECNT)

Epeideper is "a triple compound particle (“since,” “truly,” “indeed”) expressing cause with reference to a fact already well known. (Cleon Rogers in The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament)

Vincent - "Only here in New Testament. A compound conjunction: epei, since, de, as is well known, and per, giving the sense of certainty."

In as much (NET = since) - NET NOTE - Grk "Since" or "Because." This begins a long sentence that extends through Lk 1:4. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence and the tendency of contemporary English style to use shorter sentences, the Greek sentence has been divided up into shorter English sentences in the translation.

Undertaken ("have taken in hand" - KJV)( 2021)(epicheireo from epi = upon, in + cheir = hand) literally means to "put one's hand to," and so to take in hand, to set one's hand to some task, to endeavor to perform a task (in this case to write the Gospel account), to try, to undertake. To take in hand, undertake, attempt, whether effective or not. The only uses are by Luke (Lk 1:1, Acts 9:29+ = "attempting to put him to death," Acts 19:13+ = "attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus.")

Vincent on epicheireo - The word carries the sense of a difficult undertaking (see Acts 19:13), and implies that previous attempts have not been successful. It occurs frequently in medical language. Hippocrates begins one of his medical treatises very much as Luke begins his gospel. “As many as have taken in hand (ἐπεχείρησαν) to speak or to write concerning the healing art.”

There are 4 uses of epicheireo in the non-apocryphal Septuagint (2Ch 20:11, Ezra 7:23, Esther 8:12, 9:25). Gilbrant adds that "This verb occurs 12 times in the Septuagint including 8 times in the Apocrypha. It generally means “to attack,” “to attempt,” or “to make an attempt on.” It was used with reference to attacking the Jewish people (2 Chronicles 20:11) and the temple (Ezra 7:23 [LXX 2 Esdras 7:23]), and the attempt to cause harm to the Jews in exile (Esther 9:25)."

A T Robertson on epicheireo - Both Hippocrates and Galen use this word in their introduction to their medical works. Here only in the NT, though a common literary word. Common in the papyri for undertaking with no idea of failure or blame. Luke does not mean to cast reflection on those who preceded him. The apocryphal gospels were all much later and are not in his mind. Luke had secured fuller information and planned a book on a larger scale and did surpass them with the result that they all perished save Mark’s Gospel and what Matthew and Luke possess of the Logia of Jesus. There was still room for Luke’s book. That motive influences every author and thus progress is made.

To compile ("taken in hand" = ASV; "to set forth in order" = KJV; "draw up" = NIV; "to set down" = NRSV)(392)(anatassomai from anti = + tasso = to put in order, to arrange) literally means to arrange in a row (or proper order), to draw up again in order, “to arrange in due order once more,” to compose, to arrange in a series "a narrative that the sequence of events may be evident." It is used by Plutarch in classic Greek to denote going regularly through a thing again and so to rehearse it. Here Luke uses it to to arrange in proper order, that is, to arrange afresh so as to show the sequence of events. See related note below on consecutive order (Lk 1:3). Anatassomai is used only used by Dr Luke in the NT - Lk 1:1, Acts 9:29, Acts 19:13.

A T Robertson on anatassomai - This verb anataxasthai has been found only in Plutarch’s Moral. 968 CD about an elephant “rehearsing” by moonlight certain tricks it had been taught (Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary). That was from memory going regularly through the thing again. But the idea in the word is plain enough. The word is composed of tassō, a common verb for arranging things in proper order and ana, again. Luke means to say that those before him had made attempts to rehearse in orderly fashion various matters about Christ. “The expression points to a connected series of narratives in some order (taxis), topical or chronological rather than to isolated narratives” (Bruce). “They had produced something more than mere notes or anecdotes” (Plummer)

Lenski on anatassomai - The verb is very rare, being found only twice in the middle voice in the literature of the three centuries after Christ, yet its meaning is quite clear. Irenaeus uses it when he describes how, after the burning of the books that had been written by Moses and the prophets, Ezra, by means only of the Holy Spirit, reproduced them perfectly (Zahn). Robertson refers only to the other example given by M.-M., Vocabulary, in Plutarch’s anecdote about the elephant, who was so obstreperous and difficult to train and yet of his own accord rehearsed his tricks in the moonlight.

Account (1335)(diegesis from diegeomai = to set out in detail from diá = through or an intensifier + hegeomai = to lead) is a narrative or message that tells the details of an act or course of events in an orderly sequence. BDAG says diegesis is "an orderly description of facts, events, actions, or words." It is used of a historical report in classic Greek. It is a discourse consisting of an orderly exposition or narration. It indicates a narration of a verified and well-witnessed report. This is the only NT use of diegesis. There are 2 uses in the non-apocryphal Septuagint - Judges 5:14, Hab 2:6.

NET Note explains that "This is sometimes translated "narrative," but the term itself can refer to an oral or written account. It is the verb "undertaken" (epicheireo) which suggests a written account, since it literally is "to set one's hand" to something.". "Narrative" is too specific, denoting a particular genre of work for the accounts that existed in the earlier tradition. Not all of that material would have been narrative.

Vincent on diegesis - Only here in New Testament. From διά, through, and ἡγέομαι, to lead the way. Hence something which leads the reader through the mass of facts: a narrative, as A. V., with the accompanying idea of thoroughness. Note the singular number. Many took in hand to draw up, not narratives, but a narrative, embracing the whole of the evangelic matter. The word was particularly applied to a medical treatise. Galen (a prominent Greek physician) applies it at least seventy-three times to the writings of Hippocrates (also a Greek physician).

A T Robertson on diegesis - [Diēgēsis] means leading or carrying a thing through, not a mere incident.

Gilbrant - In classical Greek literature (diegesis) was used in a speech by Aristotle, for example, where it means “the statement of a case” (Liddell-Scott). Similarly, Luke described the many who had undertaken to compile a “narrative” (RSV); “declaration” (KJV); “account” (NIV), of the things concerning Jesus. (Complete Biblical Library)

Things (affairs, matters) (4229) pragma from prasso = to do, perform where suffix –ma = the result of; English = pragmatic [dealing with things in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations: practical as opposed to idealistic]; derivative words = pragmateia = affairs in 2 Timothy 2:4+, pragmateuomai = trade, do business, put capital to work, Lk 19:13) describes that which has been done or that which happens (a happening), and thus a deed, a thing, an event, an occurrence or an accomplished fact. In this meaning pragma speaks of something in the past. When speaking of something in the present or future, pragma means that which occurs as a result of activity -- the thing being done or to be done (in secular Greek in the phrase "great undertakings", "the tasks of everyday life"), matter, business, affair.

Ralph Earle - The Greek has simply "the things" The noun comes from the verb prasso, which means "do." So it literally means "that which has been done." It could be translated "events". Norval Geldenhuys comments: "Luke here uses pragma instead of hrema, and in this way makes it clear that it is here not a question of mere narratives, but of actual historical facts, i.e., of things that have really taken place" (Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, p. 56). In this preface, Luke is strongly asserting the historical basis and accuracy of his Gospel.

Accomplished (Fulfilled is a better translation)(4135)(plerophoreo from pleres = full + phero = to bear or bring) means literally to bring to a full measure, to fill completely or to fulfill (Paul's final command to Timothy "fulfill [aorist imperative] your ministry" - 2Ti 4:5+, "the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished" - 2 Ti 4:17+). It can also have the nuance of full assurance, of being absolutely certain (Ro 4:21+ speaking of Abraham's faith). The KJV translates plerophoreo with the nuance of full assurance - "surely believed," but most modern translations favor the nuance of fulfilled or accomplished.

The NAS has a marginal note on accomplished which they state could be rendered "on which there is full conviction." This reflects the fact that one of the other meanings of plerophoreo is "fully assured" (Abraham in Ro 4:21). The Lk 1:1KJV translation reflects this alternate meaning of plerophoreo. However most writers favor the sense of fully accomplished over fully assured.

Torrey adds that plerophoreo "is applied to a ship fully laden, to a tree in full bearing, etc. Hence it implies that fulness of evidence by which any fact is supported, and also that confidence, or feeling of assent, by which facts so supported are believed."

Alfred Plummer gives the force of it: "Of the things which have been carried through to the end, of the matters which have been accomplished, fully established" (Luke, p. 3).

Darrell L Bock adds that "fulfilled,” is the best (interpretation compared to the other possible interpretation of "full assurance") since Luke’s emphasis in his volumes is the fulfillment of God’s plan (Lk 1:20, 57; 2:6, 21–22; 4:21; 9:31; 21:22, 24; 24:44–47). The passive participle (that have been fulfilled) suggests God’s acts with its use of the “theological” passive (Marshall 1978: 41). These fulfilled events from the past continue to color how one should see the present. The effect of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection lives on (ED: This comment reflects the use of the perfect tense which speaks of past completed action and ongoing effect). Luke will chronicle one of the immediate effects, the rise of the church, in his second volume."

Vincent adds that "The word is chosen to indicate that these events happened in accordance with a preconceived design."

A T Robertson on plerophoreo in Luke 1:1 - Papyri examples occur for finishing off a legal matter or a financial matter in full. Deissmann (Light from the Ancient East, pp. 86f.) gives examples from the papyri and inscriptions for completing a task or being convinced or satisfied in mind. The same ambiguity occurs here. When used of persons in the N. T. the meaning is to be convinced, or fully persuaded (Ro 4:21; 14:5; Heb. 6:11; 10:22). When used of things it has the notion of completing or finishing (2Ti 4:5, 17). Luke is here speaking of “matters” ([pragmatōn]). Luke may refer to the matters connected with Christ’s life which have been brought to a close among us or accomplished. Bruce argues plausibly that he means fulness of knowledge “concerning the things which have become widely known among us Christians.” In Col. 2:2 we have “fullness of understanding” (tēs plērophorias tēs suneseōs). In modern Greek the verb means to inform. The careful language of Luke here really pays a tribute to those who had preceded him in their narratives concerning Christ.

Utley adds the term plērophoreō has a dual connotation. (1) Paul uses it for being fully persuaded in Rom. 4:21; 14:5; Col. 2:2; 4:12 AND (2) The Papyri uses it of “accomplished” or “fully completed”....Theophilus needs to accept both connotations! The OT promises have come to completion in Jesus of Nazareth.

William Barclay - Luke's introduction is unique in the first three gospels because it is the only place where the author steps out upon the stage and uses the pronoun ‘I’. There are three things to note in this passage.

(1) It is the best bit of Greek in the New Testament. Luke uses here the very form of introduction which the great Greek historians all used. Herodotus begins, ‘These are the researches of Herodotus of Halicarnassus.’ A much later historian, Dionysius of Halicarnassus, tells us at the beginning of his history, ‘Before beginning to write I gathered information, partly from the lips of the most learned men with whom I came into contact, and partly from histories written by Romans of whom they spoke with praise.’ So Luke, as he began his story in the most sonorous (Ed: full, loud, and deep) Greek, followed the highest models he could find.

It is as if Luke said to himself, ‘I am writing the greatest story in the world and nothing but the best is good enough for it.’ Some of the ancient manuscripts are very beautiful productions, written in silver ink on purple vellum; and often the scribe, when he came to the name of God or of Jesus, wrote it in gold (ED: O that we too might handle the precious Word of God with such a sense of awe and reverence! May this lofty objective transform our daily reading from mundane to majestic by the power of the Spirit. Amen). (ILLUSTRATION)The story is told of an old workman who, every Friday night, took the newest and shiniest coins out of his pay packet for Sunday’s offering in church. The historian, the scribe and the workman were all filled with the same idea—only the best is good enough for Jesus. They always gave their utmost for the highest. (Ed: The title of Oswald Chambers famous devotional My Utmost for His Highest!)

(2) It is most significant that Luke was not satisfied with anyone else’s story of Christ. He must have his own. Real religion is never a second-hand thing. It is a personal discovery. Professor Arthur Gossip of Trinity College, Glasgow, used to say that the four gospels were important, but beyond them all came the gospel of personal experience (ED: CORRECT BUT THIS EXPERIENCE MUST HAVE BE BASED ON THE FIRM FOUNDATION OF THE WRITTEN GOSPELS!). Luke had to rediscover Jesus Christ for himself (ED: But it is all based on careful, exacting scholarship, not speculation or hypotheses!)

(3) There is no passage of the Bible which sheds such a floodlight on the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture. No one would deny that the Gospel of Luke is an inspired document; and yet Luke begins by affirming that it is the product of the most careful historical research. God’s inspiration does not come to those who sit with folded hands and lazy minds and only wait, but to those who think and seek and search (ED: Beloved this same principle applies to our reading of the Word of God. We are unlikely to be led by our Teacher the Spirit into significant depth of understanding of the inspired Word if our only objective is to check off my daily "read through the Bible in a year" assignment! One verse paused over and pondered on, is of far more value to our soul than one chapter passes over quickly and mechanically!). True inspiration comes when the searching mind joins with the revealing Spirit of God. The word of God is given, but it is given to those who search for it. ‘Search and you will find’ (Matthew 7:7). (Luke 1 Commentary)

A few Insights on the Gospel of Luke from H A Ironside

Luke dwells much on the prayer-life of Jesus Christ, and prayer, of course, is connected with His Manhood. Jesus never makes a move but He looks first to His Father in heaven. We see Him praying, praying, praying, as every important occasion arises. In this Gospel we also see frequently the Lord Jesus Christ as a guest in the homes of various people. He sat with them and ate with them, and talked over their problems. No other Gospel presents Christ going out to dinner so often as Luke does. Jesus shares their joys and sorrows and partakes of the good things that are presented to Him. When you meet a man at the dinner-table you find out what he really is. I had read forty or fifty biographies of Martin Luther, but he always seemed to be a figure on a pedestal until I read "Luther's Table Talks." Then I felt that he and I were friends. I felt that I knew the man as I could not have known him otherwise. So these accounts of Christ at the dinner-table give us an understanding of His Manhood, which we would not get in any other way....

Luke gives us a great deal of information that is not found in the other Gospels. It is he alone who relates the stories of the visits of the angel Gabriel to Zacharias and to Mary. No one else tells us of the song of Mary, and the prophecy of Zacharias. The birth of Christ in a stable is recorded only here, as also the angel's announcement to the shepherds. The presentation of the Child Jesus in the temple at Jerusalem, and the welcome given by Anna and Simeon, also are mentioned only here. The first meeting in Nazareth, as recorded in chapter four; the great draught of fishes; the interview with the woman of the city in the house of Simon the Pharisee, as found in chapter seven; the beautiful incident of Mary at the feet of Jesus; and the mission of the seventy (Luke 10) are found only here. Much of the material of chapters eleven to eighteen inclusive is told only by Luke, as also the story of Zaccheus. It is he alone who mentions the coming of the angel to our Saviour to strengthen Him in His Gethsemane agony. And had it not been for Luke, we would never have known of the penitent thief, nor of the visit of our risen Lord with the two disciples on the way to and in their home at Emmaus.

Then when we think of the parables, it is striking to note how many are only related in this Gospel. The story of the Good Samaritan, the rich fool, the barren fig-tree, the great supper (not to be confounded with the marriage of the king's son as given in Matthew) the lost coin, the prodigal son, the unjust steward, the story of Dives and Lazarus, the unjust judge and the widow, the Pharisee and the publican, and the parable of the pounds, are all given by Luke. The last-mentioned, while similar to the parable of the talents, is, nevertheless, quite a different story.

How much then we would be bereaved of, if Luke had not been moved by the Spirit of God to search out so many things that no other inspired writer has recorded. There is nothing redundant here. All is of great importance and cannot be overestimated, so far as its value to the Church of God is concerned, and also its importance in presenting the gospel of the grace of God in its manifold aspects... (Luke 1)

1. Six miracles peculiar to Luke.

(1) The draught of fishes, Lk 5:4-11.
(2) The raising of the widow's son, Lk 7:11- 18.
(3) The woman with the spirit of infirmity, Lk 13:11-17.
(4) The man with the dropsy, Lk 14:1-6.
(5) The ten lepers, Lk 17:11-19.
(6) The healing of Malchus' ear. Lk 22:50-51.

2. Eleven parables, peculiar to Luke.

(1) The two debtors, Lk 7:41-43.
(2) The good Samaritan, Lk 10:25-37.
(3) The importunate friend, Lk 11:5-8.
(4) The rich fool, Lk 12:16-19.
(5) The barren fig-tree, Lk 13:6-9.
(6) The lost piece of silver, Lk 15:8-10.
(7) The prodigal son, Lk 15:11-32.
(8) The unjust steward, Lk 16:1-13.
(9) The rich man and Lazarus, Lk 18:19-31.
(10) The unjust judge, Lk 18:1-8.
(11) The Pharisee and publican, Lk 18:9-14.

3. Some other passages mainly peculiar to Luke.

(1) Luke 1:1-2:52 and Lk 9:51- 18:14 are mainly peculiar to Luke.
(2) John the Baptist's answer to the people. Lk 3:10-14.
(3) The conversation with Moses and Elijah, Lk 9:30- 31
(4) The weeping over Jerusalem, Lk 19:41-44.
(5) The bloody sweat, Lk 22:44.
(6) The sending of Jesus to Herod, Lk 23:7-12.
(7) The address to the daughters of Jerusalem, 23:27-31.
(8) "Father forgive them", Lk 23:34.
(9) The penitent robber, Lk 23:40-43.
(10) The disciples at Emmaus, Lk 24:13-31;
(11) Particulars about the ascension. Lk 24:50-53.

4. The following words and phrases should be studied, making a list of the references where each occurs and a study of each passage in which they occur with a view of getting Luke's conception of the term.

(1) The "son of man" (23 times).
(2) The "son of God" (7 times).
(3) The "kingdom of God" (32 times).
(4) References to law, lawyer, lawful (18 times).
(5) Publican (11 times).
(6) Sinner and sinners (16 times).

Mr. Stroud estimates that 59 percent of Luke is peculiar to himself and Mr. Weiss figures that 541 have no incidences in the other gospels. (H.A. Ironside Expository Commentary)

Luke 1:2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word,

Amplified - Exactly as they were handed down to us by those who from the [official] beginning [of Jesus' ministry] were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word [that is, of the doctrine concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God]

GNT καθὼς παρέδοσαν ἡμῖν οἱ ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς αὐτόπται καὶ ὑπηρέται γενόμενοι τοῦ λόγου,

Barclay telling the story just as those who were the original eye-witnesses and who became the servants of the word handed it down to us

CSB just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us.

ESV just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,

GWN They received their information from those who had been eyewitnesses and servants of God's word from the beginning, and they passed it on to us.

KJV Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

Lenski even as they who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and assistants of the Word delivered them to us,

NET like the accounts passed on to us by those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning.

NAB just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,

NIV just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.

NLT They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples.

NJB as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,

Wuest - even as they delivered them to us for safekeeping, those who from the beginning were personal witnesses of and ministered the Word, (Eerdmans Publishing)

YLT as they did deliver to us, who from the beginning became eye-witnesses, and officers of the Word, --

who from the beginning. Luke 24:48. Mark 1:1. John 15:27. Ac. 1:3, 8, 21, 22; 4:20; 10:39–41. He. 2:3. 1 Pe. 5:1. 1 John 1:1–3.
and servants of the word. Ac. 26:16. Ro. 15:16. Ep. 3:7, 8; 4:11, 12. Col. 1:23–25.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:2 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

SOURCE OF THE ACCOUNTS:
EYEWITNESS TESTIMONIES

I Howard Marshall notes that "Luke now provides the basis for the reliability of the information on which the narrative about Jesus rests. It has been ‘handed down’.... The verb is a technical term for the handing down of material, whether orally or in writing, as authoritative teaching." (Luke NIGTC - scroll down to page 48)

Just as (kathos) they were handed down (paradidomi) to us - "Like the accounts passed on to us" (NET), "Exactly as they were handed down to us" (Amplified) "Even as they delivered them to us for safekeeping" (Wuest). Luke stresses the validity of the facts handed down to him. The verb paradidomi "is a technical term for the handing down of material, whether orally or in writing, as authoritative teaching" (I Howard Marshall)

Luke's description reminds us of Paul's words in First Corinthians describing his handing down of the Gospel to the saints at Corinth -

"For I delivered (paradidomi) to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (1Cor 15:3+)

Hindson and Kroll on just as they were handed down (paradidomi) to us by...eyewitnesses (autoptes) - Luke received information that was handed over to him from eyewitnesses who had seen the very beginnings of the gospel account he relates.

James S. Stewart - Luke makes it perfectly clear that the inspired writers were not miraculously freed from the necessity of hard historical research … Inspiration was not God magically transcending human minds and faculties; it was God expressing His will through the dedication of human minds and faculties. It does not supersede the sacred writer’s own personality and make him God’s machine; it reinforces his personality and makes him God’s living witness. (Life and Teaching of Jesus Christ) (Quoted in Believer's Bible Commentary)

John MacArthur makes an important point regarding inspiration of the Bible in light of Luke's not having been a personal eyewitness of Jesus or the events of Jesus' ministry - Luke’s acknowledgement of his use of source material must not be misconstrued as a disclaimer of divine inspiration for his gospel. The process of inspiration never bypassed or overrode the personalities, life experiences, vocabularies, or writing styles of the Bible’s human authors; their unique traits are indelibly stamped on all the books of Scripture. The Spirit used Luke’s knowledge, gave him additional information, guided his selection of material, and controlled every word so that he wrote exactly what God wanted written (cf. 1 Cor. 2:12–13; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21). (SEE BOCK'S RELATED COMMENT) Therefore, his original account is infallibly and inerrantly true. (Bold added. See context in Luke Commentary)

J C Ryle adds that regarding the question of who and what were Luke's sources it is "Enough for us to know that Luke wrote by inspiration of God. Unquestionably he did not neglect the ordinary means of getting knowledge. But the Holy Spirit guided him, no less than all other writers of the Bible, in his choice of matter. The Holy Spirit supplied him with thoughts, arrangement, sentences, and even words. And the result is, that what Luke wrote is not to be read as the "word of man," but the "word of God." (1 Thessalonians 2:13.) Let us carefully hold fast the great doctrine of the plenary inspiration of every word of the Bible. Let us never allow that any writer of the Old or New Testament could make even the slightest verbal mistake or error, when, writing as he was "moved by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:21+) Let it be a settled principle with us in reading the Bible, that when we cannot understand a passage, or reconcile it with some other passage, the fault is not in the Book, but in ourselves. The adoption of this principle will place our feet upon a rock. To give it up is to stand upon a quicksand, and to fill our minds with endless uncertainties and doubts.....Let us close the passage with thankfulness for the Bible. Let us bless God daily that we are not left dependent on man's traditions, and need not be led astray by ministers' mistakes. We have a written volume, which is "able to make us wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:15+) Let us begin Luke's Gospel with an earnest desire to know more ourselves of the truth as it is in Jesus, and with a hearty determination (ENABLED BY HIS SPIRIT) to do what in us lies to spread the knowledge of that truth throughout the world. (Luke Commentary)

Darrell Bock - The early origin of oral and written traditions for the life of Jesus provides evidence against three common claims among skeptics: (1) that vital biographical data about Jesus was lost before anyone managed to pen the Gospels, (2) that Jesus was an obscure figure until the canonical books were written, and (3) that Jesus never even existed, and that the biblical books represent whole-cloth fiction, the invention of a divine redeemer patterned after Greek mystery religions......If authors were actively documenting the life of Christ shortly after his resurrection, and if Luke knew (and consulted) their writings, the skeptic faces an uphill climb when he attempts to cast doubt on the accessibility of the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Furthermore, early historians who were outside the Christian movement gave evidence of Jesus’ existence (Josephus, Antiquities 18.63-64).....If Luke was seeking to answer the specific questions of a particular individual and otherwise educate him about Christianity, and if he conducted research in order to do so, what does this imply about the divine inspiration of Luke’s writings? 2Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God,” but doesn’t Luke’s prologue (Lk 1:1-4) imply that his writing was engendered by more mundane factors such as oral traditions, written traditions, verbal reports, the specific interests of Theophilus, and his own desires to set out a coherent account? The problem with this line of questioning is that it assumes that the biblical writings should not bear the marks of typical human writings. It is more proper to emphasize that Scripture is a product of both human and divine involvement, resulting in books that share characteristics with other ancient writings even as they convey without error the words and propositions God willed. Very rarely do biblical authors state any kind of awareness that they were authoring divinely-inspired Scripture, and yet the Bible affirms the reality of God’s involvement—a testimony that the church has embraced from the outset. (Bold added. The Holman Apologetics Commentary on the Gospels and Acts).

Those who from the beginning - This time phrase begs the question "from the beginning of what?" Most observers agree that Luke means from the beginning of Jesus' ministry. For beginning see notes on arche.

NET Note adds that "The location of “in the beginning” in the Greek shows that the tradition is rooted in those who were with Jesus from the start."

Leon Morris on from the beginning - Historians as men who knew and lived by the word they preached. From the beginning takes us back to the ministry of John the Baptist. Luke was not missing out on anything essential but going back to the very roots of the Christian movement. (See context in Luke: An Introduction and Commentary)

A T Robertson says "From the beginning apparently refers to the beginning of the ministry of Jesus as was true of the apostles (Acts 1:22) and of the early apostolic preaching (Acts 10:37–43). The Gospel of Mark follows this plan. The Gospel of Luke goes behind this in chapters 1 and 2 as does Matthew in chapters 1 and 2 (Ed: Describing the birth of Jesus)."

Vincent on from the beginning says it refers to "The official beginning, the commencement of Jesus’ ministry. Compare....

Acts 1:1+ The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach,

Acts 1:21-22+ “Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us–beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us–one of these [must] become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

Comment: This time then deals primarily with His 3+ years of active ministry, beginning with His ministry's "inauguration" when He was baptized until the day of His ascension to the Father.

John 15:27 and you [will] testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

Eyewitnesses (autoptes) gives us our word autopsy, which is dissection and careful examination of a dead body (I performed many such exams in 30 years as a pathologist, making careful examination as to the exact cause of death). The irony is that here Dr Luke uses this same root word to describe an inspired "autopsy" on a live Person, Jesus Christ, Who came so that dead persons might live forever with Him. O the sweetness of this double irony. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

The Gospel of Luke is like a carefully performed "autopsy"
of Jesus' life, death, burial and resurrection.
-- Bruce Hurt, MD

Were eyewitnesses (autoptes) - The primary sources of Luke's information were the apostles who had been with Jesus. Luke, under the inspiration of the Spirit, recorded this information, but not without supporting the facts with careful research (see Lk 1:3). Were eyewitnesses is more literally became (ginomai) eyewitnesses. Luke himself makes no claim to be an eyewitness of Jesus and thus he is not an apostle, for personal witness of Jesus was a necessary requirement to be an apostle (see apostolos). "Witnesses are important to Luke. While the concept of "witness" is not as prominent in Luke as in John (see esp. John 5:31-47), it is integral to Luke's historical and theological purposes."(Liefeld)

J Vernon McGee notes that eyewitness (autoptes) "is a medical term which means to make an autopsy. In fact, what Dr. Luke is trying to say is, “We are eyewitnesses who made an autopsy, and I am writing to you about what we found....What Dr. Luke is telling us is that as a physician and a scholar, he made an "autopsy" of the records of those who had been eyewitnesses." (See context in Thru the Bible)

Who were these early eyewitnesses (autoptes)? Hindson and Kroll suggest that "Luke may have talked with Mary, the mother of our Lord, and with James and Jude, two of Christ’s brothers who were prominent enough to have written New Testament books. James was also the leading elder in the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:13, Ac 15:19; Ac 21:18; Gal 2:9). Naturally, Luke must have met some of the twelve original disciples. Luke even tells us that he spent some time with Mnason who was a disciple of longstanding, perhaps one who knew Christ personally (Acts 21:16+). Of course, there were probably hundreds if not thousands still alive who had personally heard Jesus teach and had seen Him perform miracles just thirty years previously. In addition, Paul recorded in A.D. 52 or 53 that a great number of the five hundred who all on one occasion saw Christ after His resurrection were still alive (1Cor 15:6+). They apparently joined the ranks shortly after Pentecost, and were some of the original deacons, such as Philip, who conveniently lived in Caesarea, and with whom Luke lodged for a while (Acts 21:8-10+)." (KJV Commentary)

Darrell Bock makes an excellent point about the eyewitnesses (autoptes) - This text highlights the oral and personal roots of the testimony about Jesus. Those who knew Him shared what they knew through the network of the church. Though critics claim that the accounts of Jesus’ life reflect a legend decades in the making—the result of religious hype and revisionist history—the NT authors commonly emphasized that their sources for information about Jesus were eyewitnesses (e.g., John 1:14; Acts 1:1-3; 1 Cor 15:1-8; Heb 2:3-4; 1 Pet 5:1-4; 1 John 1:1-4+). Luke himself was not an eyewitness to Jesus’ life, but due to his affiliation with the apostle Paul (see the “we” passages in Acts 16:10-17+; Acts 20:5-21:18+; Acts 27:1-28:16+) he had easy access to those who were. For instance, Luke was with Paul in Caesarea for more than two years while they visited Philip the evangelist. As Leon Morris pointed out, “This period spent with such companions must have given opportunity for discovering much about Jesus and the early church” (See Luke: An Introduction and Commentary). Luke also knew Silas due to their mutual involvement in Paul’s missionary journeys (see Acts 15:40+ and the “we” of Acts 16:10+). Silas was a member of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:22) and would have had detailed knowledge of eyewitness testimonies to the life of Christ. (The Gospels and Acts)

Many think Luke was primarily referring to the apostles as his eyewitnesses (autoptes) . For example the apostle John repeatedly emphasizes his witness of Jesus Christ...

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life and the life was manifested (has become known ~ been shined forth), and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us– what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.(1 John 1:1-3+)

In Acts Luke makes an allusion to witnesses "We (Peter speaking Acts 10:34) are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. “God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, [that is,] to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. “And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. (Acts 10:39-42+)

Paul (about 52 or 53 AD) adds "After that He (RESURRECTED JESUS) appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep." (1 Cor 15:6+)

GALLEY-SLAVES
FOR JESUS!

And servants (huperetes) of the word (logos) - The definitive article (the) before word speaks of a specific word, the Word of God. A T Robertson rightly says "Here “the word” means the Gospel message, as in "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4+) and "Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word." (Acts 8:4+)

I like H A Ironside's suggestion on the meaning of the Word - The last term may be either the word of the gospel, or perhaps we should capitalize it and read "the Word," thus referring to Him Who, though the Eternal Word, became flesh for our redemption. Whether we think of Christ's servants as ministers of the written word (ED: WHICH IS ALSO LIVING! Heb 4:12) or of the living Word, it comes to one and the same thing, for Christ is the theme of all Scripture. He is the Gospel personified." (Luke 1 - Ironside's Note)

J Vernon McGee on servants (under-rowers) - In a hospital the “under–rower” (huperetes) is the intern. Dr. Luke is saying that all of them were just
"interns" under the Great Physician. (See context in Thru the Bible)

Leon Morris on servants (ministers (huperetes)) of the word - This unusual expression (found nowhere else in the New Testament) appears to mean ‘men who preached the Christian gospel’. But we should not overlook the facts that John speaks of Jesus as ‘the Word’ (John 1:1) and that elsewhere Luke seems to regard preaching Jesus and preaching the word as much the same thing (Acts 8:4; 9:20; cf. also Acts 10:36ff.). He is approaching John’s thought, for these men were servants of the Word as well as of the word. He is also implying that his authorities were not so much academic historians as men who knew and lived by the word they preached. (See Luke: An Introduction and Commentary)

THOUGHT - Would it be true that this appellation could be made of every one of the Lord's children, "Servants of the Word!" Does this description describe you dear follower of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ? Servants of the written Word are usually servants of the Living Word.

Just as 2531)(kathos from kata = down and os = as) means according to, according as, to the degree that. Louw Nida (1) In accordance with a degree specified by the context (1 Pe 4:13, Acts 11:29). (2) a marker of cause or reason, often with the implication of some implied comparison (Jn 17:2, Ro 1:28) (3) markers of similarity in events and states, with the possible implication of something being in accordance with something else - 'just as, in comparison to (Mt 27:10, Lk 11:30, Ro 8:26)

Friberg summarizes kathos - (1) a comparative often with outos) (so, in this way) following according as, just as (Lk 11.30); (2) as expressing manner as, in proportion as, to the degree that (Acts 11.29); (3) as a causal because, since, in as much as (Jn 17.2; Rn 1.28); (4) temporally as, when (Acts 7.17); (5) to introduce indirect discourse in the sense of pw/j how (AC 15.14)

In the context of Luke 1 the idea is exactly as. Kathos speaks of equivalence, the idea here being what Luke received (by inspiration from the Spirit) he passed on with perfect precision! (See verbal plenary inspiration).

Kathos can convey the idea that just as it was written down in the past it is now being fulfilled as in Mark 1:2 (see comment). In other words what happens or happened is in perfect accord or perfect agreement with what was predicted to happen. For example, Mark 14:21 says "the Son of Man is to go JUST AS it is written of Him." The NLT paraphrase has "JUST AS the prophet Isaiah had written" speaking in context of His death which had been prophesied in the Old Testament (esp Isaiah 53:1-12+). So JUST AS it was written, so it is now fulfilled.

NET Note on kathos - "even as" compares the recorded tradition of Luke 1:1 with the original eyewitness tradition of Luke 1:2. (In other words they are as we would say today "a perfect match.")

Gilbrant - Kathōs has the kind of flexibility in usage that “as” exhibits in English. It is used for straightforward comparisons and contrasts: “as Moses lifted up the serpent” (John 3:14); “not as (ou kathōs) your fathers did eat manna” (John 6:58). Kathōs sometimes has the sense of “to the degree that.” For example, in Mark 4:33 Jesus was speaking the word in parables “as they were able to hear.” At times it can be translated “because” or “since,” as in Ephesians 4:32: “Forgiving one another, even as (because) God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven.” This causal sense is not easily separated, however, from the sense of “to the degree,” or “in the same way,” “just as,” or simply “as.” (See John 13:34; 15:12; Romans 1:28; 1 Corinthians 1:6.) Even the sense of “when” seems appropriate in one instance (Acts 7:17; compare 2 Maccabees 1:31 in the Septuagint).A frequent and important expression in the New Testament is kathōs gegraptai, “as it is written.” This phrase often introduces authoritative quotations of the Old Testament. (See Romans 1:17 for one example among many; cf. Mayer, “Scripture,” Colin Brown, 3:488.) (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary)

ENGLISH Definition of JUST AS.
(1) to an equal degree as; In precisely the same way as - Examples = "He's signing his name just as he's always done it." Our house is just as nice as theirs. This one is just as good as that one. She performs just as well as he does.
(2) in the same way as, to the same degree as. Examples = Just as we hope to be forgiven, so we should forgive others. JUST AS is used for emphasizing that something is equally large, good, bad, etc.

Kathos - 113 verses - according(1), even(13), even so(1), how(2), just(92), only(1), proportion(1), so(2), what(1).Matt. 21:6; Matt. 26:24; Matt. 28:6; Mk. 4:33; Mk. 9:13; Mk. 11:6; Mk. 14:16; Mk. 14:21; Mk. 16:7; Lk. 1:2; Lk. 2:20; Lk. 5:14; Lk. 6:36; Lk. 11:1; Lk. 11:30; Lk. 17:26; Lk. 19:32; Lk. 22:13; Lk. 22:29; Lk. 24:24; Jn. 5:23; Jn. 10:15; Jn. 12:50; Jn. 13:34; Jn. 15:9; Jn. 15:10; Jn. 15:12; Jn. 17:2; Jn. 17:11; Jn. 17:14; Jn. 17:16; Jn. 17:21; Jn. 17:22; Jn. 17:23; Acts 2:22; Acts 7:44; Acts 11:29; Acts 15:8; Acts 15:14; Acts 15:15; Acts 22:3; Rom. 1:13; Rom. 1:28; Rom. 2:24; Rom. 8:36; Rom. 9:29; Rom. 9:33; Rom. 11:26; Rom. 15:7; 1 Co. 1:6; 1 Co. 1:31; 1 Co. 2:9; 1 Co. 4:17; 1 Co. 5:7; 1 Co. 10:33; 1 Co. 11:1; 1 Co. 11:2; 1 Co. 12:11; 1 Co. 12:18; 1 Co. 13:12; 1 Co. 14:34; 1 Co. 15:38; 1 Co. 15:49; 2 Co. 1:5; 2 Co. 1:14; 2 Co. 6:16; 2 Co. 9:7; 2 Co. 10:7; 2 Co. 11:12; Gal. 2:7; Gal. 3:6; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 1:4; Eph. 4:4; Eph. 4:17; Eph. 4:21; Eph. 4:32; Eph. 5:2; Eph. 5:25; Eph. 5:29; Phil. 1:7; Phil. 2:12; Phil. 3:17; Col. 1:6; Col. 1:7; Col. 2:7; Col. 3:13; 1 Thess. 1:5; 1 Thess. 2:4; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Thess. 2:14; 1 Thess. 3:4; 1 Thess. 4:1; 1 Thess. 4:6; 1 Thess. 4:11; 1 Thess. 5:11; 2 Thess. 3:1; Heb. 3:7; Heb. 4:3; Heb. 4:7; Heb. 5:6; Heb. 8:5; 2 Pet. 3:15; 1 Jn. 2:18; 1 Jn. 2:27; 1 Jn. 3:2; 1 Jn. 3:3; 1 Jn. 3:7; 1 Jn. 3:23; 2 Jn. 1:4; 2 Jn. 1:6; 3 Jn. 1:2; 3 Jn. 1:3

Kathos in the Septuagint (almost 300x so only a portion is listed below) Gen. 8:21; Gen. 18:5; Gen. 41:13; Gen. 44:2; Exod. 34:1; Num. 8:22; Num. 21:34; Num. 26:54; Deut. 2:29; Deut. 4:38; Deut. 11:21; Deut. 26:19; Jdg. 1:7; Jdg. 1:20; Jdg. 2:15; Jdg. 5:27; Jdg. 5:31; Jdg. 6:5; Jdg. 6:36; Jdg. 6:37; Jdg. 7:17; Jdg. 8:2; Jdg. 8:3; Jdg. 8:33; Jdg. 13:23; Jdg. 15:11; Jdg. 16:20; Jdg. 16:22; Jdg. 20:30; Jdg. 20:31; Jdg. 20:32; Jdg. 20:39; Ruth 1:8

Handed down (3860)(paradidomi from para = alongside, beside + didomi = give) conveys the basic meaning of to give over from one's hand to someone or something. Paradidomi was a technical term for the handing down of material, whether orally or in writing, as authoritative teaching (see Mk. 7:13; Acts 6:14; 1 Cor. 11:2, 23; 15:3; 2 Pet. 2:21; Jude 1:3). Indeed, in the present context paradidomi refers to the passing on of a tradition which is based on the testimonies of those who saw and heard Jesus which substantiates the truth and trustworthiness of the message.

The use of paradidomi in Paul's discussion of the the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3+ refers to the transmitting of or passing on of his traditional instruction concerning the Gospel to the saints at Corinth. Paul like Luke is saying that he brought authoritative teaching, not something of his own origination. He did not design it, he only delivered what God had authored. All believers should be eternally grateful to God for assigning and enabling Paul and Luke to record these traditions and preserve them for the spiritual benefit of all future generations of God's children.

A T Robertson on handed down - [paredōsan hēmin]). Second aorist active indicative of paradidōmi. Luke received this tradition along with those who are mentioned above (the many). That is he was not one of the “eyewitnesses.” He was a secondary, not a primary, witness of the events. Tradition has come to have a meaning of unreliability with us, but that is not the idea here. Luke means to say that the handing down was dependable, not mere wives’ fables. Those who drew up the narratives had as sources of knowledge those who handed down the data. Here we have both written and oral sources. Luke had access to both kinds.

Vincent on handed down - Not necessarily excluding written traditions, but referring mainly to oral tradition. Note the distinction between the many who attempted to draw up a narrative and the eye-witnesses and ministers who handed down the facts.

Eyewitnesses (only here in NT)(845)(autoptes from autós = himself, self + óptomai = see) is literally "self seeing" and thus one who has seen with his own eyes, an eyewitness, seeing something for oneself, one who has personal experience, those who know the facts at first hand. Luke abbreviates eyewitnesses to witnesses later in this writings (Lk 24:44-48+, Acts 1:8+). The medical term autopsy is derived from this Greek word with is an interesting association given that Luke was a physician (I am a pathologist who has performed autopsies!) The Gospel of Luke is like a carefully performed "autopsy" of Jesus' life, death, burial and resurrection. The point is that we can trust Luke's record. I know as a pathologist that if I issued an incorrect diagnosis on a tissue I was examining, there could be great harm done to the patient (even death). Luke is a physician but he knows that here he is dealing with the health of souls, not bodies, and thus he gives utmost attention to the details, even as he likely did as a physician. Peter uses a related but different word for eyewitnesses = epoptes. (see 2 Peter 1:16+)

Cleon L Rogers on the use of autoptes - This reflects the conviction that the Christian faith is rooted not in speculative creation but in hist. reality (Ellis). The eyewitnesses are Luke’s guarantee of a true report (Du Plessis, 265). Used in medical language of a personal examination of disease or of the parts of the body. (Borrow a copy of The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament - original work by Rienecker - IT IS AN EXCELLENT RESOURCE)

Vincent on eyewitnesses - Personal knowledge and practical experience were necessary elements of an apostle. Eye-witnesses (autoptai). Only here in New Testament. Peter uses another word, epoptai (2 Pet. 1:16-note). Frequent in medical writers, of a personal examination of disease or of the parts of the body. Compare the modern medical term autopsy.

Servants (5257)(huperetes from hupo = under, beneath + eretes = a rower) is literally and under oarsman and then a subordinate, a servant, an attendant (Lk 4:20), one who is in the service of another or an assistant in general. Huperetes describes a a helper who willingly submits himself to carrying out the will of the one over him. In John 7:32, 45, 46 it is used of the Temple "police" or guards. The subordinate official who waits to accomplish the commands of his superior. In Classic Greek huperetes was a common sailor, distinguished from a naútes (3492), a seaman, sailor. These were the men down in the ship's, doing one thing -- rowing and with their eyes on one man, the man standing at the front of the hull, shouting "Row,Row, Row."! Why? Because if anyone gets out of synch, the whole boat is thrown off course! What a picture -- There are no big "I's" or little "u's" in the ministry! Servants of Who? Of Christ! A God-called preacher marches to the beat of a different drummer and if he doesn't he's not worth being in the pulpit. Servants of the word describes these men as focused on the word, listening and acting according to the word. "They not only had personal knowledge of the facts but also practical experience of the facts." (Plummer). The word was also used of medical assistants or attendants

Given that Luke is a physician, it is interesting that huperetes was the word was used of medical assistants or attendants.

Vincent on huperetes used most commonly with the meaning of officer (Mt 5:25, etc) - Denoting a subordinate official, as a herald or an orderly, and in this sense applied to Mark as the “minister” or attendant of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:5). It furnishes an interesting instance of the expansion of a word from a limited and special meaning into a more general one; and also of the influence of the Gospel in lifting words into higher and purer associations. Formed with the verb eresso, to row, it originally signified a rower, as distinguished from a soldier, in a war-galley. This word for a galley-slave comes at last, in the hands of Luke and Paul, to stand for the noblest of all offices, that of a minister of the Lord Jesus (Luke 1:2; Acts 26:16; 1 Cor. 4:1).

Huperetes - 20x in 20v - Usage: attendant(1), helper(1), minister(1), officer(1), officers(13), servants(3). - Matt. 5:25; Matt. 26:58; Mk. 14:54; Mk. 14:65; Lk. 1:2; Lk. 4:20; Jn. 7:32; Jn. 7:45; Jn. 7:46; Jn. 18:3; Jn. 18:12; Jn. 18:18; Jn. 18:22; Jn. 18:36; Jn. 19:6; Acts 5:22; Acts 5:26; Acts 13:5; Acts 26:16; 1 Co. 4:1.

Huperetes is found 2x in the Septuagint - Pr 14:35 (servant), Isa 32:5 (rogue)

Word (3055) (lógos/logos from légō = to speak with words; English = logic, logical) means something said and describes a communication whereby the mind finds expression in words. In the present context the word speaks of the Gospel message. Luke repeatedly uses the phrase the word as a synonym for the Gospel - Luke 5:1; 8:11–13, 15; Acts 6:4; 8:4, 14, 25; 10:36; 11:1, 19; 13:5, 7, 44; 14:25; 15:7; 16:6, 32; 17:11; 18:5; 19:10).

Luke documents the powerful effect of the good news of the Word several times in his writings - Luke 4:22; Acts 2:36–37; Acts 2:41, Acts 4:13–14 and the passages below...

Acts 6:7+ The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Acts 12:24+ But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.

Acts 19:20+ So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing (was exercising force and efficacy).

Related Resources:

Baker Evangelical Dictionary Inspiration of Scripture
Holman Bible Dictionary Inspiration of Scripture
What is verbal plenary inspiration?
How does the translation process impact the inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility of the Bible?
Is there proof for the inspiration of the Bible?
What does it mean that the Bible is inspired?
Does the inerrancy of the Bible only apply to the original manuscripts?

Darrell Bock gives a good summary of Luke's introduction - Luke tells us four things about his work before he tells us why he writes.

He has “investigated” the story. That is, he has followed it closely. He has taken a long and careful look at what he is about to tell us.
He went back to “the beginning.” This is why he starts his story with John the Baptist, the forerunner, who points to Jesus.
Luke was thorough, having studied “everything.” This is undoubtedly why there is so much fresh material in his account. About thirty percent of this Gospel is not found elsewhere, including several of Jesus’ parables.
Luke worked “carefully,” taking great care to develop his orderly account in a way that told the story clearly. (See context in Luke Commentary)

The great archaeologist Sir William Ramsay was educated at Aberdeen and Oxford and spent long vacations in Asia Minor. He was trained in the German historical school of the mid-nineteenth century and taught that the Book of Acts was not historically accurate. He was firmly convinced of this and set out to prove it. But Ramsay researched the archaeological sites reported in the Book of Acts. Eventually the evidence he uncovered compelled him to reverse his beliefs. Ramsay's writings are in agreement with the historical accuracy as reported in Luke's gospel and the Book of Acts.

Ramsay said, "Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy; he is possessed of the true historic sense; he fixes his mind on the idea and plan that rules in the evolution of history, and proportions the scale of his treatment to the importance of each incident. He seizes the important and critical events and shows their true nature at greater length, while he touches lightly or omits entirely much that was valueless for his purpose. In short, this author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians."

Luke and the other biblical authors were not trying to write best-sellers. They were reporting the truth about Jesus Christ. If a skeptic like Sir Ramsay was convinced of the accuracy of Luke's writing, shouldn't you likewise embrace the Bible? Today in prayer thank Christ that you can depend on His word.

"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said
—to you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?"
—K in Rippon's Selection of Hymns, 1787

Luke 1:3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;

GNT ἔδοξε κἀμοὶ παρηκολουθηκότι ἄνωθεν πᾶσιν ἀκριβῶς καθεξῆς σοι γράψαι, κράτιστε Θεόφιλε,

Barclay I too made up my mind to carry out a careful investigation of all things from the beginning, and to write to you, Theophilus, your excellency, an orderly account of them

CSB It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus,

ESV it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

GWN I, too, have followed everything closely from the beginning. So I thought it would be a good idea to write an orderly account for Your Excellency, Theophilus.

KJV 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,

Lenski I, too, resolved, after having accurately traced everything from the start, to write in an orderly way to thee, Your Excellency Theophilus

NET So it seemed good to me as well, because I have followed all things carefully from the beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

NAB I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus,

NEB And so I in my turn, your Excellency, as one who has gone over the whole course of these events in detail, have decided to write a connected narrative for you,

NIV Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

NKJV it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,

NLT Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus,

NJB I in my turn, after carefully going over the whole story from the beginning, have decided to write an ordered account for you, Theophilus,

The Living Bible However, it occurred to me that it would be well to recheck all these accounts from first to last and after thorough investigation to pass this summary on to you,

Wuest - it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things from the beginning in the minutest detail, to write to you in a consecutive order, Your Excellency, Theophilus, (Eerdmans Publishing)

YLT it seemed good also to me, having followed from the first after all things exactly, to write to thee in order, most noble Theophilus,

seemed. Ac. 15:19, 25, 28. 1 Co. 7:40; 16:12. in. Luke 1:1. Ps. 40:5; 50:21. Ec. 12:9. Ac. 11:4.
most excellent Theophilus. Ac. 1:1; 23:26; 24:3; 26:25,
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:3 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

LUKE LEAVES
NO STONE UNTURNED

Leaving no stone unturned means make every possible effort, use every possible source or resource. To look for something in every possible place. If you leave no stone unturned in your efforts to find something or achieve something, you consider or try every possible way of doing it.

it seemed fitting (dokeo) for me as well, having investigated (parakoloutheo) everything carefully (akribos) from the beginning (anothen), to write (grapho) it out for you in consecutive order (kathexes), most excellent (kratistos)Theophilus - NET = "So it seemed good to me as well, because I have followed all things carefully from the beginning." In Luke 1:1-2 he had referred to writers and witnesses, but now he begins to describe his own writing by saying it seemed fitting (dokeo) which means that it was proper for him to write his account. The NET adds "because" which explains the reason that it seemed fitting to Dr Luke. Why was it fitting to now begin to write? Because he had investigated everything carefully.

A T Robertson on it seemed fitting says this is "A natural conclusion and justification of Luke’s decision to write his narrative. They (ED: those previously described especially the many who had undertaken... in Lk 1:1) had ample reason to draw up their narratives. Luke has more reason to do so (TO WRITE THE GOSPEL) because of his fuller knowledge and wider scope."

NET Note adds that when Luke said it seemed fitting (dokeo) for me as well, "he is not being critical of the earlier accounts, but sees himself stepping into a tradition of reporting about Jesus to which he will add uniquely a second volume on the early church when he writes the Book of Acts."

For me as well - Who is "me?" Luke of course but he never mentions his name in this Gospel even though there is uniform agreement that the author was Luke the beloved physician (Col 4:14+). Acts 1:1 begins "The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach," This linkage with Theophilus leaves little doubt that Luke authored both this Gospel and the book of Acts. Luke is mentioned only 3 times in the NT - Col 4:14+, 2Ti 4:11, and Philemon 1:24. The fact that Luke was a physician accounts for Luke's use of elegant Greek and his attention to detail and accuracy. Luke was probably a Gentile a fact determined by comparing the following passages

Col 4:11 and [also] Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision (Jews), and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.

Col 4:14+ Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and [also] Demas.

Having investigated (parakoloutheo) everything carefully (akribos) from the beginning (anothen) - Wuest - "having traced the course of all things from the beginning in the minutest detail." The Greek text emphasizes the extreme care with which his research was undertaken. Luke made himself thoroughly familiar with all the relevant details. So on one hand Luke thoroughly investigated all the facts, and on the other hand the Spirit inspired all of Luke's writing. God did not just "dictate" to Luke what to write down (See dictation theory). There were occasions where God spoke to a writer like Moses and he wrote it down as in Ex 20:1-17. The important point to grasp is that since all Scripture is inspired by God (2Ti 3:16), ultimately the words Luke penned were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and yet clearly Luke's extensive, detailed research was an integral component of the final product we know today as the "Gospel of Luke."

He has made careful investigation and his work deserves serious consideration
-- A T Robertson

Having investigated (parakoloutheo) is in the perfect tense which emphasizes the permanence of the state reached after his thorough investigation. It stands investigated. Luke sounds like a physician in this opening. The verb parakoloutheo "means to follow closely, and hence to trace accurately. The point is that Luke became thoroughly familiar with the whole affair. Luke was a meticulous historian, often giving details that helped identify the historical context of the events he described (Lk 1:5; Lk 2:1+, 2; Lk 3:1, 2+; Lk 13:1–4+). Luke "had mentally followed along by the side of these events. Galen used this verb (parakoloutheo) for the investigation of symptoms. Luke got himself ready to write before he began by full and accurate knowledge of the subject." (Robertson)

Mark Moore - Luke uses a fascinating word for investigate (parakoloutheo). Etymologically, it means to follow alongside. It pictures the pesky reporter with his notepad and pen incessantly asking questions. (See context in The Chronological Life of Christ - Page 15 )

THOUGHT - I love Moore's comment depicting Luke as an "investigative reporter" intent on getting to the truth of the matter! This should be the goal of everyone who reads the Bible, which is why the discipline (and skill) of Inductive Bible Study is so important. As one learns to read the text inductively, he or she, comes to the text with their "notepad" (literal or figurative - their mind like a blank page ready to record the facts of the text), having been trained in the art of asking probing Who, What, Where, When, Why, How type questions. This interrogating mindset takes some time to develop but is worth the "investment," for the insights you can glean from prayerfully (pray before - e.g., Ps 119:18+) interrogating the Biblical text (enabled/illuminated by the Spirit) are often priceless. And since you discovered the truth yourself, you are much more likely to remember it and apply it.

Hindson and Kroll - literally rendered “having traced or investigated accurately all things from the first.” Luke expresses several ideas: (1) The length of his search took him back to the beginning of things. Only Luke recounts the birth announcements of Gabriel to Zacharias [Zechariah] and to Mary. (2) The breadth of his research has included “all things.” He would naturally have to evaluate each piece of evidence in order to retain that which would be most useful. (3) The accuracy of his investigation is declared by his use of the Greek word akribos which speaks of precision and exactness. (See context in KJV Commentary)

Steven Cole adds "Even though we who hold to the verbal inspiration of Scripture believe that Luke was inspired by the Holy Spirit, this does not mean that the Spirit dictated Luke’s message to him. Rather, the Spirit guided Luke as he carefully researched the history of Jesus’ life and ministry, and guided him as he wrote so that his words were exactly what God intended. Thus the inspiration of the Holy Spirit does not preclude the use of careful scholarship on Luke’s part." (Luke 1:1-4)

As Bob Utley says "Luke is piling up word after word describing his faithful, accurate, and sequential arrangement of facts about Jesus’ life and ministry. This account is not a fabrication or exaggeration." (Luke 1)

Everything - Don't miss this word! The Greek word for everything is pas which means all without exception. Everything means that Luke's investigation was comprehensive in scope down to the minutest details. And so his gospel includes many aspects related to the births of John the Baptist and Jesus that are not found in the other Gospels. Here we see Luke's emphasis on leaving no stone unturned (so to speak), but investigating everything that God gave him access to. The point is that Dr Luke studied the life of Jesus in comprehensive detail.

David Guzik on everything - Luke is the most comprehensive gospel. He documents the story of Jesus’ all the way from the annunciation of John the Baptist to Jesus’ ascension. (ED: Only Luke mentions the Ascension - Lk 24:50-51+) (Luke 1)

From the beginning (anothen) - NRSV, CSB = "From the very first." In the context of the Gospel, from the beginning begins with details preparatory to Jesus' actual birth, including the birth of Jesus' forerunner John the Baptist, details which are not found in the other Gospels. John and Mark skip over this time of Jesus' life and leave it to Luke and Matthew to provide insights.

TECHNICAL NOTE on From the beginning (anothen) - While most translations and commentaries favor the interpretation of anothen as relating to time (from the beginning) some suggest a different meaning. Based on the fact that anothen has a "double meaning", some suggest Luke used anothen, not to speak of time (from the beginning) but of space (from above). Thus Warren Wiersbe notes that from the beginning can be translated “from above,” as it is in John 3:31 ("He Who comes from above") explaining that this meaning "speaks of the inspiration of the Spirit of God on the message that Luke wrote." (See The Bible Exposition Commentary) James Smith agrees writing that "The Greek word (anothen) is rendered in other places "from above." Luke had derived much knowledge from eye-witnesses. And that knowledge had been confirmed by revelation. Yet Luke here claims a Heavenly origin for his Gospel. Luke's Gospel was not traditional, but by revelation as well as inspiration. (Handfuls of Purpose)

To write (grapho) it out for you in consecutive order (kathexes) - Consecutive order is better rendered Orderly account (as in ESV, NET, NIV, NRSV) because consecutive (following one after another without interruption) tends to suggest precise chronological order (cf "orderly sequence" Acts 11:4+) but that is not an accurate assessment (See MacArthur's comment).

A T Robertson favors chronological order noting that "Chronological order in the main following Mark’s general outline. But in Lk 9:51 to Lk 18:10 the order is often topical."

Darrell Bock thinks it less likely a reference to chronological order and more topical = "more likely Luke intends a reference to the orderliness of the story and its persuasive, divinely wrought character."

John MacArthur's comment on the NAS rendering of in consecutive order - A good theologian is analytical, logical, and systematic. His goal is to persuade people to understand and accept doctrinal truth by means of a thoughtful, logical, progressive, consistent, persuasive explanation. Luke revealed himself to be a master theologian by writing his account in consecutive order. The New American Standard’s rendering implies that Luke’s gospel will be strictly chronological from beginning to end. Certainly it is generally chronological, starting with the birth of Christ, His circumcision and boyhood, moving on to His baptism and public ministry, and culminating with the cross and resurrection. (See the outline of Luke in the introduction) There were instances, however, in which Luke arranged his material thematically to illustrate or expound a particular theological point (e.g., Luke’s record of John the Baptist’s arrest, Lk 3:15–20). So Luke’s narrative exhibits a basic chronological flow, but not to the exclusion of thematic, doctrinal discussion, in which he uses material out of chronological sequence. So the phrase in consecutive order is better understood as a reference to the logical, systematic nature of Luke’s writing. The New King James Version’s translation of this phrase, “an orderly account,” captures the essence of Luke’s purpose in writing. His goal was to persuade; to lead his readers to believe the gospel by means of his carefully researched, logical, systematic presentation of the truth concerning God’s saving purpose in Christ. (See context in Luke Commentary)

NET Note adds "An orderly account does not necessarily mean that all events are recorded in the exact chronological sequence in which they occurred, but that the account produced is an orderly one. This could include, for example, thematic or topical order rather than strict chronological order."

Hendriksen "According to the sense of the word orderly used in the original, an orderly account is one in which one says next what should be said next. It is an account which is not confused or haphazard. By no means is it true that the evangelist here promises to write a Gospel in which every event will be related in precisely chronological sequence." (BNTC-Luke)

"FRIEND OF GOD"

Most excellent (kratistos) Theophilus - Theophilus (theos - God + philos - beloved, friendly) means friend of God, God-lover or God-beloved. This is an honorary or respectful form of address used to persons who had wealth and a higher official or social standing than the speaker and thus was used by Luke in Acts to describe Claudius (Acts 23:26+), Felix (Acts 24:3+) and Festus (Acts 26:25+). This suggests Theophilus was a real person and was in the upper class of society. This is great news for those who are wealthy in this world but poor in regard to the next world! Jesus said "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Mk 10:25+). But Luke seems to imply in this passage and Jesus thankfully declared "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." (Mk 10:27+)

A T Robertson on most excellent Theophilus - He may have been a believer already. He was probably a Gentile (ED: BUT THIS IS CONJECTURE). Ramsay holds that “most excellent” was a title like “Your Excellency” and shows that he held office, perhaps a Knight. So of Felix (Acts 23:26) and Festus (Acts 26:25). The adjective does not occur in the dedication in Acts 1:1+.

John MacArthur in his introduction to Luke - Luke dedicated his works to “most excellent Theophilus” (lit. “lover of God”—1:3; cf. Acts 1:1). This designation, which may be a nickname or a pseudonym, is accompanied by a formal address (“most excellent”)—possibly signifying that “Theophilus” was a well known Roman dignitary, perhaps one of those who had turned to Christ in “Caesar’s household” (Phil. 4:22).

Seemed fitting (1380) dokeo "primarily, to be of opinion, think, imagine, suppose. To hold an opinion based upon appearances which may be significantly different from reality. It also signifies "to seem, be accounted, reputed." (Vine) Dokeo is a verb with the general meaning "to think" in a variety of contexts. The underlying sense is that of "making a rational assessment," or "giving consideration to." It means to regard something as presumably true, without particular certainty. BDAG - (1) to consider as probable, think, believe, suppose, consider, trans., of subjective opinion (2) to appear to one's understanding, seem, be recognized as.

Investigated (3877)(parakoloutheo from para = near + akolouthéo = to follow) means literally to follow beside, to attend closely or to accompany side by side. It means to follow along a thing in mind, to trace carefully resulting in one arriving at a knowledge of the matter so that one is thoroughly familiar with the whole affair. Parakoloutheo indicates the mental tracing, investigating, whereby one arrives at a knowledge of the matter. In Luke uses parakoloutheo to mean to follow closely in mind and so to investigate so as to attain knowledge. Luke "tracked down" these things. He traced them in his mind and arrived at a knowledge of the matter. The perfect tense emphasizes the permanence of the state reached after the investigation. It stands investigated. Used only 4x in the NT - Mk. 16:17; Lk. 1:3; 1 Ti 4:6; 2 Ti 3:10

Vincent on use of parakoloutheo in 1 Ti 4:6 - To attend to or follow up, as a disease. So Plato, Rep. 406 B, παρακολουθῶν τῷ νοσήματι θανασίμῳ perpetually tending a mortal disease. To follow up a history or a succession of incidents, as Luke 1:3. The writer means that Timothy, as a disciple, has closely attended to his course of Christian instruction (cp similar use in 2 Ti 3:10).

Carefully (accurately) (199)(akribos) is an adjective which describes that which is characterized by exactness, thoroughness, precision, accuracy in addition to the associated idea of looking, examining, and investigating something with great care and alertness. Akribos pertains to strict conformity to standard, involving both detail and completeness, with focus on careful attention. Luke sought to record the life of Jesus with meticulous attention to detail. Robertson adds that akribos "means going into minute details, from [akron], the topmost point."

In classic Greek akribos was used by Galen to describe his accurate investigation before writing one of his works. Akribos was also used to indicate the accurate information gained by a doctor questioning the patient ("taking a medical history"). This would be a typical pattern for a man trained as a physician to observe and record details as when taking a history of the patient's symptoms and performing a physical examination in order to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.

From the beginning (509)(anothen from ano = above, upward, up + suffix "-then" = from) literally means from above with a secondary meaning of again. Anothen can speak of place or time.

Of place = from higher (Mt 27:51, Jn 19:23), referring to heaven from God (Jn 19:11, James 1:17, Jn 3:31 = "he who comes from above is above all", Lxx of Job 3:4). In John 3:3, 7 means to be born "from above" (but see following). Of wisdom from above (Jas 3:15, 17). Of the veil of the Temple torn from above (top to bottom - Mt 27:51, Mk 15:38).

Of time - Lk 1:3 (cp Acts 26:5 = "they have known about me for a long time"). In addition to meaning "born from above" John 3:3, 7 can mean born another time and this latter sense is how Nicodemus interprets it from his question in John 3:4. Many consider this an example of John's use of words that can have a double meaning (double entendre).

BDAG summary of anothen - (1). in extension fr. a source that is above, (Mk 15:38) (2). from a point of time marking the beginning of something (Lk 1:3), (3) for a relatively long period in the past = for a long time (Acts 26:5) (4). at a subsequent point of time involving repetition = again, anew (Gal 4:9) (See A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament)

Gilbrant - In classical Greek anōthen indicates that which is “above.” Temporally it could indicate something from an earlier time and could mean “again.” Anōthen occurs over 21 times in the Septuagint. The Hebrew behind it is always a form of ‛al (or ma‛al), “height.” It is used of the “top” of the ark Noah built (Genesis 6:16). Anōthen is the direction of heaven (Genesis 27:39; 49:25; Jeremiah 4:28) and God (Job 3:4). It can also be used of putting something “over” something else (Numbers 4:6,25). (Complete Biblical Library)

Friberg on anothen - adverb; (1) of place from above (Jn 3.31; perhaps Jn 3.3, 7); a;.from top to bottom (Mt 27.51); (2) of past time from an earlier period, from the beginning, from the first (Acts 26.5); (3) of future time, indicating repetition anew, again (Gal 4.9; probably Jn 3.3, 7) (See Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament)

Anothen - 12x in 12v - Usage: above(5), again(2), all over(1), beginning(1), long time(1), top(2).

Matthew 27:51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.

Mark 15:38 And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Luke 1:3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;

John 3:3+ Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

William Barclay on anothen in this verse - When Jesus said that a man must be born anew Nicodemus misunderstood him, and the misunderstanding came from the fact that the word which the Revised Standard Version translates anew, the Greek word anothen, has three different meanings. (i) It can mean from the beginning, completely radically. (ii) It can mean again, in the sense of for the second time. (iii) It can mean from above, and, therefore, from God. It is not possible for us to get all these meanings into any English word; and yet all three of them are in the phrase born anew. To be born anew is to undergo such a radical change that it is like a new birth; it is to have something happen to the soul which can only be described as being born all over again; and the whole process is not a human achievement, because it comes from the grace and power of God. (John 3 Commentary)

John 3:7+ "Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

John 3:31+ "He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

John 19:11 Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."

Acts 26:5+ since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.

Galatians 4:9+ But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?

James 1:17+ Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

James 3:15+ This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.

James 3:17+ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

Anothen - 21x in the Septuagint - Gen. 6:16; 27:39; 49:25; Exod. 25:21f; 36:34; 37:20; 39:20, 31; 40:19; Num. 4:6, 25; 7:89; Jos. 3:16; 1 Ki. 7:3; Job 3:4; Isa. 45:8; Jer. 4:28; Ezek. 1:11, 26; 41:7

Exodus 25:20 “The cherubim shall have [their] wings spread upward, (Heb - ma'al) covering the mercy seat with their wings and facing one another; the faces of the cherubim are to be [turned] toward the mercy seat.

Numbers 7:89 Now when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim, so He spoke to him.

Ezekiel 1:11 Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above; each had two touching another [being,] and two covering their bodies.

Write (1125) grapho from root graph- = primarily means to scratch on or engrave as on an ornament, reports, letters, etc; English = graph, graphic, etc) means to engrave or inscribe with a pen or stylus characters or letters on a surface which can be wood, wax, metal, leather, stone, parchment, dirt (John ), paper, etc.

Grapho in Luke - Lk. 1:3; Lk. 1:63; Lk. 2:23; Lk. 3:4; Lk. 4:4; Lk. 4:8; Lk. 4:10; Lk. 4:17; Lk. 7:27; Lk. 10:26; Lk. 16:6; Lk. 16:7; Lk. 18:31; Lk. 19:46; Lk. 20:17; Lk. 20:28; Lk. 21:22; Lk. 22:37; Lk. 24:44; Lk. 24:46

Consecutive order ("an orderly account" = NKJV) (2517)(kathexes from katá = according to + hexḗs = following) means in order, one after the other, successively; in an orderly fashion; successively, consecutively in connected order. Kathexes stresses orderly arrangement and sequence. It indicates one thing following after another in order. The word does not occur in the Septuagint. In Luke 1:3 kathexes could refer to topical order or chronological order (but see note above)

BDAG says kathexes pertains "to being in sequence in time, space, or logic -- in order, one after the other."

Friberg summarizes kathexes - adverb; (1) denoting sequence in time, space, or logic in order, one after the other, point by point (Lk 1.3); (2) substantivally, with the article oi` kathexes the successors, those since (Acts 3.24); (3) idiomatically en to kathexes = literally in the next, i.e. afterward, later (Lk 8.1) (See Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament)

Kathexes - 5x in 5v - Usage: afterwards*(1), consecutive order(1), orderly sequence(1), successively(1), successors onward(1).

Luke 1:3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;

Luke 8:1+ Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him,

Acts 3:24+ "And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days.

Acts 11:4+ But Peter began speaking and proceeded to explain to them in orderly sequence, saying,

Acts 18:23+ And having spent some time there, he left and passed successively (in order of sequence - from place to place) through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

Most excellent (2903)(kratistos superlative from kratus = strong) is an honorary way to address high officials, being reserved fro the highest dignitaries. Most noble. The title “Most excellent” was often given to those of the equestrian order, (i.e., the cavalry) or to governors. BDAG - "strongly affirmative honorary form of address." This word is used only 4x all by Luke to address Theophilus, Claudius (Acts 23:26+), Felix (Acts 24:3+) and Festus (Acts 26:25+).

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Luke 1:4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

may know. Mt 11:27. Jn 20:31

the exact truth. 1 Pe 3:15. 2 Pe 1:15, 16.

have been taught - Ac 18:25. 21:21, 24. Ro 2:18. 1 Co 14:19. Ga 6:6

Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:4 Commentaries

Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

Amplified - [My purpose is] that you may know the full truth and understand with certainty and security against error the accounts (histories) and doctrines of the faith of which you have been informed and in which you have been orally instructed.

GNT ἵνα ἐπιγνῷς περὶ ὧν κατηχήθης λόγων τὴν ἀσφάλειαν. (Luk 1:4 GNT)

Barclay - so that you might have in your mind a full and reliable account of the things in which you have been instructed.

CSB so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

ESV that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

GWN In this way you will know that what you've been told is true.

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

Lenski that thou mightest come to realize the certainty of the statements concerning which thou hast been informed.

NET so that you may know for certain the things you were taught.

NAB so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.

NIV so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

NKJV that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

NLT so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.

Wuest - in order that you may come to have a full and accurate experiential knowledge concerning the undoubted truth of the matters in which you were instructed. (Eerdmans Publishing)

YLT that thou mayest know the certainty of the things wherein thou wast instructed.

LUKE'S PURPOSE FOR
HIS GOSPEL

So that (hina) introduces a purpose clause. Whenever you encounter a "so that" ask "so what?" and seek to determine the author's purpose (see discussion of the value of observing and interrogating terms of purpose or result).

You may know (epiginosko) the exact truth (asphaleia) about the things you have been taught (katecheo) - NET "know for certain" is better than know the exact truth, for it emphasizes the psychological confidence that Theophilus could possess regarding the Gospel. Amplified "know the full truth and understand with certainty and security against error." Theophilus had some background teaching on Christianity, but Luke wants to amplify (so to speak) what he had been taught. Luke is going to great lengths to accentuate the complete accuracy of his historical record of the ministry of Jesus Christ. Plummer writes that “Theophilus shall know that the faith which he has embraced has an impregnable historical foundation” Luke wants to give Theophilus a bedrock certainty by supplying him with a historically verified and completely accurate account of the life of Jesus. He does not just want him to know about Jesus, but to truly and deeply and personally know Jesus (that is the sense of the verb epiginosko as explained below). Ultimately the truth of Luke's Gospel would serve to undergird the faith of Theophilus (and all of us) just as Paul explained writing that "faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (the word about Christ the Living Word!)". (Ro 10:17+) Theophilus would hold the Word recorded by Luke and that trustworthy Word would hold him when his faith was assaulted by error and/or persecution. John and Peter had a similar aim for their readers...

John 20:31+ but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

2 Peter 1:15; 16+ And I will also be diligent that (so that - ESV) at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind. For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

You have been taught (katecheo ~ "catechized") - This indicates Theophilus had some knowledge of the truth about Jesus (whether a "God fearing" Gentile and not yet born again or a young convert we do not know) but Luke was writing "know the full truth and understand with certainty and security against error the accounts (histories) and doctrines of the faith." Luke's words in this passage remind me of Paul's words to Titus which speak of the stabilizing effect of the Word as he instructed Titus to select men who would hold "fast the faithful (trustworthy) word which is in accordance with the teaching (this is what Luke begins to propound to Theophilus), so that (term of purpose or result) he will be able (empowered) both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." (Titus 1:9+)

Marshall writes that Luke "had an apologetic and evangelistic purpose, to present Jesus in such a way that any reader might accept him as Messiah, Lord and Saviour."

THOUGHT - "One’s faith is no more sure than the object upon which it rests. We can thank God that our faith rests firmly upon the unshakable historical facts recorded in His matchless Word." When the world begins to devolve into unspeakable depravity and moral darkness (I am writing in 2022 and it is transpiring literally as I write), we can be fully assured that "we have the prophetic word made more sure (bebaios), to which (we) do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark (auchmeros) place, until the day dawns and the morning star (phophoros) arises in your hearts." (2 Peter 1:19+, see 2Pe 1:19NET version)

John MacArthur notes that "In the remarkable providence of God, the Holy Spirit ensured that the book Luke wrote initially to one man ("most excellent Theophilus") would be disseminated around the world. The "beloved physician," (Col 4:14+) historian, theologian, and pastor had the privilege of becoming the instrument God used for the salvation and edification of millions throughout history (cf. Luke 24:44–53+)." (See context in Luke Commentary)

THOUGHT - Beloved, may this thought be an encouragement to all of us to not grow weary in doing good. "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ Whom you serve." (Col 3:23-24+) In this short lifetime, none of us will ever fully grasp what will be the eternal impact of God's work done in God's will for God's glory!

Steven Cole has this conclusion to Luke's preface or prologue - J C Philpot (quoted by A W Pink) wrote, "Right views concerning Christ are indispensable to a right faith, and a right faith is indispensable to salvation. To stumble at the foundation, is, concerning faith, to make shipwreck altogether; for as Immanuel, God with us, is the grand Object of faith, to err in views of His eternal Deity, or to err in views of His sacred humanity, is alike destructive" (Quoted in A W Pink's The Attributes and Excellencies of Christ!). After careful research based on many eyewitnesses, Luke wrote his Gospel to show that Jesus is the eternal God Who came in human flesh to seek and to save those who are lost. Faith in Jesus Christ is rooted in the accurate historical record that has come down to us in Luke’s Gospel. It is not an optional idea that you might want to consider if it grabs you. It is absolute truth to be believed and handed on to others. (Luke 1:1-4 Faith Rooted in History)

ILLUSTRATION - The Importance of the Exact Truth and Believing the Exact Truth - “A man who lived on Long Island was able one day to satisfy a lifelong ambition by purchasing for himself a very fine barometer. When the instrument arrived at his home, he as extremely disappointed to find that the indicating needle appeared to be stuck, pointing to the sector marked ‘HURRICANE.’ After shaking the barometer very vigorously several times, its new owner sat down and wrote a scorching letter to the store from which he had purchased the instrument. The following morning on the way to his office in New York, he mailed the letter. That evening he returned to Long Island to find not only the barometer missing, but his house also. The barometer’s needle had been right--there was a hurricane!”

THOUGHT- The Bible says a "hurricane" is coming so that all must take shelter in the Ark named Jesus Christ "Who rescues us from the wrath to come." (1 Th 1:10+) I am not a fan of the pagan singer Mick Jagger, but even he seems to have had some inkling of a coming storm in his song "Gimme Shelter!" in which the words "It's just a shot away" repeat again and again. Indeed eternity is "just a shot away" so to speak BUT in His great forbearance and longsuffering and mercy, God graciously offers to all in danger of perishing eternally "AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU"; behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" (2 Cor 6:2+, read the soul sobering words of John in Rev 20:11-15+) Dear reader, have you taken shelter in Christ, the Rock of your Salvation (Ps 62:2, 6, 7, Ps 95:1)?.

So that (in order that)(2443) hina is a conjunction which is used as a marker of purpose, definition or result and is rendered in order that, that, so that. With the result or consequence that. With the particular aim or purpose of; in order that. “So that” means “in order to” which answers the question “Why?” We use it to begin adverb clauses of purpose. Let’s hear an example: It helps to lower blood sugar so that you feel less hungry. The adverb clause is “so that you feel less hungry.” It shows the purpose for the action in the main clause. Why does it help to lower blood sugar? To feel less hungry. (LearnEnglish)

You may know (1921)(epiginosko from epí means upon but here intensifies the force of verb + ginosko = to know) (noun epignosis) means to know fully, to know with certainty, to become thoroughly acquainted with. Epiginosko means to possess more or less definite information about, and can imply a degree of thoroughness. To recognize a thing to be what it really is. The prefix "epi-" means upon so the idea can also be knowledge in addition to what Theophilus already possesses. Epi- also emphasizes a directive knowledge.

Exact truth (certainty)(803)(asphaleia from a = without + sphallo = to totter or fall) is a noun which means "make no slip" and describes that which displays firmness, security, safety. It can speak of a stable circumstance (safety, security), of detention that restricts movement (Acts 5:23+) or figuratively of a stable statement (certainty, truth) as in Luke 1:4. The thought is that the truth Luke pens will keep Theophilus (and us) from tottering in our faith because the foundation is "non-slip" writing!

NET Note on exact truth - Or "know the truth about"; or "know the certainty of." The issue of the context is psychological confidence; Luke's work is trying to encourage Theophilus. So in English this is better translated as "know for certain" than "know certainty" or "know the truth," which sounds too cognitive. "Certain" assumes the truth of the report....The meaning "have assurance concerning" is also possible here.

Vincent - From ἀ, not, and σφάλλομαι, to fall ("not to fall"). Hence steadfastness, stability, security against error.

Friberg - literally, a state of being secured from falling firmness, safety, security (1Th 5.3); as a legal technical term for keeping a prisoner securely guarded security (Acts 5.23); figuratively, of what qualified instruction affords = certainty, truth, reliability (Lk 1.4) (Borrow the Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament)

Darrell Bock adds this note on asphaleia - The word asphaleian, translated as certainty, can be misunderstood by modern readers. In our age, people often think “scientific proof” when they hear someone talk about a quest for certainty. Raise the temperature of tap water to 212º F on your stovetop, for instance, and if you are at sea level you can know with certainty that it will boil. We cannot demonstrate the Bible in so sure a fashion. Nevertheless, Bible readers can be assured when reading the NT accounts that the sources accurately describe Jesus, both his teachings and his actions. The term “certainty” refers to assurance, a kind of emotional confidence, not absolute proof. That assurance was rooted in the diligent way Luke pursued his sources for Jesus’ life. This reassurance was Luke’s purpose in writing. (The Holman Apologetics Commentary)

There are two other uses in the NT to give a sense of the what this Gospel was to do for Theophilus' faith.

Acts 5:23+ saying, "We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside."

1 Thessalonians 5:3+ While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.

Asphaleia - 9x in the Septuagint - Lev. 26:5 (live securely in your land); Deut. 12:10; Ps. 104:5; Prov. 8:14; Prov. 11:15; Prov. 28:17; Isa. 8:15; Isa. 18:4; Isa. 34:15

Deuteronomy 12:10 “When you cross the Jordan and live in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies around [you] so that you live in security,

The things (logos) - These were the words that Theophilus would have already been taught. "Literally “words,” the details of the words in the instruction." (Robertson) Utley writes that things "refers to (1) the truths about Jesus (cf. Lk 7:17+ where "report" = logos) recorded by Luke or (2) the content of what Theophilus has been taught."

Vincent explains that "If the word can mean thing at all, it is only in the sense of the thing spoken of; the subject or matter of discourse, in which sense it occurs often in classical Greek. Some render it accounts, histories; others, doctrines of the faith. Godet translates instruction, and claims that not only the facts of the Gospel, but the exposition of the facts with a view to show their evangelical meaning and to their appropriation by faith, are included in the word. There is force in this idea; and if we hold to the meaning histories, or even words, this sense will be implied in the context. Luke has drawn up his account in order that Theophilus may have fuller knowledge concerning the accounts which he has heard by word of mouth. That his knowledge may go on from the facts, to embrace their doctrinal and evangelical import; that he may see the facts of Jesus’ life and ministry as the true basis of the Gospel of salvation.

Have been taught (2727)(katecheo from katá = down or intensive + echeo = sound - English catechism) means to literally to resound, to sound down on or into the ears. From this the derived meaning is “to inform” or “to instruct orally (to the ears).” (Cf. 1 Cor. 14:9; Acts 21:21, 24; 18:25; Gal. 6:6) The idea is to re-sound, to re-echo, to teach by by insistent repetition into the ears as the Arabs do when learning the Koran (learning aloud). This word speaks of systematic teaching which is the basis of the critical discrimination and discernment. Katecheo was used to describe basic Christian instruction for new converts (Early Church Fathers writings - 2 Clement 17:1). The use of this word suggest that one of Luke's goals was to establish Theophilus in the faith and certainly this is one of the benefits for all believers of reading and meditating on this Gospel.

NET Note on have been taught, katecho - This term can refer merely to a report of information (Acts 21:24) or to instruction (Acts 18:25). The scope of Luke's Gospel as a whole, which calls for perseverance in the faith and which assumes much knowledge of the OT, suggests Theophilus had received some instruction and was probably a believer.

A B Bruce on Katecho - The word used here in a technical sense = formally and systematically instructed, or in the general sense of "have been informed more or less correctly"? (So Kypke.) The former is more probable. (Expositor's Greek Testament)

A T Robertson adds that "Those men doing the teaching were called catechists and those receiving it were called catechumens. Whether Theophilus was still a catechumen is not known. This Preface by Luke is in splendid literary Koiné and is not surpassed by those in any Greek writer (Herodotus, Thucydides, Polybius). It is entirely possible that Luke was familiar with this habit of Greek historians to write prefaces since he was a man of culture.

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James Smith - A FAITH CONFIRMING PROLOGUE Luke 1:1–4

“Amid the Babel of men’s clam’rous speech,
Lord Jesus, what a ‘still small voice’ is Thine,
And yet where are there words that men’s hearts reach
Like those of Thee, the human and divine?

How have Thy words, Lord, quicken’d human thought?
How have they penetrated human lives?
How have they into grandest deeds been wrought,
And how on their deep lines all progress drives?”

The voice of Jesus in His Gospel is a very “small voice” compared with the clamorous speech of political partyism and the strife of modern ungodly tongues, but like a spring silently making its way through the rocks it comes to the surface and refreshes many a thirsty soul. What Luke says about the things of the Gospel in this brief introduction is worthy of our closest attention. We learn that these things—

1. Were the chief topic in the days of Luke. This we infer from the fact that “Many had taken in hand to set them forth in order” (v. 1). The words and deeds of Christ were in everybody’s mouth. These things were not done in a corner, many were anxious to have them in a connected form, and many had attempted so to put them. But any spiritual man, such as Luke, could easily detect distorted representations of the life and character of Jesus Christ.

2. Were delivered by eye-witnesses. “They delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eye-witnesses” (v. 2). John could say, “That which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes” &c. (1 John 1:1, 2). “He was seen by five hundred brethren at once.” Men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and so the men of the new dispensation spake as they were moved by the living personal Christ among them. The great salvation which at first began to be spoken by the Lord was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him (Heb. 2:3).

3. Were most surely believed in Luke’s days (v. 1). If they were accepted without doubt by multitudes in the time of Christ and in the days immediately following, where is the ground for questioning them now? They did not follow cunningly devised fables in making known the Gospel of Christ (2 Peter 1:16). These things were tested in the seven times hotter furnace of the days in which they were spoken and wrought. The power and truth of them is being yet proven in the experience of them that believe and do the will of God (John 7:17).

4. Have been recorded by one who had a perfect knowledge of them (v. 3). Although Luke’s name does not occur among the twelve apostles, yet he was familiar with all that had been done, being intimate with the chosen twelve and a close companion of Paul the great apostle of the Gentiles. The Gospel according to Luke is confessedly the fullest record of all that Jesus began to do.

5. Are here written in order (v. 3). Luke professes to give us the order in which the events of Christ’s life took place. This, to the simple Bible student, is a great blessing, as the very connection between the recorded deeds of our Lord is full of deep significance. If not in their mutual relationship, yet in point of contrast.

6. Were written that we might have certainty (v. 4). Luke evidently wrote that the honourable Theophilus might be confirmed in his faith. “These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31). In the written Gospel we have a sure Word, wherein we do well to take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place. The Gospel offers both Salvation and the certainty of it. Yet how many Gospel hearers there are who have not yet known the certainty of those things wherein they have been instructed. Make your calling and election sure.

Luke 1:5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

NET During the reign of Herod king of Judea, there lived a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and he had a wife named Elizabeth, who was a descendant of Aaron.

GNT Ἐγένετο ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις Ἡρῴδου βασιλέως τῆς Ἰουδαίας ἱερεύς τις ὀνόματι Ζαχαρίας ἐξ ἐφημερίας Ἀβιά, καὶ γυνὴ αὐτῷ ἐκ τῶν θυγατέρων Ἀαρὼν καὶ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτῆς Ἐλισάβετ.

NLT When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron.

KJV 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.

ESV In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

NIV In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.

Herod: Mt 2:1
Judea. Lk 4:44.
Zacharias. Lk 1:5, 12, 13, 18, 21, 40, 59, 67. 3:2. 11:51. Mt 23:35
of the course: 1Ch 24:10,19 Ne 12:4,17
Elizabeth. Lk 1:5, 7, 13, 24, 36, 40, 41, 41, 57.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:5 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

IN THE DAYS OF HEROD:
DARK DAYS SPIRITUALLY

John Hannah outlines this next section:

The annunciations (Luke 1:5-56)

The announcement of the birth of John (Luke 1:5-25)

The parents of John  (Luke 1:5-7)
The promise of John  (Luke 1:8-23)
The prospect of John  (Luke 1:24-25)

The announcement of the birth of the Son of Man  (Luke 1:26-38)

The appearance of the angel  (Luke 1:26-29)
The message of the angel  (Luke 1:30-33)
The reassurance of the angel  (Luke 1:34-38)

The assurance of the promised births  (Luke 1:39-56)

The arrival and salutation of Mary  (Luke 1:39-40)
The song of Elizabeth  (Luke 1:41-45)
The song of Mary  (Luke 1:46-55)
The return of Mary (Luke 1:56)

Click to Enlarge
(Source: Lorgos.com)

THE HISTORICAL SETTING:
DAYS OF HEROD

The days of Herod (Herod's rule 37–4 BC) king of Judea (locate on map) - With this statement Luke is saying these events happened at a definite time! The time phrase in essence also explains the repeated phrase in Lk 1:2-3 "from the beginning" because the reign of Herod marks the beginning of the events related to the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. After Luke's prologue, he begins with two birth announcements that changed the world forever. Herod gives us the historical context and is a reference to Herod I also known as Herod the Great (great in evil would be apropos! A better name would be "Herod the Heinous!"), who played a major role in several events in the early life of Christ. These days of Herod would be toward the end of his rule. Easton's Bible Dictionary notes that "After a troubled reign of thirty-seven years, he died at Jericho amid great agonies both of body and mind, B.C. 4, i.e., according to the common chronology, in the year in which Jesus was born." It is interesting that Herod was not a Jew but an Idumean (Edomite). See Map of the Kingdom of Herod the Great - note that Idumea is south of Jerusalem.

Related Resource:

Watch this interesting video on Herod the Great's Building a Legacy - if you like archaeology, you will enjoy this video

Warren Wiersbe comments on these days of Herod - "It was indeed a dark day for the nation of Israel. The people had heard no prophetic Word from God for 400 years, not since Malachi had promised the coming of Elijah (Mal. 4:5–6+). The spiritual leaders were shackled by tradition and, in some instances, corruption; and their king, Herod the Great, was a tyrant. He had nine (some say ten) wives, one of whom he had executed for no apparent reason. But no matter how dark the day, God always has His devoted and obedient people." (See context The Bible Exposition Commentary) .(Bible Exposition Commentary)

Barton on Herod the Great (what a sad misuse of the word "great"!) - Herod had expanded and beautified the Jerusalem temple, but he had placed a Roman eagle (picture) over the entrance and also had built pagan temples. When he helped the Jews, it was for political purposes and not because he cared about them or their God. Evil and ruthless, Herod the Great later ordered a massacre of infants (Mt 1:16-18) in a futile attempt to kill the infant Jesus, whom some were calling the new "king of the Jews" (Mt 2:1-2). Herod the Great ruled from 37 to 4 b.c. (See context Life Application New Testament Commentary)

Holman Bible Dictionary - Herod the Great. Herod the Great was born about the year 73 B.C. and was a son of the desert, well adapted to the political intrigues of ambition, lust for power, and efficiency at warfare. He made a trip to Rome and was confirmed by the Senate as “king of Judea” in the year 40 B.C. He routed some persistently threatening robber bands in Galilee and gained the esteem of the Romans and even the support of some of the Jews by his decisive action. He finally brought Jerusalem under his control in the year 37 B.C.

His rule of Judea is usually divided into three periods: (a) The Period of Consolidation (37-25 B.C.), (b) The Period of Prosperity (25-13 B.C.), and (c) The Period of Domestic Troubles (13-4 B.C.).

During the period of consolidation, he had many adversaries, coming from at least four fronts. Jewish people refused to support him because he was not a full-blooded Jew, but a descendant of Esau. Herod also had difficulties with the Hasmonean family. See Hasmoneans. Chief among them was Alexandra, the evil and vicious daughter of Hyrcanus II. She interceded with Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, who brought pressure on Mark Antony in an effort to put Herod under her control. This constant intrigue multiplied as time progressed.

Charges were brought against various members of the family. Within a short time Herod had executed Hyrcanus II, the son of Alexandra Salome who had returned from exile, Hyrcanus' daughter Alexandra, and her daughter Mariamne I, who was also Herod's favorite wife, the one whom he deeply and passionately loved. Mariamne had Maccabean blood flowing through her veins, was most beautiful, and Herod's hopes for establishing a dynasty rested with her and their two sons, Alexander and Aristobulus. Suspicious that Miriamne committed adultery and that her sons would use their Maccabean lineage for political advantage, Herod had them put to death. Herod also had executed Aristobulus III, son of Alexandra and brother of Mariamne soon after he was appointed by Herod to be high priest. Herod had him drowned at a celebration in Jericho soon after his inauguration.

Herod also faced an adversary in the person of Cleopatra, the famous queen of Egypt, but his craftiness enabled him to maintain his independence from her. Herod was successful in ingratiating himself to the Romans. By sheer force of personality and lack of hesitancy in executing even the close members of his own family, he strengthened his position as undisputed ruler of Palestine under the permission of Roman authority.

The second period of Herod's life involved the prosperity of his vast building programs. With the aid of the Romans the territory was extended to what had been unparalleled since the reign of Solomon (died 931 B.C.). His taxation of the people to support his building activity was extensive, but he virtually rebuilt every city in the land, even constructing entire cities from the ground up. He also built many palaces for himself.

Soon the now nearly four hundred-year-old Temple of Zerubbabel was pale in contrast to the magnificence of his new palaces and structures in Jerusalem. In the year 19 B.C. he embarked on an extensive remodeling of the Temple, which captured the imagination of the world of that day. It was frequently said that if one had not seen Herod's Temple, he had never seen a truly beautiful building (compare John 2:19-20 ).

The periods of Herod's life overlapped to some degree, but it was from the years 13-4 B.C. that his domestic troubles intensified and preoccupied him. Antipater, his firstborn son, and Salome, his sister, continually agitated the household and brought accusations against Alexander and Aristobulus, the sons of Herod and Mariamne. Finally, the charges of sedition could not be ignored. Herod brought charges against them before the Emperor in the year 12 B.C. Herod finally gave the order, and in 7 B.C. they were carried to Sebaste (Samaria) and strangled. Antipater continued to be an ambitious thorn in Herod's side. On his deathbed Herod gave the orders to execute Antipater, fearing that he would take the throne even before Herod himself died. Antipater was executed immediately. Herod himself died five days later (4 B.C.). He was seventy years old, a man racked with ill health and mental deterioration, now thought by some to be a form of progressive arteriosclerosis. He had reigned for 37 years since his confirmation by the Senate and 34 years since his capture of Jerusalem.

Herod, of course, was king of Judea under the Roman authority when Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1 ). He received the Wise Men and sent them on to the Christ child with orders to return to him and let him know where he could find the newly born “King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2-8 ). He gave the orders to kill the babies of Bethlehem two years old and under, in hopes of getting this One whom he saw as a successor to his throne (Matthew 2:16 ).

Herod had several wills. His final one designated Archelaus to succeed him as king of Judea (Matthew 2:22 ), another son Antipas to be tetrarch (governor) of Galilee and Perea, and another son Philip as tetrarch of the Northeastern Districts. The Romans banished Archelaus after a ten-year rule, and the kingdom was then transformed into an Imperial Province of the Roman Empire with Coponius as the first procurator (governor). Antipas continued to rule Galilee and Perea and was the one who had John the Baptist put to death (Matthew 14:1-12 ; Mark 6:16-29 ; Luke 9:9 ). Also, Jesus appeared before him during his trial, as Pilate the procurator sent Jesus to him for a possible decision (Luke 23:6-12 ). (Herod)

There was a priest named Zacharias - Zacharias' name means “Yahweh has remembered” and considering they were barren in their old age one might have posited that Yahweh had forgotten them (children were considered a blessing). But Luke's record of God's providential working in the life of the godly Zacharias and Elizabeth emphasizes that indeed Yahweh remembered! Luke immediately gives us a striking contrast from one of the most evil men in Judea to one of the most godly couples in Judea!

Zacharias 11v - Matt. 23:35; Lk. 1:5; Lk. 1:12; Lk. 1:13; Lk. 1:18; Lk. 1:21; Lk. 1:40; Lk. 1:59; Lk. 1:67; Lk. 3:2; Lk. 11:51

William MacDonald - Zacharias was a priest belonging to the division of Abijah, one of the twenty-four shifts into which the Jewish priesthood had been divided by David (1 Chr 24:10) (See MacArthur's note). Each shift was called on to serve at the temple in Jerusalem twice a year from Sabbath to Sabbath. There were so many priests at this time that the privilege of burning incense in the Holy Place came only once in a lifetime, if at all." (Borrow a copy of Believer's Bible Commentary)

Related Resources:

What is the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth? gotquestions
Fausset Bible Dictionary Zacharias
Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Zacharias
Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Zacharias

William Barclay on Zacharias - Every direct descendant of Aaron was automatically a priest. That meant that for all ordinary purposes there were far too many priests. They were therefore divided into twenty-four sections. Only at the Passover, at Pentecost and at the Feast of Tabernacles did all the priests serve. For the rest of the year each course served two periods of one week each. Priests who loved their work looked forward to that week of service above all things; it was the highlight of their lives. A priest might marry only a woman of absolutely pure Jewish lineage. It was specially meritorious to marry a woman who was also a descendant of Aaron, as was Elizabeth, the wife of Zacharias. There were as many as 20,000 priests altogether and so there were not far short of 1,000 in each section. Within the sections all the duties were allocated by lot. Every morning and evening sacrifice was made for the whole nation. A burnt offering of a male lamb, one year old, without spot or blemish was offered, together with a meat offering of flour and oil and a drink offering of wine. Before the morning sacrifice and after the evening sacrifice incense was burned on the altar of incense so that, as it were, the sacrifices might go up to God wrapped in an envelope of sweet-smelling incense. It was quite possible that many a priest would never have the privilege of burning incense all his life; but if the lot did fall on any priest, that day was the greatest day in all his life, the day he longed for and dreamed of. On this day the lot fell on Zacharias and he would be thrilled to the core of his being. (Luke 1)

Of the division (ephemeria) of Abijah - There were 24 divisions of priesthood and the priestly division of Abijah was eighth on the list according to 1 Chr 24:6-19

MacArthur on the division (ephemeria) of Abijah - "Luke’s note that Zacharias was part of the division of Abijah does not necessarily indicate that he was a descendant of Abijah. David, Zadok, and Ahimelech had organized the priesthood into twenty-four divisions (cf. 1Chr 24:4-19), the eighth of which was that of Abijah (1Chr 24:10). But after the Babylonian captivity, only four of the twenty-four priestly divisions returned to Judah (Ezra 2:36-38). For the sake of tradition, however, the Jews wanted twenty-four divisions, so the leaders divided the remaining four divisions into twenty-four and restored the former names to them. So Zacharias, while probably not in the family line of Abijah (Abijah was not one of the divisions that returned after the exile), nevertheless served in the division that bore his name." (See context Luke Commentary)

And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth - So both Zacharias and Elizabeth were from priestly lines. Elizabeth means “God is my oath.” (or "My God is an oath") This section really is not a Birth announcement, but a Conception announcement!

A T Robertson - "To be a priest and married to a priest’s daughter was a double distinction” (Plummer). Like a preacher married to a preacher’s daughter."

MacArthur - "Priests were expected to marry an Israelite woman who was a virgin (cf. Lev. 21:7, 14; Ezek. 44:22). Zacharias went beyond that, however, and chose his wife from the daughters of Aaron. She was named Elizabeth, after Aaron’s wife, a name that means “My God is an oath” and celebrates the faithfulness of God. Since all qualified male descendants of Aaron were priests (Ex. 29:9; 40:13-15; Lev. 21:17-23; Num. 3:3; 18:7), she was familiar with the priesthood; most of the men in her family would have been priests." (See context Luke Commentary)

Spurgeon's exposition - You have here a very interesting couple, Zacharias and Elizabeth, a priest with a wife. I have often marveled why the Church of Rome should think it wrong that priests should be married, when it is evident that the priests under the law were so. The priests had grown so numerous that there was not room for them all to work at the Temple at one time; they were divided into twenty-four courses, and Zacharias would, therefore, come up to Jerusalem for a fortnight to take his share of the service. Zacharias and Elizabeth were notable for excellence of character: “They were both righteous before God.” Not only did they stand high in the esteem of men, but the great God, who reads the hearts of all, and sees how they live in secret, reckoned them to be righteous: “They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments”-that is, in the moral precepts of the law-“and ordinances”-that is in the ceremonial rites-“ of the Lord blameless.....There have been some good people who have lived in very bad times; never was there a worse reign than that of Herod; seldom or never a better man and woman than Zacharias and Elisabeth. Let no man excuse himself for sinning because of the times in which he lives. (ED: A GREAT EXHORTATION FOR ALL OF US IN A WORLD SEEMINGLY DROWNING IN SIN! THAT IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR US TO JOIN THEM!) You may be rich in grace when others around you have none, even as Gideon’s fleece was wet with dew when the whole floor was dry. God help us, in these evil days, to be “righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless”!” (Luke 1 - exposition)

Division (2183)(ephemeria from ephemeros = on or by the day) literally means daily order or course of duty; hence daily service of the temple. BDAG adds that ephemeria referred to "a class of priests who performed daily (hence the name) duties for a fixed period in the temple at Jerusalem." In the NT, this word is used only here and in Luke 1:8.

Gilbrant on ephemeria in the Septuagint (see uses below) - Ephēmeria is a compound word literally meaning “daily” (epi [1894], “by” or “on,” + hēmera [2232], “day”). This word does not appear before the First Century B.C. in classical Greek but it is used in the Septuagint in two ways. It can mean either the “service rendered by the priests” (1 Chronicles 25:8; 2 Chronicles 13:10; Nehemiah 13:30) or ephēmeria can stand for a “division” or “class” of priests (1 Chronicles 23:6; 28:13). 1 Chronicles 24:1-19 indicates there were 24 divisions of priests. Each division was composed of four to nine families, all of which traced their lineage to Aaron. Several of these classes never returned from exile (Jedaiah, Immer, Pashur, Harim). Consequently, to preserve the divisions the remaining families were divided into 24 groups. For this reason Josephus could refer to the four families of priests (Against Apion 2.8). Due to the large number of priests in each ephēmeria, it was necessary to determine which priest in a division would serve (offer incense) in the temple on a given day. The opportunity to offer incense came but once in a lifetime (Mishnah Tamid 5:2). This selection was accomplished through the casting of lots....Zechariah (Zacharias) had been chosen to offer incense in the temple. This honor had come late in life for him. Yet Zechariah’s service would be long remembered due to the promise which was given to him in the temple. (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary)

Ephemeria - 21x in 19v in the Septuagint - 1 Chr. 9:33; 23:6; 25:8; 26:12; 28:1, 13, 21; 2 Chr. 5:11; 13:10; 23:8, 18; 31:2, 15ff; 35:4; Neh. 12:9, 24; 13:30

Vincent explains that the word for division (ephemeria) was literally "daily service. The college of priests was divided into twenty-four courses (divisions). Each of these did duty for eight days, from one Sabbath to another, once every six months (Ed: In other words served only two one-week periods each year). The service of the week was subdivided among the various families which constituted a course (division). On Sabbaths the whole course (division) was on duty. On feast-days any priest might come up and join in the ministrations of the sanctuary; and at the Feast of Tabernacles all the twenty-four courses (divisions) were bound to be present and officiate. The course (division) of Abijah was the eighth of the twenty-four. See 1 Chr 24:10."

James Smith - ZACHARIAS MADE DUMB THROUGH UNBELIEF Luke 1:5–22

“O Father, God, to Thee I come!
Rather in mercy hold me dumb
Than that, unto Thee drawing near,
I think of mortal men that hear.
O may I reverence more and more,
And in every deed adore.”

Nothing fetters the hand of God from working like unbelief; nothing grieves the Spirit more readily. But although he was smitten dumb he did not flee from the presence of the holy Smiter. He did not give up his work for the Lord although this sore affliction came upon him. Zacharias would teach us not to be so engrossed with our trials even if they should be most sudden and severe as to neglect our work for Christ. After reflecting on this incident we desire to point out that—

1. Visions may come while doing our ordinary work. “While he executed the priest’s office, there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord” (vs. 8, 11). Moses kept the flock of Jethro when the call came through the burning bush (Exod. 3:1). Gideon was threshing wheat (Judges 6:11). Elisha was ploughing when the prophetic mantle fell upon him (1 Kings 19:19). David was in the sheepfolds (Psa. 78:70). Matthew in his toll-booth. Thy God is sufficient for thee, wait on Him and look up.

2. Our prayers may be answered very unexpectedly (v. 13). When the angel said to him, “Fear not, for thy prayer is heard,” it was to him staggering news, although he had been praying many long years that a son might be given them. They were both now “well stricken in years” (v. 7), suggesting that he had continued this prayer long after the expectation had died away. If the Lord lays it on the heart to continue in prayer for any definite thing, is this not in itself an evidence that He desires so to bless us? Believe, and thou shalt see the glory of God. “Ye shall reap if ye faint not” (Gal. 6:9).

3. The Lord is able to do far above what we ask. He not only would have a son born to him, but that son “would be great in the sight of the Lord, and filled with the Holy Ghost” (vs. 14, 15). A son worthy of the God who gave him. The good old man and his humble, blameless wife were now abundantly rewarded for their many years of praying and waiting. God is not unfaithful. Wait on the Lord. Though the vision tarry, wait. You long for a revival, let not thy faith fail (Ps. 126:6).

4. The promises of God test our faith. “Zacharias said, Whereby shall I know this?” (v. 18). It was a big order he received that day from the Lord (read carefully vs. 14–17). It was as if the fountains of the great deep of God’s infinite grace had just opened up and poured their unspeakable riches at his feet. Is it not the very greatness of His grace that staggers our weak faith? If you wish to find out the measure of your faith, just try some one of His great and precious promises. “In My Name ye shall cast out devils” (Mark 16:17). Try that one.

5. Unbelief fetters the tongue of testimony. “Behold, thou shalt be dumb, because thou believest not My words” (v. 20). What a God-dishonouring thing unbelief is! How many tongues among the children of God are under the condemnation of dumbness because of their unbelief? How many of us are dumb with regard to the Lord’s coming, the filling of the Spirit, the consecration of the life, answered prayer, and the deeper experiences of the things of God, all because of unbelief? “Because thou believest not My words.” According to Grosart he became a D.D. through unbelief—deaf and dumb.

6. Real contact with the Lord makes men to marvel. “The people marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple” (v. 21). As for Zacharias, he did not feel the time long. Who does when they are in real communion with God? A man is sure to get out of the old rut and to do unprecedented things when his ministry becomes a living and solemn reality before God. Zacharias, during the hours of public service, forgot all about the clock that day. He was late in getting through, but the people, when they did see him, were convinced that he had seen a vision (v. 22). Short services are not always the best. Where a preacher’s soul is filled with the vision of God, both time and men have to stand back. There is more blessing through one day with God than twenty years without Him. Have faith in God.

Luke 1:6 They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.

Greek - esan (3PIAI) de dikaioi amphoteroi (both) enantion (in the sight of) tou theou poreuomenoi (PAP) en pasais tais entolais kai dikaiomasin tou kuriou amemptoi

GNT Luke 1:6 ἦσαν δὲ δίκαιοι ἀμφότεροι ἐναντίον τοῦ θεοῦ, πορευόμενοι ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ἐντολαῖς καὶ δικαιώμασιν τοῦ κυρίου ἄμεμπτοι.

ESV And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.

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

NET They were both righteous in the sight of God, following all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.

NLT Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations.

YLT and they were both righteous before God, going on in all the commands and righteousnesses of the Lord blameless

NET Luke 1:6 They were both righteous in the sight of God, following all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.

NLT Luke 1:6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations.

KJV Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

NIV Luke 1:6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly.

righteous: Lu 16:15 Ge 6:9 7:1 17:1 Job 1:1,8 9:2 Ro 3:9-25 Php 3:6-9 Titus 3:3-7
walking: 1Ki 9:4 2Ki 20:3 Ps 119:6 Ac 23:1 24:16 1Co 11:2 2Co 1:12 Php 3:6 Tit 2:11-14 1Jn 2:3,29 3:7
blamelessly: Php 2:15 Col 1:22 1Th 3:13 2Pe 3:14
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:6 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

Related Passages:

Genesis 15:6+ Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

RIGHTEOUS OLD
TESTAMENT SAINTS

Luke's description of this godly couple reminds me of Job in the OT, Scripture testifying that "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright (Lxx = dikaios), fearing God and turning away from evil (WHY DID HE TURN AWAY FROM EVIL? HE FEARED GOD, FEAR OFFENDING GOD)." (Job 1:1)

They were both righteous (dikaios) in the sight of God (enopion) - Zechariah (Zacharias) and Elizabeth were wonderful examples of the godly remnant found throughout the Old Testament. They are an example of how a person was saved before Jesus inaugurated the New Covenant in His blood. Even though most of the nation of Israel was unsaved, God had a saved, godly remnant in every generation, those who were living righteously because they had been declared righteous by grace through faith (cf Abraham in Ge 15:6+). So it is clear that even in the Old Testament or old dispensation God provided grace to be saved. Notice also that Zacharias and Elizabeth were described not as righteous in the sight of men but in the sight of God which is the only righteous standing that counts in time and eternity! (Contrast the parable picturing two classes of righteousness - Luke 18:9-14+ one righteous in his own eyes and the other humble before the Lord.) Now how were they righteous? Christ had not yet been crucified as a payment for sin. Justification is by faith not works, so clearly they were declared righteous because of their faith. But in Who was their faith, considering that Jesus had not yet been crucified as an atonement for their sins? As Paul instructs us in Galatians these two saints who lived prior to the crucifixion of Jesus were saved (justified, declared righteous) the same way Abraham was justified (Gal 3:6+). In some way the Scriptures had preached the Gospel to Zacharias and Elizabeth, just as the Scripture had preached the Gospel to Abraham (Gal 3:8+)! They were looking with eyes of faith (cp 2 Cor 5:7+) forward to the Cross, whereas believers today look back in faith to the same rugged Cross, both attaining justification by faith in Jesus.

In Romans Paul expands on the Old Testament way of salvation writing of Jesus "Whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed." (Ro 3:25+) The NLT paraphrases it "This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. (Ro 3:25-26NLT)

Comment - God has passed over sins (e.g., sins of Abraham, Moses, David, Zechariah, Elizabeth, etc) during the former times in His divine forbearance until the perfect substitutionary Sacrifice would be offered by His Son Jesus Christ. You might say the OT saints were "saved on credit and Jesus paid the bill!" This concept of God’s forbearance is also found in [Neh 9:30]. His passing over sin is seen in various times and places (Ge 15:12-16+; Ge 18:22-33; Acts 14:16+; Acts 17:30+).

J R Miller on both righteous - We have a picture here, of the godly home—yet the times were not favorable to this. It is not hard to live a beautiful life amid kindly and favoring circumstances. If a child has a sweet home with only gentle influences about it—an atmosphere of love and prayer—it is not strange that the child's life grows up into beauty. On the other hand, if the home is cold and unkindly, without love and prayer and godliness, it seems to us almost a miracle if a child grows up in it loving God and with a true and beautiful character. The "time of Herod" were not times when it was easy to be godly. The times were ungodly and the prevailing spirit was unrighteous. The holy lives which we find here in this story—are like lamps shining in the darkness (Mt 5:14-16, Phil 2:15). Amid the almost universal corruption of the priesthood, and the hypocrisy of the Pharisees; this old priest and his wife lived in piety and godly simplicity. The lesson is, that we may be holy and may live saintly lives—though everyone around us is evil. We need not be like those among whom we live. No matter how corrupt the times, or how unholy the influences, we ought always to strive to be holy and pure (IT IS 2022 AND THE DAYS QUICKLY BECOMING INCREASINGLY EVIL IN AMERICA - SIN ABOUNDS, BUT GRACE ABOUNDS ALL THE MORE FOR THOSE WHO WILL RECEIVE IT). (Devotional Hours with the Bible)

It is worth noting that (1) God had been silent for 400 years and (2) this was a time of godlessness and great hypocrisy among the religious leadership. And yet in spite of these facts, this couple choose to faithfully obey the Word of the God and to live blamelessly. Beloved it is possible to live righteously and blamelessly in midst of a godless culture that hates Jesus! This godly couple reminds me of Paul's exhortation to the saints at Philippi and to us who live in a time of incredible spiritual darkness and moral anarchy...

Do (present imperative = command to make this their habitual practice, something only possible by daily dying to self and relying wholly on the Holy Spirit) all things without grumbling or disputing (ED: How easy it is to stumble over the hurdles of grumbling or disputing! It is "impossible" but praise God it is "Him-possible!" - the enabling power of the indwelling Spirit - outlined in the previous passage - Phil 2:13NLT+); so that (term of purpose or result) you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world (Zacharias and Elizabeth were supernaturally radiant lights!), holding fast the Word of life, so that (term of purpose or result - the result of holding the Word is that it will hold you when the going becomes difficult) in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. (Phil 2:14-16+)

Comment - From Adam to Christ, God saved those who put their faith in Him on the basis of whatever revelation He gave them. Abraham, for example, believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness (Gen. 15:6+). But how could God do this righteously? A sinless Substitute had not been slain. The blood of a perfect Sacrifice had not been shed. In a word, Christ had not died. The debt had not been paid. God’s righteous claims had not been met. How then could God save believing sinners in the OT period (Zechariah and Elizabeth would still be considered in the "OT period")? The answer is that although Christ had not yet died, the omniscient God knew that He would die, and therefore He saved men on the basis of the still-future work of Christ. Even if OT saints didn’t know about Calvary, God knew about it, and He put all the value of Christ’s work to their account (logizomai = "reckoned" as in Gal 3:6+) when they believed God. In a very real sense, OT believers were saved on credit. They were saved on the basis of a price of redemption which was yet to be paid in full at Calvary (cp Jn 19:30+ "It is finished" = "Paid it Full" = tetelestai). The OT saints looked forward to Calvary whereas we look back to it. So the OT period was a time of the forbearance of God. For at least 4000 years He held back His judgment on sin. Then in the fullness of time He sent His Son to be the Sin-bearer (Gal 4:4+). When the Lord Jesus took our sins upon Himself (1Pe 2:24+), God unleashed the full fury of His righteous, holy wrath on the Son of His love. The whole OT is a testimony to the truth that God is "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin" (Ex 34:6-7+).

Herbert Lockyer - To Old Testament saints the promised blessing of redemption was future—they obtained it, but not within the limits of this present life. They had it "on credit." (All the Promises of the Bible)

MacArthur on passed over the sins previously committed in Romans 3:25 - This means neither indifference nor remission. God’s justice demands that every sin and sinner be punished. God would have been just, when Adam and Eve sinned, to destroy them, and with them, the entire human race. But in His goodness and forbearance (see Ro 2:4), He withheld His judgment for a certain period of time (cf. Ps 78:38, 39; Acts 17:30, 31; 2Pe 3:9). (See MacArthur Study Bible)

William MacDonald on Romans 3:24-25 - He is not speaking, as some wrongly think, of sins which an individual person has committed before his conversion. This might suggest that the work of Christ took care of sins before the new birth, but that a man is on his own after that. No, he is dealing with the seeming leniency of God in apparently overlooking the sins of those who were saved before the cross. It might seem that God excused those sins or pretended not to see them. Not so, says Paul. The Lord knew that Christ would make full expiation, and so He saved men on that basis. (See Believer's Bible Commentary)

WALKING THE TALK
WALKING IN TRUTH

Walking (poreuo) blamelessly (amemptos) in all the commandments (entole) and requirements (dikaioma) of the Lord (kurios) - This passage explains how we know they were righteous. They walked righteously. Their walk was the result of the righteousness God had credited to their account. It is important to not misinterpret this passage. They were not righteous because they were walking blamelessly for that would be righteousness based on their works, the type the Pharisees boasted in (cf Mt 5:20+, Lk 18:9-14+)! The were righteous in the sight of God because He had declared them righteous. He had reckoned or credited Christ's righteousness to their "spiritual bank account" when they believed and they were now righteous in His eyes. Luke says all the commandments and requirements which does not indicate perfection but does describe the general "direction" of their walk. You may wonder why we spend so much time on what seems obvious. An example of how this verse could be misinterpreted is discussed below (see Scofield)

In all the commandments (entole) and requirements (dikaioma) of the Lord - John MacArthur rightly says that "Zacharias and Elizabeth were shining examples of the godly remnant of believing Jews in the midst of an apostate nation. They were declared righteous by grace through faith according to the new covenant promise to be ratified in the death of Christ." (Ibid) Barton adds that they did not "merely go through the motions in following God's laws; they backed up their outward compliance with inward obedience. Unlike the religious leaders whom Jesus called hypocrites, Zechariah and Elizabeth did not stop with the letter of the law. Their obedience was from the heart, and that is why God viewed them as righteous. Does your life reflect careful obedience and high regard for God's will? As your life shows your love for God, others will be drawn to him. (Life Application Bible Commentary – Luke)

J C Ryle on the righteousness of Elizabeth and Zacharias - It matters little whether we interpret this “righteousness” as that which is imputed to all believers for their justification, or that which is wrought inwardly in believers by the operation of the Holy Ghost, for their sanctification. The two sorts of righteousness are never disjoined. There are none justified who are not sanctified, and there are none sanctified who are not justified. Suffice it for us to know that Zacharias and Elisabeth had grace when grace was very rare (ED: AT LEAST VERY RARELY RECEIVED OR APPROPRIATED!), and kept all the burdensome observances of the ceremonial law with devout conscientiousness, when few Israelites cared for them excepting in name and form (cf 2Ti 3:5). The main thing that concerns us all, is the example which this holy pair hold up to Christians. Let us all strive to serve God faithfully, and live fully up to our light, even as they did (AND WE NOW HAVE A LOT OF LIGHT IN THE FULL REVELATION OF GOD'S WORD!). Let us not forget the plain words of Scripture, “He that doeth righteousness is righteous.” (1 John 3:7+.) Happy are those Christian families in which it can be reported that both husband and wife are “righteous,” and exercise themselves to have a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men. (Acts 24:16.) (Expository Thoughts Luke 1)

Zacharias and Elizabeth are in good company Moses recording that "Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God." (Ge 6:9, cp God's charge to Abram - "“I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless." Ge 17:1).

Psalm 101 describes God's promise which applies to Zacharias "My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; He who walks in a blameless way is the one who will minister to me. (Ps 101:6)

Comment - The Hebrew verb for "minister" is sharath which means to serve and is translated in the Septuagint with the verb leitourgeo which was used of a Christian's service to God through prayer, teaching, good works, etc (as in Acts 13:2). Are you being used by God? If not among the reasons could be the fact that you are not walking blamelessly, walking by the Spirit (Gal 5:16-note), which is the only way that is a blameless walk is even possible!

Compare similar thoughts regarding walking blamelessly in the following passages...

How blessed (fully spiritually satisfied independent of one's circumstances) are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the LORD. (See Spurgeon's comment Psalm 119:1)

The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the blameless in their walk are His delight. (Proverbs 11:20)

Matthew Henry - God delights in such as aim and act with uprightness.

He who walks blamelessly will be delivered (Hebrew = yasha' = saved, helped), But he who is crooked will fall all at once.(Proverbs 28:18)

Matthew Henry - Uprightness will give men holy security in the worst times; but the false and dishonest are never safe.

For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God, Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:10-11-note)

THOUGHT - While Bible truth is important, more important is what we do with that truth and how we respond to it, for only those who abide in it and walk by that truth in the power of the Spirit will be blessed (cf this principle in 1 Ki 2:4). John warned "If we say that we have fellowship with Him (GOD) and yet walk (habitually, continually - present tense) in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;" (1 Jn 1:6+) James commanded his readers "prove (present imperative - obey as your habitual practice only possible by relying on the Holy Spirit) yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves" (James 1:22+) for the "one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:24+) Faith alone saves but the faith that truly saves is not alone! Zacharias and Elizabeth believed and looked intently at the perfect law but they were also doers of the Word and not merely hearers only! And by God's grace and His Spirit's enabling power may all who read these notes be imitators of Zacharias and Elizabeth (cf Heb 6:12+) for the glory of God (Mt 5:16+).

Note that Zacharias and Elizabeth's walking was present tense which has a dual significance (1) this tense speaks of their progressive sanctification -- see Three Tenses of Salvation and (2) this tense indicates that their holy walk was their daily practice, the habit of their lives. As alluded to earlier, it is important to emphasize that their walk was not perfect, for no human other than Jesus could ever walk perfectly. What we need to understand is that their walk was more about the direction than perfection. Present tense speaks of the general direction of their walk, not the perfection of their walk. I cannot completely explain their blameless walk living as they lived prior to the giving of the indwelling Spirit Who furnishes the desire and power (Php 2:13NLT-note) to believers today enabling us to walk blamelessly. In some way they were supernaturally enabled to walk blamelessly! And as an aside, oh, how much easier it is to walk blamelessly when both spouses are on the same "spiritual wavelength," as these two clearly were. Solomon wrote

"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. ." (Eccl 4:9-12)

Amos asks "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3KJV)

They were blameless yet barren (Lk 1:7) which does not sound like being blessed! But as the famous radio personality Paul Harvey used to say "And now for the rest of the story!" (Lk 1:11ff)

THOUGHT - And beloved that same thing can be said over your life. You have been faithful to God, but you fail to see the fruitfulness for God. Do not despair. Your story is still being played out and you have not yet seen the end of it. And ultimately we will not see the eternal fruit of a faithful life until we are in Heaven. May God open the ears of our heart to hear the consoling words of James "Therefore be patient (aorist imperative - "Just do it" like the Nike commercial says! But not in your power but in the power of the Holy Spirit), brethren, until the coming (parousia) of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient (aorist imperative) strengthen (aorist imperative) your hearts, for (JAMES EXPLAINS WHY WE SHOULD OBEY AND WHAT SHOULD MOTIVATE US) the coming (parousia) of the Lord is near (imminent!)." (James 5:7-8+)

Lord, please show me every day
As you’re teaching me your way
That you’ll do just what you say
In your time.
(Play In His Time)

ILLUSTRATION - Many years ago I heard a true story about Shepherd’s Home for children with developmental disabilities where they taught that Jesus would save them and one day heal them of all disabilities. The director said that his biggest problem was dirty windows because the disabled children would press their hands, noses and lips against the windows always looking to see if today might be the day that Jesus would return for them and take them home where they will be healed of all their disabilities. Talk about having your priorities in the right place! Oh, to have the heart attitude of these precious little children! Amen!

In the sight of God (before God - KJV) - Vincent notes that the phrase"Before God" is a Hebrew expression. Compare the following passages...

Genesis 7:1 Then the LORD said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you [alone] I have seen [to be] righteous before (Heb = panim = face; Lxx = enantios - opposite, before) Me in this time.

Acts 8:21+ “You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.

THOUGHT - What difference would it make in your thoughts, words and deeds today if you walked about full cognizant of the fact that you were in essence "face to face" with God all through the day? God grant us all Your grace and Your Spirit's enabling power to walk today with a sense that we are continually face to face with Your Holy Presence. Amen

C I Scofield in his comment on righteousness (See Scofield's note on Luke 2:25) has a sentence which could easily be misinterpreted - "In these words but one idea inheres: the righteous or just man is so called because he is right with God (ED: THAT IS CERTAINLY CORRECT); and he is right with God because he has observed "all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly" (Luke 1:6) (Italics and bold added for emphasis) Notice that Scofield said they were "right with God" and then says "BECAUSE" which is usually a term of explanation, which in context would suggest they were "right with God" BECAUSE of their meritorious behavior. That is NOT what Dr Luke writes. There is no "BECAUSE" in the English or Greek of Luke 1:6!

A better statement is the one by the old Puritan Matthew Henry who rightly says "The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners as all are, and were justified and saved in the same way as others (by grace through faith); but they were eminent for piety and integrity."

QUESTION - What was the Old Testament way of salvation?

ANSWER - How people were saved during the time of the Old Testament is a confusing question to some. We know that, in the New Testament era, salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus is the Way (John 14:6). But, before Christ, what was the way?

A common misconception about the Old Testament way of salvation is that Jews were saved by keeping the Law. But we know from Scripture that that is not true. Galatians 3:11 says, “Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” Some might want to dismiss this passage as only applying to the New Testament, but Paul is quoting Habakkuk 2:4—salvation by faith, apart from the Law was an Old Testament principle. Paul taught that the purpose of the Law was to serve as a “tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). Also, in Romans 3:20 Paul makes the point that keeping the Law did not save either Old or New Testament Jews because “no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law.” The Law was never intended to save anyone; the purpose of the Law was to make us “conscious of sin.”

If the Old Testament way of salvation was not keeping the Law, then how were people saved? Fortunately, the answer to that question is easily found in Scripture, so there can be no doubt as to what was the Old Testament way of salvation. In Romans 4 the apostle Paul makes it very clear that the Old Testament way of salvation was the same as the New Testament way, which is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. To prove this, Paul points us to Abraham, who was saved by faith: “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3). Again, Paul quotes the Old Testament to prove his point—Genesis 15:6, this time. Abraham could not have been saved by keeping the Law, because he lived over 400 years before the Law was given!

Paul then shows that David was also saved by faith (Romans 4:6-8, quoting Psalm 32:1-2). Paul continues to establish that the Old Testament way of salvation was through faith alone. In Romans 4:23-24 he writes, “The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” In other words, righteousness is “credited” or given to those who have faith in God—Abraham, David, and we all share the same way of salvation.

Much of Romans and Galatians addresses the fact that there is only one way of salvation and only one gospel message. Throughout history people have tried to pervert the gospel by adding human works to it, requiring certain things to be done to “earn” salvation. But the Bible’s clear message is that the way of salvation has always been through faith. In the Old Testament, it was faith in the promise that God would send a Savior someday. Those who lived in the time of the Old Testament looked forward to the Messiah and believed God’s promise of the coming Servant of the Lord (Isaiah 53). Those who exercised such faith were saved. Today we look back on the life, death, and resurrection of the Savior and are saved by faith in Jesus Christ’s atonement for our sins (Romans 10:9-10).

The gospel is not an exclusively New Testament message. The Old Testament contained it as well: “The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith” (Galatians 3:8-9, quoting Genesis 12:3).

As early as Genesis 3:15, we see the promise of a coming Savior, and throughout the Old Testament there are hundreds of promises that the Messiah would “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21; cf. Isaiah 53:5-6). Job’s faith was in the fact that he knew that his “Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25). Clearly, Old Testament saints were aware of the promised Redeemer, and they were saved by faith in that Savior, the same way people are saved today. There is no other way. Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:11-12, quoting Psalm 118:22). GotQuestions.org

Righteous (1342)(dikaios from dike = right, just) defines that which is in accordance with high standards of rectitude of which the perfect righteousness of God is the "gold" (God) standard. Their son John would be used to stimulate a turn to righteousness for “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Lk 1:17) Dikaios is that which is in right relation to another and so in reference to persons defines the one who is morally and ethically righteous, upright or just. Luke uses this same adjective in the next chapter to describe Simon

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for (prosdechomai in the present tense = he was continually looking with a sense of expectancy and anticipation for) the consolation (paraklesis - encouragement - ultimately a Person, Christ Jesus) of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (Luke 2:25+)

Comment: Like Zacharias and Elizabeth, Simeon was saved by grace through faith and having undergone a "spiritual circumcision" of his heart, his eyes were no longer "horizontally focused" (on the things which are temporal and a world which is passing away and even its lusts - 2 Cor 4:18+, 1 John 2:17+) but "vertically focused" (see discussion of "Vertical Vision"), looking for the consolation of Israel for he loved His appearing (2 Ti 4:8+). What (Who) you are looking for will determine what (Who) you are living for!

Luke's 17 uses of dikaios - Lk. 1:6; Lk. 1:17; Lk. 2:25; Lk. 5:32; Lk. 12:57; Lk. 14:14; Lk. 15:7; Lk. 18:9; Lk. 20:20; Lk. 23:47; Lk. 23:50; Acts 3:14; Acts 4:19; Acts 7:52; Acts 10:22; Acts 22:14; Acts 24:15.

Walking (4198) poreuo Vine says it is derived from poros, a passage, a ford, Eng., pore) means primarily to go, journey, travel, proceed. To move from one place to another. Literally Poreuomai means to go from one place to another and thus to travel or journey (Lk 13:33). Poreuomai is also used to speak of the point of origin which conveys the sense of to depart (from). (Mt 25:41, Lk 13:31). Poreuomai can also be used with the sense of indicating a destination which conveys the sense of to go (to the destination), to proceed (toward the destination) (Acts 1:25, Acts 18:6).Figuratively - Poreuomai is a euphemism for going to one's death (Lk 22:22, 33). Poreuomai can speak of how one conducts himself (live or behave) (Lk 1:6). Poreuomai can mean to go on a mission (Mt 2:20, Mt 8:9). "Won't he leave the 99 on the hillside and go and search for the stray (Mt 18:12).

Poreuo in Luke - Lk. 1:6; Lk. 1:39; Lk. 2:3; Lk. 2:41; Lk. 4:30; Lk. 4:42; Lk. 5:24; Lk. 7:6; Lk. 7:8; Lk. 7:11; Lk. 7:22; Lk. 7:50; Lk. 8:14; Lk. 8:48; Lk. 9:12; Lk. 9:13; Lk. 9:51; Lk. 9:52; Lk. 9:53; Lk. 9:56; Lk. 9:57; Lk. 10:37; Lk. 10:38; Lk. 11:5; Lk. 11:26; Lk. 13:31; Lk. 13:32; Lk. 13:33; Lk. 14:10; Lk. 14:19; Lk. 14:31; Lk. 15:4; Lk. 15:15; Lk. 15:18; Lk. 16:30; Lk. 17:11; Lk. 17:14; Lk. 17:19; Lk. 19:12; Lk. 19:28; Lk. 19:36; Lk. 21:8; Lk. 22:8; Lk. 22:22; Lk. 22:33; Lk. 22:39; Lk. 24:13; Lk. 24:28;

Blamelessly (faultless) ( 273)(amemptos from a = neg + mémphomai = find fault) means irreproachable, blameless, faultless, unblamable, without defect. (All 5 NT uses -Lk. 1:6; Phil. 2:15; Phil 3:6; 1 Th 3:13; Heb. 8:7) Paul prays for a blameless walk for the saints in Thessalonica and this is a good prayer for us to pray for each other (God will answer this prayer in His will - see 1 Jn 5:14-15+). I wonder why we don't pray these prayers for each other at the end of our worship services? What might God be pleased to show us? (cf James 4:2+) Just asking...

Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; 12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. (1 Th 3:11-13+)

In the sight of (1799)(enopion from en = in + ops = the eye/see [cp optanomai = see, perceive with eyes, look at, implying not only the mere act of seeing but actual perception of what one sees]) means literally in sight, in front of, in the presence of. It conveys the picture of before the face and thus the idea of face to face! As Thomas à Kempis said "What thou art in the sight of God, that thou truly art."

Enopion - 13v in NT - Mt 14:24; Mk 6:48; Mk 15:39; Lk 1:6; Lk 20:26; Lk 24:19; Acts 7:10; Acts 8:32; Acts 26:9; Acts 27:4; Acts 28:17; 1Th 2:15; Titus 2:8

Commandments (1785)(entole from en = in, upon + téllo = accomplish, charge, command) refers to some type of demand or requirement. A general injunction, charge, precept of moral and religious nature. Of the 67 uses, all but three (Lk 15:29; Col 4:10; Titus 1:14) refer specifically to divine commandments. The OT had 613 laws.

Entole in Luke - Lk. 1:6; Lk. 15:29; Lk. 18:20; Lk. 23:56

Requirements (1345)(dikaioma from dikaióo = to justify <> díkaios = just, righteous <> dike = right) has 3 distinct meanings but in the present context it refers to what God has declared to be right. (Used this way also in Ro 1:32-note, Ro 2:26-note).

Dikaioma - 10v in NT - Lk. 1:6; Rom. 1:32; Rom. 2:26; Rom. 5:16; Rom. 5:18; Rom. 8:4; Heb. 9:1; Heb. 9:10; Rev. 15:4; Rev. 19:8

Lord (master, owner)(2962)(kurios from kuros = might or power) means the supreme one who is sovereign and possesses absolute authority, absolute ownership and uncontested power. Kurios is used of the one to whom a person or thing belonged, about which he has the power of deciding, the one who is the master or disposer of a thing (Mk 7:28) In classical Greek, kurios was used of the false gods, such as Hermes, Zeus, etc.

Wayne Detzler writes that kurios - In the earliest Greek this word meant "to have power or authority." Later it came to describe one who is in control. As classical Greek developed, it became a title for men of importance. Since the gods of ancient Greece were neither creators nor lords of their fate, pagan deities were not called "lord" until much later. By the time of Christ, kings had come to be called "lord." This was true of the Roman Emperor Caligula (A.D. 37-41). It was also true of Candace, the fabled queen of upper Egypt (Ac 8:27+). So too Herod the Great, Herod Agrippa I, and Herod Agrippa II were called "lord." (Borrow this interesting resource New Testament words in today's language)

Luke 1:7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.

NET But they did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both very old.

GNT καὶ οὐκ ἦν αὐτοῖς τέκνον, καθότι ἦν ἡ Ἐλισάβετ στεῖρα, καὶ ἀμφότεροι προβεβηκότες ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις αὐτῶν ἦσαν.

NLT They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.

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

ESV But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

NIV But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

they had no child. Ge. 15:2, 3; 16:1, 2; 25:21; 30:1. Jdg 13:2, 3. 1 Sa. 1:2, 5–8.
they were both advanced in years. Ge. 17:17; Ge 18:11. 1 Ki. 1:1. 2 Ki. 4:14. Ro. 4:19. He. 11:11.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:7 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

Related Passages:

Genesis 25:21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived. (cf ZECHARIAH'S PETITION in Lk 1:13).

ZACHARIAS AND ELIZABETH
BARREN AND OLD

But they had no child - But is a term of contrast and here is a striking and somewhat unexpected contrast! Walking blamelessly (Lk 1:6) and yet being barren suggests they were not blessed by God, as barrenness was held to be a sign of divine disfavor. In their case the lack of a child was clearly not a sign of judgment, even though that was how barrenness was commonly viewed in that time (cp Lev 20:20-21+; Jer 22:30). The final act of this divine drama was about to be played out for God would soon turn Elizabeth's barrenness into blessing.

Darrell Bock on barren - Yet despite their righteousness, they have suffered the disappointment of barrenness, a condition Elizabeth will later refer to as a disgrace (Lk 1:25+). Elizabeth's feelings are perfectly understandable, but to be barren is not an indication of the presence of sin or of condemnation; it may be an opportunity for blessing, whether God grants a child late in life or allows a couple to pursue other opportunities of service. In Scripture, when God allows a woman to be barren, he often has something special in mind for her (Sarah, Ge 18:11; Rebekah, Ge 25:21; Rachel, Ge 29:31; Samson's mother, Jug 13:2, 5; Hannah, 1 Sa 1:1--2:36). Aware of this pattern, the rabbis of Judaism argued that when Scripture says, "She has not," God gave a child (Genesis Rabbah 38). So in the case of Elizabeth and Zechariah, God's action parallels the way he often worked among the fathers and mothers of Jewish faith. His word and plan are coming to pass again. (Luke Commentary)

Surgeon on barrenness - We do not, at the present time, understand the anguish which filled the heart of an Eastern woman who had no child. It was considered to be a disgrace, and many suffered very bitterly on that account; as did Hannah, and Rachel, and others besides. (Luke 1 - exposition)

Barclay on barrenness - The Jewish Rabbis said that seven people were excommunicated from God and the list began, "A Jew who has no wife, or a Jew who has a wife and who has no child." Childlessness was a valid ground for divorce. Not unnaturally Zacharias, even on his great day, was thinking of his personal and domestic tragedy and was praying about it. Then the wondrous vision came and the glad message that, even when hope was dead, a son would be born to him. (Luke 1)

NET Note on Elizabeth's barrenness - With this language, reminiscent of various passages in the OT, Luke is probably drawing implicit comparisons to the age and barrenness of such famous OT personalities as Abraham and Sarah (see, e.g., Gen 18:9–15), the mother of Samson (Jdg 13:2–5), and Hannah, the mother of Samuel ( 1 Sam 1:1–20). And, as it was in the case of these OT saints, so it is with Elizabeth: After much anguish and seeking the Lord, she too is going to have a son in her barrenness. In that day it was a great reproach to be childless, for children were a sign of God's blessing (cf. Gen 1:28; Lev 20:20–21; Ps 127 and Ps 128; Jer 22:30). As the dawn of salvation draws near, however, God will change this elderly couple's grief into great joy and grant them the one desire time had rendered impossible.

THOUGHT - Beloved, are you walking blamelessly and yet you feel you are "barren" in regard to divine blessing? Then remember Zacharias and Elizabeth and don't give up. It's too soon to quit. Recall the words of William Cowper's great hymn

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines of never-failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs, and works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, the clouds ye so much dread,
are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan his work in vain;
God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain.

Because Elizabeth was barren (steiros), and they were both advanced (probaino) in years - Because is a term of explanation. Luke gives two reasons for no children. Note it was not due to any personal sin on their part but as we soon see is part of God’s sovereign and wise plan. Advanced in years in the KJV is "they were both stricken in years!" The Wycliffe translation is says they “Had gone far in their days.” This fact heightens the drama of the miracle to follow. Remember God is "Director" of this divine drama! In short, they were old and of an age at which child bearing was considered virtually impossible. Elizabeth's old age recalls Sarah's barrenness in old age making her very unlikely to ever become pregnant. God's power however always trumps what is impossible with men. Jehovah rhetorically asked Abraham "Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son." (Ge 18:14) Luke affirms this same truth later in this chapter writing "nothing will be impossible with God." (Lk 1:37+) (Who was Elizabeth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org)

Allen Ross - they were now older, and still had not had a child. In biblical narratives it is important to note that when God provides a child of promise, someone who will be great, or who will be used greatly, it is frequently through an unexpected or supernatural birth. Here this couple re-lives the Abraham and Sarah story, not having a child until their old age. The stress of being barren, which was considerable, would be replaced by the joy of a child, a true gift from God.

THOUGHT - J C Ryle applies their barrenness to our lives today - The grace of God exempts no one from trouble. “Righteous” as this holy priest and his wife were, they had a “crook in their lot.” Let us remember this, if we serve Christ, and let us count trial no strange thing. Let us rather believe that a hand of perfect wisdom is measuring out all our portion, and that when God chastises us, it is to make us “partakers of his holiness.” (Heb. 12:10.) If afflictions drive us nearer to Christ, the Bible, and prayer, they are positive blessings. We may not think so now. But we shall think so when we wake up in another world. (Expository Thoughts Luke 1)

There is an OT parallel in the birth of Samson

Now the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, so that the LORD gave them into the hands of the Philistines forty years (Cp 400 YEARS WITH NO WORD AND NOW EVIL KING HEROD IS RULING AND ISRAEL WAS IN THE HANDS OF THE PAGAN ROMANS) . There was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had borne no children. Then the angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and give birth to a son. “Now therefore, be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing (cf Lk 1:15 JOHN "WILL DRINK NO WINE". “For behold, you shall conceive and give birth to a son, and no razor shall come upon his head, for the boy shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” (Jdg 13:1-5+)

Darrell Bock - Elizabeth’s bearing of John was like the births of Isaac, Samson, and Samuel, great men of the OT who were born from formerly barren women. Their births were signs that God was doing something special in order to advance his purposes. (See The Gospels and Acts)

THOUGHT on Advanced in years (This means old like yours truly!) - If you are a believer, why do you think God has left you alive on earth? Perhaps you might want to re-read the first entry in the Westminster Shorter Catechism which addresses this question and then the verses that follow:

Q. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Read Eph 2:10+ (cf Jn 4:34+), Jesus' command in Mt 5:16+, Paul's exhortation in Ephesians 5:16+ and Solomon's advice in Eccl 9:10, 12:13-14. See article on Redeem the Time..

The righteous life of Zacharias and Elizabeth and their faithfulness in old age which God blessed with fruitfulness are a beautiful illustration of the truth in Psalm 92. If you are old like I am be encouraged by God's promise to the righteous aged:

The righteous man (AND WOMAN) will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 Planted in the house of the LORD, They will flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green, (MY WIFE AND MY FAVORITE VERSE ONCE WE TURNED 70!) 15 To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. (Ps 92:12-15)

Spurgeon comments - The song now contrasts the condition of the righteous with that of the graceless. The wicked "spring as the grass", but The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, whose growth may not be so rapid, but whose endurance for centuries is in fine contrast with the transitory verdure of the meadow. When we see a noble palm standing erect, sending all its strength upward in one bold column, and growing amid the dearth and drought of the desert, we have a fine picture of the godly man, who in his uprightness aims alone at the glory of God; and, independent of outward circumstances, is made by divine grace to live and thrive where all things else perish. The text tells us not only what the righteous is, but what he shall be; come what may, the good man shall flourish, and flourish after the noblest manner. He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. This is another noble and long lived tree. "As the days of a tree are the days of my people", saith the Lord. On the summit of the mountain, unsheltered from the blast, the cedar waves its mighty branches in perpetual verdure, and so the truly godly man under all adversities retains the joy of his soul, and continues to make progress in the divine life. Grass, which makes hay for oxen, is a good enough emblem of the unregenerate; but cedars, which build the temple of the Lord, are none too excellent to set forth the heirs of heaven.

Verse 13 - In the courtyards of Oriental houses trees were planted, and being thoroughly screened, they would be likely to bring forth their fruit to perfection in trying seasons; even so, those who by grace are brought into communion with the Lord, shall be likened to trees planted in the Lord's house, and shall find it good to their souls (cf Isa 61:3b). No heart has so much joy as that which abides in the Lord Jesus. Fellowship with the stem begets fertility in the branches. If a man abide in Christ he brings forth much fruit (Jn 15:5). Those professors who are rooted to the world do not flourish; those who send forth their roots into the marshes of frivolous pleasure cannot be in a vigorous condition; but those who dwell in habitual fellowship with God shall become men of full growth, rich in grace, happy in experience, mighty in influence, honoured and honourable. Much depends upon the soil in which a tree is planted; everything, in our case, depends upon our abiding in the Lord Jesus, and deriving all our supplies from him. If we ever really grow in the courts of the Lord's house we must be planted there, for no tree grows in God's garden self sown; once planted of the Lord, we shall never be rooted up, but in his courts we shall take root downward, and bring forth fruit upward to his glory for ever.

Verse 14 - Nature decays but grace thrives. Fruit, as far as nature is concerned, belongs to days of vigour; but in the garden of grace, when plants are weak in themselves, they become strong in the Lord (SPIRITUALLY STRONG EVEN THOUGH PHYSICALLY WEAK), and abound in fruit acceptable with God. Happy they who can sing this Sabbath Psalm, enjoying the rest which breathes through every verse of it; no fear as to the future can distress them, for their evil days, when the strong man faileth (Isa 1:31, cf Isa 40:30), are the subject of a gracious promise, and therefore they await them with quiet expectancy. Aged believers possess a ripe experience, and by their mellow tempers and sweet testimonies they feed many. Even if bedridden, they bear the fruit of patience; if poor and obscure, their lowly and contented spirit becomes the admiration of those who know how to appreciate modest worth. Grace does not leave the saint when the keepers of the house do tremble; the promise is still sure though the eyes can no longer read it; the bread of heaven is fed upon when the grinders (teeth) fail; and the voice of the Spirit in the soul is still melodious when the daughters of music (hearing) are brought low. Blessed be the Lord for this! Because even to hoar hairs He is the I AM, Who made His people, He therefore bears and carries them.

They shall full of sap and very green. They do not drag out a wretched, starveling existence, but are like trees full of sap, which bear luxuriant foliage. God does not pinch His poor servants, and diminish their consolations when their infirmities grow upon them; rather does He see to it that they shall renew their strength (cf Isaiah 40:31+), for their mouths shall be satisfied with his own good things. Such a one as Paul the aged would not ask our pity, but invite our sympathetic gratitude; however feeble his outward man may be, his inner man is so renewed day by day (2 Cor 4:16+) that we may well envy his perennial peace.

Verse 15 - This mercy to the aged proves the faithfulness of their God, and leads them to shew that the Lord is upright, by their cheerful testimony to his ceaseless goodness. We do not serve a Master who will run back from his promise. Whoever else may defraud us, he never will. Every aged Christian is a letter of commendation to the immutable fidelity of Jehovah.

Barren (4723) (steiros from stereos = firm, solid, immovable; Root ster- = firm hence English "sterile") means not bearing children, incapable of bearing a child. In the Septuagint use in Isa 54:1, steiros is used figuratively to speak of the nation of Israel which will be fruitful in the future (Millenium) Used here in Galatians to describe that in contrast to Sarah's former barrenness, the spiritual line (which would be the Church) coming from Sarah was abundantly fruitful (and the Church continues to grow).

Steiros - barren(3), barren woman(1). - Lk. 1:7; Lk. 1:36; Lk. 23:29; Gal. 4:27

Steiros in the Septuagint - Ge 11:30 ("Sarai was barren; she had no child."); Ge 25:21; Ge 29:31; Ex 23:26; Dt. 7:14; Jdg. 13:2 ; Jdg. 13:3; 1 Sa 2:5; Job 24:21; Ps 113:9; Isa. 54:1; Isa. 66:9;

Advanced (4260) (probaino from pro = before + baino = step) means literally to go forward, to advance (as used in Mt 4:21 = "Going on", Mk 1:19+ = "Going on"). Luke however uses probaino figuratively and idiomatically to describe old (advanced) age. Note that God did some amazing things in the lives of people who were advanced - Elizabeth and Zacharias had a baby name John! Abraham and Sarah had a baby named Isaac, the son of promise!

Luke 1:7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.

Luke 1:18 Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.”

Probaino - 5x in the NT - Matt. 4:21; Mk. 1:19; Lk. 1:7; Lk. 1:18; Lk. 2:36

Barren But Not Bitter

Read: Luke 1:5-17 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 97-99; Romans 16

They were both righteous before God . . . . But they had no child. —Luke 1:6-7

Barrenness, whether physical or spiritual, can lead to bitterness in some of God’s people. It can develop in the heart of a disappointed couple who cannot have a child. It can also occur when people serve God and see no results.

A missionary couple who served diligently for many years with no visible fruit asked in frustration, “Have we wasted our lives?” A young pastor and his wife labored 5 years for a thankless, unresponsive congregation, pouring out their lives for their people. “Do they even care?” the woman asked.

Zacharias and Elizabeth, mentioned in Luke 1, are a model for anyone who is facing physical or spiritual barrenness. The aged couple had an impeccable reputation, having faithfully and obediently served the Lord for many years (Lk 1:6). They had prayed for children, but none came. Yet instead of becoming bitter, they kept serving and obeying the Lord. In His time, God honored Zacharias and Elizabeth with a son named John, the one who would prepare the way for the Messiah (Lk 1:13-17).

To avoid developing a bitter spirit in your life, faithfully serve and obey the Lord in the place where He has called you. Trust God to bless you in His time, in His way, and according to His plan. By David Egner (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Lord, keep me from being bitter
When things don't go my way,
And grant me Your grace and wisdom
To do Your will today.
—Fitzhugh

Be faithful—and leave the results with God.

David Holwick - Old age is about stripping away the lies in order to teach us the truth.

1) The lie says life is a bell-curve - up, then inevitably down.

2) Scripture teaches that life is meant to be up, all the way to heaven.

There is a goal, and the goal determines the process we must go through to get there.

Whatever is valued in heaven grows more and more valuable on earth.

Whatever doesn't matter in heaven, matters less and less on earth. The longer you live, the more it is so.

One older person said, "They say we are going downhill, but they have it wrong.

It is uphill. That's why it is such hard work!"

Robert Browning wrote the poem "Rabbi ben Ezra" back in 1864:

           Grow old along with me!
             The best is yet to be,
           The last of life, for which the first was made;
             Our times are in his hand
             Who saith, "A whole I planned,
           Youth shows but half; trust God; see all, nor be afraid!"

Luke 1:8 Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division,

NET Now while Zechariah was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty,

GNT Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ ἱερατεύειν αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ τάξει τῆς ἐφημερίας αὐτοῦ ἔναντι τοῦ θεοῦ,

NLT One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.

KJV And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

ESV Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty,

NIV Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,

CSB When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,

Barclay When he was acting as priest before God, when his section was on duty, in accordance with the custom of priestly duty,

YLT And it came to pass, in his acting as priest, in the order of his course before God,

while he was performing his priestly service. Ex. 28:1, 41; 29:1, 9, 44; 30:30. Nu. 18:7. 1 Ch. 24:2. 2 Ch. 11:14.
in the appointed order of his division. Luke 1:5. 1 Ch. 24:19. 2 Ch. 8:14; 2 Ch 31:2, 19. Ezr. 6:18.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:8 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

A PROVIDENTIAL
HAPPENING

Now it happened (it came to pass) - Things don't just happen by chance! This was not an accident, but was a providential act of God that occurred just when Zacharias happened to be on Temple duty! God is sovereign in history, because ultimately it is "His-Story" of providing a Redeemer for the sinful world.

THOUGHT (ON DIVINE PROVIDENCE) - The word "providence" (pronoia) is found only once in the Bible, a usage which refers to human providence (Acts 24:2+), and yet Divine Providence permeates the pages of Holy Writ from Genesis to Revelation! This great truth ought to cause all of God's children to shout "Hallelujah! Our God Reigns!" R. C. Sproul said “God doesn’t roll dice.” Nothing happens by chance. Ever.

Ray Pritchard adds that providence is “God’s gracious oversight of the universe.” Every one of those words is important. God’s providence is one aspect of his grace. Oversight means that he directs the course of affairs. The word universe tells us that God not only knows the big picture, he also concerns himself with the tiniest details. Here are five statements that unfold the meaning of God’s providence in more detail. He upholds all things. He governs all events. He directs everything to its appointed end. He does this all the time and in every circumstance. He does it always for his own glory. (The Invisible Hand -- Coming to Grips With God’s Providence - Genesis 50:20)

While he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order (taxis) of his division (ephemeria) - Zacharias was of the Tribe of Levi and a descendant of Aaron. The genealogy records had not been destroyed as they were when the Romans burned the Temple in 70 AD).

THOUGHT - It would easy to miss the fact that Zacharias' disappointment at not having a son did not keep him from serving the Lord. Think about this --- it would have been easy for him to "blame" the Lord since he knew children were a gift of the LORD (Ps 127:3) . He presents a powerful example of pressing on when it might be easy to be "derailed" by the variegated trials of life. Thanks Zecharias for the example of steadfast service to Jehovah. It recalls Paul's charge to all of us to "be (present imperative - keep on keeping on! see our continual need for the Holy Spirit to obey) steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Cor 15:58+). Zecharias is illustration of this Pauline passage and calls for us to imitate his pattern (Heb 6:12+)

Brian Bell adds "This is the blessedness of duty! We need to be faithful. We never know when God’s angel may arrive! Interesting, that Luke’s opening and closing scene in his Gospel takes place in the Temple. (See Lk 24:53+)(Sermon)

In the appointed order of his division - The Temple service of an order was for one week (from Sabbath to Sabbath) twice a year and at certain Feasts.

Steven Cole - If things seem spiritually dark in our day, and they certainly do, we should be encouraged to pray for true revival. As Isaiah reminds us, “the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save; neither is His ear so dull that it cannot hear” (Is 59:1). What applies nationally to our need for revival also applies personally to you. If your situation seems spiritually hopeless, if your sins have overwhelmed you, cry out to God to save you. The theme of the Gospel of Luke is that the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Lu 19:10). If you feel lost and in despair, then you are a candidate for His gracious salvation.Thus God sovereignly takes the initiative in sending revival and often waits until things are hopeless so that no one will glory in himself, but only in the Lord. (Luke 1:5-17 When God Brings Revival)

Order (5010)(taxis from tasso = to set or arrange in order) described the orderly array of soldiers with the line being unbroken and intact. It refers to an arrangement of things in sequence, fixed succession or fixed order (Lk 1:8 - describing the arrangement for Temple service, the fixed succession of the course of the priests) ("an arranging, arrangement, order" - Vine);

Luke 1:9 according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

Barclay in accordance with the custom of priestly duty, it fell to him by lot to go into the Temple of the Lord to burn the incense.

He was chosen by lot. Ex. 30:7-8; 37:25–29. Nu. 16:40. 1 Sa. 2:28. 1 Ch. 6:49; 23:13. 2 Ch. 26:16; 29:11. He. 9:6.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:9 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

Herod's Temple - Click to Enlarge

BURNING INCENSE:
ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY

According to the custom (ethos) of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot (lagchano) - Beloved, you can stake you life on the truth that "God is behind the scenes and controls the scenes He is behind!" And so this was no accident but directed by the Providence of God. Proverb 16:33 says "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." While we cannot be absolutely certain, it is said that there were as many as 20,000 priests in the time of Jesus. The odds of 20,000 to 1 are nothing for God! Beloved, we need to remember the truth that God is in 100% control, 100% of the time, even when our life seems 100% out of control!

Spurgeon - Certain offices of the priest were considered to be more honourable than others; and so, to prevent any jealousy, they cast lots as to which they should take in turn. It fell to the lot of Zacharias to burn incense; this did not happen by chance. “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord;” and there was a special reason why this good man should stand at the altar at this particular time.

Vincent on chosen by lot - Four lots were drawn to determine the order of the ministry of the day: the first, before day-break, to designate the priests who were to cleanse the altar and prepare its fires; the second for the priest who was to offer the sacrifice and cleanse the candlestick and the altar of incense; the third for the priest who should burn incense; and the fourth appointing those who were to lay the sacrifice and meat-offering on the altar, and pour out the drink-offering. There are said to have been twenty thousand priests in Christ’s time, so that no priest would ever offer incense more than once. It is worth noting that many priests never enjoyed this privilege because the lot never fell to them. This is more evidence that God was providentially in control of the details.

MacArthur - Because of the large number of priests, most would never be chosen for such a duty, and no one was permitted to serve in this capacity twice. Zacharias no doubt regarded this as the supreme moment in a lifetime of priestly service. The incense was kept burning perpetually, just in front of the veil that divided the holy place from the most holy place. The lone priest would offer the incense every morning and every evening, while the rest of the priests and worshipers stood outside the holy place in prayer (v. 10)(Borrow The MacArthur Study Bible )

To enter the temple (naos) of the Lord and burn incense (thumiao) - “It was the great moment of Zacharias’s life, and his heart was no doubt alert for the supernatural” (Ragg). Burning incense in the Temple was a great honor which was permitted to a given priest but once in a lifetime. As noted below in the instructions given in Exodus burning incense was a daily regulation which was performed once before the morning sacrifice (9 a.m.) and again before the evening sacrifice (3 p.m.). We don't know with certainty whether Zacharias was chosen for the morning or the evening offering. The incense was offered on the altar of incense directly in front of the veil that separated the holy place from the holy of holies (click diagram below to enlarge - note the Shekinah was not present in Herod's Temple - see diagram of its departure). Most commentators feel this was the evening sacrifice because of the mention of the crowd. It is interesting that the same angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel "about the time of the evening offering." (Da 9:21+).

The instructions for burning incense are found in Exodus - " Aaron shall burn (Lxx = thumiao used here by Luke) fragrant incense on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims the lamps. When Aaron trims the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense. [There shall be] perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations. (Exodus 30:7-8+)

Steven Cole - While the priest offered incense inside the holy place, outside the worshipers were praying. The most common prayer was that God would visit His people with salvation through the Messiah....There is debate about whether Zecharias would have been offering prayer for a son at this sacred moment in his priestly ministry. Most likely he was praying with everyone else for the deliverance of Israel, but in His grace, God answered his prayer for the Messiah to come and at the same time answered his prayers of many years for a son." (When God Brings Revival)

Brian Bell - As the priest enters the holy place (see below) he sees only a few things in this room. The golden candlestick (menorah), the table of showbread, and the altar of incense.. On the altar is the sacred flame. Taking a censor full of incense he pours it on the perpetual altar-fire and says, “Lord, let my prayer come before you as incense; and the lifting of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” (Ps.141:2) Smelled great! (Ex.30:34-38).

CLICK TO ENLARGE
NOTE: lampstand is on south side as entrance faced to the east.

The incense offering pictured the prayers of God’s people rising up to Him in a pleasing aroma.

Psalm 141:2 "May my prayer be counted as incense before You; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering."

Rev 8:3-4+ Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.

TECHNICAL NOTE - This verse helps substantiate that the ALTAR OF INCENSE was within the outer tabernacle, called the Holy Place. Why? because only the High Priest was allowed into the Holy of Holies and then only once/year. So it would have been impossible to fulfill God's requirement that there always be incense on this altar. Zacharias was not High Priest and would have been prohibited from entering the Holy of Holies. Heb 9:3-4 suggests the "golden altar of incense" is WITHIN the Holy of Holies. Yet we know that Scripture does not contradict Scripture, and from the passages in Ex 40:26, 40:1-5, 2Ki 6:22, we see that the ALTAR OF INCENSE was clearly in the outer tabernacle or the Holy Place. This apparent "discrepancy" is most reasonably resolved by the translation of the term in Heb 9:4 as "golden censer" or "censer of gold" as many of the versions (KJV, NKJV, DARBY, YOUNG'S, WEYMOUTH) have done. Thus once per year when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies with blood not his own for performing atonement for himself and all the people, he also took a censer of incense.

Alfred Edersheim's The Morning and Evening Sacrifice (Luke 1:8-10) in his classic “The Temple, its Ministry,”). Edersheim has this note related to the fourth lot - The Lot for Incense - After this the lot was cast for burning the incense. No one might take part in it who had ministered in that office before, unless in the very rare case that all present had previously so officiated. Hence, while the other three lots held good for the evening service, that for the incense required to be repeated. He on whom this lot fell chose from among his friends his two assistants. Finally, the third was succeeded by the fourth lot, which designated those who were to lay on the altar the sacrifice and the meat-offerings, and to pour out the drink-offering. The incensing priest and his assistance now approached first the altar of burnt-offering. One filled with incense a golden censer held in a silver vessel, while another placed in a golden bowl burning coals from the altar. As they passed from the court into the Holy Place, they struck a large instrument (called the ‘Magrephah’), at sound of which the priests hastened from all parts to worship, and the Levites to occupy their places in the service of song; while the chief of the ‘stationary men’ ranged at the Gate of Nicanor such of the people as were to be purified that day. Slowly the incensing priest and his assistants ascended the steps to the Holy Place, preceded by the two priests who had formerly dressed the altar and the candlestick, and who now removed the vessels they had left behind, and, worshiping, withdrew. Next, one of the assistants reverently spread the coals on the golden altar; the other arranged the incense; and then the chief officiating priest was left alone within the Holy Place, to await the signal of the president before burning the incense. It was probably while thus expectant that the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias. As the president gave the word of command, which marked that ‘the time of incense had come,’ ‘the whole multitude of the people without’ withdrew from the inner court, and fell down before the Lord, spreading their hands (The practice of folding the hands together in prayer dates from the fifth century of our era, and is of purely Saxon origin. See Holemann, Bibel St. i. p. 150, quoted by Delitzsch, u.s.) in silent prayer. (The Morning and Evening Sacrifice) (Entire volume of The Temple)

Chosen by lots (2975)(lagchano) means to obtain by lot (as used by Homer in Greek writings; eg, to obtain by fate by the will of the gods) and so to obtain something as a portion (to receive, to obtain. It describes what comes to someone always apart from their own efforts. Lagchano speaks of what is obtained is not result of personal merit but an allotment as a free gift of God's grace (Acts 1:17, 15:8-11, 2 Pe 1:1 "received a faith of the same kind" - note)

Casting lots was a method often used to reveal God’s purposes in a matter (cf. Jos 14:1, 2; 1Sa 14:38–43; 1Ch 25:8–31; Jon 1:7; Ac 1:26) and Pr 16:33 says "The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD."

Custom (1485)(ethos from etho = to be used, to be accustomed) refers to a usual or customary manner of behavior, habit, pattern of behavior which is more or less fixed by tradition or the usual practice. It may be established by law or otherwise generally sanctioned by the society.

Gilbrant on the uses of ethos - Ethos carries two basic meanings: (1) an informal sense of “custom,” i.e., “habit”; and (2) a formal “custom” or “law.” For example, Jesus’ “habit” (ethos) was to go to the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39; cf. NIV “as usual”). Here the informal sense is plain. The formal idea of “custom” is reflected in 4 Maccabees. Its writer recalls Antiochus’ unsuccessful efforts to make the Israelites “abandon their ancestral customs” (4 Maccabees 18:5RSV). The informal sense dominated classical literature, whereas the formal sense predominates in religious literature. This phenomenon may in large measure be explained by the role of tradition (paradosis) in the religion of Israel. The New Testament picture mirrors the two senses of ethos as well. Luke, who uses ethos more than any other writer (of its 12 uses 10 are Luke’s), utilizes both meanings, although he favors the formal sense (only Acts 22:39 seems to be informal, cf. Hebrews 10:25). The customs of Moses and the “fathers” (Acts 6:14; 28:17; cf. John 19:40) are the heartbeat of the Jewish religion. If one were a Jew, one’s life revolved around the ethos of the religion (Acts 16:21; 21:21; 26:3; cf. Josephus Antiquities 15.8.4). Even Roman “customs” were understood as binding (Acts 25:16; cf. Sherwin-White, Roman Society and Roman Law, pp.48f.).(Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary)

Ethos - 12x in 12v - Usage: custom(6), customs(5), habit(1).

Luke 1:9 according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

Luke 2:42 And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast;

Luke 22:39 And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him.

John 19:40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

Acts 6:14 for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us."

Acts 15:1 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."

Acts 16:21 and are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans."

Acts 21:21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

Acts 25:16 "I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man before the accused meets his accusers face to face and has an opportunity to make his defense against the charges.

Acts 26:3 especially because you are an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

Acts 28:17 After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, "Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Temple (sanctuary) (3485)(naos) describes the holy place in which the golden altar of incense stood. The people were outside in the fore-courts.

Burn incense (only used here) (2370) (thumiao from thuo = to offer, to sacrifice) means make the incense offering, to burn aromatic substances as an offering to God. The word refers to rising smoke rather than the actual burning of a fire. Liddell-Scott - to burn so as to produce smoke. Burn incense - Hobart finds (this verb) used by medical writers for fumigating herbs. (Robertson)

Vincent on burn incense - Only here in New Testament. The incensing priest and his assistants went first to the altar of burnt-offering, and filled a golden censer with incense, and placed burning coals from the altar in a golden bowl. As they passed into the court from the Holy Place they struck a large instrument called the Magrephah, which summoned all the ministers to their places. Ascending the steps to the holy place, the priests spread the coals on the golden altar, and arranged the incense, and the chief officiating priest was then left alone within the Holy Place to await the signal of the president to burn the incense. It was probably at this time that the angel appeared to Zacharias. When the signal was given, the whole multitude withdrew from the inner court, and fell down before the Lord. Silence pervaded the temple, while within, the clouds of incense rose up before Jehovah.

THOUGHT - Beloved, it is that a beautiful picture of how believers today (who are His temple) should fall down before the Lord morning and evening offering the incense of prayers before Jehovah? Are you burning incense daily? The priest could do it only once in their life, but we have the opportunity of a lifetime every day! O my, how I am convicted that too often I lose sight of the high and holy privilege we as priests of the Most High God (1 Peter 2:9) now have under grace and not law. Not only can we continually offer "incense" John records the incredible fact that this incense is stored away in heaven...

And another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand. (Rev 8:3-4+)

Thumiao - 66v in the Septuagint - Exod. 30:7; Exod. 30:8; Exod. 40:5; Exod. 40:27; 1 Sam. 2:15; 1 Sam. 2:16; 1 Sam. 2:28; 1 Ki. 2:35; 1 Ki. 3:2; 1 Ki. 3:3; 1 Ki. 11:8; 1 Ki. 16:28; 1 Ki. 22:43; 2 Ki. 12:3; 2 Ki. 14:4; 2 Ki. 15:4; 2 Ki. 15:35; 2 Ki. 16:4; 2 Ki. 16:13; 2 Ki. 17:11; 2 Ki. 18:4; 2 Ki. 22:17; 2 Ki. 23:5; 2 Ki. 23:8; 1 Chr. 6:49; 1 Chr. 23:13; 2 Chr. 2:4; 2 Chr. 2:6; 2 Chr. 13:11; 2 Chr. 26:16; 2 Chr. 26:18; 2 Chr. 26:19; 2 Chr. 28:4; 2 Chr. 28:25; 2 Chr. 29:7; 2 Chr. 29:11; 2 Chr. 30:14; 2 Chr. 32:12; 2 Chr. 34:25; Song. 3:6; Isa. 65:3; Isa. 65:7; Jer. 7:9; Jer. 11:12; Jer. 11:13; Jer. 11:17; Jer. 18:15; Jer. 19:4; Jer. 19:13; Jer. 32:29; Jer. 44:3; Jer. 44:5; Jer. 44:8; Jer. 44:15; Jer. 44:17; Jer. 44:18; Jer. 44:19; Jer. 44:21; Jer. 44:23; Jer. 44:25; Jer. 48:35; Hos. 11:2; Hab. 1:16

THOUGHT FROM SPURGEON - If the disposal of the lot is the Lord’s whose is the arrangement of our whole life? If the simple casting of a lot is guided by Him, how much more the events of our entire life—especially when we are told by our blessed Saviour: “The very hairs of your head are all numbered: not a sparrow falls to the ground without your Father.” (Mt 10:29, cf Lk 12:6,7) It would bring a holy calm over your mind, dear friend, if you were always to remember this. It would so relieve your mind from anxiety, that you would be the better able to walk in patience, quiet, and cheerfulness as a Christian should. When a man is anxious he cannot pray with faith; when he is troubled about the world, he cannot serve his Master, his thoughts are serving himself. If you would “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” all things would then be added unto you. You are meddling with Christ’s business, and neglecting your own when you fret about your lot and circumstances. You have been trying “providing” work and forgetting that it is yours to obey. Be wise and attend to the obeying, and let Christ manage the providing. Come and survey your Father’s storehouse, and ask whether he will let you starve while he has laid up so great an abundance in his garner? Look at his heart of mercy; see if that can ever prove unkind! Look at his inscrutable wisdom; see if that will ever be at fault. Above all, look up to Jesus Christ your Intercessor, and ask yourself, while he pleads, can your Father deal ungraciously with you? If he remembers even sparrows, will he forget one of the least of his poor children? “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain thee. He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.” (Morning and Evening)

"He Is In Control" - Flipping a coin, drawing straws, or taking a number out of a hat have long been ways of resolving disputes. I once read of an election in an Oklahoma town where the two leading candidates each received 140 votes. Rather than go through the expense of another election, city officials used a chance method to decide the winner, and everyone accepted the outcome. What the writer of Proverbs said proved to be true: "Casting lots causes contentions to cease, and keeps the mighty apart" (Prov. 18:18). Many people view all of this as nothing more than a matter of chance. But the amazing thing about what the Word of God calls "casting lots" is that the Lord is ultimately the One who controls the outcome. This was true in the story of Jonah, where God showed Himself to be Lord even through the actions of superstitious, unbelieving sailors. So, what does all of this say to us as believers? From the Christian's perspective, there is no such thing as chance. God is either directly or indirectly involved in everything that happens to us. He can therefore be trusted and obeyed in any circumstance, because even the smallest details are under His control. —Mart De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Things don't just happen to those who love God,
They're planned by His own dear hand,
Then molded and shaped, and timed by His clock;
Things don't just happen--they're planned.
--Fields

Luke 1:10 And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.

Barclay The whole congregation of the people was praying outside at the hour when incense was offered.

NET Now the whole crowd of people were praying outside at the hour of the incense offering.

GNT καὶ πᾶν τὸ πλῆθος ἦν τοῦ λαοῦ προσευχόμενον ἔξω τῇ ὥρᾳ τοῦ θυμιάματος.

NLT While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.

KJV And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

ESV And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.

NIV And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

the people were in prayer outside Le. 16:17. He. 4:14; 9:24. Re. 8:3.
incense. Nu 16:44-46. Ps 141:2. Rev 5:8. 8:3, 4.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:10 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

INCENSE AND CORPORATE
PRAYER ASCENDING

And the whole multitude (plethos) of the people were in prayer (proseuchomai) outside - The crowd is described first in a state of prayerfulness and then again in Lk 1:21 in a state of expectancy. J C Ryle quotes Lightfoot who says that “When the priest came in unto the holy place to offer incense, notice was given to all, by the sound of a little bell, that the time of prayers was now.” (Lightfoot. Vol 12, p16)." (Luke 1)

Spurgeon - While he, in the inner shrine, was burning incense, the multitudes in the outer courts were engaging in prayer. I think that is a very beautiful symbol,-the priest unseen, like the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy of Holies above, and the mass of the people engaged in prayer while the unseen priest is offering the sacred perfume before the altar of Jehovah. (Luke 1 - exposition)

Holman New Testament Commentary – Outside, the pious Jewish worshipers and priests joined in prayer, the rising incense giving assurance that God was listening to them. Luke repeatedly emphasized the power of prayer and the need to learn to pray, and to pray together. A praying church finds God's power coming to work among them and accomplish the church's mission. (See Holman New Testament Commentary)

At the hour of the incense offering - "The "hour of the incense offering" is another way to refer to the time of sacrifice." (NET) There was a morning and an evening sacrifice occurring at 9AM and 3PM (some sources say 3:30 PM) (CORRESPONDING TO 9TH HOUR IN JEWISH TIMING, THE VERY HOUR THE PASSOVER LAMB OF GOD WAS SACRIFICED! Mt 27:45) and the fact that there was such a multitude "makes it more likely that this incident took place in the afternoon" (HCSB Study Bible), but we cannot be dogmatic.

Third Millennium has an interesting background note - And now profound silence ensues, for the most solemn action of the ritual is about to occur. A signal is given. The sacred moment has arrived for Zechariah to place the incense upon the coals, causing a cloud to arise, its fragrance rising and spreading. Together with the ascending aroma a fervent prayer, consisting of thanksgiving for blessings received and of supplication for peace upon Israel, now issues from the heart and lips of the priest. The people, gathered "outside" the sanctuary but "inside" its courts (Israel's Court, Women's Court, with priests and Levites in evidence especially in the Priests' Court . . . ) are also praying, in a prostrate position and with outstretched hands. Then they wait for Zechariah to return from the altar of incense and to proceed eastward to the steps in the front of the sanctuary (Holy Place and Holy of Holies). On these steps Zechariah, accompanied by other priests, is expected to pronounce the Aaronic blessing on the people. This benediction will be followed by songs of praise, public offerings, etc.

J R Miller - The old priest was in his place in the temple that day, and his particular duty was to burn incense on the golden altar. Incense was a symbol of prayer. While the priest was offering it on the altar the people were standing outside, engaged in prayer. The prayers arose to God purified and sweetened by the holy offering. It is a beautiful thought that prayers rise up to God—as perfume; that true prayer is fragrant in heaven. This symbol of incense teaches the acceptableness of prayer as it goes up to God. There is another thing that we should remember, however, in this connection. The burnt offering was offered at the same time that the incense was burning, and the incense itself was kindled by fire brought from the altar of burnt offering. Prayer needs the efficacy of Christ's atonement to make it acceptable. We can pray only in Christ's name and in dependence on His sacrifice.

Multitude (crowd, throng)(4128)(plethos from pletho = to fill - gives us English "plethora") means fullness or magnitude. is also used to express quantity, size, or number of something, e.g., an amount of money or length of time. In classic Greek it had the basic meaning of multitude. In the Gospels and Acts plethos usually means a quantity of people as in the present case. A bundle of sticks in Acts 28:3. Plethos describes the descendants of Abraham as like the stars of heaven in number. (Heb 11:12) Figurative used in James 5:20, 1 Peter 4:8 to describe a "multitude of sins."

All of Luke's uses of plethos Lk. 1:10; Lk. 2:13; Lk. 5:6; Lk. 6:17; Lk. 8:37; Lk. 19:37; Lk. 23:1; Lk. 23:27; Acts 2:6; Acts 4:32; Acts 5:14; Acts 5:16; Acts 6:2; Acts 6:5; Acts 14:1; Acts 14:4; Acts 15:12; Acts 15:30; Acts 19:9; Acts 21:36; Acts 23:7; Acts 25:24; Acts 28:3;

Were in prayer (4336)(proseuchomai from pros = toward, facing, before [emphasizing the direct approach of the one who prays in seeking God’s face] + euchomai = originally to speak out, utter aloud, express a wish, then to pray or to vow. Greek technical term for invoking a deity) in the NT is always used of prayer addressed to God (to Him as the object of faith and the One who will answer one’s prayer) and means to speak consciously (with or without vocalization) to Him, with a definite aim (See study of noun proseuche). Proseuchomai encompasses all the aspects of prayer -- submission, confession, petition, supplication (may concern one's own need), intercession (concerned with the needs of others), praise, and thanksgiving.

The verb were in prayer is in the "Periphrastic imperfect indicative picturing the posture of the people while the clouds of incense rose on the inside of the sanctuary." (A T Robertson) (ED Note: Other sources have proseuchomai in the present tense which is similar and pictures the multitude in continuous prayer.)

Vine says that proseuchomai carries with it a notion of worship (but see the Greek word for worship = proskuneo) which is not present in the other words for prayer (eg, aiteo, deomai, both of which involve spoken supplication)

Wuest adds that the prefixed preposition pros "gives it the idea of definiteness and directness in prayer, with the consciousness on the part of the one praying that he is talking face to face with God...(thus proseuchomai) speaks also of the consciousness on the part of the one who prays, of the fact of God’s presence and His listening ear." (Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing Company Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3 - used by permission)

Luke 1:11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.

appeared. Luke 1:19, 28; Luke 2:10. Jdg 13:3, 9. Ac. 10:3, 4. He. 1:14.
the altar. Ex. 30:1–6; 37:25–29; 40:26, 27. Le. 16:13. Re. 8:3, 4; 9:13.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:11 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

Barclay The angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

AN ANGELIC
ENCOUNTER

And an angel (aggelos/angelos) of the Lord appeared to him standing to the right of the altar (thusiasterion) of incense - We learn in Luke 1:19 this is Gabriel for "The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news." This is interesting because what do most of us do when we pray in church? We close our eyes. Zacharias' eyes were probably closed as he prayed passionately. Imagine his shock on opening his eyes and seeing an angel standing just to his right! Appeared is the same verb (horao) used by Paul to describe four separate supernatural post-resurrection appearances of Jesus (1 Cor 15:5, 6, 7, 8+) Right of the altar is probably the south side and from the depiction above (click) Gabriel would have been standing between between the altar of incense and the golden lampstand.

An angel (aggelos/angelos) of the Lord - The word angel as noted below is literally a messenger and this angel had a "conception announcement" for Zacharias! And note that this is not Zacharias inhaling the incense and having a hallucination but is a literal angel. Plummer adds that "There is no use in trying to explain away the reality of the angel. We must choose between admitting an objective appearance and a myth."

Note that the phrase Angel of the LORD is used several times in the Old Testament (e.g., Ge 16:7-11; Gen. 22:11-12; Ge 22:15-16; Ex. 3:2, etc >50x) to describe the pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, the Creator of the angel Gabriel who had appeared 500 years earlier to Daniel (Da 9:21-23+ = giving Daniel the great prophecy that predicted the time of coming of the Messiah - Da 9:24+, Da 9:25+, Da 9:26+, Da 9:27+)! .

Guzik quips "Zacharias must have thought, “Does this happen to everyone who does this? The other guys didn’t tell me anything about this!”

Warren Wiersbe makes an excellent point - You have probably noticed that God often speaks to His people and calls them while they are busy doing their daily tasks (ZECHARIAH WAS CARRYING OUT THE BURNING OF INCENSE). Both Moses and David were caring for sheep, and Gideon was threshing wheat. Peter and his partners were mending nets when Jesus called them. It is difficult to steer a car when the engine is not running. When we get busy, God starts to direct us.....Luke mentions angels twenty-three times in his Gospel. There are innumerable angels (Rev. 5:11), only two of which are actually named in Scripture: Michael (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 1:9; Rev. 12:7) and Gabriel (Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26). When Gabriel appeared by the altar, Zacharias was frightened, for the angel's appearance could have meant divine judgment. (See context in The Bible Exposition Commentary ) .(Bible Exposition Commentary)

Bock - Angelic visitations to announce births of major figures are common in the Old Testament (Ge 16:10-11; 17:15-19; 18:10-15; 25:23; Jdg 13:3-21). This announcement is unusual, however, in that the father rather than the mother receives the message. The angel's arrival produces fear in the priest. He senses the presence of God's agent (Lk 1:29-30; 1:65; 2:9; 5:8-10, 26; 7:16; 8:37; 9:34) and is taken back by this surprising development. (Commentary)

Bock on an angel - Skeptics immediately discount any text that involves supernatural beings, and they believe they have science on their side. But by definition supernatural beings are beings that are not bound by the natural world. Space and time do not confine them. Since science can deal only with realities confined to our space-time continuum, science can have nothing to say about the existence or nonexistence of supernatural beings such as angels. Thus readers are thrown back on their presuppositions and experiences. The biblical view is that angels exist and are sometimes used to impart knowledge of God’s will (Luke 2:9; Matt 1:20; Acts 5:19; 1 Cor 4:9; Heb 1:4; 1 Pet 3:22; Jude 6; Rev 5:2), and any reader who accepts this testimony at face value is not guilty of being pre-scientific. (Ibid)

J C Ryle points out that "Nowhere in the Bible do we find such frequent mention of (ANGELS), as in the period of our Lord’s earthly ministry. At no time do we read of so many appearances of angels, as about the time of our Lord’s incarnation and entrance into the world. The meaning of this circumstance is sufficiently clear. It was meant to teach the church that Messiah was no angel, but the Lord of angels, as well as of men. Angels announced His coming. Angels proclaimed His birth. Angels rejoiced at his appearing. And by so doing they made it plain that He who came to die for sinners, was not one of themselves, but one far above them, the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:16-note). One thing, at all events, about angels, we must never forget. They take a deep interest in the work of Christ, and the salvation which Christ has provided. They sung high praise when the Son of God came down to make peace by His own blood between God and man (Lk 2:14-note). They rejoice when sinners repent, and sons are born again to our Father in heaven (Luke 15:10). They delight to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation (Heb 1:14-note). Let us strive to be like them, while we are upon earth,—to be of their mind, and to share their joys. This is the way to be in tune for heaven. It is written of those who enter in there, that they shall be “as the angels.” (Mark 12:25.) (Expository Thoughts Luke 1)

Related Resources:

Rod Mattoon calls this "Prayer time surprise" and comments on the setting - "Zechariah proceeds toward the golden altar. He is accompanied by two assistants. One of these men is carrying a golden bowl of burning coals from the brazen altar of burnt-offering, and is spreading them out on the altar of incense. The coals had to come from the brazen altar. If the coals or fire came from another place, it was considered as strange fire. This was the deadly mistake that Nadab and Abihu made in Leviticus 10. The Lord was trying to teach His people and us, that our prayers have value and are dependent upon the atonement of blood. This is why Christians can pray and come boldly before the throne of God's grace because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. After the assistant carries the coals to the altar he withdraws. The other assistant is carrying a golden censer filled with incense. He arranges the incense upon the altar, followed by solemn silence. A signal is given. The sacred moment has arrived for Zacharias to place the incense upon the coals, causing a cloud to arise in the Temple, and its fragrance to spread as the fire unleashes the aroma of the stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense that have been mixed together (Ex 30:34-38) As the holy smoke arises, Zacharias offers a fervent prayer for the peace of Israel and gratefulness for God's blessings. (Mattoon's Treasures – Treasures from Luke, Volume 1) (Lk 1:18)

Angel (32) (aggelos/angelos [gg in Greek is pronounced ng] possibly from ago = to bring) literally means a messenger (one who bears a message - Lk 1:11, 2:9, etc or does an errand). Most of the NT uses refer to heavenly angels (messengers) who are supernatural, transcendent beings with power to carry out various tasks. All uses of aggelos that refer to angels are masculine gender (the feminine form of aggelos does not occur.) The great news about angels is that they are "ministering spirits" (Heb 1:14), where the word "ministering" is leitourgikos which in Classic Greek referred especially to those who performed public duties or works of public use (public servants). The angels are literally "spirits for serving!" Vine writes that aggelos refer to "an order of created beings, superior to man, Heb 2:7; Ps. 8:5, belonging to Heaven, Mt. 24:36; Mark 12:25, and to God, Luke 12:8, and engaged in His service, Psa. 103:20. Angels are spirits, Heb. 1:14, i.e., they have not material bodies as men have; they are either human in form, or can assume the human form when necessary, cp. Luke 24:4, with Lk 24:23, Acts 10:3 with Acts 10:30."

Luke mentions angels in 46 verses in his writings (out of 172 verses that use angel in the NT) -Lk. 1:11; Lk. 1:13; Lk. 1:18; Lk. 1:19; Lk. 1:26; Lk. 1:30; Lk. 1:34; Lk. 1:35; Lk. 1:38; Lk. 2:9; Lk. 2:10; Lk. 2:13; Lk. 2:15; Lk. 2:21; Lk. 4:10; Lk. 7:24; Lk. 7:27; Lk. 9:26; Lk. 9:52; Lk. 12:8; Lk. 12:9; Lk. 15:10; Lk. 16:22; Lk. 22:43; Lk. 24:23; Acts 5:19; Acts 6:15; Acts 7:30; Acts 7:35; Acts 7:38; Acts 7:53; Acts 8:26; Acts 10:3; Acts 10:7; Acts 10:22; Acts 11:13; Acts 12:7; Acts 12:8; Acts 12:9; Acts 12:10; Acts 12:11; Acts 12:15; Acts 12:23; Acts 23:8; Acts 23:9; Acts 27:23;

Luke 1:11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.

13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.

18 Zacharias said to the angel, "How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years."

19 The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,

30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.

34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"

35 The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.

38 And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Luke 2:9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."

21 And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Luke 4:10 for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS angels CONCERNING YOU TO GUARD YOU,'

Luke 7:24 When the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

27 "This is the one about whom it is written, 'BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.'

Luke 9:26 "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

52 and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him.

Luke 12:8 "And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God;

9 but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

Luke 15:10 "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Luke 16:22 "Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried.

Luke 22:43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.

Luke 24:23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.

Acts 5:19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said,

Acts 6:15 And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.

Acts 7:30 "After forty years had passed, AN angel APPEARED TO HIM IN THE WILDERNESS OF MOUNT Sinai, IN THE FLAME OF A BURNING THORN BUSH.

35 "This Moses whom they disowned, saying, 'WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND A JUDGE?' is the one whom God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the help of the angel who appeared to him in the thorn bush.

38 "This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you.

53 you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it."

Acts 8:26 But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road.)

Acts 10:3 About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, "Cornelius!"

7 When the angel who was speaking to him had left, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants,

22 They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you."

Acts 11:13 "And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, 'Send to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here;

Acts 12:7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and woke him up, saying, "Get up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands.

8 And the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and put on your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me."

9 And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

10 When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

11 When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."

15 They said to her, "You are out of your mind!" But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, "It is his angel."

23 And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.

Acts 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

9 And there occurred a great uproar; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, "We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?"

Acts 27:23 "For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me,

Altar (2379)(thusiasterion from thusia = that which is offered as a sacrifice - see Altar) refers to any type of altar or object where gifts may be placed and ritual observances carried out in honor of supernatural beings. In the NT thusiasterion is employed to refer to a number of different types of altars, including the altar for burnt offerings in the Temple, the altar of incense, the altar which Abraham built, and the heavenly altar mentioned in the book of Revelation. The only other use of altar by Luke is Luke 11:51.

Luke 1:12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him.

when he saw the angel Luke 1:29; Luke 2:9, 10. Jdg 6:22; 13:22. Job 4:14, 15. Da. 10:7. Mark 16:5. Ac. 10:4. Re. 1:17
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:12 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

Barclay - When Zacharias saw him he was deeply moved and awe fell upon him.

A TROUBLING
FEARFUL SIGHT

Zacharias was troubled (tarasso) when he saw the angel - NLT paraphrases it "Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him." As were other saints when they saw an angel - Daniel in Daniel 8:16-17+ and Da 10:7-9+ (cf Ex 15:16 Isa. 6:5). Gideon when he saw the ultimate Messenger, the Angel of the LORD (Jdg 6:22-23+). Zacharias inward parts were in commotion causing him to lose calmness of mind and ultimately to strike his spirit with fear, dread, and distress. Zacharias was "shook up" as we might say today!

Spurgeon on troubled - He was a good man, yet he was troubled at the sight of an angel. Consciousness of sin, even in an outwardly blameless man, makes us all tremble in the presence of anything heavenly. This bright spirit had come fresh from the courts of God; he was a courtier of the heavenly Temple, and he had come down on a sudden with a sweet and cheering message for the earthly priest; but the priest “was troubled, and fear fell upon him.” Brethren, we cannot know much of heaven here below, because it would cause us trembling; we are as yet unfit for all the glories of that upper state. Good John Berridge (Read John Berridge's incredible biography so you will know him when you get to Heaven!) wrote“

And now they range the heavenly plains,
And sing their hymns in melting strains;
And now their souls begin to prove
The heights and depths of Jesus’ love.

“Ah Lord, with tardy steps I creep,
And sometimes sing, and sometimes weep;
Yet strip me of this house of clay,
And I will sing as loud as they.”

Yes, and so will we; we will be as much at home as the happy saints, who dwell in light, when once we are delivered from this hampering flesh and blood. (Luke 1 - exposition)

And fear (phobos) gripped (epipipto) him - Literally it reads that "fear fell upon him" which is a vivid description. We've all probably had somewhat similar experiences of the sudden onset of fear (however not because of angelic sightings!) Scripture records that Zacharias' reaction was not unusual as fear was the usual response when supernatural agents appeared - See Lk 1:29-30+, Lk 1:65+; Lk 2:9+; Lk 5:8–10+; Lk 9:34+; Lk 24:38+; Ex 15:16; Jdg 6:22-23+; Jdg 13:6, 22+; 2 Sa 6:9.

Mattoon quips "Through the fog of the incense, Zacharias may have wondered if he was seeing things." (Ibid)

THOUGHT BY MATTOON - There is a great truth here. The visit of Gabriel was a wonderful blessing, but it did not seem that way at first to Zacharias. He was troubled and distressed. Let me say there may be times in your life when circumstances may trouble and distress you, but turn out to be a blessing later on in time. Job's life was shaken and shattered, but it yielded great blessings for him and greater, deeper faith in God. When life is most desperate, we need to cling to the Lord by faith.

Ed Comment: And I believe Job 23:12+ was the "SECRET" of Job's survival/patience - see commentary. Because of Job 23:12 Job could give the affirmation of Job 23:10+ ("But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.") even though he had just stated he could not perceive, behold or see God! So how did come to such a profound understanding of God? Where did the faith come from enabling him to make the incredible statement in Job 23:10+? IN A WORD, HIS WORD (cf Ro 10:17+)! (Read Job 23:8-9)

J C Ryle on Zecharias' fear - The experience of this righteous man here, tallies exactly with that of other saints under similar circumstances. Moses at the burning bush, and Daniel at the river of Hiddekel,—the women at the sepulchre, and John at the isle of Patmos,—all showed like fear to that of Zacharias. Like him, when they saw visions of things belonging to another world, they trembled and were afraid. How are we to account for this fear? To that question there is only one answer. It arises from our inward sense of weakness, guilt, and corruption. The vision of an inhabitant of heaven reminds us forcibly of our own imperfection, and of our natural unfitness to stand before God. If angels are so great and terrible, what must the Lord of angels be? Let us bless God, that we have a mighty Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. Believing on Him, we may draw near to God with boldness, and look forward to the day of judgment without fear. When the mighty angels shall go forth to gather together God’s elect, the elect will have no cause to be afraid. To them the angels are fellow-servants and friends. (Rev. 22:9+.) Let us tremble when we think of the terror of the wicked at the last day. If even the righteous are troubled by a sudden vision of friendly spirits, where will the ungodly appear, when the angels come forth to gather them like tares for the burning? The fears of the saints are groundless, and endure but for a little season. The fears of the lost, when once aroused, will prove well-grounded, and will endure for evermore. (Expository Thoughts Luke 1)

Troubled (disturbed, stirred up) (5015)(tarasso) literally means to shake back and forth and therefore to agitate and stir up (like the pool in John 5:4,7+, Lxx = Ezek 32:2, 13, Isa 51:15). To shake together, stir up, disturb, unsettle, throw into disorder (Lxx = 2 Sa 22:8 = of earth shaking). Most of the NT uses of tarasso are figurative and describe the state of one's mind as stirred up, agitated or experiencing inward commotion. The passive voice is always used in the NT with a negative meaning, conveying the sense of emotional disturbance or inner turmoil, so that one is unsettled, thrown into confusion, or disturbed by various emotions, including excitement, perplexity, fear or trepidation. Tarasso describes Herod when heard of the birth of Jesus (Mt 2:3), Zacharias' fear when he saw the angel (Lk 1:12), the terror of the disciples when they witnessed Jesus walking on the water (Mt 14:26), Jesus' reaction to the lack of faith among the people before He raises Lazarus (Jn 11:33), in Jesus' command to not let their hearts be troubled (Jn 14:1) and of disturbing the faith of someone (Gal 5:10+). Tarasso emphasizes the intensity of the Lord's reaction to His impending death (Jn 12:27) and His response to Judas' imminent betrayal.

Luke uses tarasso 5x (out of 18 NT uses) - Lk 1:12, 24:38, Acts 15:24, 17:8, 17:13.

Fear (5401)(phobos gives us English phobia, etc) is used in an active sense to describe that which causes fear, dread, alarm or terror. MacArthur adds that "Luke seems especially to take note of this (fear); he often reports fear in the presence of God and His works (cf. Lk 1:30, 65; 2:9, 10; 5:10, 26; 7:16; 8:25, 37, 50; 9:34, 45; 23:40). (Borrow The MacArthur Study Bible )

Luke uses phobos 11x (out of 42x in NT) - Lk 1:12; Lk 1:65; Lk 5:26; Lk 7:16; Lk 8:37; Lk 21:26; Acts 2:43; Acts 5:5; Acts 5:11; Acts 9:31; Acts 19:17.

Gripped (1968)(epipipto from epi = upon + pipto = fall) means literally to fall upon (someone) or to press against (Mk 3:10) and is used both literally and figuratively in the NT.

Literal uses - In Mk 3:10 when they saw Jesus power to heal, they "pressed around Him in order to touch Him." In Acts 20:10 "Paul went down and fell upon" Eutychus who had fallen asleep and dropped three stories to his death until Paul's falling upon him brought him back to life. Epipipto described falling upon in order to embrace, as when the father embraced his repentant prodigal son (Lk 15:20) or as when the Ephesian elders "embraced Paul" knowing this was the last time they would see him (Acts 20:37, cp Acts 20:38, cp Lxx - Ge 45:14 = Joseph "fell on his brother Benjamin's neck" and then in Ge 46:29 Joseph "fell on [Jacob's] neck" and Ge 50:1 he "fell on his father's face.").

Figurative uses - Of fear "falling" on someone (Lk 1:12, Acts 19:17, Rev 11:11+ - when the 2 witnesses came to live and ascended to heaven!; Lxx - Ex 15:16 "terror and dread fell upon" Israel's enemies. Same idea in Josh 2:9; cp Ps 104:38) Figuratively of reproaches falling on someone (Ro 15:3 quoting Ps 68:10). Luke uses ekpipto figuratively three times to describe the Holy Spirit coming down upon or "falling upon" someone (Acts 8:16, 10.44, 11:15). In Josh 11:7 the Israelites "came upon them suddenly" to attack 3 kings. Solomon wrote "the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them." (Ecc 9:12)

Gilbrant - Old Testament wisdom literature uses the word frequently. At times it is used figuratively (e.g., Job 4:13; 33:15; of fear of “falling”), but it can function literally (e.g. Job 6:16, of “falling [melting?] snow”). In the New Testament the word is used most often in a literal, concrete sense. Mark 3:10 and Acts 20:10,37 indicate a literal falling or pressing upon one’s neck as an expression of love or desire for affection or attention. Epipiptō is also used metaphorically when in Luke 1:12 abstractions like fear and darkness can be said to fall upon someone. Likewise, reproach may fall upon someone, as in Romans 15:3. Even this text bears out the fact that the word is never used in the New Testament with hostile intent. Another aspect of the word’s usage is seen in Acts (Acts 10:10,44; 11:15; 13:11; 19:7) which indicates a suddenness with which the “falling upon” occurs. (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary)

Ekpipto - 37x in 36v in the Septuagint - Gen. 14:15; Gen. 15:12 (twice - "a deep sleep fell upon Abram and behold terro and great darkness fell upon him." Gen. 45:14; Gen. 46:29; Gen. 50:1; Exod. 15:16; Lev. 11:32; Lev. 11:37; Lev. 11:38; Num. 35:23; Jos. 2:9; Jos. 11:7; 1 Sam. 26:12; 1 Sam. 31:4; 1 Sam. 31:5; 2 Sam. 17:9; 1 Chr. 10:4; Neh. 6:16; Est. 7:8; Job 4:13; 6:16, 27; 13:11; 18:16; 33:15;Ps. 16:6; 55:4; 58:8; 69:9; 78:28; 105:38; Eccl. 9:12; Jer. 48:32;; Dan. 4:5; Dan. 4:33; Dan. 10:7 ("a great dread fell on them")

Ekpipto - 11x in 11v - Usage: embraced*(2), fallen(1), fell(6), gripped(1), pressed around(1).

Mark 3:10+ for He had healed many, with the result that all those who had afflictions pressed around Him in order to touch Him.

Luke 1:12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him.

Luke 15:20+ "So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

Acts 8:16+ For He (Spirit) had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 10:44+ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.

Acts 11:15+ "And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning.

Acts 19:17+ This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified.

Acts 20:10+ But Paul went down and fell upon him, and after embracing him, he said, "Do not be troubled, for his life is in him."

Acts 20:37+ And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him,

Romans 15:3+ For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME."

Revelation 11:11+ But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them.

James Smith - JOHN THE BAPTIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT Luke 1:12–17

“Lord, what is this that Thou hast sent?
My heart, like sea-wave turbulent,
Grieves with strange sweet agony;
O born not of the earth but sky!
Of sin Thou seek ’st me to convince,
And ’neath Thy probing touch I wince.”

There is a singular resemblance between the work of John and the work of the Holy Spirit. Both came to convince men of sin, to bring them to repentance, and to point them to Christ as the Lamb of God who taketh away sin. The points of likeness are not few—

1. The coming of both was foretold (Lk 1:13; John 14:16). John’s birth was predicted by the angel, and Christ promised to send another Comforter. Every event foretold by God is a link of connection between earth and Heaven; an evidence of the reality of unseen and eternal things.

2. At the coming of both many were made to rejoice. It was said of John “that many shall rejoice at his birth” (Lk 1:14). The advent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost filled many with joy. Three thousand souls gladly received the Word, and did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God (Acts 2:41–47). The fruit of the Spirit is joy.

3. Both were to be great in the sight of the Lord “He shall be great in the sight of the Lord” (Lk 1:15) John’s testimony was to glorify the Lord, even though in the sight of men and in his own estimation he was but a voice crying in the wilderness. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit, “He shall glorify Me” (John 16:14). The blessed Spirit is indeed great in the sight of the Lord, although men should ignore Him and close their ears to the crying of His voice. Have you heard this voice crying in the wilderness of your desolate heart and fruitless life?

4. Both were to prepare the way for the Lord. “He shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias” (Lk 1:17). The Holy Spirit also prepares the way for Christ’s salvation to come to us by “convincing of sin” (John 16:8). John prepared the way of the Lord by convincing men of their need of repentance; the Holy Spirit prepares the way of the Lord into our hearts by revealing to us our need of salvation.

5. Both were to turn many to the Lord. “Many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God” (Lk 1:16). This also is the mission of the Holy Ghost. “He shall testify of Me,” said Jesus. “When the Spirit of grace and supplication is poured out they shall look upon Me” (Zech. 12:10). The turning of men to the Lord is His overcoming work. It is the Spirit that quickeneth. There can be no salvation or joy in the Lord without this turning, for all like sheep have gone astray. Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die?

6. Both came to give knowledge of salvation. “Thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to give knowledge of salvation” (Lk 1:76, 77). John gave the knowledge of salvation by declaring that the Saviour was at hand. The Holy Spirit gives the knowledge by revealing Christ in the heart. He that believeth hath the witness in himself (1 John 5:10).

7. Both came to make ready a people for the Lord. This was the outstanding feature of John’s mission (Lk 1:17); this is pre-eminently the great mission of the Holy Spirit, calling out a people for His Name, and preparing them for the coming of the Lord (Acts 15:14). The Church is the Lamb’s wife, called and comforted, and led by the Spirit, just as Eliezer made ready Rebekah by giving her the gifts of Isaac, and led her right into the presence of him whom she had not seen yet loved (Gen. 24).

8. Both came to honour the Lord and not themselves. John kept himself, as it were, out of sight, saying, I am a voice, one to be heard but not seen. So the Spirit, we are told, shall not speak of Himself. The mission of the Spirit, like that of John, is to point out Jesus as the Lamb of God. He shall take of Mine and show it unto you (John 16:13, 14). Those filled with the Spirit will in this respect become like the Spirit, seeking only to glorify Jesus. Their language is: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30).

Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.

Barclay - The angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you must call him by the name of John.

Do not be afraid, Zacharias. Luke 24:36–40. Jdg 6:23. Da. 10:12. Mat. 28:5. Mark 16:6.
for your petition has been heard Ge. 25:21. 1 Sa. 1:20–23. Ps. 118:21. Ac. 10:31.
your wife Elizabeth. Ge. 17:10; 18:14. Jdg 13:3–5. 1 Sa. 2:21. 2 Ki. 4:16, 17. Ps. 113:9; 127:3–5.
you will give him the name John Luke 1:60–63; Luke 2:21. Ge. 17:19. Is. 8:3. Ho. 1:4, 6, 9, 10. Mat. 1:21.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:13 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

Related Passages:

Malachi 4:5-6+ “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. 6 “He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”

Malachi 3:1+ “Behold, I am going to send My messenger (JOHN THE BAPTIST), and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts.

AN ANGELIC ENCOUNTER
BREAKS 400 YEARS OF SILENCE!

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition (deesis) has been heard - And this is the first mention of the breaking of God's 400 years of silence since God had last spoken through His prophet Malachi. This is somewhat ironic for literally the last words in Malachi God predicted the coming of the forerunner John the Baptist (Malachi 4:5-6+, cf Malachi 3:1+), the very one God's messenger was now announcing to Zacharias! God went silent after a prediction and 400 years later first speaks by describing the fulfillment of His prediction and then the one who hears (Zacharias) goes silent (for about 9 months)! Interesting! Angelic visitations to announce births are rather common in the Old Testament (Ge 16:10-11; 17:15-19; 18:10-15; 25:23; Jdg 13:3-21). However, this visitation is unusual in that the father rather than the mother receives the message.

As Spurgeon says "The best quietus to fear is answered prayer. If God has heard thee, be not thou again afraid." (Luke 1)

Steven Cole adds that "It had been 400 years since God’s people had heard a word from God. As in the days just before Samuel’s ministry, “word from the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent” (1Sa 3:1). All this while, a faithful remnant among God’s people was praying that He would fulfill His longstanding promise of sending salvation through His Messiah. Then, suddenly, without advance notice, God broke into history and announced what He was about to do in the birth of John the Baptist. Although Luke does not explain the meaning of any of the Hebrew names for his Gentile readers, I cannot help but think that there is a divine significance to each of them. John means “God has been gracious,” and that was certainly fitting. Liefeld states, “That the child was named before his birth stresses God’s sovereignty in choosing him to be his servant” (ibid.). Commenting on Lk 1:15, Howard Marshall states, “The language expresses divine choice and care of a person from his very birth, but here in connection with Lk 1:41-44 a pre-natal sanctification of John is implied; even before he was born, the hand of God was on him to prepare him for his work. Thus in the strongest possible way the divine choice of John for his crucial task is stressed” (p. 58)." (Luke 1:5-17 When God Brings Revival)

J C Ryle links Gabriel's message with Daniel's incredible prophecy of 70 weeks in Daniel 9:24-27 which predicted the coming of the Messiah and His crucifixion. This is not an unreasonable consideration in light of the fact that the devout Jews were likely praying for the coming of the Messiah - "(Gabriel) told the believing Israelite that the prophetic weeks of Daniel were at length fulfilled, (Da 9:25+)—that God’s choicest promise was at length going to be accomplished,—and that “the Seed” (Ge 3:15+, cp Gal 3:16+, Gal 4:4+) was about to appear in Whom all the nations of the earth should be blessed. (Ge 22:18) We must place ourselves in imagination in the position of Zacharias, in order to give the verses before us their due weight." ( Expository Thoughts - Luke 1) (Note that Ryle's comments were written in about 1870 and not by a dispensationalist but a literalist)

Do not be afraid (me phobou) is a present imperative with a negative meaning cease being afraid. Gabriel gave the same command to Mary (Lk 1:30+). An unnamed angel told the shepherds "do not be afraid." (Lk 2:9-10+). Jesus commanded Simon (Peter) "Do not fear" (Lk 5:10+). Jesus told the synagogue official whose daughter had died "Do not be afraid" (Lk 8:50+) Compare Lk 12:4-5+, Luke 12:7+, Luke 12:32+. Clearly Jesus did not want His disciples to be fearful.

For (term of explanation = why he did not need to fear) your petition has been heard - What petition? The immediate context ("and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son") supports that this was a specific answer of their prayers for children, even though they were older. (See another possible petition below) Perhaps they recalled God's miraculous gift of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah despite the fact that "Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age and Sarah was past childbearing" (Ge 18:11).

THOUGHT- How apropos is Zecharias name for it means "God remembers," and this is a good reminder to all of us that our prayers have not been forgotten by God. I prayed for two of my children to be saved for 20 years and God heard the petition (on day one) but he waited 20 years to answer affirmatively. Beloved, God is faithful!

J Vernon McGee - Zacharias was praying for a son. Elisabeth was praying for a son. I think that many people were praying that they would have a son. How do I know he is praying for a son? Because the angel said, “Your prayer is heard.”

THOUGHT: And remember they were old and yet they had not given up praying! Is there some prayer you have been praying for years and God seems silent? For many parents it is a "prodigal child" like my wife and I had been praying for 20 years. He was in and out of drug rehab units over most of that time. And toward the end of 20 years, he was seriously contemplating suicide. And yet God intervened 3 years ago and saved him and he has been saved and sober since then and God has blessed him with a wife, a newborn son and a new business! Dear parent, don't stop praying for your prodigal! It is always too soon to quit. When I was saved at age 39, I called my father and he related how he had been praying for me daily literally for 20 years! Don't give up beloved!)

J C Ryle - We learn here, for one thing, that prayers are not necessarily rejected because the answer is long delayed. Zacharias, no doubt, had often prayed for the blessing of children, and, to all appearance, had prayed in vain. At his advanced time of life, he had probably long ceased to mention the subject before God, and had given up all hope of being a father. Yet the very first words of the angel show plainly that the bygone prayers of Zacharias had not been forgotten (Expository Thoughts Luke 1)

Many commentators do not think Zacharias was praying for a son but for redemption of Israel. I agree with McGee's comment that even if Zacharias was not praying for a son as he offered incense, the godly couple had persisted in their prayer for God to give them a son. In a very real since In truth God answered prayers for a Messiah as well as the parent's prayers for a miracle baby who would play a major role preparing the way for the Messiah! In short the both answers would have been interrelated!

Matthew Henry – “Prayers are filed in heaven, and are not forgotten though the thing prayed for is not presently given us. The time as well as the thing is the answer; and God’s gift always transcends the measure of the promise.”

This prayer will be answered but in a richer sense than Zacharias and Elizabeth ever dreamed!

THE PROPHECY
OF JOHN'S BIRTH

And your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John - The angel promises Zacharias a son and tells him (the future tense here functioning like a command in context) to give him the Name John, which means "Jehovah has shown grace" or "Yahweh is gracious." How appropriate for the forerunner's name, for his life would also usher in what is known as the age of grace through the ministry of Jesus Christ who would give grace upon grace! (John 1:16-17+) See story behind name John at "Behind the Name"

Zacharias and Elizabeth had surely suffered some degree of disgrace (Lk 1:25+) from other Jewish parents who had children and saw the failure to bear children as a sign of God withholding His blessing. The Jewish Rabbis said that seven people were excommunicated from God and the list began, "A Jew who has no wife, or a Jew who has a wife and who has no child." And yet here the angel says name your son will be "Jehovah has shown grace" which counters their suffering disgrace. God is a God of grace and Peter's words would have been apropos to Zacharias and Elizabeth

After you (Zacharias and Elizabeth or dear suffering saint put your name here ____________) have suffered for a little while , the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:10-11+)

Spurgeon on John - “The grace” or “the gift of God”, so the name John signifies; and it is a sweet name for anyone to bear. (Luke 1)

Nelson's NKJV Study Bible has an interesting note that "When God names a child, greatness usually follows (see Ge 16:8, 11, Ge 17:19; 1 Ki 13:2; Isa 7:14+, Isa 49:1, Mt 1:21, Lk 1:31)."

Prayer (1162) deesis from deomai = to lack, be in need of) generally refers to urgent requests or supplications to meet a need and are exclusively addressed to God. Deesis prayers arise from one's sense of need (which reflects a humble heart) and in knowing what is lacking. Such an individual makes a plea to God to supply for the need. Deesis in the New Testament always carries the idea of genuine entreaty and supplication before God. It implies a realization of need and a petition for its supply. In Classical Greek deesis (in contrast to the Biblical uses) was not restricted to sacred uses, but was employed of requests preferred to men. In Ephesians 6:18 (note Eph 6:18KJV has supplication) Paul uses deesis twice in his exhortation for saints to pray for one another (implying there is great need on all of our parts! Do we really understand this truth?) Deesis is used by Luke in Luke 2:37+ (of aged Anna!), Luke 5:33+ and Acts 1:14+ which describes the prayer meeting preceding the coming of the Holy Spirit!.

Bear (1080)(gennao from genos = offspring, in turn from ginomai = to become) means to beget, to bring forth, to give birth, to procreate a descendant, to produce offspring, to generate. To beget Is spoken of men (Mt 1:2-16), whereas to bear is spoken of women.

THOUGHT FROM MATTOON - We are reminded here that God answers prayer in His own way and in His own time. I'm sure that Zacharias had been praying for many years for a child, yet, his answer was delayed. Realize that delayed answers are not a denial to our prayers. Delays to our prayers test our earnestness and sincerity in praying and they reveal the wisdom of God. The Lord knew the best time to answer Zacharias' prayer. Beloved, our extremities and difficulties are God's opportunities to show Himself strong on our behalf. Are you going through the ringer right now? Are your trials overwhelming you? Realize that God can do the impossible. Pray! Read Lk 1:37+, Isaiah 65:24, Jeremiah 33:3+, Ps 91:15.

God worked in an "impossible" situation to bring about the fulfillment of all the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Beloved, if we want to have our prayers answered, we must be open to what God can do in impossible situations, and we must wait for God to work in His own time and way.

In his book An Unstoppable Force, Erwin McManus shares the story of how prayers resulted in what can only be called a miraculous recreation. Through prayer, an impossibility was changed to a fulfillment. While ministering in South Dallas, McManus's small congregation began to grow. Looking for a place to build a larger church building, the leadership spotted an acre of land for sale. Given its location near downtown Dallas, it seemed strange that the property was available. Excited at their good fortune, this small group of people, many on welfare, began to pray that the site would soon be theirs. Eventually, they were able to purchase the property after receiving financial help from an association of churches.

As the congregation began the process of obtaining building permits, they discovered the property had been declared unacceptable for construction by the city of Dallas. The acre of land in a prime location was nothing more than a worthless landfill. McManus grieved over this waste of precious time and money. He writes: We had bought an acre of garbage. Several core samples were taken. From what I understood, they went at least twenty-five feet deep and found nothing but trash. All I could do was ask our congregation to pray with me and believe that God was with us, and that He would even use the worst of human mistakes to perform the greatest of miracles.

After months of prayer, a woman from the congregation told McManus that since they had asked God to turn the land into something useful, surely it had been taken care of. Feeling God's confirmation of her words, McManus asked for more core samples to be taken. This time the researchers did their tests again and found soil.

McManus writes: How did this happen? Was it because the core sample was in a different part of the land or could it be that God had actually performed a miracle and changed the landfill to good land? What I do know is that the same realtor who sold the property to me came back and offered me three times the amount he had sold it for once he heard the clearance to build had actually come through. What I do know is that the previous owners could not build on the property, but we could. What I do know is that we were told the property was worthless and unusable. What I cannot tell you is what happened beneath the ground at 2815 South Ervay Street. All I can tell you is what I know—and that is that God took my failure and performed a miracle. Today Cornerstone Church worships on that acre of land in a sanctuary built by our own hands. Beloved, with God all things are possible. (Mattoon's Treasures – Treasures from Luke, Volume 1)

Luke 1:14 "You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

Luke 1:58. Ge. 21:6. Pr. 15:20; 23:15, 24.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:14 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

A PROPHECY OF
FUTURE JOY

You will have joy (chara) and gladness (agalliasis) - Joy and gladness are hallmarks of the future Messianic Kingdom

And it will be said in that day (THE DAY WHEN MESSIAH RETURNS), “Behold, this is our God for Whom we have waited that He might SAVE us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation (Described in Ro 11:26-27+; Zech 12:10-14+, Zech 13:1+).” (Isaiah 25:9, cf Ps 14:7; 48:11).

Comment - If this text is read literally and in its proper context, it is very clear that Isaiah is NOT giving a prophecy about the Church but about the nation of Israel. Isaiah is a Jewish prophet and the word "us" refers to Jews, so in context a literal rendering is that God will save the nation of Israel in the future (albeit only a remnant - see Zech 13:8-9+)

The motif of joy runs through Luke’s gospel and rightly so for good news always bring joy and great news brings great joy! (Lk 1:44, 47, 58; Lk 2:10; Lk 6:23;Lk 8:13; Lk 10:17-21; Lk 13:17; Lk 15:5-10, 22-32; Lk 19:6, 37; Lk 24:52).

Isaiah 35 is one of the great descriptions of the Messianic or Millennial kingdom that follows the judgments prophesied in Isaiah 34:1-17. Isaiah records that...

1 The wilderness and the desert will be glad, and the Arabah (desert areas) will rejoice and blossom; like the crocus 2 It will blossom profusely and rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God (Israel is to recognize the earth’s newfound fruitfulness as coming from the Lord and attribute to Him the appropriate credit). 3 Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble.

4 Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you." 5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 6 Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb will shout for joy. (God’s restoration in the millennial age is to include physical restoration to the afflicted. Jesus’ first coming gave a foretaste of that future day) For waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the Arabah. 7 And the scorched land will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water. In the haunt of jackals, its resting place, grass becomes reeds and rushes. (Water is a precious commodity in Israel but in the Millennium, there will be no lack) 8 And a highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, But it will be for him who walks that way, And fools will not wander on it. 9 No lion will be there, Nor will any vicious beast go up on it; These will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there, 10 And the ransomed of the LORD will return, and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. (Isaiah 35:1-10-see in depth commentary)

Robert Stein says "This joy was not just personal feeling, but the eschatological joy brought by the arrival of the Messianic age." (New American Commentary)

John Martin on joy - An illustration of this is in Luke 15:1-32, where three times joy and rejoicing came because something lost had been found, a picture of salvation. And John the Baptist's ministry brought joy to the Israelites who believed his message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Lk 3:3). (See Bible Knowledge Commentary)

And many will rejoice (chairo) at his birth (genesis) - Many but not all. Many will not rejoice for to them the announcement of Good News is "bad news" to them for this light convicts them of their dark behavior. (cf John 3:19-20+)

Joy (5479)(chara)(and rejoice) is a feeling of inner gladness, delight or rejoicing. Joy is a feeling of inner gladness, delight or rejoicing. Joy in the NT is virtually always used to signify a feeling of "happiness" that is based on spiritual realities (and independent of what "happens"). Joy is an inner gladness; a deep seated pleasure. It is a depth of assurance and confidence that ignites a cheerful heart. It is a cheerful heart that leads to cheerful behavior. Joy is not an experience that comes from favorable circumstances but is God’s gift to believers. Joy is a part of God’s very essence and as discussed below His Spirit manifests this supernatural joy in His children (Galatians 5:22+, Acts 13:52+, 1Th 1:6+). Joy is the deep-down sense of well-being that abides in the heart of the person who knows all is well between himself and the Lord. There is a chorus from an old spiritual song that is apropos "Happiness happens but joy abides." Luke's uses of chara - Lk. 1:14; Lk. 2:10; Lk. 8:13; Lk. 10:17; Lk. 15:7; Lk. 15:10; Lk. 24:41; Lk. 24:52; Acts 8:8; Acts 12:14; Acts 13:52; Acts 15:3;

Gladness (20)(agalliasis related verb - agalliao from agan = much + hallomai = jump; gush, leap, spring up = literally to jump much, leap for joy) means gladness or extreme joy, often accompanied by words and/or bodily movements, such as jumping, smiling, etc. "Literally, “with exultation” as of those who leap for joy." (Jamieson) This quality of rejoicing refers to a demonstrative rejoicing (Arndt). It indicates the joy and happiness that arises from the experience of God’s saving action. Agalliasis speaks here of the joy at John's birth but it also has eschatological overtones denoting the the jubilation of God’s people when the Messiah returns at Second Coming. The idea is this person experiences excessive, ecstatic joy even with leaping and skipping. Gladness is manifest jubilant exultation, a quality of joy that remains unhindered and unchanged by what happens. Agalliasis describes an exceeding joy (independent of dire circumstances) which is enabled or energized by the Holy Spirit. Agalliasis - Luke has 3 of the 5 NT uses - Lk. 1:14; Lk. 1:44; Acts 2:46+; Heb. 1:9; Jude 1:24

Barclay writes that agalliasis "is the joy which leaps for joy. As it has been put, it is the joy of the climber who has reached the summit, and who leaps for joy that the mountain path is conquered." (Daily Study Bible) Barclay's picture of jumping joy is great, as long as I'm "on top of the world". What about when I am in the valley? The word agalliasis teaches that believers do not have to be on a mountain top to experience this exceeding joy. In fact, believers, because of their new nature (partakers of the divine nature 2 Peter 1:4+), can experience this quality of joy even though they are walking through "the valley" of difficult circumstances!

Will rejoice (5463)(chairo) means to be "cheer" full, calmly happy or well-off. Chairo implies and imparts joy. Chairo is used in a whole range of situations in which the emotion of joy is evoked. To be in a state of happiness and well being (often independent of what is happening when the Source is the Spirit!). Chairo means to enjoy a state of gladness, to be delighted.

Luke's uses of chairo - Lk. 1:14; Lk. 1:28 = "Greetings"; Lk. 6:23 = "Be glad" (aorist imperative); Lk. 10:20; Lk. 13:17; Lk. 15:5; Lk. 15:32; Lk. 19:6; Lk. 19:37; Lk. 22:5; Lk. 23:8; Acts 5:41; Acts 8:39; Acts 11:23; Acts 13:48; Acts 15:23; Acts 15:31; Acts 23:26;

Birth (1078)(genesis from gennao = to give birth to, beget). BDAG - lit. of ancestry as point of origin but also of one’s coming into being at a specific moment. In James 1:23+ it means natural and describes one's face literally reading "the face (prosopon) he was born with." It is his natural face, i.e. the way he has turned out to be, the way he really looks. It means life, human experience in Jas 3:6 was used in the Orphic mysteries with the meaning. ‘wheel of human origin’. In James 3:6 it seems to have lost its original meaning and to signify course of life, whole of life. In Mt 1:1 genesis means an account of someone’s life or their life history, the source, origin so that biblos geneseos tinos = a book of one's lineage, i.e. in which his ancestry or his progeny are enumerated.

Genesis - birth(2), genealogy(1), life(1), natural(1). Matt. 1:1; Matt. 1:18; Lk. 1:14 - "many will rejoice at his (John the Baptist's) birth."; Jas. 1:23; Jas. 3:6

TECHNICAL NOTE - The Greek Textus Receptus has gennesis (1083) for birth (in KJV of Mt 1:18, Lk 1:14), whereas the modern manuscripts (N/A) have genesis (1078) which most authorities accept as the authentic reading.

Luke 1:15 "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb.

AMP For he will be great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord. And he must drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit even in and from his mother's womb (Nu 6:3).

NET for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. (Luk 1:15 NET)

great. Luke 7:28. Ge. 12:2; 48:19. Jos. 3:7; 4:14. 1 Ch. 17:8; 29:12. Mt 11:9–19. John 5:35.
and he will drink no wine Luke 7:33. Nu. 6:2–4. Jdg 13:4–6. Mat. 11:18.
he will be filled with the Holy Spirit . Zec. 9:15. Ac. 2:4, 14–18. Ep. 5:18.
while yet in his mother's womb. Ps. 22:9. Je. 1:5. Ga. 1:15.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:15 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

Related Passages

Lk 7:28+ Jesus comments "I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Mt 11:11+ “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Galatians 1:15+ But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb (ESV = set me apart before I was born) and called me through His grace, was pleased

JOHN THE BAPTIST
GREAT BEFORE GOD

For - Always pause to ponder and query this term of explanation. In this case the angel explains why this previously childless couple would have joy and gladness.

He will be great in the sight (enopion) of the Lord - Great is the Greek word megas which gives us English mega meaning "Extremely large in size, scale, or degree." Note that the world has a standard of "greatness" but this is a heavenly standard, God's estimate of greatness and between them there is a vast gulf, the world's standard being faulty and temporary, the Lord's standard being true and eternal.

Rod Mattoon observes that "God's standard for greatness is much different than man's. Greatness comes from having several attitudes. (1). Serving Others (Mt 20:26, Mt 23:11) (2). A Spirit of Humility (Mt 23:12, Mt 18:4, Luke 9:48) (3). Submission to the Scriptures (Mt 5:19)

J C Ryle adds that "The measure of greatness which is common among men is utterly false and deceptive. Princes and potentates, conquerors and leaders of armies, statesmen and philosophers, artists and authors,—these are the kind of men whom the world calls “great.” Such greatness is not recognized among the angels of God. Those who do great things for God, they reckon great. Those who do little for God, they reckon little. They measure and value every man according to the position in which he is likely to stand at the last day.

THOUGHT - What other kind of greatness even matters? Greatness in the sight of men is not equal to greatness in the sight of God! We each need to honestly ask ourselves, "Do I value God's opinion of my life over men's opinion? Do I seek to be a man-pleaser or a God-pleaser? These are tough questions if we are brutally honest! This is one reason I love the prayer in Colossians 1:9-10+ that we might be supernaturally enabled ("filled with [CONTROLLED BY] the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding") to "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (ONLY ONE WAY = WALKING LIKE JESUS WALKED) to please Him in all respects...." One thinks of the man named "Herod the Great" who was really Herod the Great Evil" who not surprisingly fathered a child Herod Antipas who beheaded the greatest man born among women (Mt 14:3-11) and played a role in the crucifixion of Christ, the greatest Man in all eternity! So we need to be very careful in appending the term "great" to any man on earth! And John 3:30+ gives us a "clue" as to why John was great declaring "“He must increase, but I must decrease." A good attitude to emulate!

Hendriksen comments that "in view of the fact that Jesus himself, in describing the nature of true greatness, always links it with humility (Luke 7:6, 9; cf. Matt. 8:8, 10; Luke 9:46-48; cf. Matt. 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-37; and see also Matt. 15:27, 28), is it not altogether probable that this characteristic which was to mark John is also implied here in Luke 1:15? Without humility would it even be possible for anyone to be "great," especially "in the sight of the Lord"? (Baker New Testament Commentary – Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke)

James Smith notes that this phrase great in the sight of the Lord "assures us that he must have been in a condition of—RIGHTNESS WITH GOD. No one can be great in the favour of God who is not right with Him. Reconciliation is needed to acceptance. LIKENESS TO GOD. It is possible to be justified before Him and yet not be fully conformed to Him. He made the first man after His own likeness. The second Man is the Lord from Heaven, after whose likeness we are now to be created by the same Spirit. READINESS FOR GOD. A man entirely separated for Him, with no interest to come between him and his service for God. He was in no way entangled, a free man to do His will. This is greatness. In himself. "He was filled with the Holy Ghost." Not the greatness of his own will, of purpose, or goodness, but the greatness of God dwelling in him. This implies—1 SELF-ABNEGATION. He died to himself that God might live and move in him. Not I, but Christ in me. Man's original greatness was lowered to the dust through sin, and eternally ruined. The way into greatness in the Divine eyes is not by self-reformation, but by self-abnegation. A going out of the ruined nature into the life of God. I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live. 2 DIVINE POSSESSION. Filled with the Holy Spirit. Yielded up to the will of God as taught by His Spirit abiding within. Be not drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit. All true greatness comes from Him who alone is great. Great in wisdom, holiness, and power. "Thy gentleness hath made me great" (2 Sam. 22:36). 3. HEAVENLY WISDOM. To be filled with the Spirit is to be filled with the knowledge of His will, so that every thought and act may be in perfect harmony with the mind of God. He worketh in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Ye are wise in Christ. (Great) 3. Among his fellowmen. "Many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God." This greatness then lies in holiness and usefulness. It is not something given us for our own honour, ease, or aggrandisement, but whereby the power of God may come into contact with others. If you would have this greatness you must not seek it for yourself. He will not give His glory to another. Here we see—1. GREAT FAITHFULNESS. His ministry gives abundant evidence of his fearlessness and devotion to the work of God. Like the apostle of the Gentiles he could say, "This one thing I do" (Phil. 3:13) .2. GREAT POWER. Like the greater One who was to come after him, he spoke with power. His word was sharp, and quick, and powerful, because it was a word that burned in his bones. He was in vital sympathy with his message. It was to him no task committed to memory, but the living truth, blazing in a living soul, and dropping from his glowing tongue like coals of fire. 3. GREAT SUCCESS. "Many turned to the Lord." A Holy Ghost ministry is always a success. It is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which is in you. The Spirit of your Father will never speak without telling effect. The secret of his success lay in his exalting the Lord and not himself. He must increase, and I must decrease. "Go thou and do likewise" (Luke 10:37).(Handfuls of Purpose)

THOUGHT - Before the face and thus the idea of face to face! Of doing something in someone’s presence - Jesus' entire life was lived as it were "Coram Deo" before the face of His Father. What would happen if we (enabled by His Spirit) were to live our lives with a similar mindset? As Thomas à Kempis once said "What thou art in the sight of God, that thou truly art."

The acorn does not fall very far from the tree. Like parents, like son - Parents "both righteous in the sight of God," (Lk 1:6+) and John "great in the sight of the Lord."

THOUGHT FROM J R Miller - There are people who are great in their own eyes or in the eyes of their friends—who in God's sight are very small. It is well to have people's approval of us and our work—but it is incalculably better to have God's approval (cf Jn 8:29). We should strive always to be and to do—what Christ would have us to be and to do (ED: Walking Like Jesus Walked). It is well to ask ourselves quite often—what God thinks of us (ED: cf Ps 139:23-24). We like to please men; let us seek to please God (ED: cf Heb 11:6+). (Devotional Hours with the Bible)

The description of John the Baptist recalls to mind the OT description of one who took a Nazarite vow...but John does not fulfill all the requirements of the Nazirite vow (e.g., nothing said about not cutting his hair)....

(Nu. 6:2-4) “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazarite, to dedicate himself to the LORD, 3 he shall abstain from wine and strong drink; he shall drink no vinegar, whether made from wine or strong drink, nor shall he drink any grape juice nor eat fresh or dried grapes. 4 ‘All the days of his separation he shall not eat anything that is produced by the grape vine, from [the] seeds even to [the] skin.

J Vernon McGee - The son of Elisabeth and Zacharias was to be a Nazarite (ED: MCGEE IS NOT ACTUALLY CORRECT - JOHN WAS NEVER TOLD NOT TO CUT HIS HAIR. HE MAY HAVE BEEN "NAZIRITE-LIKE" BUT HE IS STRICTLY SPEAKING NOT A NAZIRITE). One of the things the Nazarite vowed was that he would not drink strong drink or wine. He was to find his joy in the Holy Spirit and in God. That is the reason Paul, in Ephesians 5:18+, says, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” Get your joy from God, not from a bottle (GOOD ADVICE!). There are a lot of bottle-babies today. I am not speaking of crib babies but of adult babies hanging over a bar. And there are some Christians today who have to be pepped up and hepped up in order to face life. We need to recognize that the Holy Spirit of God can give us the strength to face life. (E.g., read Ro 15:13+) (See context in Thru the Bible)

And he will drink no wine (oinos) or liquor (sikera) - Remember this description is evidence of and explanation of John's greatness. This attribute deals with with the physical and external aspect of his character. The next attribute, filled with the Spirit deals with the spiritual and internal aspect of his character. So one way John would be "great" would be that he was a "separated" man. Luke's point of mentioning "separation" from drink or liquor is that John would be a man consecrated or dedicated to the Lord. Since there is no mention that John should not cut his hair this does description not fit the full definition of a classic Nazarite vow (Nu 6:1-21+) as described in the announcement of another "miracle baby" (cf Jdg 13:2+ = "wife was barren") named Samson. Regarding the call of Samson we read “Now therefore, (1) be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, (2) nor eat any unclean thing. 5 “For behold, you shall conceive and give birth to a son, and (3) no razor shall come upon his head, for the boy shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”(Jdg 13:4-5+)

THOUGHT - In a similar sense Paul describes the relationship between separation and service to God writing "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from (AKA "SEPARATES") these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work." (2 Ti 2:21+) As D. L. Moody said "God doesn't seek for golden vessels, and does not ask for silver ones, but He must have clean ones." Would you call yourself a "clean vessel?" If not, perhaps that is why you are not being used by the Lord to the degree you might desire (and that God desires to use you)! So, you must choose the type of vessel you will be. Cleansing yourself to become a vessel of honor like John the Baptist is your responsibility, enabled by the Spirit Who will give you the desire and the power to cleanse yourself! (Php 2:13NLT+) Don't say you do not desire to cleanse yourself, adding the excuse "You don't know the depth of my addiction(s)!" You are correct! But God does, so listen to His promise - "Behold (A WORD CALCULATED TO GET YOUR ATTENTION, SLEEPY SAINT!), I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jer 32:27+) That is rhetorical of course and Jeremiah knew it because he had just declared "‘Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You." (Jer 32:17+, see Lk 1:37+!) MARK IT DOWN = Only separation will lead to significant service! (See His prophet Jeremiah in Jer 15:19, Malachi 3:3+, Eph 5:11+, 2 Cor 6:14-18 > 2 Cor 7:1+)

SPIRIT FILLED AND
CONTROLLED FROM BIRTH!

And he will be (divine passive) filled (pimplemi) with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb - This is the main reason John would be great! He had a supernatural source to rely on for spiritual power. To be filled with the Spirit was to under the influencing control and power of the Spirit. He would have the power of God in his life the prophet Elijah (Lk 1:17). This is Luke's first mention of the Holy Spirit, and he refers to the Holy Spirit about 16x, more than Matthew (~13x), Mark (~7x), and John (~13x). It is worth noting that this was a "Spirit filled family" for both of John's parents were filled with the Spirit (Lk 1:41, Lk 1:67). Yet in his mother's womb reminds us of Jeremiah 1:5 where Jehovah tells his prophet "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." As an aside what does this verse teach about when God recognizes a fetus as a human being? (That's rhetorical of course)! "The Bible teaches life begins at conception and here is a life capable of being controlled and dominated by the Holy Spirit before its ever coming into this world, before birth." (Greatness of John the Baptist) Note God's omniscience and His sovereignty over salvation.

Luke 1:41, 44 says "the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit....“For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy." This would support the premise that John was filled with the Spirit even before he was born.

Filled with the Holy Spirit = a KEY WORD (mark them and interrogate with 5W's/H) in Luke 1 - only Luke uses this exact phrase (8x/8v in NASB) in all the Bible - Lk. 1:15; Lk. 1:41; Lk. 1:67; Acts 2:4; Acts 4:8; Acts 4:31; Acts 9:17; Acts 13:9 (DOES THIS LIST IN ACTS GIVE US ANY CLUE AS TO WHY THE EARLY CHURCH WAS ENABLED TO "TURN THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN?" THAT'S A LARGELY RHETORICAL QUESTION. See A Spirit Filled Church)

Filled with the Spirit is used only two times - Deut 34:9+ describing Joshua and Eph 5:18+ describing God's will for EVERY saint!

John Calvin commented "Let us learn by this example that, from the earliest infancy to the latest old age, the operation of the Spirit in men is free.” (Luke 1)

This passage mentioning no wine and instead filled with the Spirit is a beautiful parallel of Paul's command, first negative, then positive, calling for all saints to be "Nazarite-like," like John the Baptist, even from the first day of our spiritual birth to the last day on earth! (Jn 3:3-6+)!

And do not get drunk (NEGATIVE - present imperative with a negative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled (POSITIVE -present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey = continually submit to Him allowing Him to control you!) with the Spirit, (Eph 5:18+)

THOUGHT - Both commands are passive voice, which means the effecting agent exerts its influence from outside of our own personality. But we are not spiritual puppets, so we still must make the daily (even moment by moment) choice to allow either the negative or the positive "power" to influence and control us. It is still our choice to whom we will surrender each morning -- to the world with its antichrist spirit (1Jn 4:3+) or to the Word (Col 3:16+) and the Spirit of the living God! It's up to you dear child of God! Choose wisely! (See chart on Filled with His Spirit/Richly Indwelt with His Word)

Wine (3631)(oinos) refers to a beverage (1) literally, of the juice of grapes, usually fermented (Lk 1.15); (2) figuratively, in apocalyptic symbolism; (a) as indicating the wrath of God outpoured in judgment (Rev 14.10); (b) as an enticement to immorality, like a love potion (Rev 17.2) (Friberg)

THOUGHT ON DRINK - I do not say that it is the duty of every man to drink neither wine nor strong drink, but I beg every man to notice that if anyone was to be peculiarly consecrated to a holy calling, it was always to be so; “He shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink.” If there be nothing defiling about wine or strong drink, there is certainly nothing sanctifying about it; and the tendency seems to lie the other way, else it is a strange thing that men dedicated to God were so continually bidden to drink neither wine nor strong drink. (Spurgeon)

Liquor (4608)(sikera from Hebrew words shekar = intoxicating drink, strong drink and shakar = to become drunk) means strong drink and describes a sweet intoxicating beverage usually made from something other than grapes (from grain, fruit, honey, or dates, e.g., barley beer = thus some versions translate it "beer") BDAG however comments "It is not possible to determine whether s. was considered any stronger than wine; the rendering ‘strong drink’ (so in many versions) may therefore be misleading." While Lk 1:15 is the only NT use, sikera is used 13 times in the Septuagint and every use translates the phrase "strong drink" - Lev. 10:9; Nu 6:3 (Nazarite vow); Nu 28:7; Dt. 14:26; Dt. 29:6; Jdg. 13:4, 7, 14; Isa. 5:11; Isa. 5:22; Isa. 24:9; Isa. 28:7; Isa. 29:9

MacArthur adds that sikera "is a beverage designed for one purpose and that is to help you lose your self-control, undiluted fermented beverages from fruit or grain, such as whiskeys and beers, consumed for the purpose of intoxication because they wanted to get drunk. They wanted the feeling and the pleasure of drunkenness." (The Greatness of John the Baptist)

Gilbrant on sikera - Occasionally (IN SEPTUAGINT) shēkhār is translated methē or methusma, both of which can mean “strong drink.”...The range of meaning of sidera is the same as that of shākhar. Greek oinos, which translates Hebrew yayin, referred to “fermented beverages made from the juice of grapes” (Louw and Nida). Thus, sikera includes all other fermented drinks. Jerome translated shākhar as “all which is able to inebriate” (Leviticus 10:9, Vulgate). Sikera is generally viewed in a highly unfavorable light in the Septuagint. It destroys judgment (Isa 28:7), leads to drunkenness, and is associated with revelry (Isa 5:11,12). Nazarites were forbidden to drink it (Numbers 6:3; Judges 13:4,7,14, Codex A). Priests were not to drink sikera while ministering (Lev 10:9+ = "Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you will not die–it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations–). However, it was used for certain types of libations (Nu 28:7), and it was not strictly forbidden to all Israelites. They were permitted to buy sikera with the silver derived from their tithes (Dt 14:26). Sikera appears only once in the New Testament. John the Baptist was forbidden to drink oinos or sikera. It is evident from its connection with oinos that sikera retains its Septuagintal meaning. It is not just “beer” that is in mind. John was not allowed to drink any alcoholic beverages. (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary)

Filled (4092)(pimplemi from the obsolete pláō = to fill) to fill, to make full, to complete.

LITERAL FILLING - of a wedding hall = Mt 22:10, of a sponge = Mt 27:48, Jn 19:29, Lk 5:7+ = of boats. Of skins or jars filled with water in Septuagint (Lxx) of Ge 21:19, Ge 24:16).

FIGURATIVE FILLING - Most of the uses of this verb are by Luke (22/24) and most are used with in a figurative sense. Most describe persons filled with something (Spirit or an emotion) and are wholly affected, controlled or influenced by what fills them.

Time was filled up or completed - Lk 1:23 and Lk 1:57

Filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:15+ = of John the Baptist while still in mother's womb, Lk 2:4+ = day of Pentecost, Acts 4:8+ = of Peter, Acts 4:31+ = the praying believers, Acts 9:17+ = of Paul, Acts 13:9+ = of Paul).

Filled with an emotion (Lk 4:28+, Lk 6:11+ = filled with rage, Lk 5:26+ = filled with fear, Acts 3:10+ = wonder and amazement, Acts 5:17+ = jealousy, Acts 13:45+ = Jews filled with jealousy, compare Acts 19:29+ = city filled with confusion). Of time fulfilled or completed (Lk 1:23+ = days of priestly service ended, Lk 1:57+, Lk 2:6+ = pregnancy completed, Lk 2:21-22+, Lk 21:22+. The important takeaway on this verb is to see that what fills a person controls the behavior and actions of that person. Obviously Spirit filling leads to good, godly behavior, but the other emotions noted above lead to sinful, ungodly behavior.

THOUGHT - One of my favorite uses of this verb (other than being filled with the Spirit) is found in the prophecy in Habakkuk 2:14+ "For the earth will be filled (Hebrew = male= to be full; Lxx = pimplemi) with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea." And another verse that speaks of the glorious hope we have at Messiah's Second Coming and establishment of His Millennium (Messianic) Kingdom. "I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house (Millennial Temple - read Ezek 43:2-4, 5) with glory,' says the LORD of hosts." (Haggai 2:7) And all God's children shout "Hallelujah-Praise the Lord!"

James Smith - A GREAT CHARACTER Luke 1:15, 16

“Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist.” He was a Nazarite unto God, drinking neither wine nor strong drink. Wherein did his greatness consist? He was great—

1. Before the Lord. “He shall be great in the sight of the Lord.” This assures us that he must have been in a condition of—

1. RIGHTNESS WITH GOD. No one can be great in the favour of God who is not right with Him. Reconciliation is needed to acceptance.

2. LIKENESS TO GOD. It is possible to be justified before Him and yet not be fully conformed to Him. He made the first man after His own likeness. The second Man is the Lord from Heaven, after whose likeness we are now to be created by the same Spirit.

3. READINESS FOR GOD. A man entirely separated for Him, with no interest to come between him and his service for God. He was in no way entangled, a free man to do His will. This is greatness.

2. In himself. “He was filled with the Holy Ghost.” Not the greatness of his own will, or purpose, or goodness, but the greatness of God dwelling in him. This implies—

1. SELF-ABNEGATION. He died to himself that God might live and move in him. Not I, but Christ in me. Man’s original greatness was lowered to the dust through sin, and eternally ruined. The way into greatness in the Divine eyes is not by self-reformation, but by self-abnegation. A going out of the ruined nature into the life of God. I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live.

2. DIVINE POSSESSION. Filled with the Holy Spirit. Yielded up to the will of God as taught by His Spirit abiding within. Be not drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit. All true greatness comes from Him who alone is great. Great in wisdom, holiness, and power. “Thy gentleness hath made me great” (2 Sam. 22:36).

3. HEAVENLY WISDOM. To be filled with the Spirit is to be filled with the knowledge of His will, so that every thought and act may be in perfect harmony with the mind of God. He worketh in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Ye are wise in Christ.

3. Among his fellowmen. “Many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.” This greatness then lies in holiness and usefulness. It is not something given us for our own honour, ease, or aggrandisement, but whereby the power of God may come into contact with others. If you would have this greatness you must not seek it for yourself. He will not give His glory to another. Here we see—

1. GREAT FAITHFULNESS. His ministry gives abundant evidence of his fearlessness and devotion to the work of God. Like the apostle of the Gentiles he could say, “This one thing I do” (Phil. 3:13).

2. GREAT POWER. Like the greater One who was to come after him, he spoke with power. His word was sharp, and quick, and powerful, because it was a word that burned in his bones. He was in vital sympathy with his message. It was to him no task committed to memory, but the living truth, blazing in a living soul, and dropping from his glowing tongue like coals of fire.

3. GREAT SUCCESS. “Many turned to the Lord.” A Holy Ghost ministry is always a success. It is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which is in you. The Spirit of your Father will never speak without telling effect. The secret of his success lay in his exalting the Lord and not himself. He must increase, and I must decrease. “Go thou and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).

Luke 1:16 "And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.

Amplified And he will turn back and cause to return many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God,

many - Luke 1:76. Is. 40:3–5; 49:6. Da. 12:3. Mal. 3:1. Mat. 3:1–6; 21:32.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:16 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

Related Passages:

Malachi 2:6 “True instruction was in his (Mal 2:4 = LEVI'S) mouth and unrighteousness was not found on his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many back (epistrepho) from iniquity.

Matthew 3:1-6 Now in those days John the Baptist *came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, “THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!’” 4Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; 6 and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.

A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS
CRYING "RETURN!"

And he will turn (epistrepho) many of the sons of Israel back (epistrepho) to the Lord their God - Note that "will" identifies this as a prophecy from God through His messenger Gabriel. The fact that Luke says he will turn which indicates that Israel had turned away from Jehovah. John's ministry was to announce and introduce Jesus to the people and in so doing to be calling people to conversion thus being used as an instrument in God's hand in preparing the people for the reception of their Messiah. Note many but not all. The truth is that when Jesus arrived on the scene we read "He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him." (Jn 1:11+) Nevertheless this is a prophecy that the preaching of John the Baptist would point many Jewish people to the Lord their God.

THOUGHT - Is the Gospel you are preaching by your life and then your lips pointing others to Jesus and causing many lost sons, both Jews and Gentiles, to be born again and to enter into the Kingdom of God? Daniel promises an eternal blessing - "Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." (Da 12:3+, cf 1 Th 2:19-20+)

John prepared the way for the Messiah fulfilling (See also commentary on Mark 1:2-3)

Isaiah 40:3-5 A voice (John the Baptist) is calling, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. 4 “Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley; 5 Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, And all flesh will see [it] together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Henry Morris - This prophecy was fulfilled 700 years later when John the Baptist came to "prepare the way" for Christ (Matthew 3:1-3)

Malachi 3:1+ (quoted by Luke 7:27+, Mt 11:10, Mk 1:2+) "Behold, I am going to send My messenger (John the Baptist), and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, Whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the Messenger of the covenant, in Whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts.

Henry Morris - This prophecy was fulfilled in John the Baptist, over 400 years later. John did, indeed, "prepare the way" for Christ with his preaching. In fact, some (possibly all) of Christ's disciples were first John's disciples. A similar prophecy had previously been given by Isaiah (Isa 40:3,4)

Spurgeon - In the third chapter of this Gospel, you will find the record of John beginning to fulfill this prophecy concerning himself. (Luke 3:1-17, 18+)(Luke 1)

J C Ryle on turn back - He is one who will “turn hearts,”—turn them from ignorance to knowledge, from carelessness to thoughtfulness, from sin to God

Henry Morris - John was the first--and perhaps greatest--gospel preacher. The Lord used him to lead multitudes to Christ (see Matthew 3:5,6+, noting that "all Jerusalem and Judea" came out to hear his message, repenting, confessing their sins, and being baptized). That his message focused on Christ as sin-bearing Savior is evident from John 1:7,8,29.+ (turn to the Lord)

MacArthur summarizes six things demonstrate the true greatness of John.

(1) He was filled with and controlled by the Spirit, even from “his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15b+).

(2) He was obedient to God’s Word. From childhood he followed God’s will, and from it he never wavered.

(3) He was self-controlled, drinking neither “wine or liquor” (Luke 1:15a+). In his food, dress, and life-style he was temperate and austere.

(4) He was humble. His purpose was to announce the king, not to act kingly or take for himself any of the king’s prerogatives. Speaking of Jesus, John said, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals” (Mark 1:7), and on a later occasion, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30+).

(5) He courageously and faithfully proclaimed God’s Word, thundering it across the wilderness as long as he was free to preach, to whomever would listen. (ED: MEN AND WOMEN FILLED WITH/CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT HAVE THE "FRUIT" OF HOLY BOLDNESS! cf Acts 4:31+).

(6) Finally, he was faithful in winning people to Christ, in turning “back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God” (Luke 1:16+). He stands as a pattern for all who seek genuine greatness. (See context in Matthew Commentary)

He will turn (cause to return) (1994)(epistrepho from epí = motion toward + strepho = twist, turn quite around or reverse) means literally to turn around (Mk 8:33+), to turn toward (Rev 1:12), to return (in a figurative sense - of Peter in Lk 22:32+). The figurative sense as intended here in Lk 1:16-17 where the idea is a definite turn (or return) to God in conduct as well as in one's mind (cp similar idea in Mk 4:12+). Epistrepho conveys the idea of turning from idolatry and sin and to love and serve God and is used in that sense in the Septuagint of Mal 2:6+ - “True instruction was in his (Levi's) mouth and unrighteousness was not found on his lips (in stark contrast to the priests of Malachi's day); he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many back (Lxx = epistrepho) from iniquity." The faithful proclamation of the Word by John the Baptist in the NT and Levi of the OT would turn many back to God. Note that not all will turn back.

This verb epistrepho is often associated with repentance and conversion as in Peter's exhortation to the Jews in Acts....

Therefore repent (aorist imperative = command which can be obeyed only in one energized by the Spirit. See Acts 5:31 = Jews and Acts 11:18 = Gentiles) and return (epistrepho in the aorist imperative = command which can be obeyed only in one energized by the Spirit), so that (term of purpose - Ask "What's the purpose?") your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you,(Acts 3:19-20+)

Luke frequently uses epistrepho - 18x (out of a total of 35 verses in the NT) Lk. 1:16; Lk. 1:17; Lk. 2:39; Lk. 8:55; Lk. 17:4; Lk. 17:31; Lk. 22:32; Acts 3:19; Acts 9:35; Acts 9:40; Acts 11:21; Acts 14:15; Acts 15:19; Acts 15:36; Acts 16:18; Acts 26:18; Acts 26:20; Acts 28:27

A Family In Trouble

Read: Malachi 4:4-6; Matthew 1:1-2 |

He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. —Luke 1:16

Many of America’s 30 million white-tailed deer find themselves endangered not by guns, but by the cars of our expanding suburbs. I was reminded of their plight when a mature doe dashed through traffic just ahead of me. As I watched, I wondered what had driven her to take such a chance, and why she then stopped on the other side and looked back over her shoulder. As I drove by her, I turned to follow her gaze and saw two small fawns looking helplessly at their mother across the busy street. Instead of following, they turned and walked back into the woods.

This family is not alone. We too can find ourselves in circumstances of separation and danger we did not anticipate. Reading Malachi and Matthew reminds us that we are troubled children of troubled parents who desperately need the help of our Father in heaven. Sometimes we need His help to see and avoid repeating the sins of our fathers (Neh. 9:2-3). Sometimes we need His help to turn back to the example and care of loving parents (Luke 15:18).

Only from our heavenly Father can we find the perfect forgiveness, example, and inner grace we need. He knows we are all fallen children of fallen parents, and even now He offers us the help of His Spirit and the rescue of His Son. By Mart DeHaan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Each day we learn from yesterday
Of God’s great love and care;
And every burden we must face
He’ll surely help us bear.
—D. De Haan

It’s never too soon to turn back to God.

Luke 1:17 "It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

AMP - And he will [himself] go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn back the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient and incredulous and unpersuadable to the wisdom of the upright [which is the knowledge and holy love of the will of God]—in order to make ready for the Lord a people [perfectly] prepared [in spirit, adjusted and disposed and placed in the right moral state].

before. Luke 1:16. John 1:13, 23–30, 34; 3:28. in. Mal. 4:5, 6. Mat. 11:14; 17:11, 12. Mark 9:11–13. John 1:21–24. Re. 20:4.
power. 1 Ki. 17:1; 18:18; 21:20. 2 Ki. 1:4–6, 16,
Elijah. Mat. 3:4, 7–12; 14:4.
turn. Luke 3:7–14. Mal. 4:6.
and the. Is. 29:24. Mat. 21:29–32. 1 Co. 6:9–11.
to. or, by. to make. 1 Sa. 7:5. 1 Ch. 29:18. 2 Ch. 29:36. Ps. 10:17; 78:8; 111:10. Am. 4:12. Ac. 10:33. Ro. 9:23. Col. 1:12. 2 Ti. 2:21. 1 Pe. 2:9. 2 Pe. 3:11–14. 1 John 2:28.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:17 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

RESTORATION
OF HEARTS

It is he who will go as a forerunner before (enopion) Him - Remember that this is the angel Gabriel prophetically speaking to Zacharias telling him what will transpire in the life of his son John. Him in context is clearly the Messiah. This was John's exalted privilege, to lead the way for Messiah entrance onto the stage of Israel as their long awaited Messiah.

The Gospel of John describes John the Baptist going before Jesus...

There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him....15 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.....23 He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” (John 1:6-7, 15, 23+)

Spurgeon - Happy is the father of such a child! Happy is that man whose office it is to be the herald of Christ! Brethren, many of us are called to that office in a certain sense as we come in our Master’s Name, and preach concerning Him “’Tis all my business here below To cry, ‘Behold the Lamb.’” And in this way we may be partakers of John the Baptist’s joy. (Luke 1)

Luke is quoting in part from the prophecy of Malachi, the last words of the OT in which a promise was given of the return of Elijah before the Day of the Lord. (cp Mt 3:4+, Mt 11:14; Mk 9:11, 12).

Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD.And he will restore (Hebrew shub/sub = movement back to point of departure; Lxx = apokathistano = restore to a previous condition) the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse (note the OT ends with a "curse!" but the NT opens with Jesus Who became a curse for all who will believe in Him - Gal 3:13+). (Mal 4:5-6+)

In the spirit (pneuma) and power (dunamis) of Elijah - Elijah took a bold, uncompromising stand for the Word of God in the face of strong opposition from King Ahab (Read 1Ki 18:17-24). John would also take a bold stand for the Word of God but unlike Elijah would not perform miracles. John's ministry was a purely spiritual ministry (John 10:41). There were similarities between John and Elijah, including their strange physical appearance (cf 2Ki 1:8 with Mk 1:6+) and their powerful, uncompromising preaching.

MacArthur says "And so the angel says there’s coming one in the spirit and power of Elijah, he’s the Elijah that Malachi promised. He’s coming to announce the arrival of the Messiah. And Jesus says, “If you believe the message, if you believe the gospel, if you believe Me, he will fulfill that Elijah prophecy. He will be that Elijah-like prophet.” Now that leaves room for another thought, what if they don’t believe because they didn’t. Well they didn’t and therefore even though John came in the spirit and power of Elijah, there still yet must be a future fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy before the great and terrible day of the Lord. Before Jesus comes to destroy the ungodly, to set up His earthly Kingdom, there will be in that day before He arrives another Elijah-like prophet who will announce His arrival. Perhaps could be one of the two described in Revelation 11. (The Greatness of John the Baptist)

J Vernon McGee points out "Let us understand clearly that although John the Baptist went forth in the spirit and power of Elijah, he was not Elijah." The association of the word spirit (pneuma) and power (dunamis) is common in Luke's writing - Luke 1:35; Lk 4:14; cf. Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; Acts 10:38.

Hendriksen has a good explanation on the meaning of in the spirit (pneuma) and power (dunamis) of Elijah asking "Does this mean that John was Elijah? The answer is both No and Yes. Not literally, as is clear from the fact that when John was asked, Are you Elijah? he truthfully answered, "I am not" (John 1:21+). But figuratively, so that Jesus even calls him Elijah (Mt. 11:13, 14+; cf. Mt 17:12; Mark 9:12, 13+). The solution is given here in Luke 1:17 - The spirit and power of Elijah was going to be clearly displayed in John the Baptist. Compare Elijah's boldness, "I have not troubled Israel but you [Ahab] have" (1Ki 18:18), with the Baptist's (Mt 14:4+), "It isn't right for you [Herod Antipas] to have her [your brother Philip's wife Herodias]." And see also Mt. 3:7+; Lk 3:7+, Lk 3:19+. (New Testament commentary: Exposition of the Gospel)

Jesus later said this was fulfilled in John

Matthew 11:13-14+ “For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come.

Matthew 17:11-12 And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”

Henry Morris - Luke 1:17 is paraphrased from Malachi 4:6. John was not Elijah returned to earth, but his message of repentance and reconciliation of the people to the God whom they had largely forsaken was delivered in the same spirit and power shown in Elijah. His wilderness lifestyle was also reminiscent of the prophet whom God had taken to heaven in the flesh. In no way does the coming of John the Baptist negate the still-in-effect prophecy of Elijah's future return to the earth (see Matthew 17:11; Revelation 11:3-6) to complete his mission. (power of Elias prepared for the Lord)

MacArthur on spirit and power of Elijah - That statement is significant because the Jews believed that God would send a messenger before the Day of the Lord judgment and the Messiah’s coming to set up His kingdom (Mal. 3:1+).

“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts.

Comment: Malachi's names means "the Lord's Messenger" who himself prophesies that God would send "My messenger who would "clear the way before" Him in keeping with Isaiah's prophecy "A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God." (Isa 40:3) The NT clearly identifies the Lord's future messenger as John the Baptist (Mt 3:3+; Mt 11:10, 14; Mt 17:12-13.; Mk 1:2+; Lk 1:17; Lk 7:26, 27+; Jn 1:23+)

John the Baptist in and of himself did not have power to preach "Repent!" (Mt 3:2+), but he did have the filling (cp Lk 1:15+) and thus the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish supernaturally what he could not have accomplished naturally.

THOUGHT - And beloved that same principle applies to you, but there is a caveat. Are you daily yielding to and allowing the Spirit to fill you and energize you? That is a daily question we ALL need to ask ourselves (yours truly included)!

John the Baptist was not Elijah returned to earth, but his message to Israel to repent and be reconciled to God was proclaimed in the same spirit and power shown in Elijah's ministry and John's life in the wilderness was similar to Elijah's life.

A T Robertson - John will deny that he is actually Elijah in person, as they expected (John 1:21+ "Are you Elijah?”), but Jesus will call him Elijah in spirit (Mark 9:12 = Matt. 17:12)

Elijah was to precede the Messiah, but as Jesus teaches John the Baptist although not the literal Elijah did fulfill the role of a "spiritual Elijah." Study the following passages and comments to help understand Luke's statement that John the Baptist would be in the spirit and power of Elijah:

Mark 9:11-13+ They asked Him, saying, “Why is it that the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” And He said to them, “Elijah does first come and restore all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt? BUT I say to you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written of him.”

MacArthur - Elijah must come first. Cf. Mk 8:28, 29. The scribes' teaching in this case was not based on rabbinical tradition, but on the OT (Mal 3:1; 4:5). Malachi's prediction was well known among the Jews of Jesus' day, and the disciples were no doubt trying to figure out how to harmonize it with the appearance of Elijah they had just witnessed (ED: IN THE TRANSFIGURATION). The scribes and Pharisees also no doubt argued that Jesus could not be the Messiah based on the fact that Elijah had not yet appeared. Confused, the 3 disciples asked Jesus for His interpretation. Elijah does first come. Jesus affirmed the correctness of the scribal interpretation of Mal 3:1; 4:5, which must have puzzled the disciples even more. suffer... be treated with contempt. Jesus pointed out that the prophecies about Elijah in no way precluded the suffering and death of Messiah, for that, too, was predicted in the OT (e.g., Ps 22; Ps 69:20, 21; Isa 53; see Ro 1:2). Mk 9:13 Elijah has indeed come. Jesus directly addressed the disciples' question: the prophecies of Elijah's coming had been fulfilled in John the Baptist. Though certainly not a reincarnation of Elijah (cf. Jn 1:21), John came in the "spirit and power of Elijah," and would have fulfilled prophecies if they had believed (see Mt 11:14 (see note below); Lk 1:17 [note]). Because they did reject both John the Baptist and Jesus, there will be another who will come in the spirit and power of Elijah before the second coming of Christ (see Mt 11:14 [note]; Rev 11:5, 6). they did to him. The Jewish leaders rejected John the Baptist (Mt 21:25; Lk 7:33), and Herod killed him (Mk 6:17-29).

John Grassmick - The presence of Elijah at the transfiguration (Mk 9:4), the confirmation of Jesus as Messiah (Mk 8:29; 9:7), and His reference to the Resurrection (Mk 9:9) suggested that the end of all things was near. If so, where was Elijah who must come first to prepare the nation spiritually for the Messiah’s coming? (cf. Mal 3:1–4; Mal 4:5–6) Perhaps the disciples thought Elijah’s work of renewal would mean the Messiah would not need to suffer. In reply, Jesus made two things clear. First, He acknowledged on the one hand that Elijah does come (lit., “is coming”) first (before the Messiah) and restores (“is going to restore”) all things through spiritual renewal (Mal 4:5–6). On the other hand this does not remove the necessity for the Son of Man to suffer much and be rejected (cf. Ps. 22; Isa. 53, esp Isa 53:3).Second, however (but in Greek is a strong adversative), Jesus declared that indeed Elijah has come already. In a veiled way Mark recorded how Jesus identified John the Baptist as the one who fulfilled at Jesus’ First Advent the role function expected of the end-time Elijah (cf. Mk 1:2–8+; Mt 17:13; Lk 1:17). Jesus gave John his true significance which John did not even recognize about himself (cf. Jn 1:21; Mt 11:14). (See context The Bible Knowledge Commentary)

Matthew 11:14+ And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come.

MacArthur - That is, he is the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5, 6 (see Mt 17:12, 13 below). The Jews were aware that Elijah had not died (cf. 2Ki 2:11). This does not suggest that John was Elijah returned. In fact, John himself denied that he was Elijah (Jn 1:21); yet he came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Lk 1:17). If they had believed, John would have been the fulfillment of the Elijah prophecies. (See Mk 9:13 above).

Barbieri - Those leaders wanted a kingdom, but not the kind Jesus was offering. So they were resisting the message and attempting to establish their own rule. But John’s message was true, and if the nation would accept it, and consequently accept Jesus, John would fulfill the prophecies of Elijah. Only if they accepted the message would John the Baptist be the Elijah who was to come (cf. Mal. 4:5). Because the nation rejected the Messiah, Elijah’s coming is still future (cf. Mal 4:6 with Acts 3:21). (See context Bible Knowledge Commentary)

Matthew 17:10-13 And His disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

MacArthur - Why...Elijah must come first? Because it was so prophesied by Mal 4:5, 6. Elijah already came - The Jewish leaders had failed to recognize John the Baptist (though the disciples did, Mt 17:13). John came in the spirit and power of Elijah—and the Jewish leaders had killed him. The Messiah was “going to suffer” similarly.

Louis Barbieri - Elijah had already come in the person of John the Baptist and his ministry was not recognized. Instead of receiving John the Baptist, the religious leaders had rejected him. As they refused to acknowledge John’s ministry and instead rejected him, Jesus too would be rejected. At the first announcement concerning the birth of John, Zechariah his father had been told that he would go before the Lord “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). The Lord’s earlier words concerning John (Matt. 11:14) affirmed that he would have been the predicted Elijah if the nation had responded in saving faith. Everything necessary to bring in Messiah’s kingdom had been performed. The only contingency was the acceptance by the nation of her rightful King. (Bible Knowledge Commentary)

TO TURN (epistrepho) THE HEARTS (kardia) OF THE FATHERS BACK (epistrepho) TO THE CHILDREN and the disobedient (apeithes) to the attitude (phronesis) of the righteous - Note that "all caps" in NAS signifies a direct OT quote. Luke is quoting the first half of Malachi 4:6+ "He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers." What will cause this reconciliation, this change of heart in fathers? The answer is new hearts (Ezek 36:26-27+), circumcised hearts (see circumcision of the heart) by the Spirit as a result of John's bold Spirit filled preaching. The result is that old and young are going be converted because they have repented of their sins and returned to God by faith in the Messiah so that families are going to be reconciled. MacArthur explains this shows "that John the Baptist fulfilled that prophecy." The idea is that John would proclaim a message that would turn people from self to Savior, from idols to God (this pattern is especially well demonstrated in 1Th 1:9+) even as did his OT predecessor Elijah.

A T Robertson on HEARTS OF THE FATHER BACK TO THE CHILDREN - Paternal love had died out. This is one of the first results of conversion, the revival of love in the home

Turn (epistrepho) the hearts (kardia)....and the disobedient (apeithes) to the attitude (phronesis) of the righteous - The disobedient is apeithes which pictures a stubborn, stiff-necked attitude and speaks of disbelief which manifests itself in disobedience.

MacArthur says "John’s preaching would call the children of Israel back from their disobedience, back from their apostasy, back from their rebellion, back from their sin, back from their self-righteousness to the Lord their God." (The Greatness of John the Baptist) And John did so because he was empowered by the Spirit to boldly begin his ministry crying out (commanding) for the sons of Israel to "Repent!" (present imperative = make this your lifestyle!) (Mt 3:2+)

To the attitude (phronesis) of the righteous - So instead of going the "wrong way" (disobedient), John's preaching would result in a reversal of their direction to the "right way." The angel prophesies that John's preaching would confront the obstinate, hard hearts of sinners and transform their unrighteous ("upside down") thinking into ("right side up") righteous thinking. These individuals would be prepared for the Lord. The messenger John would prepare the people for the ultimate Messenger and Message, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

NET Note - Turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children points to horizontal relationships (fathers => children), while (turn) the disobedient to the wisdom of the just shows what God gives from above in a vertical manner.

So as to make ready (hetoimazo) a people prepared (kataskeuazo - perfect tense) for the Lord - Here is the purpose or goal of hearts turned and disobedient made obedient. Then there would be a people prepared for the Lord which would certainly have included Christ's twelve disciples (John 1:35-37+) Who were the people? Primarily people would refer to the Jews for Israel is where Jesus ministered but ultimately would include the Gentiles (see 1Pe 2:10+).

Zacharias clearly believed Gabriel (in contrast to his initial unbelief Lk 1:18-20) for later filled with the Spirit he prophesied of John...

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE (hetoimazo) HIS WAYS; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, (Lk 1:76-77+)

Comment: It is worth noting that some think that John's message in Mt 3:1-8+ was just one of repentance, but Luke clearly shows his message also included "forgiveness of sins" and Mt 3:8+ shows that one's repentance would be shown to be a true heart change by the fact that the individual brought forth spiritual fruit (compare the pattern Eph 2:8-9+ with Eph 2:10+, John 15:5).

Hendriksen has an excellent summary of the words "to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the frame of mind of the righteous" noting that there are two interpretations, the first being very unlikely:

(1) . The "fathers" are the patriarchs. The conversion of many people through John's ministry would cause the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc.—from their heavenly abodes to look down with favor upon their formerly disobedient but now transformed children.

Support for this theory, according to which the souls of the departed are spectators who are constantly looking down upon the arena in which their struggling descendants are still living, is found by its proponents in Heb. 12:1 ("the cloud of witnesses").

Comment. We can understand that this type of interpretation would appeal to those who indulge in fanciful speculations concerning the life hereafter. One author points out its weakness as follows: "Some people think this refers to the contrast between a devout ancestry and an apostate posterity. As we see it, this view is incorrect, since on the basis of that interpretation it is impossible to understand how the heart of the fathers, who died long ago, can be turned back to the children." He correctly concludes: "We must think of the relation between parents and their children." And as to the similarly speculative interpretation of Heb. 12:1, for the correct view read F. F. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews (New International Commentary), Grand Rapids, 1964, pp. 345, 346.

(2). True conversion results, among other things, in revival of harmonious and loving relationships in the home.

Comment. This interpretation fits the historical background in Malachi. As a result of mixed marriages (Mal. 2:11+) and easy divorce (Mal 2:14+) family relationships had become disrupted. Conditions of this character continued into the new dispensation, as is clear from Christ's teaching on divorce and remarriage (Mt. 5:32; Mt 19:9). Nevertheless, family life is of the utmost importance, and this not only for the well-being, both spiritual and physical, of parents and children, but also for the true prosperity of the nation, the church, and society in general. From a spiritual point of view the generation gap is often ruinous.

To reverse this situation was one of the purposes of Malachi's preaching during the old dispensation, and of John's preaching at the beginning of the new dispensation. Given believing parents and similarly right-minded children, domestic harmony results; consequently also effective witness-bearing.

The end result of this ministry of the way-preparer will therefore be the bringing about of "a people well-prepared," that is, "fit for the Master's use" (2 Ti 2:21).

As some see it, the explanation given above is in conflict with the statement of Jesus recorded in such passages as Matt. 10:34-37 (cf. Luke 12:51-53; 14:26): "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother," etc. However, any suggestion of real conflict is baseless. It is, in fact, very easy to conceive of a twofold result of the preaching of the gospel, whether by the Baptist or by Jesus: (a) In many families there would be a sharp division, some siding with the truth, others opposing it. (b) In other families, however, those who had been opposed were going to be converted, so that parents and children would become united in spirit, all serving the Lord. (Baker New Testament Commentary – Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke)

Spirit (4151) pneuma from pneo = to breath). - Note this is only a summary of the vast amount of material available on Pneuma. Pneuma in NT - 380x in 345 verses and in the NAS is translated breath(3), Spirit(239), spirit(103), spirits(32), spiritual(1), wind(1), winds(1)

Power (1411)(dunamis from dunamai = to be able, to have power) power especially achieving power. It is the power to do supernaturally what one cannot do naturally! It refers to intrinsic power or inherent ability, the power or ability to carry out some function, the power residing in a someone or something by virtue of its nature. Dunamis is the word used often by Paul to refer to divine energy, supernatural power. Vine says that dunamis "denotes the ability requisite for meeting difficulties and for the fulfillment of the service committed to us."

Dunamis in Luke and Acts - Lk. 1:17; Lk. 1:35; Lk. 4:14; Lk. 4:36; Lk. 5:17; Lk. 6:19; Lk. 8:46; Lk. 9:1; Lk. 10:13; Lk. 10:19; Lk. 19:37; Lk. 21:26; Lk. 21:27; Lk. 22:69; Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:22; Acts 3:12; Acts 4:7; Acts 4:33; Acts 6:8; Acts 8:10; Acts 8:13; Acts 10:38; Acts 19:11;

Turn...back (1994) (epistrepho from epí = motion toward + strepho = twist, turn quite around or reverse) means to turn around, to return and figuratively to convert. The idea is a definite turn to God in conduct as well as in one's mind, which is a description of conversion which is portrayed in many of the NT uses = Mt. 13:15; Mk 4:12; Acts 3:19; 11:21; 14:15; 15:19; 28:27; 1 Th 1:9-note; Jas 5:19–20.

Disobedient (545)(apeithes from a = without + peitho = to persuade) (See related apeitheia; apeitheo) literally describes one who refuses to be persuaded (unpersuadable), thus picturing one who willfully disregards authority. Impersuasible, incompliant, contumacious. Apeithes pictures a stubborn, stiff-necked attitude and speaks of disbelief manifesting itself in disobedience. Apeithes is opposed to pistis or belief (trust). Apeithes describes someone who will not be persuaded, who stubbornly refuses to believe and obey the truth (All the NT uses - John 3:36; Rom. 2:8; 11:30, 31; 1 Peter 2:8; 3:1, 20).

Attitude (5428)(phronesis from phroneo = to have understanding, to think <> from phren = midriff, heart, mind, thought) describes practical understanding and discernment of the needs, problems principles of everyday life which leads to right action. This word is used in the Septuagint many times in Proverbs (see here) which is not surprising for this is God's wisdom literature.

Vincent on phronesis - This is a lower word than sophia, wisdom (see on Jas. 3:13). It is an attribute or result of wisdom, and not necessarily in a good sense, though mostly so in the New Testament. Compare, however, the use of the kindred word φρόνιμος in Rom. 11:25; 12:16: wise in your own conceits; and the adverb φρονίμως, wisely, of the unjust steward, Luke 16:8. It is practical intelligence, which may or may not be applied to good ends. Appropriate here as a practical term corresponding to disobedient.

Make ready (2090)(hetoimazo from heteos = fitness - see related hetoimasia) means to make ready, specifically to make ready beforehand for some purpose, use, or activity. This verb also carries idea of willingness and eagerness as well as of readiness -- willing, eager and ready to welcome the Messiah and His message. Make ready is in the perfect tense indicating that John's preaching would produce a state of readiness for Christ.

Prepared ( built)(2680) kataskeuazo from kata = intensifies the meaning of + skeuazo = prepare, make ready) means to prepare, make ready, put in a state of readiness (Mk 1:2+). It is used of persons who are mentally and spiritually prepared - "make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Lk 1:17+). To build, construct, erect, create (Heb 3:3-4+, Heb 11:7+, 1 Pe 3:20+). To furnish or equip (Heb 9:2, 6+). Kataskeuazo means to make, construct or erect with idea of adorning and equipping with all things necessary. Kataskeuazo was used in the papyri with reference to the visit of a Roman senator to the Fayum. Directions are given for his welcome; “take care that at the proper places the guest-chambers be got ready." (Moulton and Milligan) Kataskeuazo is used 10x - builder(2), built(1), construction(1), prepare(3), prepared(4). Mt. 11:10; Mk. 1:2; Lk. 1:17; Lk. 7:27; Heb. 3:3; Heb. 3:4; Heb. 9:2; Heb. 9:6; Heb. 11:7; 1 Pet. 3:20

Comparing Elijah to John the Baptist
Elijah was a prophet of the Old Testament (1 Kgs. 17-21).	John was a prophet of the New Testament (early chapters of the Gospels).
Elijah means "My God is Yahweh."	John means "Yahweh is merciful."
Elijah judged Israel when the nation was in idolatry—he told the people to choose either Baal or the Lord God (1 Kgs. 18:25).	John judged Israel and called the nation to repentance—he called for the people to confess their sins (Matt. 3:6).
Elijah performed miracles such as raising of the dead (1 Kgs. 17:17-24).	It is not recorded that John performed miracles.
Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind and a chariot (2 Kgs. 2:11).	John was murdered by Herod (Matt. 14:8).
Elijah was not a reincarnated John the Baptist (John 1:21, 25).	John came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17)
Elijah appeared, along with Moses, at the Transfiguration of the Lord (Matt. 17:3).	John heard from heaven the voice of God say, "This is My beloved Son" (Matt. 3:16-17).
Elijah came to herald the second coming of Christ (Mal. 4:5-6).	John came to herald the first coming of Christ (John 1:29).
Elijah would come to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children (Mal. 4:5-6).	John came to do the same thing (Luke 1:17).

Related Resource:

See additional explanatory notes below on Elijah the Prophet and John the Baptist

QUESTION - Was John the Baptist really Elijah reincarnated?

ANSWER - Matthew 11:7–14 declares,

“Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: ‘What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.’”

Here Jesus quotes from Malachi 3:1, where the messenger appears to be a prophetic figure who is going to appear. According to Malachi 4:5, this messenger is “the prophet Elijah,” whom Jesus identifies as John the Baptist. Does this mean that John the Baptist was Elijah reincarnated? Not at all.

First, Jesus’ original hearers (and Matthew’s original readers) would never have assumed Jesus’ words to refer to reincarnation. Besides, Elijah did not die; he was taken to heaven in a whirlwind as he rode in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11). Arguing for a reincarnation (or a resurrection) of Elijah misses that point. If anything, the prophecy of the Elijah “to come” would have been viewed as Elijah’s physical return to earth from heaven.

Second, the Bible is quite clear that John the Baptist is called “Elijah” because he came in the “spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17), not because he was Elijah in a literal sense. John the Baptist is the New Testament forerunner who points the way to the arrival of the Lord, just as Elijah filled that role in the Old Testament (and might again in the future—see Revelation 11) (ED: SEE NOTES ON Rev 11:3 INCLUDING TABLES )

Third, Elijah himself appears with Moses at Jesus’ transfiguration after John the Baptist’s death. This would not have happened if Elijah had changed his identity into that of John (Matthew 17:11–13).

Fourth, Mark 6:14–16 and Mk 8:28 show that both the people and Herod distinguished between John the Baptist and Elijah.

Finally, proof that this John the Baptist was not Elijah reincarnated comes from John himself. In the first chapter of John the Apostle’s gospel, John the Baptist identifies himself as the messenger of Isaiah 40:3, not as the Elijah of Malachi 3:1. John the Baptist even goes so far as to specifically deny that he was Elijah (John 1:19–23).

John did for Jesus what Elijah was to have done for the coming of the Lord, but he was not Elijah reincarnated. Jesus identified John the Baptist as Elijah, while John the Baptist rejected that identification. How do we reconcile these two teachings? There is a key phrase in Jesus’ identification of John the Baptist that must not be overlooked. He says, “If you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah.” In other words, John the Baptist’s identification as Elijah was not predicated upon his being the actual Elijah, but upon people’s response to his role. To those who were willing to believe in Jesus, John the Baptist functioned as Elijah, for they believed in Jesus as Lord. To the religious leaders who rejected Jesus, John the Baptist did not perform this function. GotQuestions.org (Bolding added)

Luke 1:18 Zacharias said to the angel, "How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years."

Amplified - And Zachariah said to the angel, By what shall I know and be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.

NET Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is old as well."

GNT Καὶ εἶπεν Ζαχαρίας πρὸς τὸν ἄγγελον, Κατὰ τί γνώσομαι τοῦτο; ἐγὼ γάρ εἰμι πρεσβύτης καὶ ἡ γυνή μου προβεβηκυῖα ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις αὐτῆς.

NLT Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I be sure this will happen? I'm an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years."

KJV And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

ESV And Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."

NIV Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."

How will I know this . Luke 1:34. Ge. 15:8; 17:17; 18:12. Jdg 6:36–40. Is. 38:22.
For I am an old man . Luke 1:7. Nu. 11:21–23. 2 Ki. 7:2. Ro. 4:19.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:18 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

ASKING FOR
A SIGN

A good subtitle for this section would be "How not to talk to an angel."

How will I know - Expressing a degree of doubt, Zacharias asked for a sign for which he is rebuked in Lk 1:20 (cp Lk 11:29). Abraham also asked for a sign under similar circumstances "He said, “O Lord GOD, how may I know that I will possess it?” (Ge 15:8).

Ray Pritchard paraphrases, “Do you expect me to believe this?” which captures the note of doubt and skeptical unbelief. Though it was quite true that both Zechariah and Elizabeth were old and past child-bearing years, the angel clearly expected Zechariah to believe what God had said. (Pritchard)

Mary's question in Lk 1:34 does not express doubt that she could give birth. She simply did not understand how it would happen since she had never been with a man and that was the only way she knew that one could become pregnant.

Elizabeth testified that Mary did not doubt the promise. “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” (Lk 1:45)

Zechariah wanted proof. Mary wanted understanding
--Ray Pritchard

Ray Pritchard explains "Even though the promises made to Mary were much greater (and therefore should have been harder to believe), her response is different than Zechariah’s. When the angel finished his announcement, Mary simply replied, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Lk 1:34) Later she said, “I am the Lord’s slave. May it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). There is a subtle but important difference at work here. Zechariah wanted proof. Mary wanted understanding....Zechariah’s question really is, “Why should I believe something preposterous like this?” If we compare Zechariah to Mary, we are left with a question like this. Which is harder to believe, that an older couple, well past childbearing years, should have a child or that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a son? While both challenge the mind and both are humanly impossible, surely the virginal conception of Jesus is a miracle of a different order than Elizabeth getting pregnant. Yet she believed, and Zechariah didn’t. What are we to learn from this? (1) Even very strong believers will sometimes stumble through unbelief....Zechariah’s unbelief sprang not from any particular moral weakness but from something more basic. He simply couldn’t conceive of how his wife could conceive. To put it in modern terms, he didn’t have a category for a couple on Medicare having children. Because it didn’t fit his preconceptions, he simply could not and would not allow himself to think differently, not even when Gabriel showed up with a word from the Lord. (2) Sometimes long delays may cause us to doubt that our prayers will ever be answered. The very first thing the angel says is, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard” (Lk 1:14)...There will be times for all of us when it seems as if God has pressed the Mute button so that we do not hear from heaven for a long time. In those periods, let us not grow weary (Gal 6:9-10+, Heb 12:3+) but continue to seek the Lord and to pray (Lk 18:1-8+). (3) Man’s unbelief will not cancel God’s plans. If God is God, this must be true. The angel’s message contradicted everything Zechariah knew so he simply refused to believe it. (Good News for Poor Performers and Splendid Sinners)

Spurgeon - His faith was staggered by the apparent impossibility of the case, as ours too often is when outward providences appear to contradict the promise. (Luke 1)

John Martin writes "A sign in the Old Testament was often associated with a confirming observable phenomenon which accompanied a word of prophecy. For the next nine months Zechariah’s attempts to speak would prove the reality of Gabriel’s message." (See context in Bible Knowledge Commentary)

For (term of explanation) I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years - He explains his doubt to Gabriel, but Gabriel was not sympathetic. God promised him and that should have settled it whether it was difficult to believe or not! Zecharias' doubt concerning the prophecy that he would have a son was because he and his wife were too old. But as God told Abraham (whose wife was also "too old")

"Is anything too difficult ("hard" in KJV, Hebrew word pala primarily means to be surpassing or extraordinary and is translated "wonderful" when used of Messiah in Isa 9:6+!) for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son." (Ge 18:14, context Ge 18:10-15)

J Vernon McGee - I cannot help but laugh at a verse like this. A great many people do not find humor in the Bible, but there is—and this verse gives us a taste of it. Here is a man, a priest, who has gone to God in prayer. At the altar of incense he says, “Oh, God, give me a son.” Now when God says through the angel Gabriel, “I am going to give you a son,” Zacharias replies, “How do I know?” He says, “My wife is old and I am old, and I do not think we can have a child.” Yet he was praying for a son! Have you ever prayed like that? You ask God for something, but you really do not believe He is going to give it to you. This is one reason we do not receive answers to our prayers. We have no faith at all. This man Zacharias is quite human, and I cannot help but laugh at him because that’s the way I pray sometimes. (See context in Thru the Bible)

J. C. Ryle on Zecharias' unbelief - We must beware of hastily concluding that our supplications are useless, and specially in the matter of intercessory prayer in behalf of others. It is not for us to prescribe either the time or the way in which our requests are to be answered.

THE PROBLEM OF
DOUBT

Steven Cole - Every thinking person has struggled with the problem of doubt. C. S. Lewis, who was an atheist before he was converted to Christianity, acknowledged that just as the Christian has his moments of doubt, so does the atheist. He wrote, “Believe in God, and you will have to face hours when it seems obvious that this material world is the only reality; disbelieve in Him, and you must face hours when this material world seems to shout at you that it is not all. No conviction religious or irreligious will, of itself, end once and for all this fifth-columnist in the soul. Only the practice of faith resulting in the habit of faith will gradually do that.” (Cited in “Focal Point,” July-September, 1989.)

Doubt comes in varying degrees. There is the doubt of the proud skeptic, who delights in his own intellect. He pits himself against God as if he is a match for the Almighty. He delights in upsetting the faith of weak believers. He sets forth his arguments against God’s existence or the Christian faith as if he is the first brilliant thinker in history to come up with such insights. Such doubters often find jobs teaching at American universities! The Bible dismisses such scoffers with the word, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Ps. 14:1).

Another level of doubt is that of the person who wants to believe, but he’s struggling with difficult questions and he has not yet come to see the glory and excellency of the Lord Jesus Christ as the all-sufficient Savior of sinners. While this person’s questions are often sincere, invariably they are mixed up with sin, especially the sin of wanting to run his own life apart from the lordship of Christ.

In dealing with this type of person, I often use John 7:17, where Jesus said, “If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself.” I’ll point out that while there are some tough questions, the core issue is one of the heart, of being willing to obey God. I encourage such people to read the gospel accounts with an open heart and ask the question, “Who is Jesus Christ?” If He is God in human flesh, who offered Himself as the sacrifice for sinners, then we must trust Him and submit ourselves to Him. Once our hearts are subject to Him, He will give us satisfactory answers to most of the tough questions.

Another type of doubt is that of the believer who has gotten his eyes off the Lord in the midst of a difficult situation. The disciples were there when they were being swamped by the storm at sea and they shouted, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!” He first rebuked the disciples, “Why are you timid, you men of little faith?” Then He rebuked the wind and the sea (Matt. 8:25-26). The distraught father was there when the disciples could not cast the demon out of his son. He entreated Jesus, “But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” Jesus responded, “If You can! All things are possible to him who believes.” The father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:22-24).

All of us who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior have been there, too. We believe, but we get our eyes off the Lord and onto the trial that looms before us. If you put a penny close to your eye, it will block out the brilliance of the sun. If you let a trial consume your vision, it will block the glorious power of the Almighty God.
Zacharias was there that day in the temple when Gabriel, the angel who stands in God’s very presence, appeared to him and promised to give Zacharias and his wife, Elizabeth, a son. He should have been ecstatic with joy. Every day for years this devout couple had prayed, “Lord, if it would be Your will, give us a son.” But that had been years ago. Now it was too late. They were both long past the time when even couples who had children were able to conceive. Zacharias had reconciled himself to reality-they were not going to have a son. He had come to terms with God over the matter: “God is sovereign. He is free to bestow His blessings on whom He wishes. For some inscrutable reason, He has withheld that blessing from us.” And now, Zacharias was not willing to open himself to the roller coaster of hopes and fears that he had long left behind. And so he doubted the word of the angel.

What can Zacharias teach us about the problem of doubt?

1. We all struggle with the problem of doubt.
A. Doubt is a problem, even for the righteous.
Zacharias was “righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord” (Lk 1:6). Being righteous in the sight of the Lord means that his godliness was not an outward show, like the “righteousness” of the Pharisees, but a matter of the heart. The man walked with God and he had done so for many years. The fact that such a godly man doubted shows us that none are exempt from the problem.

Other great men and women of faith in the Bible also had their moments of doubt. Sarah stumbled over a similar situation. When the Lord announced to Abraham that his wife would give birth to a son, Sarah, listening on the other side of the tent wall, laughed in doubt (Gen. 18:10-15).

The son of Zacharias, John the Baptist, had a time of doubt. He was languishing in prison and he began to wonder, “If Jesus is truly the Messiah, why am I, His messenger, here in prison?” So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them.” Then He gently rebuked John’s doubt by adding, “And blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me” (Luke 7:22, 23). Jesus went on to tell the crowd that among those born of women, there is no one greater than John. He was a godly man, but he had his time of doubt.

So doubt is a problem, even for those who are righteous in God’s sight. If godly men like Zacharias and John fell into doubt, we should be on guard, so that we do not fall. Since even the godly have fallen, we may wonder, “What is the source of doubt?”

B. Doubt does not stem from a lack of evidence, but from our sinful hearts.
Have you ever talked to someone who said, “If I just saw a miracle or had a direct word from God, I would believe”? It doesn’t work that way. Here, Zacharias had an angel suddenly appear and speak a direct revelation from God, but he did not believe. Later in Luke, the rich man in Hades pleaded with Abraham to send someone to warn his brothers, so that they would not also come to that awful place of torment. Abraham replied that his brothers had Moses and the prophets. But the rich man said, “No, Father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!” But Abraham replied, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:27-31). Doubt is not a problem of evidence, but of the sinfulness of the human heart. Even those who are righteous struggle with the sinful nature.

You may wonder, “How does Zacharias’ question differ from Mary’s question (Lk 1:34)?” When the angel told her that she would become pregnant with Jesus, she asked, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel did not confront her for doubting. Abraham laughed and brought up the matter of his and Sarah’s old age when he was promised a son, but he was not corrected for doubting, while Sarah was (Gen. 17:17). Gideon twice asked God for a sign, and he was not rebuked. But Zacharias asked the angel for a sign, and was rebuked for his doubting. Why these differences?

I think John Calvin (Calvin’s Commentaries [Baker], 1:23) is correct when he brings up these varying cases and points out that the difference was not in the words spoken, but in the hearts of each person. He acknowledges that while God is free to punish one person and pardon another, as He sees fit, that is not the explanation here. Rather, God, who sees the hidden secrets of each person’s heart, knew that Zacharias was different than Abraham, Gideon, or Mary. Zacharias was limiting God by the normal course of human nature. He and Elizabeth were too old to have children. Case closed! But he should have acknowledged, as Gabriel says to Mary, “Nothing will be impossible with God” (Lk 1:37).

Our sinful hearts make us all prone to limit God by human potential. The disciples fell into this error when they were faced with the crowd of 5,000 hungry men, plus women and children. Jesus asked Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?” John explains that Jesus asked this to test Philip, since He knew what He was about to do. Philip did a quick calculation and concluded, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little" (John 6:5-7). Philip may have thought that he was giving a faith-stretching answer, because the disciples clearly did not have 200 denarii to buy bread. But he was limiting God to work through normal human means. But God had a completely different solution, namely, miraculously multiplying the few loaves and fishes they had on hand.

So even if we’ve walked with God for years, when we are faced with a seemingly impossible situation, we need to look to our hearts, which are prone to limit the Almighty by human possibilities. God has given us abundant evidence in Scripture that He is the God of the impossible. Nothing is too difficult for Him. The source of our doubts is not a lack of evidence. It is rather our, sinful hearts.

C. Doubt is often connected with disappointments or long term trials.

We don’t know how long Zacharias and Elizabeth had been married, but it easily could have been 30 or 40 years. In that society, being childless was a matter of reproach (Lk 1:25). For many of those years, they had entreated God to give them a child and take away their reproach, but God did not answer. Now that they were physically too old to have children, they had come to terms with their disappointment. They had concluded that it must not be God’s will. So when the angel suddenly announced that they would have a child, Zacharias doubted. You’ve been there, haven’t you? You prayed for something so long and your request was denied for so long that you concluded, “It isn’t going to happen.” Then, maybe even after you stopped praying, suddenly there was a glimmer of hope that your prayers were about to be answered. But you didn’t want to get your hopes up, only to have them dashed again. So you protected yourself by saying, “Let’s wait and see.” But in your heart, you were doubting God.

A humorous story in the Book of Acts shows the early Christians falling into this same error. Herod Agrippa had executed the apostle James and then had arrested Peter, planning to put him to death just after the Passover. No doubt the church had prayed for James to be delivered, but their prayers had not been answered. They were disappointed, but when Peter was imprisoned, they called another prayer meeting. While they were praying, an angel miraculously delivered Peter from his prison cell. He went to where he surmised the church would be gathered, and stood outside knocking on the door. The servant girl recognized Peter’s voice and got so excited that she forgot to let Peter in. She ran in and announced that Peter was at the door. But everyone in the prayer meeting said, “You’re crazy! It must be Peter’s angel.” But Peter continued knocking. When they opened the door, they were amazed (Acts 12:1-17).

Thankfully, God in His grace often pours out His blessings in spite of our doubts! That was the case with Zacharias. God lovingly disciplined His servant, but Zacharias’ doubts could not thwart the sovereign plan of God. Part of the solution to our doubts is to understand the source of them, as I have been explaining. We’re all prone to doubts because of our sinful hearts, often coupled with disappointments and trials. But Luke also wants us to see that ...

2. The solution for doubt is to see that God will do what He says He will do.

Darrell Bock comments, “Zechariah, righteous as he is, needs to learn that God will fulfill his promises when he sovereignly chooses to act.... The major lesson ... is that God will do what he promises in his own way” (Luke [IVP], p. 37). This is a tricky matter where it’s easy to fall off the horse both ways. On the one hand, some Christians deny God’s sovereignty by making their supposed faith sovereign. They command God around by faith, as if God is under obligation to obey because they barked the orders. Not so! God is sovereign, not the prayers of puny man.

On the other hand, it’s easy to yield to disappointment if God has not answered as we thought He should have, and our disappointment quickly leads us into doubt. The biblical balance is not to waver in unbelief if God doesn’t do something the way we thought He should have. We allow God to be sovereign, but we believe that if He said He would do something, He will do it, even if it takes a different form than we had expected.

Remember, Luke addressed his gospel to a man who was probably a young believer who needed assurance in his faith. The opposite of doubt is not a leap in the dark. The Christian faith is founded on solid historical evidence. Luke wrote to convince Theophilus and his other readers that God was in fact at work in this amazing history of Jesus’ birth and life. He structured these early narratives with this purpose in mind. There are two strands that come together to dispel our doubts by showing that God does what He says He will do.

A. We know through His prophetic word that God does what He says.

Luke underscores this point in several ways. First, there is the structure of the first two chapters of his gospel. There is a parallel pattern here of two birth announcements (John the Baptist, 1:5-25; Jesus the Messiah, 1:26-38); a meeting between the two mothers, Mary and Elizabeth, which serves as the link (1:39-56); and, two birth stories (John, 1:57-80; Jesus, 2:1-40). Through this structure, Luke wants us to see that God is clearly at work in the births of these two men. He sovereignly broke into history and announced what He was about to do. Then He proceeded to do it.

This theme is further underscored in the angel’s announcement to Zacharias, where he cites the prophet Malachi’s prediction of the return of Elijah the prophet and says that John will fulfill that prediction. He also predicts a number of other features of John’s life and ministry which did, in fact, later happen. Luke is driving home the point that what God says He will do, He will do.

This is emphasized in one other way that is a bit more obvious in the Greek text than in the English. In verse 18, Zacharias expresses the reason for his doubt by saying, “I am an old man.” It is an emphatic expression, ego eimi in Greek. In verse 19, the angel responds by using the same emphatic expression, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and I have been sent to speak to you ...” It’s a deliberate contrast between the feebleness of man’s word and the power of God’s Word. It’s as if Gabriel said, “You may be an old man, unable to father a child, but I am no less than the angel who stands in God’s very presence and comes to speak His word at His command.” Thus, clearly, the word of God overcomes the word of man.

Thus one way we can know that God will do what He says He will do is by observing His prophetic word. There are many prophecies in Scripture that were fulfilled later in Scripture. God spoke, and later God did what He said He would do. That should strengthen our faith. Scripture also contains many prophecies yet to be fulfilled. While some of the details may be fuzzy, the overall scheme is pretty clear, and it’s also clear that in our day it is all lining up just as God has said. The world is set up for a powerful leader to bring the nations together under a one-world government, as Revelation predicts. Through the computer revolution, the mechanism is in place to control all buying and selling by giving each person a mark, as the Bible also predicts. The move toward religious unity and tolerance will culminate in the one-world religion, the whore of Revelation 17. So as we see God’s “prophetic word made more sure” (2 Pet. 1:19), we should put our doubts to rest and trust in the Word of God.

B. We know through His loving discipline that God does what He says.

Although our doubts do not keep God from graciously blessing us according to His promise, He does lovingly discipline us in our doubts, that we may share His holiness. So the angel struck Zacharias dumb and, apparently, deaf (see Lk 1:62). By doubting God’s ambassador, he was doubting God Himself. God took that seriously. As a loving Father, He taught His erring child a lesson he would never forget. The angel specifically states Zacharias’ sin: “because you did not believe my words” (Lk 1:20). This is further underscored later in the narrative, when Elizabeth exclaims of Mary, “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord” (Lk 1:45). That’s Luke’s point: Since God will fulfill His word, we should be believing, like Mary, not unbelieving, like Zacharias.

Zacharias’ chastisement was appropriate for his sin. He shut his mouth in silence when he should have praised God, so he would be silent until the day when his lips were loosed to praise God in front of others (Lk 1:67). Doubt has nothing to say; faith opens the heart and lips in praise to God.

Thankfully, doubt need never be fatal. We can recover if we will submit to God’s gracious discipline. During his months of silence, Zacharias submitted to God by meditating on His Word and being thankful for His faithfulness in fulfilling His gracious promises. This is evident from the stream of praise that gushes forth when he finally has his speech restored (1:68-79). It is loaded with references to Scripture and how God has fulfilled His promises. If Zacharias had spent those silent months grumbling about how unfair God was to strike him deaf and dumb, he wouldn’t have erupted in praise as he did.

We should learn from this godly man. When God graciously disciplines us for our doubting hearts, we can either grumble and chafe under it, or we can thankfully submit to His chastening. If, like Zacharias, we submit, we will grow stronger in faith and be filled with joyful, thankful hearts. Thus, We can overcome the problem of doubt if we will see that God does what He says He will do.

Conclusion
In the matter of faith and doubt, the crucial thing is not our feelings and not even our faith. The crucial thing is the object of our faith. You can have great faith in a faulty airplane, but it will crash in spite of your great faith because it’s not a trustworthy plane. You can have little faith in a sound airplane, just enough to get you on board, and that’s all it takes to get you where you’re going. It’s not your faith, but the object of it, that matters most.

Luke wants us to see that God is faithful to His promises, especially in the matter of sending the Lord Jesus Christ to be the promised Savior. We can trust such a God and such a Savior. He has a proven track record of keeping His word.

The doubts that we all have show us that we need a Savior because we are sinners. Only sinners would doubt the all-powerful, faithful, gracious, sovereign God who has given so many evidences of His trustworthy nature. And the good news of Luke is that it is precisely for sinners that Jesus came to this earth: “The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). In your confusion and doubt, call out to Him to save you from your sin. He is mighty to save all who cry out, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner” (Luke 18:13).

Discussion Questions
1. How can you discern whether a person’s doubts are honest questions or a smokescreen for his sin?
2. What issues or questions cause you the most doubt? Why?
3. Is it doubting to pray, “If it be Your will”? Why/why not?
4. Faith is not a leap in the dark; it is based on solid evidence. How can we know when we’re demanding too much evidence? (Luke 1:18-25 The Problem of Doubt)

Luke 1:19 The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.

I am Gabriel. Luke 1:26. Da. 8, 16; 9:21–23. Mat. 18:10. He. 4:14.
and I have been sent to speak to you. Luke 2:10.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:19 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

A FAITHFUL PROMISE TO
A FAITHLESS PRIEST

The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God - For angel see notes on aggelos, a divine messenger from God. The fact that he stands in the presence of God says something about his high rank, office, and position. For in the presence see notes on enopion which pictures Gabriel literally in sight, in front of God, face to face! The are only two good angels named in Scripture, Gabriel and Michael (“Who is like God?”) (Da 10:13, 21, Da 12:1; Rev 12:7). There is one other angel named in the Bible, the fallen angel Satan.

And I have been sent (apostello) to speak to you and to bring you this good news (euaggelizo/euangelizo) - After telling Zacharias who he was, he tells him why he was sent. This use is not the proclamation of the "Gospel" as most of the other uses by Luke are (see below), but of the birth of a son to an "infertile" couple. One is reminded of the rhetorical question regarding one function of angels in the lives of believers "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?" (ANSWER: YES!) (Hebrews 1:14+) (Click for Scriptures that depict angels rendering service to saints) As Thomas Aquinas said "Angels mean messengers and ministers. Their function is to execute the plan of divine providence, even in earthly things."

J Vernon McGee - The Word of God has the seal of God upon it. The Word of God carries authority. What Vernon McGee says is not important, but what the Word of God says is important. God speaks to us through His Word.

Gabriel (1043) is a transliteration of the Hebrew Gabriy'el which means "man of God," "warrior of God," "(mighty) man of God" or "strong man of God.” Gabriel's ministry involves making special announcements concerning God's plans, plans that impact not only Israel but the entire world. In Daniel 9:21 he conveyed one of the most incredible prophecies in the Bible, outlining the end time events in Daniel 9:24-note, Da 9:25-note, Da 9:26-note, Da 9:27-note, the last verse dealing with the Seventieth Week of Daniel which revealed the coming of the Antichrist which would inaugurate a 3.5 year Great Tribulation (cp Mt 24:15-note, Mt 24:21-note).

Holman Bible Dictionary - The heavenly messenger who interpreted to Daniel the meaning of the vision of the ram and the goat. He appears four times in the Bible, each time bringing to human beings a message from the Lord. Twice he appeared to Daniel (John 8:15-27 ; John 9:20-27 ). In the New Testament he appeared to announce the births of John the Baptist (Luke 1:8-20 ) and Jesus (Luke 1:26-38).

Gabriel - Mentioned 4 times in Scripture:

Daniel 8:16 And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai, and he called out and said, "Gabriel, give this man an understanding of the vision."

Daniel 9:21-note while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering.

Luke 1:19 The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.

Luke 1:26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,

Related Resources on Gabriel:

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Gabriel
Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Gabriel
Luke 1:19 What does the Bible say about the angel Gabriel?
American Tract Society Gabriel
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Gabriel
Easton's Bible Dictionary Gabriel
Fausset Bible Dictionary Gabriel
Hitchcock Bible Names Gabriel
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Gabriel
Morrish Bible Dictionary Gabriel
Hawker's Poor Man's Dictionary Gabriel
People's Dictionary of the Bible Gabriel
Watson's Theological Dictionary Gabriel

I have been sent (649)(apostello from apo = from, away from + stello = to withdraw from, avoid) means to send off, to send forth, to send out. Gabriel was God's representative, sent with a commission to give God's message to Zacharias.

Uses of apostello by Luke - Lk. 1:19; Lk. 1:26; Lk. 4:18; Lk. 4:43; Lk. 7:3; Lk. 7:20; Lk. 7:27; Lk. 9:2; Lk. 9:48; Lk. 9:52; Lk. 10:1; Lk. 10:3; Lk. 10:16; Lk. 11:49; Lk. 13:34; Lk. 14:17; Lk. 14:32; Lk. 19:14; Lk. 19:29; Lk. 19:32; Lk. 20:10; Lk. 20:20; Lk. 22:8; Lk. 22:35; Acts 3:20; Acts 3:26; Acts 5:21; Acts 7:14; Acts 7:34; Acts 7:35; Acts 8:14; Acts 9:17; Acts 9:38; Acts 10:8; Acts 10:17; Acts 10:20; Acts 10:36; Acts 11:11; Acts 11:13; Acts 11:30; Acts 13:15; Acts 15:27; Acts 15:33; Acts 16:35; Acts 16:36; Acts 19:22; Acts 26:17; Acts 28:28

Bring...good news (2097)(euaggelizo/euangelizo) from eu = good, well + aggéllo = proclaim, tell; English = evangelize) means to announce good news concerning something, most NT uses referring to preaching the Gospel (Lk 4:43; Ac 13:32; Ro 15:20; 1 Cor 15:1; 2 Cor 10:16; Gal 1:11, 23; 1 Pt 1:12). The present use shows how it was used to describe the proclamation of any kind of good news.

Luke uses euaggelizo in 25 of the 52 verses - Lk. 1:19; Lk. 2:10; Lk. 3:18; Lk. 4:18; Lk. 4:43; Lk. 7:22; Lk. 8:1; Lk. 9:6; Lk. 16:16; Lk. 20:1; Acts 5:42; Acts 8:4; Acts 8:12; Acts 8:25; Acts 8:35; Acts 8:40; Acts 10:36; Acts 11:20; Acts 13:32; Acts 14:7; Acts 14:15; Acts 14:21; Acts 15:35; Acts 16:10; Acts 17:18;

Luke 1:20 "And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."

thou shalt. Luke 1:22, 62, 63. Ex. 4:11. Eze. 3:26; 24:27.
because. Luke 1:45. Ge. 18:10–15. Nu. 20:12. 2 Ki. 7:2, 19. Is. 7:9. Mark 9:19; 16:14. Re. 3:19.
which. Ro. 3:3. 2 Ti. 2:13. Titus 1:2. He. 6:18.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:20 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

A SIGN AND A REBUKE
FOR UNBELIEF

Behold (2400)(idou) is the second person singular aorist middle imperative of eidon which means to see, perceive, look at. In the NT idou is used as a demonstrative particle that draws attention to what follows. Idou in the middle voice means "you yourself look, see, perceive!" The aorist imperative is a command emphasizing "Do it now! Don't delay!"

Luke frequently uses Behold (idou) six times in Luke 1 and 4 times in Luke 2 (He wants to grab out attention!) - Lk. 1:20, 31, 36, 38, 44, 48; 2:10, 25, 34, 48; 5:12, 18; 6:23; 7:12, 25, 27, 34, 37; 8:41; 9:30, 38f; 10:3, 19, 25; 11:31, 32, 41; 13:7, 11, 16, 30, 32, 35; 14:2; 15:29; 17:21, 23; 18:28, 31; 19:2, 8, 20; 22:10, 21, 31, 38, 47; 23:14f, 29, 50; 24:4, 13, 49; Acts 1:10; 2:7; 5:9, 25, 28; 7:56; 8:27, 36; 9:10,11; 10:17, 19, 21, 30; 11:11; 12:7; 13:11, 25, 46; 16:1; 20:22, 25; 27:24;

Spurgeon reminds us that "Behold is a word of wonder; it is intended to excite admiration. Wherever you see it hung out in Scripture, it is like an ancient sign-board, signifying that there are rich wares within, or like the hands which solid readers have observed in the margin of the older Puritanic books, drawing attention to something particularly worthy of observation." I would add, behold is like a divine highlighter, a divine underlining of an especially striking or important text. It says in effect "Listen up, all ye who would be wise in the ways of Jehovah!"

Idou is used by the Biblical writers to (1) prompt or arouse the reader's attention (introducing something new or unusual), (2) to mark a strong emphasis ("Indeed!" Lk 13:16) and (3) to call the reader to pay close attention (very similar to #1) so that one will listen, remember or consider

THOUGHT - Dear reader, have you experienced this "Behold" in your life? If not, then read Acts 4:12, 16:31, Romans 10:9, 10, John 1:12, 13, Ephesians 2:8,9,10 so that you too might "Behold" the glory of the risen Son in your life (see the following comment) and experience a brand new life in Christ.

Unbelief produces silence (Ps. 116:10; 2 Cor. 4:13); faith opens your mouth in praise to God. (Wiersbe)

You shall be silent (siopao) and unable to speak - In a sense this was a sign, but also was a rebuke. So for nine long months Zechariah was reminded every time he tried to speak and no sound came forth that by his unbelief he had offended God. Leon Morris explains that "Zechariah’s refusal to believe must be seen in the light of God’s condescension in sending such a messenger with such a message. To reject him was serious and it would have its consequences. Zechariah would get his sign all right, though not the kind of sign he wanted. He would be silent, quite unable to speak until such time as Gabriel’s words were fulfilled. Gabriel leaves no room for uncertainty. What God has said will come to pass.: (TNTC-Luke)

J Vernon McGee adds that "Zacharias, who has been so vocal, will be dumb for a period of time. Unbelief is always dumb. That is, it never has a message. I agree with Elizabeth Barrett Browning who said that one without faith should be silent. There are many babblers around who are everlastingly spouting off about their unbelief. If they haven’t anything to say, they should keep quiet. Let the man speak who believes in God and has something to say."

Spurgeon - Many a child of God is dumb, because of unbelief. Mary believed, and therefore she sang a holy, joyous song, — a sweet canticle of delight: “My soul doth magnify the Lord.” But Zacharias, because of his unbelief, was unable to speak. I wonder whether there is a man here who might have spoken for his God with power, but whose mouth is closed because of his unbelief. If so, may the Lord hasten the time when his dumbness shall be ended! (Luke 1)

Until the day when these things take place - Do we not see God's mercy in this time phrase until the day? Zacharias' unbelief would result in transient muteness which would be relieved when God brought about the miraculous birth of their son.

Wiersbe - You would think that the presence of an angel and the announcement of God’s Word would encourage Zacharias’ faith, but they did not. Instead of looking to God by faith, the priest looked at himself and his wife and decided that the birth of a son was impossible. He wanted some assurance beyond the plain word of Gabriel, God’s messenger, perhaps a sign from God. This, of course, was unbelief, and unbelief is something God does not accept. Zacharias was really questioning God’s ability to fulfill His own Word! Had he forgotten what God did for Abraham and Sarah? (Gen. 18:9–15; Rom. 4:18–25) Did he think that his physical limitations would hinder Almighty God? But before we criticize Zacharias too much, we should examine ourselves and see how strong our own faith is.Faith is blessed, but unbelief is judged; and Zacharias was struck dumb (and possibly deaf, Luke 1:62) until the Word was fulfilled. “I believed, and therefore have I spoken” (2 Cor. 4:13). Zacharias did not believe; therefore he could not speak. When he left the holy place, he was unable to give the priestly benediction to the people (Num. 6:22–27) or even tell them what he had seen. Indeed, God had given him a very personal “sign” that he would have to live with for the next nine months.(Bible Exposition Commentary)

J C Ryle reminds us not to be too hard on Zecharias - "The holiest actions of the holiest saint that ever lived are all more or less full of defects and imperfections. They are either wrong in their motive or defective in their performance, and in themselves are nothing more than “splendid sins,” deserving God’s wrath and condemnation." As Ray Pritchard says "Ryle has told the truth about the best of us and the rest of us! This side of heaven, we’re a pretty sorry lot, but that’s where God’s grace comes in. No one will be saved by what they do. Our only hope of heaven is to run to the cross and lay hold of Jesus Christ. And we won’t even do that unless God helps us to do it, and even then he must give us the strength to hang on and to keep believing." (Expository Thoughts Luke 1)

Because - Always pause to ponder and query this term of explanation, asking at least "What is Luke explaining?"

You did not believe my words (logos) - For believe see notes on pisteuo. The Greek word for not (ouk) means absolute negation. Zacharias expressed absolute unbelief! You did not believe my word is tantamount to not believing God's Words, for Gabriel's message was God's message.

J C Ryle points out that "Few sins appear to be so peculiarly provoking to God as the sin of unbelief…Let us watch and pray daily against this soul-ruining sin. Concessions to it rob believers of their inward peace, weaken their hands in the day of battle, (and) bring clouds over their hopes. According to the degree of our faith will be our enjoyment of Christ’s salvation, our patience in the day of trial, our victory over the world. Unbelief, in short, is the true cause of a thousand spiritual diseases."

Adrian Rogers adds that "Unbelief is what locked the doors of the Promised Land to the children of Israel. For all the grumbling, bad attitudes, and discontentment that characterized their demeanor after leaving Egypt, it was their unbelief that kept them at a distance from God's promised reward. (Heb 3:19-note and note that in Heb 3:18-note unbelief in this context equated with disobedience!) Jesus, too, allowed the people's unbelief to tie His hands on His ministry visit to His hometown. The Bible clearly says, "He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief" (Matt. 13:58). The sovereign God has limited Himself to work according to the faith and belief of the people of God. When you go to the grocery store, you use dollars to pay for your purchases. But when it comes to the Christian life, you receive from God by faith. As I said before, faith is heaven's medium of exchange. It is by far the greatest asset we have. Unbelief, on the other hand, is our greatest stumbling block in life. Unbelief is the chief wickedness. Unbelief is the mother sin, the father sin, the parent sin. It is the sin of all sins. Unbelief caused Eve to sin against God in the Garden of Eden. She failed to believe the Word of God (Ed: And as in Heb 3:18-19, she disobeyed God)."

Spurgeon - Unbelief is very displeasing to God, and cannot be indulged in, even by the best of men, without involving them in chastisement. If we will not believe a promise, we shall not be permitted the comfort of it, and its fulfilment will be attended with some humiliating circumstance which will mark the Lord’s displeasure at our unbelief. (Luke 1)

Which will be fulfilled (pleroo) in their proper time (kairos) - God said it and that settled it whether Zacharias believed it or not! I am reminded of some the last (wise) words from Joshua to Israel - "Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed." (Josh 23:14+)

THOUGHT - It was true for Israel, true for Zacharias and for you dearly beloved child of God!

Be silent (4623)(siopao from siope = silence, a hush, properly, muteness, i.e. involuntary stillness, or inability to speak) means to be silent, hold one's peace, say nothing (Mt 26:63; Mk 3:4; 9:34; 14:61; Acts 18:9). To stop speaking or become quiet (Mt 20:31; Mk 10:48; Lk 18:39, 19:40) and here in Luke 1:20 meaning to lose the ability to speak. In one use Jesus commands the wind (and waves) to "Hush!" or quieten down, becoming calm (Mk 4:39). In classic Greek it was a command to “be silent” (Iliad 23.568; Odyssey 17.513) Socrates before a jury. (Cf Plato before the popular assembly on Aegina, on trial for his life "did not say a single word.")

Siopao - 10x in 10v - become silent(1), hush(1), kept silent(4), quiet(2), silent(2).

Matthew 20:31 The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
Matthew 26:63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, "I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God."
Mark 3:4 And He said to them, "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?" But they kept silent.
Mark 4:39 And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.
Mark 9:34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest.
Mark 10:48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Mark 14:61 But He kept silent and did not answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"
Luke 1:20 "And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."
Luke 19:40 But Jesus answered, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!"
Acts 18:9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;

Siopao - 28x in 26v in the Septuagint - Nu. 30:14; Deut. 27:9 (= "“Be silent and listen, O Israel! This day you have become a people for the LORD your God."); Jdg. 3:19; 1 Ki. 22:3; 2 Ki. 2:3; 2 Ki. 2:5; 2 Ki. 7:9; 2 Chr. 25:16; Neh. 8:11; Job 16:6; Job 18:3; Job 29:21; Job 30:27; Job 41:12; Isa. 36:21; Isa. 42:14; Isa. 62:1 (= "For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet, Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, And her salvation like a torch that is burning."); Isa. 62:6; Isa. 64:12; Isa. 65:6; Jer. 4:19; Lam. 2:10; Lam. 2:18; Lam. 3:28; Dan. 10:15; Amos 5:13

NIDNTTE - siopao - Concept: Peace, Quiet

GL This vb., found 3× in Homer, is prob. related to the more common term σιγάω G4967 (see Frisk 2:713) and functions as its close synonym. The usage is straightforward. We read that on a certain occasion Cyaxares, when challenged by Cyrus, said nothing in response (πρὸς τοῦτο ἐσίγα), and Cyrus commented, “you prefer to keep silence about this [πρὸς τοῦτο σιωπᾶν] rather than answer” (Xen. Cyr. 5.5.20).

JL In the LXX σιωπάω occurs c. 35× (incl. 7× in Isaiah and 5× each in Job and Sirach). Among various Heb. terms it renders, the most common are חָשָׁה H3120 (9×), חָרֵשׁ II H3087 (6×), and דָּמָה II H1949 (6×). The vb. is used in a variety of contexts. A husband whose wife has made a vow and who, when he learns of it, says nothing cannot later annul the vow, for he was silent about it (Num 30:10–15). The Israelites did not answer the field commander of the Assyrians because the king had told them to be quiet (Isa 36:21). The four lepers knew that they should not keep silent about the fact that the enemy camp of the Arameans had been deserted (2 Kgs 7:9).
Sometimes silence is referred to in situations that involve pain and distress. Even if Job remains silent, that does not mean his pain has gone away (Job 16:6). In fact, the churning inside him never grows quiet (30:27). But he also recalls former days when people used to sit silent before him and listen to his wise counsel (29:21). The elders of Israel sit on the ground in silence after the destruction of Jerusalem (Lam 2:10), and the eyes of the people are given no respite from tears (2:18). Amos points out that those who grieve at injustice in Israel keep quiet, for if they were to speak, they too would become liable to some form of oppression (Amos 5:13). The prophet Jeremiah writhes in pain and cannot keep silent (Jer 4:19).
The Gk. vb. is used of the call to the Israelites to be silent before the Lord so that they can listen to his word (Deut 27:9). In a sim. vein, when Nehemiah commanded the people after the reading of God’s law to rejoice and not to mourn or weep, “the Levites calmed [κατεσιώπων, for the hiph. ptc. of חָשָׁה] all the people, saying, ‘Be still [σιωπᾶτε, for the particle הַסּוּ H2187], for this is a holy day’ ” (Neh 8:11). In addition, σιωπάω is used for the silence of God. While the enemies of his people were destroying the nation, he had kept silent for a time, but now, for the sake of Zion, he will no longer stay quiet but will inflict judgment (Isa 42:14; 62:1; 64:12; 65:6).

NT The vb. σιωπάω occurs 10× in the NT, but half of the occurrences are in Mark, and the others in Matthew and Luke-Acts. Gabriel told Zechariah that, because of his unbelief, he would be silent until the birth of his son (Luke 1:20). The crowd told the two blind men to be quiet and stop shouting out for Jesus to have mercy on them (Matt 20:31). The disciples kept quiet before Jesus out of embarrassment of what they had been discussing (Mark 9:34). At his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, some of the Pharisees, upset with the shouting of the crowds, told Jesus to rebuke his followers, but he responded, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40). Jesus’ enemies remained silent when he asked them whether it was appropriate to do good or to do evil (Mark 3:4), and Jesus himself remained silent before his accusers (Matt 26:63 par. Mark 14:61). While ministering in Corinth, and in the face of opposition, Paul was told in a vision not to fear and not to be silent, for no one would harm him (Acts 18:9–10).
Special interest attaches to the use of the vb. in the command Jesus gave to the storm on the sea of Galilee: σιώπα, πεφίμωσο, “Quiet! Be still” (Mark 4:39; see φιμόω G5821). Note that only Mark gives the direct words of Jesus (the par. in Matt 8:26 and Luke 8:24 simply say that Jesus rebuked the elements). The language here alludes to a similar divine work mentioned in Ps 107:29 (LXX 106:29, which however uses σιγάω G4967).

Bibliography

EDNT 3:247–48; TDOT 3:260–65; NIDOTTE 1:972–73; 2:296–97, 311. T. Krischer, “Σιγᾶν und σιωπᾶν,” Glotta 59 (1981): 93–107; G.-J. Pinault, “Les deux formes du silence homérique et l’origine du verbe σιωπάω,” in Mélanges François Kerlouégan, ed. D. Conso et al. (1994), 501–26.

Fulfilled (completed) (4137)(pleroo) means to make complete in every detail, which is a description of every prophecy of our non-lying God. Matthew frequently uses this verb to describe OT prophecy as fulfilled (Mt 1:22+ Mt 2:15+, Mt 2:17+, Mt 2:23+) What promises from God are you finding it difficult to believe (like Zacharias)? As Titus 1:2+ literally says God is "the non-lying God." Luke's uses of pleroo - Lk. 1:20; Lk. 2:40; Lk. 3:5; Lk. 4:21; Lk. 7:1; Lk. 9:31; Lk. 21:24; Lk. 22:16; Lk. 24:44

Proper time (due season) (2540)(kairos) means a point of time or period of time, time, period, frequently with the implication of being especially fit for something. Kairos is a season, an opportune time, an opportunity ("window of opportunity"). It is a fixed & definite time. It is a period possessed of certain characteristics. For example, a "season" is a time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature. Thus the time for bringing forth fruit [karpophoros (G2593)] is the season (kairos) in which the tree bears fruit, in contrast to late autumn, when there is no more fruit. Kairos does not emphasize a point of time but rather a time space filled with all kinds of possibilities.

Luke uses Kairos 21x (almost 1/4 of all NT uses) - Lk. 1:20; Lk. 4:13; Lk. 8:13; Lk. 12:42; Lk. 12:56; Lk. 13:1; Lk. 18:30; Lk. 19:44; Lk. 20:10; Lk. 21:8; Lk. 21:24; Lk. 21:36; Acts 1:7; Acts 3:19; Acts 7:20; Acts 12:1; Acts 13:11; Acts 14:17; Acts 17:26; Acts 19:23; Acts 24:25

Luke 1:21 And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple.

Nu. 6:23–27
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WAITING AND
WONDERING

Zacharias was to offer incense in the Holy place and then come out and pronounce the Aaronic blessing on the multitudes in the court...

Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’ So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I [then] will bless them. (Nu 6:23-27+)

And the people were waiting for Zacharias - "The service of sprinkling the frankincense on the golden altar took but a short time, and the Talmud reports that the officiating priest remained in the Sanctuary only a brief time. He would then come out and dismiss the people with a benediction." (Lenski) Apparently when the priest would come out he would pronounce the customary blessing upon them such as the one in Numbers 6:24-26+.

The LORD bless you, and keep you; LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’

Guzik - After the incense priest finished, he came out of the holy place through the great doors of the temple, and met the other two priests right outside the doors. Then the incense priest raised his hands and blessed the people with the blessing from Numbers 6:24-26. The hundreds of gathered worshippers knew what to do; they responded by saying, “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.” ii. After all this, the Levites got the worship singers and musicians started. They began with a blast from special silver trumpets; then a priest struck the cymbals, and the choir of Levites began to sing the Psalm of the day. The choir was made up of not less than twelve voices, which mingled young and old for a full range of sound and probably some great harmonies. (Luke 1)

The people would soon have a second surprise because Zacharias would not be able to pronounce the blessing because he could not speak.

Were waiting (expectantly) (4328) (prosdokao from prós = towards - adds the idea of “mental direction” to the already existing meaning of the verb + dokáo = look for denoting direction of one's mind toward something) means literally to look forward toward, to wait for, to look for, to anticipate. It means to give thought to something that is in the future and the context indicates whether one does this looking/waiting in a hopeful sense, with a longing, with fear (wait with anxiety, live in suspense), or in a neutral state of mind. It describes the attitude saints should have as anticipating, waiting with watchfulness, being in expectation. Prosdokao is in the present tense indicating that multitude was continually looking for Zacharias to emerge from the Temple. They were in a state of anticipation. Luke uses prosdokao in a similar sense in Luke 8:40 "And as Jesus returned, the people welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting (expectantly) for Him." Prosdokao is found 16x in 15v in the NT and Luke has 11 of the uses so clearly this is one of his favorite verbs - Lk. 1:21; Lk. 3:15; Lk. 7:19; Lk. 7:20; Lk. 8:40; Lk. 12:46; Acts 3:5; Acts 10:24; Acts 27:33; Acts 28:6 In chapter 3 Luke uses prosdokao in reference to the people's looking for the Messiah writing…

Now while the people were in a state of expectation (prosdokao) and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he might be the Christ, (Luke 3:15, cp similar uses in Lk 7:19, 20 where "look" with expectancy = prosdokao)

Comment: How wonderful if Christ's church in America were in such a state! How much saltier salt and brighter light the church might be in a land growing spiritually darker each day!

In Acts 3 Luke uses prosdokao again recording the attitude of the lame man (who had been lame from his mother's womb) toward Peter…

And he began to give them his attention, expecting (prosdokao) to receive something from them. (Acts 3:5)

Prosdokao describes the attitude of those on the isle of Malta when Paul was bitten by the viper and they waited and watched expecting him to swell up. (Acts 28:6)

But they were expecting (prosdokao) that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.

Comment: In this context the waiting is with apprehension concerning impending danger or trouble. The point is that they watched expectantly because they knew it was a certainty (that Paul would fall over dead) and that it could happen any time! That's the idea inherent in the verb "looking." It's an attitude of expectancy and pictures one whose mind is continually turning to the future while enduring the present evil age around them. A characteristic mark of the genuine believer is that of habitual expectation of the "parousia" (of Christ) which in turn produces a powerful motive for godly, holy living. What you are looking for will (should) radically impact what you are living for. See related discussion of "Vertical Vision".

Fanny Crosby (who ironically was physically blind!) caught the "vision" of expectant living in this stanza from Blessed Assurance --

"Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with his goodness, lost in his love."
(Play hymn)

THOUGHT - Read that third line again and ponder how the various actions and attitudes are interrelated. If a blind saint can have this Godward "eyesight", how much more should those of us who can see the majestic mountains, the glorious sunsets, the countless stars, etc?

As an aside there are three other NT verbs with a meaning very similar to prosdokao:

Prosdechomai (4327) earnestly expect, look forward to, wait for, wait anxiously (Click in depth study)
Apekdechomai (553) to wait for with hope and patience (Click in depth study)
Anemeno (362) to wait for with patience and confident expectancy (Click in depth study)

The people....were wondering at his delay in the temple - Wonder is the feeling aroused by something strange, rare and surprising. Here wondering is in the imperfect tense picturing the people doing so again and again. One can see them looking at each other trying to understand why there was such a delay. Ryrie quips "The people probably wondered if Zacharias had died." This is alluded to in Exodus "It shall be on Aaron when he ministers; and its tinkling shall be heard when he enters and leaves the holy place before the LORD, so that he will not die." (Ex 28:35)

Did the high priest have a rope tied to him when he entered the Holy of Holies? (NOTE THIS ANSWER SPEAKS OF ENTRANCE INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES, NOT THE HOLY PLACE WHICH IS WHERE ZACHARIAS WAS MINISTERING) There is a tradition that the high priest of Israel would enter the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle or temple with a rope tied to his foot and/or with bells around his waist (ED: Ex 28:34 = "a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, all around on the hem of the robe.") Tradition says that when the high priest went into the Holy of Holies on Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) during the last couple of centuries of the temple, a scarlet rope was tied to his foot. A priest in the Holy Place tended the other end of this rope, which had a purpose. If the high priest's sins were not atoned for properly, he would die in the presence of the Shekinah —the glory of God—that filled the Holy of Holies. Since nobody else could enter that part of the temple without also dying, the priests felt they needed a way to retrieve the body of the high priest, if necessary. That was the purpose of the rope—to pull the body out. The bells jingling would be the sign that the priest had fallen to the ground dead. If this tradition is true, it would be a powerful reminder of God's holiness and how we should praise Jesus for the direct access to God's throne He provides! However, the Bible does not record such a practice. In fact, the Bible has specific instructions regarding what the high priest can and cannot wear (Exodus 28-35). It seems highly unlikely that God would allow this practice.

Were wondering (2296)(thaumazo from thauma [from thaomai = to wonder] = wonder, admiration) means to wonder, or be struck with astonishment. While it took a little time to throw incense on the heated altar this delay troubled the people Clearly the idea is they were wondering what had happened to Zacharias for he was in the Temple for longer than expected. His unexpected delay of course was the result of his unexpected encounter with the angel Gabriel.

Delay (5549)(chonizo from chronos = a space of time) means to take time, to tarry, to linger, to delay, to defer. To take one's time. To put off one's arrival. To hesitate. Chronizo was used in the Lxx of Dt 23:22 (similar use in Eccl 5:4) where Moses instructed the people not to "delay to pay" your vow to the LORD. In distress David cries out to God "You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay (Heb - achar - tarry; Lxx = chronizo), O my God. (Ps 40:17, cp similar prayers by David in Ps 70:5 and by Daniel in Da 9:19, both of which use chronizo in the Lxx)

THOUGHT - David's prayer is a good prayer for us to cry out when we are in distress and affliction - "You are my help and my Deliverer; Do not delay!" Amen!

Chronizo is used in the Septuagint to describe an even more famous holy man's delay in returning to appear before the multitude in Exodus 32 and the results were disastrous!

Now when the people saw that Moses delayed (Lxx = chronizo) to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron and said to him, "Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." (Ex 32:1)

Chronizo - 5x in 5v - Usage: is not coming for a long time(1), delay(2), delaying(1), long time(2).

Matthew 24:48 "But if that evil slave says in his heart, 'My master is not coming for a long time,'

Matthew 25:5 "Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep.

Luke 1:21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple.

Luke 12:45 "But if that slave says in his heart, 'My master will be a long time in coming,' and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk;

Hebrews 10:37 FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.

Chronizo - 15 verses in the Septuagint - Gen. 32:4; 34:19; Exod. 32:1; Deut. 4:25; 23:21; Jdg. 5:28; 2 Sam. 20:5; Ps. 40:17; 70:5; Prov. 31:21; Eccl. 5:4; Isa. 13:22; 51:14; Dan. 9:19; Hab. 2:3;

Luke 1:22 But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute.

for. John 13:24. Ac. 12:17; 19:33; 21:40.
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But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them - Absolutely unable is the idea.

Unable (ou = absolute negation + dunamai) (1410) (dunamai) to possess capability for doing something, in this case speaking. Zacharias was absolutely unable to pronounce the Aaronic blessing on the multitudes and this alerted them that something supernatural had occurred.

They realized (recognized, understood) (1921)(epiginosko) means to know fully or exactly. Luke uses epiginosko frequently - some 20 out of 44 NT uses - Lk. 1:4; Lk. 1:22; Lk. 5:22; Lk. 7:37; Lk. 23:7; Lk. 24:16; Lk. 24:31; Acts 3:10; Acts 4:13; Acts 9:30; Acts 12:14; Acts 19:34; Acts 22:24; Acts 22:29; Acts 23:28; Acts 24:8; Acts 24:11; Acts 25:10; Acts 27:39; Acts 28:1. Earlier in this chapter it was Luke's purpose that Theophilus might "know the exact truth about the things" he had been taught (Lk 1:4-note).

And they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple - Realized is epiginosko which intensifies the knowing, indicating they knew with certainty. But how could they be so certain? Since Zacharias was making signs, somehow he was able to play first century "Charades" acting out the word or phrase in order, while the crowd guessed.

Vision (3701)(optasia from optánomai = to appear) describes a coming into view or that which comes into view (cp "optical") - an apparition, a vision. In Scripture optasia refers to a mystical experience of a supernatural appearance. Paul described his vision of the glorified Jesus on the Damascus Road (Acts 26:19) and his rapture to the third heaven as a vision in 2 Cor 12:1 (see 2 Cor 12:2-8). Here and in Lk 24:23 optasia refers to angelic visions.

BDAG - 1. an event of a transcendent character that impresses itself vividly on the mind, a vision, celestial sight, of that which a deity permits a human being to see, either of the deity personally or of something else usually hidden from mortals 2. state of being that is experienced by one who has a vision, trance

Gilbrant - It is difficult to make a clear distinction between dreams and visions in the Bible because visions are called dreams and dreams are called visions (e.g., Acts 2:17; 9:10,12). However, optasia is a waking vision while horama (3568) is a vision seen in a dream. Optasia also means intellectual or spiritual perception that comes by means of mystical or religious experience (Luke 1:22; 24:23; Acts 26:19; 2 Corinthians 12:1). (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary)

Optasia is used in the Lxx of Da 9:23, Da 10:1, Da 10:7-8. In Da 9:23 Gabriel came to give Daniel understanding of the vision of the Seventy Weeks in Daniel 9:24-27.

There are 3 words used for visions in the NT and they are used mainly by Dr Luke (horama [11/12 NT uses by Luke], optasia and horasis [1/2 NT uses]). One other word phantasma (apparition, specter, phantom) is not used by Luke (Mt 14:26, Mk 6:49).

As an aside - "Hórama differs from hórasis in that it contemplates the vision objectively and focuses upon its content presenting the vision as that which results from the act of appearing, namely, that which is manifested, what is seen. Hórasis, contemplates the vision subjectively and focuses upon its character presenting the vision as that which performs the act of appearing, that which appears, that which makes itself visible." (Zodhiates)

Optasia - 4x in 4v with 3 of the uses by Luke - translated as vision(3), visions(1).

Luke 1:22 But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute.

Luke 24:23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.

Acts 26:19 "So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision,

2 Corinthians 12:1 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

James Newell has an excellent summary of Vision in the Bible - An experience in the life of a person, whereby a special revelation from God was received. The revelation from God had two purposes. First, a vision was given for immediate direction, as with Abram in Genesis 12:1-3 ; Lot, Genesis 19:15 ; Balaam, Numbers 22:22-40 ; and Peter, Acts 12:7 . Second, a vision was given to develop the kingdom of God by revealing the moral and spiritual deficiencies of the people of God in light of God's requirements for maintaining a proper relationship with Him. The vision of prophets such as Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, Micah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and John are representative of this aspect of revelation. Several Greek and Hebrew terms are translated by the English word vision. In some references, the literal sense of perception with the physical organs of sight is the intended meaning of the word (Job 27:11-12 ; Proverbs 22:29). In 2 Samuel 7:17 ; Isaiah 22:1 ,Isaiah 22:1,22:5 ; Joel 3:1 ; and Zechariah 13:4 , the Hebrew word refers to the prophetic function of receiving and delivering the word of God by the prophet. Vision in varying forms occurs approximately thirty times in the Book of Daniel. The term denotes the mysterious revelation of that which the prophet described as knowledge of the future. In Ezekiel, the words are used literally and metaphorically. Among the classical prophets (Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Obadiah, etc.) the vision was the primary means of communication between God and the prophet. By this avenue, the prophets interpreted the meaning of immediate events in the history of Israel. “Vision” and “Word of Yahweh” became synonymous in these prophetic writings (see Obadiah 1:1). (Holman Bible Dictionary)

Related Resources:

Torrey's Topical Textbook Visions
American Tract Society Vision
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Vision
Charles Buck Dictionary Vision
Easton's Bible Dictionary Vision
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Vision
Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Vision Vision (2)
King James Dictionary Vision
Morrish Bible Dictionary Visions
Hawker's Poor Man's Dictionary Vision
Vines' Expository Dictionary Vision
Webster Dictionary Vision
Watson's Theological Dictionary Vision
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Vision
McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Vision

And he kept making signs to them, and remained mute - In the case of Zacharias we cannot be certain of the nature of the signs but it would be reasonable for him to gesture with his hands to somehow depict the vision of the angel. As Spurgeon says "By the signs he made, he impressed them with the fact that something extraordinary had happened." (Luke 1)

Kept making signs (1269)(dianeuo) means he was signifying by a nod of his head, beckon, or making signs by gesturing with some part of the body. Thayer - to express one's meaning by a sign, nod to, beckon to, wink at, (dia [which means "through" is used] because the sign is conceived of as passing through the intervening space to him to whom it is made) BDAG adds that dianeuo means " to express an idea through motion of a part of the body, such as head (‘nod’), eye, or hand (‘gesture’)." Dianeuo is used only in Luke 1:22 and once in the Septuagint in Ps 35:19 of a "wink" with one's eye = "Nor let those who hate me without cause wink maliciously." Luke uses the present tense which gives a pictures Zacharias conitinually making signs in an attempt to get the crowd to understand what had happened in the Holy Place.

Remained (1265) (diameno from dia = intensifies meaning + meno = to remain or abide) means to remain permanently or to continue in the same place or condition, in this case "mute."

Mute (2974)(kophos from kopto = to cut down) literally means blunted or dull (as a weapon), but in the NT meaning unable to speak, speechless. (Mt. 9:32, 33; 12:22; 15:30, 31; Lk 1:22; 11:14; Septuagint = Hab. 2:18) Kophos in other contexts meant unable to hear, deaf (Mt. 11:5; Mk 7:32, 37; 9:25; Lk 7:22; Septuagint = Lev 19:14, Ps. 38:14, 58:4; Isa. 35:5; 43:8). Kophos is used figuratively to refer to spiritual deafness that would be healled - Isa. 29:18; Isa. 35:5; Isa. 42:18.

Gilbrant adds that kophos "came to mean one who was dull or lacking in ability to speak or to hear. Jesus healed many who were unable to speak (Matthew 15:30), including one who was demon possessed (Matthew 12:22). The Septuagint uses kōphos of “dumb idols” which could not speak (Habakkuk 2:18). Jesus also healed those who were deaf (Matthew 11:5) and one who “was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech” (Mark 7:32). The Septuagint also uses kōphos to speak of the deaf when translating God’s words to Moses saying: “Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?” (Exodus 4:11)." (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary)

Kophos - 15x in 12v - deaf(4), mute(6), mute man(3), one who(1), one who was deaf(1). Matt. 9:32; Matt. 9:33; Matt. 11:5; Matt. 12:22; Matt. 15:30; Matt. 15:31; Mk. 7:32; Mk. 7:37; Mk. 9:25; Lk. 1:22; Lk. 7:22; Lk. 11:14

Kophos in the Septuagint - Ex 4:11; Lev. 19:14; Ps. 38:13; Ps. 58:4; Isa. 29:18; Isa. 35:5; Isa. 42:18; Isa. 42:19; Isa. 43:8; Isa. 44:11; Hab. 2:18;

Luke 1:23 When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home.

the days. 2 Ki. 11:5–7. 1 Ch. 9:25.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:23 Commentaries
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When the days of his priestly service (leitourgia) were ended (pimplemi) - His seven days of service. Imagine him carrying out his priestly service unable to speak. Of course he could still "speak" to God and no doubt even though mute he would have been offering gratitude to God Who had heard his petition.

He went back home - “to the hill country” (Luke 1:39) to tell (or better to write to) Elizabeth the good (miraculous) news. Can you imagine their joy!

Spurgeon - He did not make his infirmity an excuse for leaving his office, as many would have done. We must work on for the Lord as long as we have any ability left. (Luke 1)

Priestly service (3009)(leitourgia from leitourgeo = to be a public servant, to perform religious or charitable function, to minister; English = liturgy - body of rites prescribed for public worship) generally used of a servant of a superior and suggests a function to be discharged or a necessary service to be rendered. The word was used in secular Greek to refer to a public service or office, such as in Athens and elsewhere, administered by the citizens at their own expense as a part of the system of finance. In the NT, leitourgia referred to service or ministry as of the public ministrations of the Jewish priesthood. Robertson on leitourgia - It is common in the papyri for the service of the Egyptian priesthood as we see it in the LXX of Hebrew priests (see also Heb. 8:6; 9:21; 2 Cor. 9:12; Phil. 2:17, 30).

Luke 1:24 After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying,

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THE GREAT INITIAL
MIRACLE

After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant (sullambano) - How long is not specified but presumably soon after he returned home. God kept His promise and Elizabeth conceived a son in her old age. “There is nothing too hard for the Lord” (Jer. 32:17-note) And in Jer 32:27-note “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” Beloved, what is there in your life that you think is too difficult for God?

She kept herself in seclusion (perikrupto) for five months - Why? I am not sure, but she certainly would have been the talk of the town if they knew she was pregnant.

MacArthur on She kept herself in seclusion for five months - "Why? Well, they knew she was barren, everybody knew she was barren, and had not had any children. If she started announcing that she was pregnant, who’s going to believe her? They’re going to say that not only is she barren, but she’s lost her mind! And in those days they wore a loose-fitting robe, but five months pregnant? Then the message becomes believable. Rather than go out and get more disgrace, more shame, and try not to say you’re pregnant when you are and not to want to tell everybody about this astounding, amazing, supernatural miracle, all I know is my husband went to work down at the temple, he came back a week later and I’m pregnant. He’s telling me with signs and writing down that an angel came and promised him a son and said the son would be the announcer of the Messiah....people would say … You know, this is bizarre, we knew this woman, she seemed normal, this is outrageous. She’s(A Faithful Promise to a Faithless Priest)

Spurgeon - I do not wonder that, in her solemn joy, she shunned the gossips of the neighborhood and kept herself in seclusion. I do believe that there is many a soul which, when it has found Christ, feels itself much too full of joy to speak, and asks not for a crowded temple, but for a quiet chamber where the heart may pour itself out before God. (Luke 1)

Guzik - Elizabeth did not go away to hide her pregnancy; she was gone for the first five months, the time when she would be least noticed as pregnant. She went away to spend time with the Lord, and to meditate on the destiny of the child within her.

Vincent writes "Her pregnancy was God’s work, and she would leave it to him also to announce it and openly to take away her reproach."

Became pregnant (conceived) (4815)(sullambano from sun/syn = together with + lambáno = to take, to seize) means literally to seize or take together and conveys the picture of clasping. Sullambano has several meanings depending on the context, the most common meaning being to arrest someone (7/16 uses) or take them into custody. To apprehend someone by virtue of a warrant from authority. The next most frequent use is to conceive (become pregnant) (5/16 uses) picking up on the basic meaning of clasping in a sexual sense. Luke uses sullambano 11/16 times - Lk. 1:24; Lk. 1:31; Lk. 1:36; Lk. 2:21; Lk. 5:7; Lk. 5:9; Lk. 22:54; Acts 1:16; Acts 12:3; Acts 23:27; Acts 26:21; Phil. 4:3; Jas. 1:15

Kept herself (4032)(perikrupto from perí = about, and krúpto =, to hide) means to conceal all around, i.e. entirely. To hide completely or carefully. Only use in the NT. The imperfect tense tense pictures her repeatedly hiding herself.

Luke 1:25 "This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked [with favor] upon me, to take away my disgrace among men."

This is the way the Lord has dealtLuke 1:13. Ge. 21:1, 2; 25:21; 30:22. 1 Sa. 1:19, 20; 2:21, 22. He. 11:11.
to take away my disgrace among men. Ge. 30:23. 1 Sa. 1:6. Is. 4:1; 54:1–4.
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THE LORD LOOKED
WITH FAVOR

This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked [with favor] upon me - NLT says "How kind the Lord is!" Notice the words with favor are added, but the phrase looked upon me is an idiom which means to take favorable notice of someone. As Jeremiah said "‘Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You," (Jer. 32:17).

Looked with favor upon ("with favor" added by translators)(1896)(epeidon or ephorao from epi = upon + horao = to look upon) means to fix one's gaze upon, to look at with concern, to regard. To look upon with favor (as Mary testified here in Lk 1:25). The first us in the Septuagint is Ge 4:4 where "the LORD had regard (Heb = shaah - gaze; Lxx = epeidon) for Abel and his offering." Hagar in desperate straits testified "You are the God Who sees (Heb = raah ; Lxx = eidon) me." (Ge 16:13NET). And again in the context of adversity/affliction, in Ex 2:25 "God saw (Heb = raah ; Lxx = eidon) the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them." In Ps 138:6 Jehovah "regards (Heb = raah ; Lxx = eidon) the lowly." And so you can see that this word is often associated with God's awareness of the state of those who are destitute or humble.

To take away - remove) my disgrace among men - For take away see notes on aphaireo. Barrenness was often seen as a disgrace (Lev 20:20–21; Jer 22:30), but at her late age (exact age never given), God had miraculously removed her barrenness (see Lk 1:7+). This is an allusion to Rachel's declaration in Genesis, Moses recording "So she conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach (Lxx = oneidos, same noun used here in Lk 1:25).” (Ge. 30:23)

Disgrace (reproach) (3681)(oneidos) means notoriety, i.e. a taunt (disgrace), a reproach. BDAG has "loss of standing connected with disparaging speech." Oneidos is used only here in the NT but there are 39 uses in the Septuagint - The first use is found in Rachel's statement recorded above. In 1 Sa 17:36 David said Goliath "has taunted the armies of the living God.” Robertson on disgrace in Lk 1:25 -" Keenly felt by a Jewish wife because the husband wanted an heir and because of the hope of the Messiah, and because of the mother’s longing for a child."

Oneidos - 39x in the Septuagint - Gen. 30:23; 34:14; Lev. 20:17; 1 Sam. 11:2; 17:36; 2 Sa 13:13; Neh. 2:17; Job 19:5, 7; Ps. 22:6; 31:11; 39:8; 44:13; 57:3; 78:66; 79:4; 89:41; 109:25; 119:22; 123:4; Prov. 3:31; 6:33; 18:3, 13; 19:6; 26:6; Isa. 25:8; 30:3, 5, 6; 54:4; 59:18; Ezek. 16:57; 22:4; Joel 2:17; Mic. 2:6; 6:16

This noun is used in a Messianic psalm - (Ps 22:6) "But I am a worm and not a man, A reproach of men and despised by the people." See discussion of Psalm 22:6-I Am a Worm

Spurgeon observes that by Elizabeth's words in this verse we learn that "The mother of John had more faith than her husband, but both were excellent persons. We may reasonably expect the best preachers to be born of pious parents. Would to God that in our household might be raised up those who will cry, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (Luke 1)

Removal of Elizabeth's barrenness reminds one of these OT passages

Genesis 30:23 So she conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.”

Psalms 113:9 He makes the barren woman abide in the house As a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD!

Vance Havner - Reflections on the Gospel of Luke

"Thy Prayer Is Heard" Luke 1:5-25

ZACHARIAS had prayed through long, lean years for a son. He and Elizabeth had many qualifications for a life of blessing: good ancestry, they "were righteous before the Lord," not merely before men, they walked in all the commandments of the Lord blameless—not faultless, but living up to their light.

But there follows the sad statement: "And they had no child." Have you sought to live the blameless life, yet your piety seems to have borne no progeny—you are barren? Remember Zacharias. It was now too late, from the natural viewpoint, to have a son, but Zacharias had not forgotten his altar and his duty. He kept offering incense, a symbol of thanksgiving, when there seemed so little to be thankful for. Do not forsake your incense, and the angel will yet appear! The herald from heaven announces a son. God often waits until it is too late with us; it is never too late with Him. Poor Zacharias is doubtful. And doubt leads to dumbness—it always does. When we do not trust, we have no testimony. But God fails not, though Zacharias does. The baby is born, and when neighbors would name him for his father, Zacharias puts God first and names him by the Divine direction. Do not name things after yourself; give God the glory. Then dumbness gives way to delight: Zacharias speaks and so will you!

John was to drink neither wine nor strong drink, but was to be filled with the Spirit. Three times the New Testament sets wine and the Spirit in contrast (Luke 1:15; Acts 2:13; Eph. 5:18). Wine changes face, walk, talk—stimulates; so does the Spirit.

God was fulfilling here the prophecy made in Malachi 4:5-6. How marvelously His plans work out exactly on schedule! Zacharias, filled with the Holy Ghost, breaks into prophecy of a Jewish cast setting forth the glory of the coming Christ: "God has visited His people to redeem them." We must bear in mind here that Christ came first to Israel. Zacharias knows the Messiah is to be of the house of David, a testimony to His royal lineage. Prophecy is fulfilled, promises performed, the holy covenant remembered. Notice how complete is this redemption: freedom, "being delivered out of the hand of our enemies"; purpose, "that we might serve Him"; nature of this service, "without fear in holiness and righteousness before Him"; the duration, "all the days of our life." Then Zacharias turns to his own son who is to be called the prophet of the Highest, to go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation, light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. This salvation is through God's tender mercy, whereby the "dayspring from on high"—probably the Branch of Isaiah 11:1 and Zechariah 3:8—hath visited us.

John grows and waxes strong in the spirit in the desert solitude till the day of his appearing to Israel. There is some obvious difference between this and the closing verse of the next chapter, where Jesus, living a more social life, increases also in favor with man.

Luke 1:26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,

the sixth. Luke 1:24. the angel. Luke 1:19.
a city. Luke 2:4. Mat. 2:23. John 1:45, 46; 7:41.
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GABRIEL'S SECOND
"MISSION IMPOSSIBLE"

This mission was impossible with men but not with God! (Lk 18:27+).

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth (Nazara) - The sixth month is a reference to Elizabeth's pregnancy (Lk 1:36). Gabriel was undertaking his second mission (mission #1 in Lk 1:19) to deliver a second message of a miraculous birth. See location of Nazareth on Map - this map also shows Galilee. Galilee was located about seventy-five to one hundred miles north of Jerusalem and was a region held in low esteem by the city dwellers, in part because it was known as "Galilee of the Gentiles" (it had a high percent of Gentiles) (see Mt 4:15+). And Nazareth was even lower, never even mentioned in the OT and prompting Nathaniel's question “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (Jn 1:46+) Of course the answer is a resounding "YES" as this would be the hometown of Jesus for 30 years before He began His ministry. Isn't it just like the grace of God to choose a poor girl from a despised town to raise the Greatest Man in one of the least esteemed towns in Israel. This recalls Isaiah's words

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isa 55:8-9)

Nazareth (3478) (see Nazara or Nazaret or Nazareth) is the name of the home town of Jesus fulfilling OT prophecies (not a single prophecy) that Jesus "shall be called a Nazarene." It was so obscure that Nathaniel asked "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Yes, not just any "good thing" but the greatest Person in time and eternity, the God-Man, Christ Jesus. Our Lord was called "Jesus of Nazareth" seven times in the NT (Matt. 26:71; Mk. 1:24; Lk. 4:34; 18:37; Jn. 1:45; Acts 10:38; 26:9) Although Nazareth was small, it did have a Jewish synagogue and was the site of Jesus "inauguration message" in Lk 4:16. There are no uses in the Septuagint (see The Puzzling Problem of Nazareth)

Note that the adjective form of Nazareth is Nazarene (nazarenos) which is a different Strong's Number (3479). Nazarene is found 6 times in the NT all in the phrase "Jesus the Nazarene" (Mk. 1:24; 10:47; 14:67; 16:6; Lk. 4:34; 24:19) and once in the phrase "Jesus of Nazareth (Lk 4:34). There are no uses in the Septuagint.

At this time in history Nazareth was not a spot that religious pilgrims visited! In fact it could hardly be called a city for it was only a small rural village estimated to have a population at that time of no more than 400. In short, like Jesus Himself (Php 2:5-11) and His mother Mary, Nazareth was a humble, obscure village, hardly the place one would expect the King of kings to be born! Mark it down, beloved, this is the way God works, through the meek and humble. You may be "obscure" and little known in your church, but rest assured that God desires to use you in His good work because you are His masterpiece (see Eph 2:10-note and related article "Believers Are God's Masterpiece, His Poiema"). And remember! You may not see all of the effects of your work in His will in this short life, but such works will endure for eternity! (see John 15:8, 16)

ESV Study Bible - Excavations at Nazareth have located tombs, olive presses, wells, and vaulted cells for wine and oil storage, indicating that the village was a small agricultural settlement. However, Nazareth was located on a road leading from nearby Sepphoris into Samaria. The current Church of the Annunciation lies atop previous early Byzantine church structures and caves (from the 4th century or possibly earlier); these commemorated the early life of Jesus and his family.

John MacArthur adds that "Nazareth was not on any of the major trade routes; all the important roads bypassed it. It was well off the beaten path, far from the important centers of Jewish culture and religion. Moreover, Galilee, where Nazareth was located, was known as “Galilee of the Gentiles” (Isa. 9:1; Matt. 4:15) because of its proximity to Gentile regions. God’s choice of Nazareth to be Jesus’ birthplace reveals that He is the Savior of the world, not of the powerful and elite of one nation only, but of all “those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks” (1 Cor. 1:24; cf. Isa. 11:10; 42:6; Luke 2:32; Acts 10:34–35; 13:48–49; Rom. 15:9–12)."

Nazareth - 17x in 17v in the NT

Matthew 2:23+ and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: "He shall be called a Nazarene."

Henry Morris - No one prophet is mentioned here, but rather "the prophets" in general (Ed: See also the allusion to the prophets in John 1:45). As far as known, the despised town of Nazareth did not even exist in the days of the prophets, so it may be that this is a generic summary of the teaching of the prophets that the Messiah would be "despised and rejected of men" (Isaiah 53:3). Some have suggested that this refers to Isaiah 11:1, where He is called a "rod" (Hebrew netzer) out of the "stem" (or, apparently dead stump) of Jesse's family tree. However, see the note on Zephaniah 1:14, which, slightly modified, would yield a reading very closely akin to Matthew's quote.

Matthew 4:13 and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.

Ryrie - According to Luke 4:16-30, He left because they tried to kill him. Capernaum. A flourishing city on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee and the base of His ministry in Galilee.

Matthew 21:11 And the crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee."

Matthew 26:71 When he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."

Mark 1:9+ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
24 saying, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are-- the Holy One of God!"

Henry Morris - It is interesting to note that the demons, like their master Satan, knew who Jesus was, even though His countrymen--and even His own human family--did not (Mark 1:34+).

Luke 1:26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,

Luke 2:4+ Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
39 When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.
51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

Luke 4:16+ And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.
34 "Let us alone! What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are-- the Holy One of God!"

Luke 18:37+ They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

John 1:45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote-- Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
46 Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."

Acts 10:38+ "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Acts 26:9+ "So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Nazareth - “branch.” (Ed: From the suggestion by some that "Nazarene" is a reference tot he Hebrew word for branch in Isaiah 11:1-note) Nazareth did not enjoy a place of prominence until its association with Jesus. It does not appear in the Old Testament. As He became known as “Jesus of Nazareth” (Matthew 26:71 ; Luke 18:37 ; Luke 24:19 ; John 1:45 ; Acts 2:22 ; Acts 3:6 ;Acts 10:38 ), His hometown became fixed in Christian memory. Nazareth was located in lower Galilee about halfway between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea. It lay in the hill country north of the Plain of Esdraelon. The hills formed a natural basin with three sides, but open toward the south. The city was on the slopes of the basin, facing east and southeast. Cana was about five miles to the northeast. A Roman road from Capernaum westward to the coast passed near Nazareth. Was a small village in Jesus' day, having only one spring to supply fresh water to its inhabitants. Today, the spring is referred to as “Mary's well.” The modern city has about 20,000 citizens, mainly Moslems and Christians. The angel went to Nazareth to announce to Mary and Joseph the coming birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-28 ). Following Jesus' birth in Bethlehem and the sojourn in Egypt, Joseph and Mary returned with Jesus to Nazareth (Matthew 2:19-23 ), where Jesus grew from boyhood to manhood (Luke 2:39-40 ; Luke 4:16 ), being stamped as a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23 ), apparently a midrashic play on the Hebrew term netser , “shoot” in Isaiah 11:1. Nazareth did not possess a good reputation, as reflected in the question of Nathanael, himself a Galilean (John 1:46 ). The early church received similar scorn as the Nazarene sect (Acts 24:5 ). Such lack of respect was likely due to an unpolished dialect, a lack of culture, and quite possibly a measure of irreligion and moral laxity. Jesus was rejected by His townspeople near the beginning of His public ministry, being cast out of the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:16-30 ; see also Matthew 13:54-58 ; Mark 6:1-6 ). (Holman Bible Dictionary)

Related Resources:

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Nazareth
Easton's Bible Dictionary Nazareth
Fausset Bible Dictionary Nazareth
Hitchcock Bible Names Nazareth
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Nazareth
Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Nazareth Nazareth
Morrish Bible Dictionary Nazareth
1911 Encyclopedia Britannica Nazareth
Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia Jesus of Nazareth
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Nazareth
Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Nazareth
McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Nazareth (2) Nazareth
The Nuttall Encyclopedia Nazareth
The Jewish Encyclopedia Nazareth
Wikipedia

Norman Geisler - When Critics Ask -

LUKE 1:26ff—Was the announcement of the birth of Christ made to Mary or to Joseph?

PROBLEM: Matthew says the announcement of Jesus’ birth was made to Joseph (Matt. 1:20), but Luke asserts that it was made to Mary (Luke 1:26ff). Who is correct?

SOLUTION: The announcement was made to Mary first and then to Joseph. Mary had to know first, since she would have been the first to know she was going to have the baby. Joseph needed to know next, since his wife was going to have a baby that was not his! This kind of pairing of visions on important matters is found elsewhere in Scripture. Compare Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10:3, 15) and Saul and Ananias (Acts 9:6, 10–16).

THE PUZZLING PROBLEM
OF NAZARETH

You might be surprised to discover that Nazareth is not mentioned in the OT or even in the religious writings of the Talmud or the historical writings of Josephus. For this reason those skeptical of the Bible have attacked this as a point of proof that the Bible is not true. Lee Strobel addresses this in his book "The Case for Christ"

Many Christians are unaware that skeptics have been asserting for a long time that Nazareth never existed during the time when the New Testament says Jesus spent his childhood there. In an article called "Where Jesus Never Walked," atheist Frank Zindler noted that Nazareth is not mentioned in the Old Testament, by the apostle Paul, by the Talmud (although sixtythree other Galilean towns are cited), or by Josephus (who listed forty-five other villages and cities of Galilee, including Japha, which was located just over a mile from present-day Nazareth). No ancient historians or geographers mention Nazareth before the beginning of the fourth century. (Frank Zindler, "Where Jesus Never Walked," American Atheist Winter 1996-1997, 34) The name first appears in Jewish literature in a poem written about the seventh century
A.D. This absence of evidence paints a suspicious picture. So I put the issue directly to McRay: "Is there any archaeological confirmation that Nazareth was in existence during the first century?"

This issue wasn't new to McRay. "Dr. James Strange of the University of South Florida is an expert on this area, and he describes Nazareth as being a very small place, about sixty acres, with a maximum population of about four hundred and eighty at the beginning of the first century," McRay replied. However, that was a conclusion; I wanted the evidence. "How does he know that?" I asked. Well, Strange notes that when Jerusalem fell in A.D. 70, priests were no longer needed in the temple because it had been destroyed, so they were sent out to various other locations, even up into Galilee. Archaeologists have found a list in Aramaic describing the twenty-four 'courses,' (divisions) or families, of priests who were relocated, and one of them was registered as having been moved to Nazareth. That shows that this tiny village must have been there at the time."

In addition, he said there have been archaeological digs that have uncovered first-century tombs in the vicinity of Nazareth, which would establish the village's limits because by Jewish law burials had to take place outside the town proper. Two tombs contained objects such as pottery lamps, glass vessels, and vases from the first, third, or fourth centuries.

McRay picked up a copy of a book by renowned archaeologist Jack Finegan, published by Princeton University Press. He leafed through it, then read Finegan's analysis: "From the tombs ... it can be concluded that Nazareth was a strongly Jewish settlement in the Roman period."

McRay looked up at me. "There has been discussion about the location of some sites from the first century, such as exactly where Jesus' tomb is situated, but among archaeologists there has never really been a big doubt about the location of Nazareth. The burden of proof ought to be on those who dispute its existence."

That seemed reasonable. Even the usually skeptical Ian Wilson, citing pre-Christian remains found in 1955 under the Church of the Annunciation in present-day Nazareth, has managed to concede, "Such findings suggest that Nazareth may have existed in Jesus' time, but there is no doubt that it must have been a very small and insignificant place."

So insignificant that Nathanael's musings in John 1:46 now make more sense: "Nazareth!" he said. "Can anything good come from there?' (The Case for Christ)

Luke 1:27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

Luke 2:4, 5. Ge. 3:15. Is. 7:14. Je. 31:22. Mat. 1:18, 21, 23.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:27 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

GABRIEL APPEARS
TO THE VIRGIN MARY

To a virgin (parthenos) engaged (mnesteuo) to a man whose name was Joseph - Note the first thing emphasized is that Gabriel came to a virgin! And note that virgin is mentioned twice in sentience! The importance of the virgin birth cannot be over estimated (See 3 reasons below). We must have a right view of the virgin birth to begin to understand the importance of incarnation of Jesus. J D Watson asks "Why is this doctrine important? Because the sin nature is transmitted through the earthly father through Adam, not by the mother through Eve. Adam was the representative of the race and was responsible for the Fall. If Jesus had been born of a man, he would have inherited sin, but as Paul makes clear, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Cor. 5:21+)."

John MacArthur - The most famous medieval Jewish interpreter, Rashi (1040–1105), who was an opponent of Christianity, made the following comment: “‘Behold the ˒almâ shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel’ means that our Creator shall be with us. And this is the sign: The one who will conceive is a girl (na˒ărâ) who never in her life has had intercourse with any man. Upon this one shall the Holy Spirit have power.” It should be noted that in modern Hebrew the word virgin is either ˒'almah or bethulah. Why did not Isaiah use bethulah? Because it is sometimes used in the Old Testament of a married woman who is not a virgin (Deut. 22:19; Joel 1:8). ˒'Almah can mean “virgin,” and that is how the Jewish translators of the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) translated the word in Isaiah 7:14 (by the Greek parthenos, “virgin”)-several hundred years before the birth of Christ. The “sign” of which Isaiah spoke was given specifically to King Ahaz, who feared that the royal line of Judah might be destroyed by Syria and Israel. The prophet assured the king that God would protect that line. The birth of a son and the death of the kings would be the signs guaranteeing His protection and preservation. And in the future there would be a greater birth, the virgin birth of God incarnate, to assure the covenant with God’s people. Matthew did not give the term ˒almâ a Christian “twist,” but used it with the same meaning with which all Jews of that time used it. In any case, his teaching of the virgin birth does not hinge on that word. It is made incontestably clear by the preceding statements that Jesus’ conception was “by the Holy Spirit” (Mt 1:18, 20). (See context in Matthew Commentary)

Clayton Harrop - One who has not engaged in sexual intercourse and thus particular reference to the belief that Jesus was conceived in the womb of Mary by the miraculous action of God without a human father. In the Old Testament two words are generally translated virgin or maiden. The more common word, bethulah , (used about 60 times) is used in a literal way to refer to such virgins as Rebekah (Genesis 24:16 ), the daughter of Jephthah (Judges 11:37-38 ), and Tamar (2 Samuel 13:2 ). Specific command was given that the high priest must marry a virgin (Leviticus 21:13-14 ). The word was also used in a spiritual sense to refer to the nation, especially in the prophets (Isaiah 23:12 ; Isaiah 37:22 ; Jeremiah 14:17 ). In other places the word is often translated maid or maiden (Psalm 78:63 ; Psalm 148:12 ; Ezekiel 9:6 ). In these instances the word means girl, although the idea of chastity may still be involved. The other word in the Old Testament, almah , sometimes translated “virgin” occurs only seven times. Translators differ in their treatment of it. It is translated virgin four times in KJV (Genesis 24:43 ; Song ofSong of Solomon 1:3 ; Song of Song of Solomon 6:8 ; Isaiah 7:14 ). Only one of these is translated virgin (Isaiah 7:14 ) in NAS, and two, in NIV (Song of Song of Solomon 6:8 ; Isaiah 7:14 ). Some versions like REB do not translate this word as virgin in any passage. Isaiah 7:14 is of special interest because of its use in the Gospel of Matthew. Some believe the prophet wrote of a son to be born to his wife or to some other woman of the day and only then with a further reference to the birth of the Messiah. Others claim that the prophet had no reference to anyone in his day but only spoke of the coming Messiah. However, in its context in Isaiah, it seemingly was a message for King Ahaz. The word itself referred to a young woman, usually of marriageable age. God inspired Matthew to interpret Isaiah 7:14 for his day and ours in light of God's miraculous new work in Christ. (Holman Bible Dictionary)

To a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph - As explained below, engagement in the Jewish culture of the first century was legally binding and could only be broken by divorce. In fact, the man and the woman were called “husband” and “wife” even before the marriage took place (compare Matt. 1:19 and Luke 2:5). Girls became marriageable at 12 years of age (bat mitzvah) with a one year betrothal period (Ketubot 4.4–5) and it is likely that Mary was a teenager when Gabriel appeared to her. Engaged is in the perfect tense signifying that this took place in the past and is now in force. It also implies permanence (unless divorce occurs). This is why why a betrothed maiden could be called a wife (Mt. 1:20+) and her betrothed man her husband. Robertson notes that "Betrothal usually lasted a year and unfaithfulness on the part of the bride was punished with death (Deut. 23:24f.)." Note that Luke tells Mary’s story throughout in this section and Joseph is quite secondary.

John MacArthur explains Jewish engagement - In Jewish practice, girls were usually engaged at the age of twelve or thirteen and married at the end of a one-year betrothal period. The betrothal, arranged by the parents, was a more binding legal arrangement than a modern engagement. Only death or divorce could sever the contract, and the couple could be referred to as husband and wife. If her betrothed husband died, the girl would be considered a widow. The couple did not live together or have sexual relations during the betrothal period. During that year the girl was to prove her faithfulness and purity, and the boy was to prepare a home for his bride-to-be. When the year was up there was a seven-day wedding feast (cf. Matt. 25:1–13; John 2:1–11), after which the couple began their life together as husband and wife. Only then was the marriage consummated. (See context in Luke Commentary)

A man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David - NET Note says "The Greek word order here favors connecting Davidic descent to Joseph, not Mary, in this remark." Joseph's name means increase or addition. By trade he was an ordinary carpenter but he was of the line of David, from which Messiah would spring forth (2 Sam. 7:12, 16; Ps. 89:35–36; Jer. 23:5; Matt. 22:42; Mark 10:47; Acts 2:30; 13:23; Rom. 1:3). As MacArthur explains "Matthew’s genealogy of Christ traces His ancestry through Joseph (Mt 1:1–17), showing that he descended from David, thus Jesus is also “the son of David” (Mt. 1:1). Although Joseph was not Jesus’ natural father, his adoption of Jesus made Him legally part of David’s lineage. The genealogy in Matthew thus establishes Christ’s claim to the throne of David as Joseph’s legal heir." (Ibid)

Holman Bible Dictionary on Joseph - Several Josephs are mentioned in the New Testament, the most important being the husband of Mary, mother of Jesus. He was a descendant of David, a carpenter by trade (Matthew 13:55 ), and regarded as the legal or foster father of Jesus (Matthew 1:16 ,Matthew 1:16,1:20 ; Luke 2:4 ; Luke 3:23 ; Luke 4:22 ; John 1:45 ; John 6:42 ). Upon learning of Mary's pregnancy, Joseph, being a righteous man, sought to put her away without public disgrace. His response to God's assurances in a dream further demonstrated his piety and character (Matthew 1:18-25 ). Joseph took Mary to his ancestral home, Bethlehem, was with her at Jesus' birth, and shared in the naming, circumcision, and dedication of the child (Luke 2:8-33 ). Directed through dreams, Joseph took his family to Egypt until it was safe to return to Nazareth (Matthew 2:13-23 ). As dedicated father, he was anxious with Mary at the disappearance of Jesus (Luke 2:41-48 ). Joseph does not appear later in the Gospels, and it is likely that he died prior to Jesus' public ministry.

And the virgin's name was Mary (maria) - It is interesting that in Luke 1:6+ the mention of Zacharias and Elizabeth was accompanied by commendation (both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly) but here the only detail is that she was a virgin, which was a critically important commendation. If we read her own testimony in Luke 1:46-55 she undoubtedly was righteous and walking blamelessly. Mary's lineage could also be traced to David as Luke explains in Luke 3:23-38.

MacArthur - Luke’s genealogy of Jesus records His ancestry through His mother. Thus Jesus inherited from His adoptive father, Joseph, the legal right to David’s throne, while His physical descent from David came from His mother, Mary. In every legitimate sense—both legally and physically—Jesus Christ was the Son of David and born to be Israel’s true King. (See context in Luke Commentary)

Virgin (3933)(parthenos) generally is used of a female who is beyond puberty but not married and still a virgin. In 2 Cor 11:2 parthenos is used figuratively of the church, the bride pledged to Christ.. Some contexts do not focus on the meaning virginity. The clear sense of parthenos in Mt 1:23 quoted from Isa 7:14-note (Lxx uses parthenos for Heb - 'almah - see below) is of a woman who has not been intimate with a man (cp Lk 1:27). Paul uses parthenos in First Corinthians to refer to a woman of marriageable age. In Mt 25:1, 7, 11 parthenos refers to young women of marriageable age.

J D Watson writes that "Even in all their excesses, the ancient Greeks highly valued virginity. It was, in fact, a characteristic of many of the goddesses of pagan religions. The chief examples were the Greek goddesses Artemis (Diana among the Romans) and Athene (Roman, Minerva) (Ed: cp Athena Parthenos). Athene's temple in Athens was actually named the Parthenon (see etymology)."

In Isa 7:14 quoted in Mt 1:23, and the Hebrew word for virgin is 'almah (05959). Almah has several meanings depending on the context - young woman of marriageable age (Ge 24:43), maiden (Pr 30:19), girl (Ex 2:8), virgin. While some argue that 'almah is by no means an unambiguous Hebrew term for a virgin, it is notable that a passage such as Genesis 24:43 describes not only a young woman of marriageable age but one who undoubtedly is a virgin. Thus the use of 'almah by no means excludes the possibility that the intended meaning in Isaiah 7:14 is a literal virgin. 'Almah is never employed of a married woman.

Charles Ryrie writes, "There is no instance where it can be proved that ʿ'almah designates a young woman who is not a virgin" (Basic Theology).

W A Criswell adds that "The Septuagint (Lxx) also uses parthenos to translate another Hebrew word meaning "virgin" (bethulah), again underscoring the fact that parthenos meant "virgin" in the Lxx and for Matthew (Ed: See Mt 1:23 below). It is clear that both Matthew and the Lxx translators understood that Isaiah was speaking of a virgin when he used `almah. And this is precisely the purity which both Matthew and Luke ascribe to Mary (cf. Mt 1:18-25; Lk 1:26-35)."

Gilbrant on the Septuagint (Lxx) Usage of parthenos - The Hebrew term bᵉthûlāh is often translated by parthenos in the Septuagint. In fact, in 44 out of 50 appearances bᵉthûlāh is translated by parthenos. Of the remaining six texts three are not translated; two are translated as “innocent” or “virgin girl” (korasia aphthora, korasia parthenika; Esther 2:3,17). And on one occasion the Hebrew bᵉthûlāh is translated by numphē, “bride” (Joel 1:8), referring to a bride about to be married whose intended husband died. This last text is of particular interest because it seems to indicate that the Hebrew bᵉthûlāh could occasionally denote a young woman about to be married. The man she was betrothed to would be called her husband: “Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.” In this context the Septuagint translators did not use parthenos, “virgin,” as the equivalent. It is even more noteworthy, in light of this, that the Septuagint translates the Hebrew ‛almāh into parthenos, “virgin,” in the prophecy of Immanuel's coming in Isaiah 7:14-note. Thus, this demonstrates that for the Septuagint translators of Isaiah the Hebrew term means “virgin.” The meaning of the Hebrew term ‛almāh overlaps with bᵉthûlāh. For example, the terms are used similarly in Genesis 24:16 and 43 where verse 16 reads bᵉthûlāh while verse 43 has ‛almāh. The Septuagint translates both words with parthenos. The other five texts containing ‛almāh in the Old Testament (Exodus 2:8; Psalm 68:25 [LXX 67:25]; Song of Solomon 1:3; 6:8 [LXX 6:7]) are translated by neanis, “girl, young woman,” by the Septuagint translators. Matthew 1:23, like the Septuagint, uses parthenos in its rendering of Isaiah 7:14 (Immanuel prophecy). It emphasizes that the Virgin Birth was a fulfillment of this prophecy. The prophet’s words are thus interpreted in the New Testament as foretelling the Virgin Birth. The variety of interpretations throughout history that have tried to explain away the messianic nature of the prophecy are unsatisfactory. The prophecy is directed not only to Ahaz but to the “house of David,” the people to whom the promise was given that Messiah would come (Isaiah 7:13). That Immanuel is to be understood as the Messiah is further confirmed by Isaiah 8:8-10. Moreover, Immanuel must be identical to the divine child of 9:6 whom Isaiah calls “Mighty God” and “Eternal Father” (NASB). The “sign,” too, which is to be given to the house of David, is that the Messiah is to be born of a virgin. This is closely related to the fact that the Immanuel prophecy is actually a part of a judgment saying (Isaiah 8:17-22). The sign of the virgin, therefore, becomes a judgment of the king. In contrast to the majesty and splendor of an earthly king, Messiah, the son of David, comes not as the son of a king but as the son of a lowly virgin. “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots” (Isaiah 11:1). The sign of the virgin is linked to the image of Messiah’s coming in humility that we encounter throughout the Book of Isaiah. (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary)

Parthenos - 15x in 14v - Usage: chaste(1), virgin(9), virgin's(1), virgins(4).

Matthew 1:23 "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL (see Immanuel-Emmanuel)," which translated means, "GOD WITH US."

Matthew 25:1  "Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
7 "Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
11 "Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.'

Luke 1:27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

Acts 21:9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses.

1 Corinthians 7:25  Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy.
28 But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.
34 and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
36  But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry.
37 But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well.
38 So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.

2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.

Revelation 14:4-note These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.

Comment Mounce - It seems best to take this description of chastity in a figurtaive sense, indicating that they have kept themselves pure from all defiling relationships w. the pagan world. They have resisted the seduction of the great harlot, Rome, w. whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication

Parthenos - 53x in 51v in the Septuagint - Gen. 24:14, 16, 43, 55; 34:3; Exod. 22:16f; Lev. 21:3, 13f; Deut. 22:19, 23, 28; 32:25; Jdg. 19:24; 21:11f; 2 Sam. 13:2, 18; 1 Ki. 1:2; 2 Ki. 19:21; 2 Chr. 36:17; Est. 2:17; Job 31:1; Ps. 45:14; 78:63; 148:12; Isa. 7:14; 23:4; 37:22; 47:1; 62:5; Jer. 2:32; 18:13; 31:4, 13, 21; 46:11; 51:22; Lam. 1:4, 15, 18; 2:10, 13, 21; 5:11; Ezek. 9:6; 44:22; Amos 5:2; 8:13; Zech. 9:17

Engaged (3423)(mnesteuo from mnaomai = to remember) in the active voice means to woo and win for marriage, to ask in marriage, to pledge to marry. Mnesteuo is used only in the passive voice in the NT and means to be promised in marriage, to be betrothed, to become engaged. Mnesteuo is used in the NT only in Mt 1:18 (betrothed), Lk 1:27 and Lk 2:5. As used in by the NT writers mnesteuo described a legally binding arrangement, unlike the sense of of engagement as used today.

Zodhiates has an informative discussion of mnesteuo - It is related to the verb used for “remember” because it was a ceremony which was to be remembered when a person was espoused or committed to another for marriage (Sept.: Deut. 22:23, 25, 27, 28). The betrothal ceremony perpetuated in a conventional fashion the recollection of the time when a woman was purchased from her family (Deut. 20:7). When a woman was designated (Ex. 21:8, 9) by the head of her family as the future wife of another man, the prospective bridegroom paid a certain sum of money (or service as in the case of Jacob). A contract, which was inviolable, was then entered into (Gen. 34:12; Ex. 22:17). Until the time of the actual marriage, the bride–to–be remained in her own family. It was not permissible to betroth her to any other man except by action amounting to divorce, and any violation of the rights established by the betrothal was as serious as if the two persons had been ceremonially married (Deut. 22:23, 24). In the OT, it is impossible to say with precision just how soon the wedding followed betrothal. In later times, in the case of a virgin, it was after the lapse of a year, and at least thirty days in the case of a widow. So, too, it is impossible to describe with any great precision the betrothal ceremony, but it certainly included the payment of a particular sum (1 Sam. 18:25) and the making of a betrothal contract (Ezek. 16:8) by the prospective bridegroom. The money payment belonged originally to the family of the woman, but gradually came to belong in part or wholly to the woman herself. The first advances might come from the family of either party. There is no clear evidence that the young woman had any right of appeal as to her family’s choice. The bridegroom himself did not conduct the negotiations, but the matter was in the hands of a third party such as his parents or some trusted servant or friend.

After the exile, the custom of the earlier period seems to have continued, although with certain modifications. The payment to the bride’s father on the part of the prospective groom had been increasingly regarded as the property, at least in part, of the bride. Such a payment during this period was often supplemented by a dowry in the true sense. No consent of the girl was demanded, nor do we know of the recognition of any legal age of consent, unless, as in somewhat later times, it was not expected that boys would marry before the age of eighteen or girls before twelve. In Talmudic times, there was a distinct tendency to combine the betrothal with the wedding. Today the Jews seem to combine the two ceremonies.

Probably the ceremony of betrothal in NT times involved the following acts:

First, a contract drawn up by the parents or by the friend of the bridegroom.
Second, the meeting of the two families concerned, with other witnesses, at which time the groom gave the bride jewelry (Gen. 24:53) and declared his intention to observe the terms of the contract already arranged.
Third, the payment of the mōhar (4119 - Ed Note: Gesenius Definition מֹהַר m. a price paid for a wife to her parents, Genesis 34:12; Exodus 22:16; 1 Samuel 18:25. Different from this is the use of the Arab. مَهْرُ i.e. a spousal gift promised to the future wife, and the Latin dos, i.e. the gift given by the parents to their daughter who is about to be married.) by the prospective bridegroom. This occurred during a ceremony at which a priest may have been present.

The status of the man and woman was now, as in Hebrew times, practically the same as that of married persons, although it was generally customary for the wedding ceremony proper to be celebrated at a later date. As in the older times, separation of betrothed persons demanded a divorce, and there seems to have been no taboo in their living together as man and wife previous to the wedding ceremony. The children of such a union would be regarded as legitimate. Insofar as the virgin Mary and Joseph are concerned, the use of the verb mnēsteúomai, to betroth (Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:27; 2:5), indicates a betrothal ceremony. There is no mention, however, of a subsequent wedding ceremony. It was during this period of betrothal that the angel appeared to Mary (Matt. 1:18). It is clearly stated, however, that the angel appeared to announce to Mary her conception by the Holy Spirit before she had sexual relations with Joseph. The same angel also appeared to Joseph to tell him of the supernatural conception of his betrothed, Mary (Matt. 1:24; see Luke 1:26ff.). (Zodhiates' Word Study Dictionary of the NT - This resource is highly recommended and in my opinion is superior to BDAG because it is much more readable)

Mary (3137)(maria) which is said to mean "exalted one" and 6 or 7 different women in the NT -

1. the mother of Jesus Christ Mt 1:16, 18, 20; 2:11; 13:55; Mk 6:3; Luke 1:27, 30, 34, 38, 39, 46, 56; 2:5, 16, 19, 34; Acts 1:14—2. Mary Magdalene Mt 27:56, 61; 28:1; Mk 15:40, 47; 16:1, 9; Lk 8:2; 24:10; Jn 19:25; 20:1, 11, 16 , 18.—3. the ‘other’ Mary, mother of James and Joses Mt 27:56, 61; 28:1; Mk 15:40, 47; 16:1; Lk 24:10. She could be identical with—4. Mary, the wife of Clopas J 19:25 .—5. Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus Lk 10:39, 42; Jn 11:1, 2, 19, 20, 28, 31, 32, 45; 12:3—6. Mary, mother of John Mark Ac 12:12.—7. Mary, recipient of a greeting Ro 16:6. Mary mother of Jesus - of the tribe of Judah, of the lineage of David. By marriage, she was related to Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, who was of the tribe of Levi

Maria - 54x in 46v - Matt. 1:16; Matt. 1:18; Matt. 1:20; Matt. 2:11; Matt. 13:55; Matt. 27:56; Matt. 27:61; Matt. 28:1; Mk. 6:3; Mk. 15:40; Mk. 15:47; Mk. 16:1; Mk. 16:9; Lk. 1:27; Lk. 1:30; Lk. 1:34; Lk. 1:38; Lk. 1:39; Lk. 1:41; Lk. 1:46; Lk. 1:56; Lk. 2:5; Lk. 2:16; Lk. 2:19; Lk. 2:34; Lk. 8:2; Lk. 10:39; Lk. 10:42; Lk. 24:10; Jn. 11:1; Jn. 11:2; Jn. 11:19; Jn. 11:20; Jn. 11:28; Jn. 11:31; Jn. 11:32; Jn. 11:45; Jn. 12:3; Jn. 19:25; Jn. 20:1; Jn. 20:11; Jn. 20:16; Jn. 20:18; Acts 1:14; Acts 12:12; Rom. 16:6

Related Resources:

Luke 1:26-45 Should Christians Hail Mary?
The Virginity of the עַלְמָה in Isaiah 7:14 - Bibliotheca Sacra 137:546, April, 1980
The Immanuel Prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 and its use in Matthew 1:23 - R Bruce Compton
Hebrew Word Study - 'almah
Hebrew Word Study - bethulah
Immanuel-Emmanuel
Doctrine of the Virgin Birth - Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Virgin Birth
Easton's Bible Dictionary Virgin
Fausset Bible Dictionary Mary, the Virgin
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Virgin
Hawker's Poor Man's Dictionary Virgin
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Birth, Virgin
Andy Woods on The 10 Steps in the Sequence of the Typical Hebrew Wedding - below is an excerpt of "Step 4"
Fourth, this time of separation is known as the betrothal period. During this time of separation, the fidelity of the groom and the bride was tested. The test, of course, involved whether the bride and the groom would be loyal to each other despite the vast distance between them. If either failed the test during this time of separation, the betrothal contract would be dissolved. This ancient Jewish ritual explains Joseph's dismay and desire to end the engagement upon discovering Mary's pregnancy. The severity of this situation also explains why an angel had to be dispatched from heaven to assure Joseph that Mary's pregnancy had in fact been wrought by the Holy Spirit rather than caused by Mary's unfaithfulness to Joseph during the betrothal period (Mt 1:18-25). Just as the fidelity of the groom and bride are tested during this time of separation, the church's loyalty to Christ is currently being tested as the church is tempted to succumb to false teaching and worldly conduct (Jas 4:4+; 2 Cor. 11:2) during Christ's physical absence. The church demonstrates her loyalty to Christ during this time by maintaining both correct beliefs (orthodoxy) and correct practice (orthopraxy).

Given the importance of the Virgin Birth in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ you might want to refresh your doctrinal knowledge of the Humanity of Jesus Christ by listening to 3 excellent lectures from Dr Wayne Grudem. You could print out the accompanying outline to take notes. Only a portion of this material deals directly with the Virgin Birth but all three lectures will give you an excellent overview of the Humanity of Jesus Christ.

Online Systematic Theology - Wayne Grudem - The Person of Christ - scroll to page 455
Lecture 1 - The Person of Christ
Lecture 2 - The Person of Christ
Lecture 3 - The Person of Christ
Outline of the Person of Christ

Norman Geisler - When Critics Ask -

LUKE 1:27—How could Elizabeth be related to Mary when she was from the tribe of Aaron?

PROBLEM: According to Luke 1:5, Elizabeth was from the priestly tribe of Aaron. But here in Luke 1:36 she is described as a relative of Mary, who was from the tribe of Judah (1:39; 3:30).

SOLUTION: Being a relative of someone in the tribe of Judah does not mean she was from that tribe. She could have been related by marriage. Intermarriage between tribes was permitted, except in the case of an heiress. Aaron himself married someone from the tribe of Judah (Ex. 6:23; 1 Chron. 2:10).

Wayne Grudem - The doctrinal importance of the virgin birth is seen in at least three areas.

It shows that salvation ultimately must come from the Lord. Just as God had promised that the “seed” of the woman (Gen. 3:15) would ultimately destroy the serpent, so God brought it about by his own power, not through mere human effort. The virgin birth of Christ is an unmistakable reminder that salvation can never come through human effort, but must be the work of God himself. Our salvation only comes about through the supernatural work of God, and that was evident at the very beginning of Jesus’ life when “God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Gal. 4:4–5).
The virgin birth made possible the uniting of full deity and full humanity in one person. This was the means God used to send his Son (John 3:16; Gal. 4:4) into the world as a man. If we think for a moment of other possible ways in which Christ might have come to the earth, none of them would so clearly unite humanity and deity in one person. It probably would have been possible for God to create Jesus as a complete human being in heaven and send him to descend from heaven to earth without the benefit of any human parent. But then it would have been very hard for us to see how Jesus could be fully human as we are, nor would he be a part of the human race that physically descended from Adam. On the other hand, it probably would have been possible for God to have Jesus come into the world with two human parents, both a father and a mother, and with his full divine nature miraculously united to his human nature at some point early in his life. But then it would have been hard for us to understand how Jesus was fully God, since his origin was like ours in every way. When we think of these two other possibilities, it helps us to understand how God, in his wisdom, ordained a combination of human and divine influence in the birth of Christ, so that his full humanity would be evident to us from the fact of his ordinary human birth from a human mother, and his full deity would be evident from the fact of his conception in Mary’s womb by the powerful work of the Holy Spirit.
The virgin birth also makes possible Christ’s true humanity without inherited sin. As we noted in chapter 24, all human beings have inherited legal guilt and a corrupt moral nature from their first father, Adam (this is sometimes called “inherited sin” or “original sin”). But the fact that Jesus did not have a human father means that the line of descent from Adam is partially interrupted. Jesus did not descend from Adam in exactly the same way in which every other human being has descended from Adam. And this helps us to understand why the legal guilt and moral corruption that belongs to all other human beings did not belong to Christ. (Scroll to Page 456)

Luke 1:28 And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."

AMP And he came to her and said, Hail, O favored one [endued with grace]! The Lord is with you! Blessed (favored of God) are you before all other women!

CSB And the angel came to her and said, "Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you."

ESV And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"

KJV And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

NET The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one, the Lord is with you!"

NIV The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

NLT Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! "

Wuest And having come to her, he said, Be rejoicing because you have been encompassed with favor. The Lord is with you. (Eerdmans Publishing)

YLT And the messenger having come in unto her, said, 'Hail, favoured one, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women;'

Hail. Da. 9:21–23; 10:19.
favored one. Luke 1:30. Ho. 14:2. Ep. 1:6.
the Lord. Jdg 6:12. Is. 43:5. Je. 1:18, 19. Ac. 18:10.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:28 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

MARY IS RECIPIENT NOT
DISPENSER OF GOD'S FAVOR

Coming in - In other words Mary was in the house in Nazareth.

He said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you" - Note Gabriel is called He (masculine) as are all angels. He came in and said Greetings is in the in present imperative meaning "Be full of joy" or "Continue in joy." (cf Acts 15:23; Jas 1:1) Favored means endowed with grace (charis) or enriched with grace as in Eph. 1:6+. "The Vulgate gratiae plena “is right, if it means ‘full of grace which thou hast received’; wrong, if it means ‘full of grace which thou hast to bestow’ ” (Robertson) The Roman Catholic prayer that begins “Hail Mary, full of grace” is accurate. Mary was full of grace, and so is the believer. But Mary’s grace was a received grace, not grace to give to others. "The fact that Gabriel greeted Mary as he did and did not greet Zechariah the same way shows Mary’s favored position." (Constable)

Cornerstone Bible Commentary on Greetings, favored one - The Vulgate, the ancient translation of the Scriptures into Latin, rendered the angel’s words of address to Mary as Ave, Maria, meaning “Hail, Mary.” Since the Vulgate was the Western church’s principal version of the Bible for a thousand years, this translation has been widely influential in fostering the practice of addressing prayers to Mary as the one who bestows grace upon the faithful. However, the Gr. words simply greet Mary in the traditional way, “Greetings!” (chaire [5463, 5897]; cf. Acts 15:23), and acknowledge that she is the recipient, not the dispenser, of grace.

Favored one - This should have immediately countered any fear she may have had but in the next verse he adds "Do not be afraid," so she still must have had some fear. As noted below the word favored is from charis or grace which speaks of unmerited favor. The point is that in calling Mary favored one, this word indicates that there was nothing in Mary that merited this acknowledgment. Mary like all of us from Adam was a sinner (Ro 5:12, cf. Job 25:4; Ps. 14:1–3; Eccl 7:20; Isa. 53:6; Rom. 3:12, 23), regardless of what some might falsely teach. She needed grace just as all sinners need God's grace (Acts 15:11; 18:27; Rom. 3:24; 5:15, 17; Eph. 1:7; 2:5, 8; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:7). She was shown favor because God choose to show her favor, not because she deserved His favor. She would be the mother of the Messiah, which was an honor every Jewish mother prayed would be hers.

Geldenhuys on Favored one - By this he does not mean, as Roman Catholics teach, that she is “full of favour” in the sense that she will be able to confer favour, but that she has received favour. God had given her His free and uncaused grace in a unique measure by choosing her as mother of His Son. (NICNT-Luke)

Mary like Noah of old "found favor in the eyes of the LORD." (Ge 6:8, cp Ex 33:13, Pr 3:3, 4) Joseph found favor because of the hand of the Lord on him (Ge 39:3, 4). Luke records that "David found favor in God's sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob." (Acts 7:46)

Note the phrase the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women in the KJV is not found in the more modern versions.NET Note says that this phrase also appears in (Lk 1:42) (where it is textually certain). This phrase in Lk 1:28 has the earmarks of a scribal addition for balance; the shorter reading, attested by the most important witnesses and several others."

John MacArthur comments on the non-Biblical teaching regarding Mary - The salutation has been confiscated to form the basis of the familiar Roman Catholic prayer known as the Ave Maria (“Hail Mary”). The erroneous premise of that prayer, based on the Latin Vulgate’s rendering of favored one as gratia plena (“full of grace”), is that Mary has been granted and possesses fullness of grace, which she then bestows on others. In his encyclical Ad Diem Illum Laetissimum, Pope Pius X, in a bizarre distortion of truth, has called Mary not the recipient of grace, but the “Dispensatrix [dispenser] of all the gifts that Our Savior purchased for us by His Death and by His Blood; the supreme Minister of the distribution of graces; the distributor … of the treasures of His merits.” Pope Leo XIII agreed, declaring in his encyclical Octobri Mense that “Mary is the intermediary through whom is distributed unto us this immense treasure of mercies gathered by God.” Pope Pius IX’s encyclical Ineffabilis Deus cited the Catholic Church’s belief that Mary is “the seat of all divine graces … adorned with all gifts of the Holy Spirit … an almost infinite treasury, an inexhaustible abyss of these gifts.” Summing up the Catholic view that Mary is the mediator of all graces Ludwig Ott writes, “Since Mary’s Assumption into Heaven no grace is conferred on man without her actual intercessory co-operation” (Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma [St. Louis: B. Herder, 1954], 209). That false, unbiblical view of Mary is an integral part of the Roman Church’s practice of Mariolatry (the veneration and worship of Mary), which blasphemes the Lord Jesus by worshiping another. In reality Mary was a humble, redeemed sinner. She was not sinless from her conception until her bodily assumption into heaven, as Catholic dogma maintains, since as Jesus Himself declared, “No one is good except God alone” (Luke 18:19; cf. Rom. 3:10). Nor is Mary the co-redeemer of the human race, since sinners are “justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24; cf. 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:13–14; Heb. 9:12). She does not hear and answer prayers or intercede for anyone, since there is “one mediator … between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5). The teaching of Roman Catholicism that “there is no surer or more direct road than by Mary for uniting all mankind in Christ and obtaining through Him the perfect adoption of sons, that we may be holy and immaculate in the sight of God” (Pope Pius X, Ad Diem Illum Laetissimum) is utterly false and blasphemous. The exalted, quasi-deified Mary of Roman Catholic dogma is far removed from the humble, unassuming “bondslave of the Lord” (Luke 1:38) revealed in Scripture. Gabriel’s pronouncement to Mary, “the Lord is with you,” speaks of God’s enabling of her (cf. Jdg. 6:12). It reinforces the truth that Mary was a recipient of God’s grace, not the dispenser of it to others. Only God gives grace to sinners, as Scripture indicates continually (cf. Ro 3:24; 1 Cor. 1:4; Eph. 2:8, and the repeated use of the phrase “the grace of God”). (Luke Commentary)

Greetings (rejoice, hail) (5463)(chairo) means to be cheerful ("cheer full"). Chairo is used in a whole range of situations in which the emotion of joy is evoked. Chairo was used as here in greetings (welcome, good day, hail to you, I am glad to see you) in the imperative mood (present imperative in Lk 1:28) implying a wish for well being or happiness to the recipient. Oh, what a stark contrast with the greeting in Mt 26:49!

Favored one (one on whom it is freely bestowed) (5487)(charitoo from charis = grace) means to cause one to be the recipient of a benefit. The idea in this passage is to bestow grace or favor upon Mary. The only other NT use of charitoo is by Paul in Ephesians 1:6+ writing "to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved." The idea in Ephesians is that God has extended His favor or grace to ALL BELIEVERS in Christ. Favored one is in the perfect tense which speaks of the abiding nature of this bestowal of grace which emphasizes that she is the recipient not the bestower of grace.

NET Note- She is a model saint in this passage, one who willingly receives God's benefits. The Vulgate rendering "full of grace" suggests something more of Mary as a bestower of grace, but does not make sense here contextually.

Norman Geisler - When Critics Ask -

LUKE 1:28ff—Should Christians worship Mary?

PROBLEM: The angel said Mary was the most blessed of all women, declaring to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (Luke 1:28) Although the highest form of worship is reserved for God alone (latria), Roman Catholics believe that Mary should be venerated in a lesser sense (hyperdulia) as the most highly favored above all other creatures since she is the “Mother of God” and “Queen of Heaven.” Why do Protestants not give Mary her proper due?

SOLUTION: Protestants do honor Mary as the blessed “mother of … [our] Lord” (Luke 1:43). But for many reasons, we believe it is idolatry to worship Mary.

First of all, Mary was a human being, not God. The Bible commands us, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve” (Matt. 4:10).

Second, Mary confessed that she was a sinner in need of a Savior just like any other human being. She said, “my soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior” (see comments on Luke 1:46).

Third, the angel from God did not affirm that Mary was to be blessed over all women, but simply among all women. He declared only, “Blessed are you among women” (Luke 1:28, emphasis added). In practice many Roman Catholics have exalted Mary above all women, virtually to the place of God.

Fourth, the cult of Mariolatry grew in the Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages, adding to her such titles as “Coredemtrix,” and “Queen of Heaven.” However, this manifests a pagan influence on Christianity patterned after the old Babylonian goddess called by this very name “the queen of heaven” in Jeremiah (Jer. 7:18; 44:17–19, 25).

Norman Geisler - When Cultists Ask

LUKE 1:28—Does Mary being “full of grace” prove that she was immaculately conceived, as Roman Catholics say?

MISINTERPRETATION: On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX, in the Bull “Ineffabilis,” pronounced infallibly the following doctrine to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful: “The Most Holy Virgin Mary was in the first moment of her conception, by a unique gift of grace and privilege of Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of mankind, preserved free from all stain of original sin” (Ott, 1960, 199). Ott argues that “the expression ‘full of grace’ [Luke 1:28] . . . in the angel’s salutation, represents the proper name, and must on this account express a characteristic quality of Mary. . . . However, it is perfect only if it be perfect not only intensively but also extensively, that is, if it extends over her whole life, beginning with her entry into the world” (Ibid., 200).

CORRECTING THE MISINTERPRETATION: Nothing in this verse justifies a belief in the immaculate conception of Mary.

It is by no means necessary to take the phrase “full of grace” as a proper name. Even contemporary Catholic versions of the Bible do not translate it as a proper name (for example, the New American Bible). It could refer simply to Mary’s state of being as a recipient of God’s favor.

Even if it were a proper name and referred to Mary’s essential character, it is not necessary to take it extensively all the way back to her birth. The only way one could conclude this is by factors beyond the biblical text itself (which does not teach the Immaculate Conception). Of course, Catholics believe that tradition fills in what the Scriptures do not declare. But if this is so, then why appeal to Scripture for support. Why not just admit what many contemporary Catholics are reluctant to acknowledge, that this teaching is not found in Scripture but was only added centuries later by tradition.

Even if it were taken extensively to Mary’s beginning, it does not of necessity mean an immaculate conception. It could simply refer to God’s grace being upon her life from conception. But that was true of others, including Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1) and John the Baptist (Luke 1), who were not immaculately conceived. Elliott Miller and Kenneth Samples note in The Cult of the Virgin, the Greek term for “full of grace” is charitō. But “charitō is used of believers in Ephesians 1:6 without implying sinless perfection. So again there is hence nothing about Luke 1:28 that establishes the doctrine of the immaculate conception. That Mary was uniquely favored to be the mother of her Lord is the only necessary inference” (Miller and Samples, 34). One must appeal to traditions outside the Bible, and late ones at that, to find support for this Catholic dogma.

LUKE 1:28b—Does the fact that Mary was “full of grace” prove that she lived a sinless life, as Roman Catholics claim?

MISINTERPRETATION: According to Roman Catholic teaching, “Mary’s sinlessness may be deduced from the text: Luke 1, 28: ‘Hail, full of grace!’ since personal moral defects are irreconcilable with fullness of grace” (Ott, 1960).

CORRECTING THE MISINTERPRETATION: The Catholic argument that because Mary was “full of grace” at the annunciation she was sinless during her entire life cannot be sustained. The phrase “full of grace” is an inaccurate rendering based on the Latin Vulgate that has been corrected by the modern Catholic Bible, the New American Bible translation. The NAB translates it simply as “favored one.” The Vulgate’s misleading rendering became the basis for the idea that grace extended throughout Mary’s life. But even if accurate, taken in context, the salutation of the angel is only a reference to Mary’s state at that moment, not to her entire life. It does not affirm that she was always full of grace but only that she was full of grace in her selection by God at that time for this singular honor.

The grace given to Mary was not only limited in time but limited in function. The grace she received was for the task of being the mother of the Messiah. Nothing indicates that the purpose of this grace was to prevent her from any sin.

The stress on fullness of grace is misleading, since even Catholic scholars admit that Mary was in need of redemption. But why is this so if she was not a sinner? Ott says clearly of Mary that “she herself required redemption and was redeemed by Christ” (Ibid., 212). It is biblically unfounded to suggest that she was merely prevented from inheriting all this rather than being actually delivered from it. Nor does the Bible support the sinlessness of Mary. To the contrary, it affirms her sinfulness. Speaking as a sinner, Mary said, “My spirit rejoices in God my savior” (Luke 1:46 NIV). Contrary to Duns Scotus’s solution that Mary was prevented from needing to be saved from sin, she confessed her present need (after her conception) of a Savior. Indeed, she even presented an offering to the Jewish priest arising out of her sinful condition (Luke 2:22) which was required in the Old Testament (Lev. 12:2). This would not have been necessary if she were sinless.

Question: Is Mary the mother of God (Theotokos)?

Answer: The phrase “mother of God” originated with and continues to be used in the Roman Catholic Church. One of the topics at the Council of Ephesus in AD 431 was the use of the Greek term Theotókos, or “God-bearer,” in reference to Mary. That council officially proclaimed Mary as the “mother of God,” and the doctrine was later included in the Catholic catechism. The idea behind calling Mary the “mother of God” is that, since Jesus is God and Mary is the mother of Jesus, she is the mother of God.

The major problem with this logic is that the term “God” implies the totality of Yahweh, and we know that Yahweh has no beginning and no end (Psalm 90:2). First Timothy 6:15-16 says that God is immortal. Being immortal, God never was “born” and never had a “mother.” The second Person of the Trinity, Jesus, did have a beginning to His earthly ministry when he was conceived in Mary’s womb and was born, but from eternity past He had always been the Son of God.

Philippians 2:6–7 gives us a bit more insight on what transpired when Jesus left heaven to become man. The New Living Translation says, “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” Jesus was already one with the Father, but He set aside His rights as Divinity and took the form of a baby (John 1:1). He went on to live the normal life of a Jewish boy, obeying His earthly parents (Luke 2:51).

A mother by definition precedes her child and at some point is more powerful than her child. So to call Mary the “mother of God” gives the misleading implication that Mary preceded and at one time was more powerful than the Lord God Almighty. Although Catholic doctrine tries to deny this implication, it is inescapable.

It is biblical to say that Mary was the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ during His incarnation on the earth. However, Catholics believe it is not enough to say that Mary was the mother of Jesus. Pope John Paul II, in a speech in 1996, encouraged people “not only to invoke the Blessed Virgin as the Mother of Jesus, but also to recognize her as Mother of God” (L'Osservatore Romano, 4 December 1996, p. 11). This is not biblical. The Lord God Almighty has no mother, since He has no beginning and no end (Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:8). (Source: Gotquestions.org - highly recommended conservative, Biblically sound site)

Editorial Comment (Addendum to Gotquestions preceding explanation): The question one needs to ask is does the Bible itself, the Holy Spirit inspired, inerrant Word of God, ever refer to Mary as the "Mother of God?" If it does then clearly that would settle all disputes and disagreements regarding how one should refer to Mary. In this way we can allow God the Father to be the final Judge on this question. The answer to the question is that Scripture never refers to Mary by the term "Mother of God." Therefore clearly this is a man-made term. Scripture does refer to Mary as follows...

John 2:1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus (mater tou Iesou) was there;

John 2:3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

Acts 1:14 These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

(Note: The above translations are from the New American Standard Bible, but those versions that are approved by Catholic leaders such as the New American Bible (revised in 2011) and the New Revised Standard Version similarly NEVER refer to Mary by the moniker "the Mother of God.")

It follows that if we seek to be as accurate possible regarding what God teaches in His Word, then the most appropriate designation of Mary is that which was given by the Holy Spirit to the Apostle John and Doctor Luke, "the mother of Jesus."

Related Resources:

Vance Havner - "Blessed Among Women" Luke 1:26-56

THE beautiful story of the annunciation of the birth of Christ to Mary has suffered from overemphasis among some and underemphasis among others....She was "highly favored" and "blessed among women" for exactly this reason: God had chosen her to be the virgin mother of His only begotten Son as pertaining to the flesh. There is a Mariolatry which ignores our Lord's own attitude toward His mother.

Genesis 3:15 now received fulfillment, and "the Seed of the woman" is coming to bruise the serpent's head. Isaiah 7:14 here comes to fulfillment in the Son "Immanuel." He is to reign over the house of Jacob from the throne of David, a prophecy yet to be fulfilled. Christ is at the right hand of the throne of God but not now on the throne of David.

It is significant that the first question asked about the virgin birth was asked by the virgin herself: "How shall this be?" Men have asked it ever since, but here is God's own answer: that it is the supernatural work of the Holy Ghost and the power of God. Much argument is focused on the supernatural birth instead of the supernatural Son. The Son of God required a birth in keeping with His deity. Who He is explains how He was born.

Mary goes to Elizabeth with the good news and breaks forth into the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). Very similar is Hannah's prophetic prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10, for both close with reference to Christ: "His king" with Hannah, and the "Help" promised Israel with Mary. The theme through both is the marvelous way in which God puts down the mighty and exalts those of low degree, even as He still does in His choosing of the saints (1 Cor. 1:26-31).

Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Ghost, had already called Mary "the mother of my Lord." So she was, but mother of Him as man in no way elevates her to be worthy of adoration or worship. Bengel rightly says that she is addressed as a daughter of grace, not as the mother of it (Luke 1:28).

A beautiful little lesson in faith is gathered from verses 34, 37 and 45. "How shall this be?"—that is the query of men since the beginning when faced with the message of the supernatural power of God. The natural man cannot receive or comprehend how God works His wonders of grace!

The answer is "With God nothing shall be impossible" (v. 37). God is able to save (Heb. 7:25), to keep (Jude 24), to succor (Heb. 2:18), to deliver (Dan. 3:17), to do (Eph. 3:20), to subdue (Phil. 3:21).

Then verse 45: "And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her of the Lord." It is always so when we take Him at His word. He who promises will perform. Do not ask "How?" Take Him at His Word and it shall be done even as He has said.

Luke 1:29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.

Amplified - But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled and disturbed and confused at what he said and kept revolving in her mind what such a greeting might mean.

KJV And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

Wuest But she was greatly agitated by reason of the word, and began reasoning what sort of an exotic greeting this might be.(Eerdmans Publishing)

she was. Luke 1:12. Mark 6:49, 50; 16:5, 6. Ac. 10:4.
kept pondering Luke 1:66; Luke 2:19, 51.
what kind of salutation this was . Jdg 6:13–15. 1 Sa. 9:20, 21. Ac. 10:4, 17.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:29 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

PERPLEXED AND
PUZZLED

But she was very perplexed (diatarasso) at this statement (logos) - Wuest "She was greatly agitated". Mary was greatly troubled, disturbed and confused. The related verb tarasso was used in Luke 1:12+ describing Zacharias was "troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him." The verb diatarasso used to describe Mary is an even more intense form of the verb which suggests she was even more upset than Zacharias! Notice that Zacharias was gripped with fear when he saw the angel (Lk 1:12), whereas Mary is gripped by fear not by what she saw but by what she heard him say!

And kept pondering (dialogizomai) what kind of salutation this was - Kept pondering uses the imperfect tense which pictures Mary running this over and over again in her mind trying to make sense of what she had heard.

She was very perplexed (ONLY NT USE)(1298)(diatarasso from dia = through + tarasso = to agitate or trouble) means literally to be stirred up throughout. Diatarasso is used figuratively (only here in Bible) and describes her mind as greatly disturbed, thrown into great confusion, utterly confounded.

Kept pondering (1260)(dialogizomai from dia = intensifies meaning + logizomai - to reason, reckon, consider. Related to our English word "dialogue" a conversation between two or more people) means to consider, reason or reckon thoroughly, to think through, to deliberate by reflection. "To bring together different reasons." (Vine) To hold a discussion. To take full account of, to stop to consider, to distinguish between. To think about or reason in one's mind alone as was the case with Mary who had an inner wondering to herself about the angel's words (Mt. 21:25; Mk 2:6, 8; Lu 3:15; 5:21, 22; 12:17; Ps 77:6; 119:59). To reason with others with meaning to discuss but in some contexts meaning to argue or debate (Mt. 16:7, 8; Mk 8:16, 17; Lu 20:14). To deliberate in the sense of to take counsel or to devise (Lxx Pr 6:18, Jer 11:19)

Lawrence Richards - Dialogizomai and dialogismos have a negative tone in the NT. They suggest thinking issues through in a calculated, thorough way; but they are closely linked in Greek culture with the teaching of philosophers. In the NT, they suggest the efforts of unaided human beings to arrive at significant truth. These words are translated “thought(s)” in five passages (Mk 7:21; Lk 2:35; 12:17; 1 Co 3:20; Jas 2:4). (New International Encyclopedia of Bible Words)

Thayer notes that from the time of Plato dialogizomai signified "the thinking of a man with himself." The most common meaning in ancient Greek was deliberation or reflection.

Mounce - dialogizomai means “to discuss, consider, argue” about something. It is related to the English word “dialogue” and is used only in the Synoptic Gospels. It describes a kind of thorough consideration of issues that are often of a curious or a spiritual nature. It can refer to a conversation between several parties or to the thoughts of an individual. In both cases, there is an internal aspect to the process. When it refers to an individual, it is often used of deep reflection (lit., thinking in the heart) conveyed by the English “wonder.” For example, the Pharisees were wondering in their hearts about Jesus’ identity after he proclaimed that the paralytic’s sins were forgiven (Mk 2:6, 8; Lk 5:21, 22). Mary wondered about the greeting of the angel of the Lord (Lk 1:29), and the people wondered if John was the Messiah (Lk 3:15). See also Lk 12:17; 20:14.

W E Vine - DIALOGIZOMAI (, to bring together different reasons and reckon them up, to reason, is used in the N.T. (a) chiefly of thoughts and considerations which are more or less objectionable, e.g., of the disciples who reasoned together, through a mistaken view of Christ’s teaching regarding leaven, Matt. 16:7, 8 and Mark 8:16,17; of their reasoning as to who was the greatest among them, Mark 9:33, R.V., “were ye reasoning,” A.V., “ye disputed” (for ver. 34, see DISPUTE;) of the Scribes and Pharisees in criticising Christ’s claim to forgive sins, Mark 2:6, 8 (twice) and Luke 5:21, 22; of the chief priests and elders in considering how to answer Christ’s question regarding John’s baptism, Matt. 21:25; Mark 11:31 (some mss. have logizomai, here, which is nowhere else rendered “to reason”); of the wicked husbandmen, and their purpose to murder the heir and seize his inheritance, Luke 20:14; of the rich man who “reasoned” within himself, R.V. (A.V., “thought”), as to where to bestow his fruits, Luke 12:17 (some mss. have it in John 11:50, the best have logizomai; see ACCOUNT, NO. 4); (b) of considerations not objectionable, Luke 1:29, “cast in (her) mind;” 3:15, R.V., and A.V., marg., “reasoned” (A.V., “mused”).

NIDNTT - The vb. dialogizomai, calculate, consider, think through, is closely linked with it, and similarly the noun dialogismos, weighing, consideration, thought, discussion.....dialogizomai is used with a neutral connotation for consider, think over (e.g. Ps. 77:5), but more often with the depreciatory sense of harbour ill designs, intrigue (Ps 10:2; 35:20; 36:4).

Wayne Detzler - There are at least two main words that characterize “thinking” in the New Testament. One of them is dialogizomai, seen in our English word, “dialogue.” It refers to conversation. The poets used it to describe the content of their poems. Philosophers used “dialogue” as a method of teaching. By questions and answers pupils were brought to understand philosophical principles and concepts. A second word for “thinking” is dokeo. It has to do with the thought processes, believing, accepting a concept, developing an opinion, or giving an impression. A related idea is “appearance,” when one thinks something looks similar. This idea was perverted in the early church by the sect of Docetism. This sect taught that Jesus Christ was not a real man, but only appeared to be human. To summarize, dialogizomai speaks of opinions or thoughts which are developed and aired in discussion. On the other hand, dokeo deals with opinions as they develop in the mind.....No matter which word is used for “thinking” (dialogizomai or dokeo) in the New Testament, it is inevitably surrounded with skepticism. In the Gospels, Christ confounded the best thinking of the Pharisees and scribes. The apostolic Christians knew that the only correct thoughts were those which were subjected to the Spirit. In the epistles one sees an awareness that salvation is not thought out, but rather bought by the blood of Christ. (NT Words in Today's Language)

Dialogizomai is used only in the Gospels and can reflect good reasoning (Mary, people in Lk 3:15), reasoning with evil motives (Mt 21:25, Mk 2:6, 8, Mk 11:31, Lk 5:21, 22, Lk 20:44; Lxx of Ps 10:2, Ps 21:11, 35:20, Ps 36:4, Ps 140:8) or with a sense of complaining (Mt 16:7, 8, Mk 8:16, 17, Lk 12:17)

TDNT - dialogizomai in the Greek and Hellenistic World. The following are the main senses: 1. “to balance accounts,” 2. “to ponder,” and 3. “to discuss” (sometimes technically for “to hold a convention” for administrative or judicial purposes).

Dialogizomai - 16x in 16v - Usage: discuss(4), discussing(1), pondering(1), reason(1), reasoned(1), reasoning(7), wondering(1).

Matthew 16:7 They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, "He said that because we did not bring any bread." 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, "You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread?

Matthew 21:25 "The baptism of John was from what source, from heaven or from men?" And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Then why did you not believe him?'

Mark 2:6 But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts,

Wuest - But what they thought in their hearts, was expressed in their faces, actions, and very personalities. There was a hostile atmosphere in the room, and our Lord sensed it. (Eerdmans Publishing)

Mark 2:8 Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, "Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts?

Mark 8:16 They began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread. 17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart?

Comment: The imperfect tense in Mk 8:16 show that they kept it up!

Mark 9:33 They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, "What were you discussing on the way?"

Comment: The idea of dialogizomai here suggests that sidea have been taken and the issue has been discussed in detail.

Mark 11:31 They began reasoning among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?'

Luke 1:29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.

Luke 3:15 Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ,

Luke 5:21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" 22 But Jesus, aware of their reasonings (dialogismos), answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts?

Luke 12:17 "And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?'

Luke 20:14 "But when the vine-growers saw him, they reasoned with one another, saying, 'This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance will be ours.'

Dialogizomai - 9x in the Septuagint -2 Sam. 19:19; Ps. 10:2; 21:11; 35:20; 36:4; 77:5; 119:59; 140:8; Prov. 17:12

Psalm 10:2 In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted; Let them be caught in the plots (dialogismos) which they have devised (dialogizomai).

Psalm 21:11 Though they intended evil against You And devised a plot, They will not succeed.

Psalm 36:4 He plans wickedness upon his bed; He sets himself on a path that is not good; He does not despise evil.

Psalm 77:5 I (Asaph) have considered the days of old, The years of long ago. (Look at where Asaph was in Ps 77:4)

Psalm 119:59 I considered my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies. (O, how all God's children need to consider our ways that these thoughts might drive us to God's testimonies!)

Luke 1:30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.

Amplified And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace (free, spontaneous, absolute favor and loving-kindness) with God.

NET So the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God!

GNT καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἄγγελος αὐτῇ, Μὴ φοβοῦ, Μαριάμ, εὗρες γὰρ χάριν παρὰ τῷ θεῷ.

NLT "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God!

KJV And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

ESV And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

NIV But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.

Wuest And the angel said to her, Stop fearing, Mary, for you found favor in the presence of God. (Eerdmans Publishing)

Do not be afraid Luke 1:13; Luke 12:32. Is. 41:10, 14; 43:1–4; 44:2. Mat. 28:5. Ac. 18, 9, 10; 27:24. Ro. 8:31. He. 13:6.
found favor. Ge 6:8. Ge 6:8. Ac 7:46. Heb 4:16.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:30 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

FOUND FAVOR
NOT FEAR

The angel said to her, Do not be afraid Mary - Same thing the angel said to Zacharias (Lk 1:13). Angels are awesome creatures when they are seen by mortal men and women and the most common reaction is fear. There is something fearful about the unseen world. It is one thing to read about it but quite another to see it up close and personal! But beloved, we will see not only the created angels someday, but best of all the Creator of all things Christ Jesus. If you are a believer the application of this passage is "Do not fear for you have found grace with God." Indeed, for us the best is yet to come so do not fear for "it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." (1 Cor 2:9)

Do not be afraid is a repeated phrase in Luke's writings...all except Lk 12:4 are present imperative with a negative and passive voice - idea is either "Stop fearing" or "Don't start being afraid". The verb is phobeo which gives us English phobia, phobic, etc.

Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.

Luke 1:30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.

Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

Luke 8:50 But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, "Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well."

Luke 12:4 "I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.

Luke 12:32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.

Acts 18:9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;

Acts 27:24 saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.'

For you have found (heurisko) favor (charis) with God - For (gar) is a term of explanation, explaining why she need not fear. Literally it reads "find grace" and Find favor is a common Hebrew expression (Semitism see over 40 uses below) as in Ge 6:8 where "Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD" and 2 Sa 14:22 where God says "“Let David now stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.”

Favor (charis) with God - This is more literally "favor beside God," which is even better. Beloved believer, like His grace was beside Mary because He was beside her, so too He has promised you ""I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT SHALL MAN DO TO ME?" (Heb 13:5-6-note) In the Greek sentence actually has five negatives making God's promise very emphatic, "I will never, never, never leave thee." The promise to never leave was made to Joshua when he succeeded Moses [Dt 1:7-8, Jos 1:5,9] and is fulfilled in Jesus [Mt 28:20, Acts 18:9-10 1Ch 28:20]. Luke emphasized the grace of God throughout this chapter. Notice especially Luke 1:50,54,58,72,78.

Favor (charis) - The Greek word charis gives us our English charity which is apropos for beggars need "charity" even as sinners need grace, (and Mary was very poor by worldly standards) for we are all spiritual paupers outside of Christ. As Augustine said "God gives where he finds empty hands." Mary so to speak had "empty hands."

THOUGHT - Would you describe yourself as having "empty hands?" If so you are in a wonderful position to receive favor from God, for He is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6+, 1 Peter 5:5+) If you are meek and weak, you are "in a good way" in God's economy for as Jesus told Paul in this state me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." (2 Cor 12:9+)

Robertson on favor - Charis is a very ancient and common word with a variety of applied meanings. They all come from the notion of sweetness, charm, loveliness, joy, delight, like words of grace, Luke 4:22, growing grace, Eph. 4:29, with grace, Col. 4:6. The notion of kindness is in it also, especially of God towards men as here. It is a favorite word for Christianity, the Gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24) in contrast with law or works (John 1:16). Gratitude is expressed also (Luke 6:32), especially to God (Ro. 6:17).

Henry Morris on favor - The Greek word for "favor" is the word normally translated as "grace," and this is actually the first mention of grace in the New Testament. The first mention of grace in the Old Testament is Genesis 6:8: "Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD." In both cases, a human believer was selected by God's grace to bring a new beginning into the world--Noah brought the post-Flood economy that would follow the judgment of the Flood on the sin of the world, Mary brought forth the Savior who, through the judgment of the cross, would carry away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Note also how these first two mentions of grace define the very word itself. Grace is not a reward that is earned from God, but a gift from God that is found. And it is found, not by working or searching but "through faith" (Ephesians 2:8). Both Mary and Noah believed, and therefore obeyed, the word of God.

Marvin Vincent has a lengthy note - Grace (charis) is from the same root as chairo, to rejoice. I. Primarily that which gives joy or pleasure; and hence outward beauty, loveliness, something which delights the beholder. Thus Homer, of Ulysses going to the assembly: “Athene shed down manly grace or beauty upon him” (“Odyssey,” ii., 12); and Septuagint, Ps. 45:3, “grace is poured into thy lips.” See also Prov. 1:9; 3:22. Substantially the same idea, agreeableness, is conveyed in Luke 4:22, respecting the gracious words, lit., words of grace, uttered by Christ. So Eph. 4:29. II. As a beautiful or agreeable sentiment felt and expressed toward another; kindness, favor, good-will. 2 Cor. 8:6, 7, 9; 9:8; Luke 1:30; 2:40; Acts 2:47. So of the responsive sentiment of thankfulness. See Luke 6:32, 33, 34; 17:9; but mostly in the formula thanks to God; Rom. 6:17; 1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14; 2 Tim. 1:3. III. The substantial expression of good-will; a boon, a favor, a gift; but not in New Testament. See Rom. 5:15, where the distinction is made between χάρις, grace, and δωρεὰ ἐν χάριτι a gift in grace. So a gratification or delight, in classical Greek only; as the delight in battle, in sleep, etc. IV. The higher Christian signification, based on the emphasis of freeness in the gift or favor, and, as commonly in New Testament, denoting the free, spontaneous, absolute loving-kindness of God toward men, and so contrasted with debt, law, works, sin. The word does not occur either in Matthew or Mark.

William Barclay - To be chosen by God (as was Mary) so often means at one and the same time a crown of joy and cross of sorrow (see Luke 2:35-note). The piercing truth is that God does not choose a person for ease and comfort and selfish joy but for a task that will take all that head and heart and hand can bring to it. God chooses a man in order to use him. When Joan of Arc knew that her time was short she prayed, “I shall only last a year; use me as you can.” When that is realized, the sorrows and hardships that serving God may bring are not matters for lamentation; they are our glory, for all is suffered for God. When Richard Cameron, the Covenanter, was caught by the dragoons they killed him. He had very beautiful hands and they cut them off and sent them to his father with a message asking if he recognized them. “They are my son’s,” he said, “my own dear son’s. Good is the will of the Lord who can never wrong me or mine.” The shadows of life were lit by the sense that they, too, were in the plan of God. A great Spanish saint prayed for his people, “May God deny you peace and give you glory.” A great modern preacher said, “Jesus Christ came not to make life easy but to make men great.” It is the paradox of blessedness that it confers on a person at one and the same time the greatest joy and the greatest task in all the world.

Found (2147)(heurisko) means to learn location of something, either by intentional searching or by unexpected discovery learn whereabouts of something. The idea is to learn something previously not known, frequently involving an element of surprise, which was certainly the case with Mary's angelic encounter. Found favor - Luke 1:28 records a similar address "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”

Luke's uses of heurisko in Gospel and Acts - Lk. 1:30; Lk. 2:12; Lk. 2:45; Lk. 2:46; Lk. 4:17; Lk. 5:19; Lk. 6:7; Lk. 7:9; Lk. 7:10; Lk. 8:35; Lk. 9:12; Lk. 9:36; Lk. 11:9; Lk. 11:10; Lk. 11:24; Lk. 11:25; Lk. 12:37; Lk. 12:38; Lk. 12:43; Lk. 13:6; Lk. 13:7; Lk. 15:4; Lk. 15:5; Lk. 15:6; Lk. 15:8; Lk. 15:9; Lk. 15:24; Lk. 15:32; Lk. 17:18; Lk. 18:8; Lk. 19:30; Lk. 19:32; Lk. 19:48; Lk. 22:13; Lk. 22:45; Lk. 23:2; Lk. 23:4; Lk. 23:14; Lk. 23:22; Lk. 24:2; Lk. 24:3; Lk. 24:23; Lk. 24:24; Lk. 24:33; Acts 4:21; Acts 5:10; Acts 5:22; Acts 5:23; Acts 5:39; Acts 7:11; Acts 7:46; Acts 8:40; Acts 9:2; Acts 9:33; Acts 10:27; Acts 11:26; Acts 12:19; Acts 13:6; Acts 13:22; Acts 13:28; Acts 17:6; Acts 17:23; Acts 17:27; Acts 18:2; Acts 19:1; Acts 19:19; Acts 21:2; Acts 23:9; Acts 23:29; Acts 24:5; Acts 24:12; Acts 24:18; Acts 24:20; Acts 27:6; Acts 27:28; Acts 28:14;

Found favor -This exact phrase occurs 32x in the Bible - Gen. 6:8; 18:3; 19:19; 33:10; 39:4; 47:29; 50:4; Exod. 33:12f, 16f; 34:9; Num. 11:11, 15; 32:5; Jdg. 6:17; Ruth 2:10, 13; 1 Sam. 16:22; 20:3, 29; 27:5; 2 Sam. 14:22; Neh. 2:5; Est. 2:9, 15, 17; 5:8; 7:3; 8:5; Lk. 1:30; Acts 7:46

Find favor - 12x - Gen. 32:5; 33:8, 15; 34:11; 47:25; Exod. 33:13; Ruth 2:2; 1 Sam. 1:18; 25:8; 2 Sam. 15:25; 16:4; Prov. 3:4

Favor (grace) (5485)(charis from from chairo = to rejoice) is an act of gracious kindness, an advantage to the benefit of the recipient, bestowal of a privilege upon. Favor is friendly regard shown toward another especially by a superior, in this case THE Superior Being. Charis is not found in the other 2 synoptic Gospels.

Charis in Luke and Acts - Lk. 1:30; Lk. 2:40; Lk. 2:52; Lk. 4:22; Lk. 6:32; Lk. 6:33; Lk. 6:34; Lk. 17:9; ; Acts 2:47; Acts 4:33; Acts 6:8; Acts 7:10; Acts 7:46; Acts 11:23; Acts 13:43; Acts 14:3; Acts 14:26; Acts 15:11; Acts 15:40; Acts 18:27; Acts 20:24; Acts 20:32; Acts 24:27; Acts 25:3; Acts 25:9;

James Smith - JESUS AS SAVIOUR AND KING Luke 1:30–33

“Great disaster of the world,
When Adam from his throne was hurled;
When the tempter seem’d to win
Through unfathomable sin.
Ah! but it was only seeming;
Lo! the Christ has come redeeming.”

Jesus the Lowly Child, yet the “Mighty God,” stripped of His glory, and still glorious in His weakness. Great is the mystery of godliness.
1. His saving Name. “Thou shalt call His Name JESUS.” Jesus means Saviour. God in measuring the depth of man’s need could only meet that need by the gift of His only Son. As a Saviour He saves from—

1. SIN (Matt. 1:21). From its defiling and condemning power, from the love of it, and from the wrath that is to come because of it (1 Thess. 1:10). He saves from sin by putting Himself between the sinner and his guilt (Isa. 53).

2. SELF (Gal. 2:20). The I is to be crucified with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed (Rom. 6:6). Self-wisdom, self-effort, and self-righteousness are all enemies from which we need to be delivered, and from which we are saved when Jesus reigns within.

3. THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD (Gal. 1:4). By being crucified with Christ we are crucified to the world and the world to us (Gal. 6:14). The Cross of Christ comes between us and our sins, between us and the flesh, and between us and the world. Did not our Lord pray that we should be kept from the evil? (John 17:15). He is mighty to save.

2. His wonderful character. “He shall be great” (v. 32).

1. GREAT IN HIS ORIGIN. “Called the Son of the Highest.” As a Child He was born, as a Son He was given (Isa. 9:6). Being the Son of the Highest, He is higher than angels, or than any created one. Yet He who belonged to the Highest descended to the lowest for us, becoming obedient unto death.

2. GREAT IN HIS LOVE. He so loved us that He gave Himself for us. Being the Son of the Highest His love was of the highest possible order. Behold what love! Herein is love (1 John 4:10). His love was consistent with the greatness of His character, and was stronger than death.

3. GREAT IN HIS POWER. The power of Christ was the power of faith. He believed, and therefore spake, and it was done. There is nothing impossible with Him (v. 37). All power, He says, is given unto Me. He is able to save to the uttermost. As many as touched Him were made perfectly whole.

3. His glorious prospect. “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame.”

1. HE SHALL HAVE A THRONE. “The Lord God shall give Him the throne of His father David” (v. 32). He shall do it. He has not yet received this throne, for the house of Jacob (v. 33) still despise and reject Him as their Messiah King. Jesus Christ is God’s appointed heir to David’s throne (Jer. 23:5; compare Psa. 132:11 with Rev. 22:16; see also Isa. 9:6, 7).

2. HE SHALL REIGN OVER THE HOUSE OF JACOB (v. 33). Would Mary remember this while she stood by and saw Him crucified? Is His promise to come to naught? He as King has been rejected, and His reign over them as a people delayed, but the Word of God cannot be broken. The gifts and callings of God are without repentance. That foretold by Daniel must be fulfilled (chap. 7:13, 14). He was born King of the Jews. God hath given Him the throne of David, and He shall reign over the house of Jacob. To spiritualise this at the sacrifice of its literal meaning is to wrest the Scriptures. Render to God the things that are God’s.

3. HIS KINGDOM SHALL HAVE NO END (v. 33). The Kingdom of God that is within us shall certainly have no end. We shall never cease to be under the rule of Him who is our exalted Redeemer. But the kingdom of this world has not yet become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ (Rev. 11:15). The time has not yet come when the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, shall reign over all, blessed for ever. These times cannot come “until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Tim. 6:14–16).

James Smith- MARY’S PRAYER Luke 1:30–38

“Thou stooped’st over Thy bruised child, O Lord,
And ’mid the dark didst breathe the healing word:
Thou knowest all, and with mild mightiness
Granted’st a mother’s kiss in my distress.”

When the power of the Highest stooped to overshadow the lowly Mary, it was to her indeed a manifestation of mild mightiness. She could truly say, “Thy gentleness hath made me great” (2 Sam. 22:36).

1. The promise. “Fear not, thou hast found favour with God, and shalt bring forth a Son, and call His Name Jesus” (vs. 30, 31). She found favour, not as one who deserved it or bought it. The grace of God, which is favour, is never found by those who seek it as wages. The gift of God is eternal life.

2. The question. “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (v. 34). To have Christ formed within us is to be blessed above all. But how can this be? Hear, O heavens, and give answer, O earth. How shall this be? It is not in man to reason, and in all mere human experience impossible. Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Ye must be born again. How shall this be?

3. The answer. “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee” (v. 35). To Mary’s question, How shall this be? God’s answer is “The Holy Ghost.” How is His Son to be revealed in me? (Gal. 1:16). The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee. It is not of man, not of the flesh, not of works, not by might or by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord. He who brooded over the creation of old must overshadow thee. It is the Spirit that quickeneth. Let us apply this great thought to—

1. GOD’S WAY OF SALVATION. How shall this be? Well, it must just come to you as this honour came to Mary. As the favour of God. You cannot purchase it, and you never shall deserve it. God’s answer to your question as to how it is to come into your heart and life is, “The Holy Ghost” (John 3:5). Like Mary, believe God’s Word and rest.

2. GOD’S WAY OF SANCTIFICATION. This, like salvation, and the forming of the new nature within us, is all of Grace. It is the favour of God. It is God who worketh in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. How shall this be? The Divine answer again is the same: “The Holy Ghost shall come unto thee.” The storms and trials of life may blow off many withered leaves from an outward character, but there is nothing like the rising of the new life for putting off the old. Be filled with the Spirit.

3. GOD’S WAY OF SERVICE. To all our questions as to how we shall be made fruitful in the work of the Lord He has but one answer: “The Holy Ghost.” From Me, saith the Lord, is thy fruit found. How shall I glorify God in my body and spirit? The power of the Highest shall overshadow thee. As vessels, we are to be filled with the Spirit and the knowledge of His will. As instruments, we are to be polished, and entirely yielded to His will. As agents, we act in His Name and for His sake. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 28:19, 20). “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20).

4. The prayer. Mary said, “Be it unto me according to Thy word” (v. 38). This is very precious. Mary could not understand how the Son of God was to be formed in her, but she believed that it was His gracious will that it should be so. And she immediately yielded herself, spirit, soul, and body, that the will of God might be done in her and through her. “Be it unto me according to Thy word.” This brief, deep, self-surrendering, God-glorifying prayer breathes the secret of salvation, sanctification, and successful service. Not My will, but Thine be done. Take this as an example of how His gracious words may be received and fulfilled in us. Be ye holy, for I am holy. How shall this be? The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee. Be it unto me according to Thy word.

Luke 1:31 "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.

AMP And listen! You will become pregnant and will give birth to a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus.

NET Listen: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.

GNT καὶ ἰδοὺ συλλήμψῃ ἐν γαστρὶ καὶ τέξῃ υἱὸν καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦν.

NLT You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.

KJV And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

ESV And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

NIV You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

Wuest And behold: you shall conceive in your womb and you shall give birth to a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. (Eerdmans Publishing)

And Ge 8:22
You Luke 1:27. Is. 7:14. Mat. 1:23. Ga. 4:4.
will conceive Luke 1:13; Luke 2:21. Mat. 1:21, 25.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:31 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

JESUS THE NAME
ABOVE ALL NAMES!

Behold (2400) see note on idou - This has to be one of the more dramatic "beholds" in all the Bible!

You will conceive (sullambano) in your womb (gaster) and bear a son - A T Robertson says the "Same idiom in Isa. 7:14 of Immanuel." Matthew 1:18 gives the detail "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together (i.e., before they were intimate) she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit."

Guzik comments "When Gabriel said this (You will conceive in your womb and bear a son), Mary knew he quoted from Isaiah 7:14+: a virgin will be with child and bear a son.

Bob Utley - A virgin-born child fulfills the prophecy and promise of Gen. 3:15 (cf. Gal. 4:4). Until this point in progressive revelation, neither Isa. 7:14 nor Gen. 3:15 made sense. But now John 1:1–14; Rom. 1:3; 8:3; Phil. 2:6–11 make perfect sense. God became a human to deal with human sin. In Jesus, God’s justice, (“the soul that sins it will surely die”) and God’s grace (“For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son”) meet in a redemptive, loving, sacrificial climax (cf. Isa. 52:13–53:12; 2 Cor. 5:21)!

Henry Morris - The miraculous conception was unusual in that it took place directly in the womb rather than in the tubes, but it was uniquely miraculous in that no man was involved. "That holy thing" was placed directly in Mary's womb by God "the Holy Ghost" (Luke 1:35) and thus was uniquely "the seed of the woman" (Genesis 3:15). Just as the body of "the first Adam" was directly formed by God (Genesis 2:7), with no genetic connection to either father or mother, so the body of "the second Adam" (1 Corinthians 15:45) was directly formed by God (Hebrews 10:5) with no genetic connection to either parent. Since the very ground was brought under God's curse because of sin (Genesis 3:17), all the elements of the ground ("the dust of the earth") out of which the bodies of Adam and Eve and all their descendants had been formed were contaminated with the "bondage of corruption" (or decay--Romans 8:21,22). This was just as true of Mary's body as of Joseph's, so there could have been no natural genetic connection of Jesus' body to Mary's, any more than to Joseph's. The "holy thing" placed in Mary's womb by the Holy Spirit could have been nothing less than a special creation, just as was the body of Adam. Otherwise, like all men born of women, Jesus would have inherited both physical defects and the sin-nature of Adam and Eve. This could only have been prevented by a miraculous cleansing of the conceptus, and this, of course, would be a special creation. Jesus was the only begotten Son of God, as well as the son of Mary, but He was not the Son

Several hundred years prior the prophet Isaiah had written

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin (Heb = 'almah; Gk = parthenos) will be with child (Lxx = en gaster echo - have in belly/womb) and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14 Commentary)

Spurgeon on Isaiah 7:14 - And, first, we see here, in speaking of this birth of Christ, a miraculous conception. The text says expressly, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son.” This expression is unparalleled even in Sacred Writ; of no other woman could it be said beside the Virgin Mary, and of no other man could it be written that his mother was a virgin. The Greek word and the Hebrew are both very expressive of the true and real virginity of the mother, to show us that Jesus Christ was born of woman, and not of man. We shall not enlarge upon the thought, but still it is an important one, and ought not to be passed over without mentioning. Just as the woman, by her venturous spirit, stepped first into transgression,—lest she should be despised and trampled on, God in his wisdom devised that the woman, and the woman alone, should be the author of the body of the God-man who should redeem mankind. Albeit that she herself first tasted the accursed fruit, and tempted her husband (it may be that Adam out of love to her tasted that fruit), lest she should be degraded, lest she should not stand on an equality with him, God hath ordained that so it should be, that his Son should be sent forth “born of a woman,” and the first promise was that the seed of the woman, not the seed of the man, should bruise the serpent’s head (See Ge 3:15 - commentary) . (From Birth of Christ - sermon on Isaiah 7:14)

And you shall name Him Jesus (Iesous) - As with John earlier (Lk 1:13), the angel tells Mary the Name of the child. In Mt 1:21 an angel appears to Joseph in a dream and declared "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins." (Mt 1:20, 21+) So here we see His Name and as is so frequent in the Bible, the verse goes on to explain the significance or meaning of His Name. In obedience to the angel’s command, Mary and Joseph named their newborn Son Jesus (Luke 2:21) Jesus (“Joshua”) means "Jehovah is salvation" and had been a common name in OT times and continued to be a popular name through the first century AD.

You will conceive (become pregnant) (4815)(sullambano from sun/syn = together with + lambáno = to take, to seize) means literally to seize or take together and conveys the picture of clasping. To bring together. Luke uses sullambano more than any other NT writer with a variety of meanings including conceiving (Luke 1:24, 31, 36, 2:21), to help (in sense of take hold of together) or come to the aid of (Luke 5:7), to catch or capture an animal (Luke 5:9), of the arrest of Jesus (Lk 22:54, Acts 1:16), of the arrest of Peter (Acts 12:3), of the arrest of Paul (Acts 23:27), of seizing of Paul in the Temple (Acts 26:21).

Womb (1064)(gaster) refers to the internal organs of in the abdominal cavity considered collectively (independent of gender). Louw-Nida - "the inward parts of the body, either the digestive system or the womb." Used figuratively in Titus 1:12 of "lazy gluttons", those who live only to satisfy his appetite for food.

Gaster - 9x - child*(4), gluttons(1), pregnant(3), womb(1). Matt. 1:18; Matt. 1:23; Matt. 24:19; Mk. 13:17; Lk. 1:31; Lk. 21:23; 1 Thess. 5:3; Tit. 1:12; Rev. 12:2

Septuagint - Gen. 16:4; Gen. 16:5; Gen. 16:11; Gen. 25:21; Gen. 25:23; Gen. 30:41; Gen. 38:18; Gen. 38:24; Gen. 38:25; Gen. 38:27; Exod. 2:2; Exod. 2:22; Exod. 21:22; Num. 5:22; Num. 11:12; Jdg. 13:3; Jdg. 13:5; Jdg. 13:7; 2 Sam. 11:5; 2 Ki. 4:17; 2 Ki. 8:12; 2 Ki. 15:16; 1 Chr. 7:23; Job 3:10; Job 3:11; Job 10:19; Job 15:2; Job 15:35; Job 16:16; Job 20:14; Job 20:23; Job 21:10; Job 31:15; Job 31:18; Job 32:18; Job 32:19; Job 38:29; Job 40:16; Ps. 17:14; Ps. 22:9; Ps. 31:9; Ps. 44:25; Ps. 58:3; Ps. 71:6; Ps. 110:3; Ps. 127:3; Ps. 139:13; Eccl. 5:15; Eccl. 11:5; Isa. 7:14; Isa. 8:3; Isa. 26:18; Isa. 40:11; Hos. 13:16; Amos 1:3; Amos 1:13;

Jesus (2424)(Iesous) is transliteration of the Greek Iesous, which in turn is the transliteration of the Hebrew name Jehoshua (Yehoshua) or Jeshua (Yeshua) which mean Jehovah is help or Jehovah is salvation. Stated another way the Greek Iesous corresponds to the OT Jehoshua (Yehoshua) which is contracted as Jeshua (Yeshua). Most of the NT uses of Iesous refer to our Lord Jesus. In the Gospels the single Name Jesus (Iesous) is used as His personal Name and is found 538 times. In the Epistles Jesus is usually (but not always - e.g., Ro 3:26; 4:24; 1Cor 12:3; 2Cor 11:4; Phil 2:10; 1Th 4:14; Heb 7:22; 10:19, etc) used in combination with Christ or Lord. Jesus is known by Christ alone some 44 times in the Gospels.

NET Note on Jesus - The Greek form of the name Iēsous, which was translated into Latin as Jesus, is the same as the Hebrew Yeshua (Joshua), which means “Yahweh saves” (Yahweh is typically rendered as “LORD” in the OT).

Related Resources:

Jesus Christ - Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
Why is Jesus often called "Jesus of Nazareth"? (Mt 26:71, Mk 1:24, Lk 4:34, 18:37, Jn 1:45)

The Spirit Of Christmas — by David C. McCasland

The acts of generosity and good will that flourish in December often fade quickly, causing many to say, “I wish we could keep the Christmas spirit all year long.” Why does it seem that kindness and compassion are chained to the calendar? Is there an ever-flowing fountain of compassion deeper than warm holiday feelings that pass with the season?

In the first two chapters of Luke, it is striking that the Holy Spirit is mentioned seven times. His work is cited in the lives of the unborn John the Baptist (1:15), Mary (1:35), Elizabeth (1:41), Zacharias (1:67), and Simeon (2:25-27). Here, in what we often call “the Christmas story,” there is no mention of people having something just come to mind or of feeling strangely moved. Instead, the Holy Spirit is identified as the One who guided Simeon, filled Zacharias and Elizabeth, and created the baby in Mary’s womb.

Do we, like them, recognize the Spirit’s voice in the midst of all others? Are we alert to His promptings and eager to obey? Will we allow His warmth and love to fill our hearts and flow through our hands?

Today, the presence and power of Christ remain with us through the Holy Spirit, who is the true, eternal Spirit of Christmas—all year long. (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Let the fullness of Thy Spirit
Fall upon us here this hour.
How we need a new anointing
Of the Holy Ghost and power.
—Jarvis

Jesus went away so the Spirit could come to stay.

Hiding In Plain Sight Read: Luke 1:26-35

You will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. —Luke 1:31

A Baltimore congregation found the answer to its financial troubles on a church wall. And it had been “hiding” there for more than 25 years! Someone finally recognized a piece of art hanging in the chapel as a valuable woodblock print by Albrecht Dürer, dated 1493. The work shows the angel telling Mary she would give birth to God’s Son.

Some members just couldn’t believe they had underestimated the value of the old masterpiece, saying in effect, “If it were real, why would it be here?”

What about us? Are we underestimating the value of the event depicted on that woodblock print?

Jesus isn’t hiding. The truth that God came to earth in human form is plainly announced in His Word. It is reflected in our art and in our hymnbooks. But the significance of Christ’s birth is still neglected. We get so wrapped up in activities and programs that we miss the immeasurable worth of knowing who that Baby was.

What’s missing is our worship. Think about the meaning of His birth. Jesus is God! He came to save His people from their sins (Mt. 1:21) and give them eternal life (Jn. 3:14-18).

This Christmas, join with the wisemen and shepherds and give praise to Jesus—God who became Man. By Mart DeHaan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

He left His Father's throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love
And bled for Adam's helpless race.
—Wesley

Christ's birth brought the infinite God to finite man.

The Main Event

Read: Luke 1:26-38

You will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. —Luke 1:31

During the Great Depression that hit the United States in the 1930s, a family in the Midwest struggled to put food on their table. They had no money for luxuries.

One day posters all over town announced that a circus was coming. Admission would be $1. A boy in the family wanted to see the show, but his father told him that he would have to earn the money on his own. The youngster had never seen a circus before, so he worked feverishly and was able to buy a ticket.

On the day the circus arrived, he went to see the performers and the animals parade through town. As he watched, a clown came dancing over to him, and the boy put his ticket in the clown’s hand. Then he stood on the curb and cheered as the rest of the parade moved by.

The youngster rushed home to tell his parents what he had seen and how exciting the circus was. His father listened, then took his son in his arms and said, “Son, you didn’t see the circus. All you saw was the parade.”

That story is a parable of Christmas. Many people get excited about the festivities but miss the main event. During this season, let’s remember what happened in a humble stable and what Jesus’ birth means to us.By Haddon Robinson (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

There's colorful wrapping and tinsel and greening,
Stores crowded with shoppers, so much to be done!
But how many sense a real spiritual meaning,
Or feel sincere worship for God's precious Son?
—Donovan

Christ is the reason for the Season.

Celebrate Beginnings

Read: Luke 1:26-38

You will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. —Luke 1:31

Many churches observe March 25 as Annunciation Day. It commemorates the angel’s announcement to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus, the Messiah. In our success-oriented society, this festival is a needed reminder to recognize and rejoice at the beginning of God’s work in a person’s life rather than holding our applause for the accomplishments.

Because we often read Luke’s gospel at Christmas, we may forget that 9 months of trust and waiting separated Mary’s response to Gabriel from the birth of Jesus. When we read her words of surrender in light of this timespan, they take on added meaning: “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Mary must have received great encouragement when her cousin Elizabeth told her, “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord” (v.45).

We can celebrate beginnings by giving a hug or handshake to a new believer who professes faith in Christ. We can write a note of encouragement to a friend who has chosen to obey God’s Word.

Let’s grasp every opportunity to celebrate the beginnings of God’s work in the lives of others. By David McCasland (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

It takes but a moment of time
And minimal energy spent
To pass an encouraging word
To one who'll be glad it was sent.
—Hess

The human spirit soars with hope when lifted by an encouraging word.

Luke 1:32 "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;

Amplified He will be great (eminent) and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His forefather David,

NET He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

GNT οὗτος ἔσται μέγας καὶ υἱὸς ὑψίστου κληθήσεται καὶ δώσει αὐτῷ κύριος ὁ θεὸς τὸν θρόνον Δαυὶδ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ,

NLT He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.

KJV He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

ESV He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,

NIV He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,

Wuest This One shall be great, and Son of the Most High shall He be called, and God, the Lord, shall give to Him the throne of David His father, (Eerdmans Publishing)

be great. Luke 1:15; Luke 3:16. Mat. 3:11; 12:42. Phi. 2:9–11.
the Son. Luke 1:35. Mark 5:7; 14:61. John 6:69. Ac. 16:17. Ro. 1:4. He. 1:2–8.
give. 2 Sa 7:11–13. Ps. 132:11. Is. 9:6, 7; 16:5. Je. 23:5, 6; 33:15–17. Eze. 17:22–24; 34:23, 24; 37:24, 25. Am. 9:11, 12. Mat. 28:18. John 3:35, 36; 5:21–29; 12:34. Acts 2:30, 36. Ep. 1:20–23. Re. 3:7.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:32 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

JESUS - SON OF GOD
AND KING OF KINGS

He will be great - Only a four word description but even eternity shall not exhaust the depth and profundity of the greatness of Jesus. Interestingly, John the Baptist was described in a similar way "he will be great in the sight of the Lord" (Lk 1:15), but clearly the greatness of John pales in comparison to the infinite greatness of Jesus. As Spurgeon said "“Is it not proven that he is great? Conquerors are great, and he is the greatest of them. Deliverers are great, and he is the greatest of them. Liberators are great, and he is the greatest of them. Saviours are great, and he is the greatest of them.” "Jesus is greater than John, since he is Messiah compared to a prophet. Great is stated absolutely without qualification to make the point." (NET Note)

Great (megas) is a common adjective in Luke's writings - Lk. 1:15, 32, 42, 49; 2:9f; 4:25, 33, 38; 5:29; 6:49; 7:16, 28; 8:28, 37; 9:46, 48; 12:18; 14:16; 16:26; 17:15; 19:37; 21:11, 23; 22:12, 24, 26f; 23:23, 46; 24:52; Acts 2:20; 4:33; 5:5, 11; 6:8; 7:11, 57, 60; 8:1f, 7, 9f, 13; 10:11; 11:5, 28; 14:10; 15:3; 16:26, 28; 19:27f, 34f; 23:9; 26:22, 24, 29;

And will be called the Son of the Most High (hupsistos) - The Most High (cf Lk 1:76+) in the OT this is the Name El Elyon: Most High God - Sovereign Over All. And so the angel tells Mary her Son will be the Son of God. In Lk 1:76 John the Baptist is "called the prophet of the Most High." One can only imagine what went through her mind! Jesus is the Son of God but by lineage He is the "son of David" which was the most common Messianic title in the usage of Jesus’ day. (see also Mt 1:1, 12:23, 21:9, 15) MacArthur explains that "Since a son bears his father’s qualities, calling a person someone else’s “son” was a way of signifying equality. Here the angel was telling Mary that her Son would be equal to the Most High God." NET Note makes an interesting comment - The expression Most High is a way to refer to God without naming him. Such avoiding of direct reference to God was common in 1st century Judaism out of reverence for the divine name.

John Martin - Son of the Most High - Mary could not have missed the significance of that terminology. The fact that her Baby was to be called the “Son of the Most High” pointed to His equality with Yahweh. In Semitic thought a son was a “carbon copy” of his father, and the phrase “son of” was often used to refer to one who possessed his “father’s” qualities (e.g., the Heb. trans. “son of wickedness” in Ps. 89:22 [KJV] means a wicked person).(See context in Bible Knowledge Commentary)

Son of David - 16x in 16v - Mt. 1:1, 20; 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:30, 31; 21:9, 15; 22:42; Mk. 10:47, 48; 12:35; Lk. 3:31; 18:38, 39
What does it mean that Jesus is the Son of David?
The Messiah will be called by God while in the womb (Psalm 22:10; Luke 1:30–33). (From Which psalms predict the coming of Jesus Christ?)
Paul writes Jesus "was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead." (Ro 1:4)
Most High in NT most often by Luke - Mk. 5:7; Lk. 1:32; Lk. 1:35; Lk. 1:76; Lk. 6:35; Lk. 8:28; Acts 7:48; Acts 16:17; Heb. 7:1

And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David - Jesus was David’s physical descendant through Mary’s line. A throne needs a King and a King needs a Kingdom so throne stands for the Kingdom of a the coming King. In other words David's throne symbolized the Messianic Kingdom (2 Sam. 7:13–16; Ps. 89:26–29, Ps 2:6-8,). When Messiah returns He will reign in the Millennium as King of kings (Rev 19:16+ - which implies there will be other "kings!"). The Lord Jesus Christ is the rightful Heir to the throne of His father David through His legal father Joseph. This reference to His father David answers to the prophecy in Samuel -

“When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 “He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 “I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, 15 but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”’” (2 Sa 7:12-16)

John MacArthur sums up this section - Gabriel’s message to Mary introduces the pivotal point in redemptive history. How people respond to the Child of whom Gabriel spoke will determine their eternal destiny. As Simeon would later say to Mary, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel” (Luke 2:34), and the rest of the world as well. And as the Child Himself would warn, “Unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24), since “there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Bob Utley on His father David - That Jesus is a descendant of David is a major Messianic affirmation (cf. 2 Sa. 7:12-16; Ps. 89:3–4; 132:11; Isa. 9:6–7; Isa 11:1; Jer. 23:5; 33:15–18; Micah 5:2); it is a recurrent theme of the Gospels (both Matthew’s and Luke’s genealogies, cf. Luke 1:32, 69; 2:4; 3:31; Acts 2:29–31; 13:23; Matt. 15:22; 20:3; 21:9, 15; John 7:42), Paul’s Epistles (cf. Rom. 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:8), and the book of the Revelation (cf. Rev 3:7; 22:16).

Most High (5310)(hupsistos superlative of hupsos = height from hupsi = high, aloft) in a spatial sense means the highest (highest places). Figuratively of the highest possible status. In view of God's superior rank and power it is an appropriate descriptive Name of God. He is the Most High which also emphasizes His as dwelling in the highest heavens far exalted above all other things. Hupsistos is used in the plural in the phrase "in the highest" (in the "highest" regions, the abode of God) as in Hosanna in the highest (Mt 21:9, Mk 11:10) The adjective hupsistos is used in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew Name of God El Elyon -- "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High (hupsistos)." (Ge 14:18, 19, 20, 22, cp Nu 24:16 in connection with Balaam) And it is not surprising, that where there is truth, there is usually a counterfeit - thus the Greeks called Zeus hupsistos, the "highest" to be distinguished from their lesser false gods!

Hupsistos - 13x in 13v - Usage: highest(4), most high(9).

Matthew 21:9 The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!"

Mark 5:7 and shouting with a loud voice, he said, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!"

Mark 11:10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!"

Luke 1:32 "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;
35 The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
76 "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS;

Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

Luke 6:35 "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

Luke 8:28 Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me."

Luke 19:38 shouting: "BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

Acts 7:48 "However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says:

Acts 16:17 Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, "These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation."

Hebrews 7:1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

Hupsistos - 60x in the Septuagint (Lxx) -Gen. 14:18, 19, 20, 22; Nu. 24:16; Dt. 32:8; 2 Sa 22:14; Est. 8:12; Job 16:19; 25:2; 31:2, 28; Ps. 7:17; 9:2; 13:5; 18:13; 21:7; 46:4; 47:2; 50:14; 57:2; 71:19; 73:11; 77:10; 78:17, 35, 56; 82:6; 83:18; 87:5; 91:1, 9; 92:1, 8; 97:9; 107:11; 148:1; Isa. 14:14; 57:15; Lam. 3:35, 38; Dan. 2:18f; 3:26; 4:1f, 14, 17, 24f, 32, 34; 5:1, 18, 21; 7:18, 22, 25, 27; Mic. 6:6

Luke 1:33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end."

Amp And He will reign over the house of Jacob throughout the ages; and of His reign there will be no end.

CSB He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.

NET He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end."

GNT καὶ βασιλεύσει ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον Ἰακὼβ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας καὶ τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔσται τέλος.

NLT And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!"

KJV And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

ESV and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

NIV and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Wuest and He shall reign as King over the house of Jacob forever and of His kingdom there shall not be an end. (Eerdmans Publishing)

YLT and he shall reign over the house of Jacob to the ages; and of his reign there shall be no end.'

He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. Ps. 45:6; 89:35–37. Da. 2:44; 7:13, 14, 27. Ob. 21. Mi. 4:7. 1 Co. 15:24, 25. He. 1:8. Re. 11:15; 20:4–6; 22:3–5.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:33 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

THE KING OF THE JEWS

He will reign (basileuo) over the house of Jacob (cp Isa. 65:17–19; Zeph. 3:11–13; Zech. 14:16–21) - House of Jacob is another way of saying Messiah will rule over Israel, over the 12 Tribes. This points to the Messiah’s relationship to the people of Israel.

SAD THOUGHT - Beloved, Israel will exist as a distinct entity in the Millennial Kingdom. Sadly, many modern evangelical scholars have failed to interpret literally the end times prophecies regarding Israel and as a result have misinterpreted them as prophecies applying to the Church. Beloved, Jesus will reign over the house of Jacob. Many take Paul's passage in Gal 6:16 (see study of Israel of God) as support that Israel has been replaced by the church, but this verse would be another piece of evidence that such an interpretation is simply not tenable! The point is that the church is never called the "house of Jacob" and to make this passage apply to the church is to disregard the simple literal reading of Luke's text. See related discussion - What is replacement theology / supersessionism?

Zechariah is a good example of an OT prophecy that describes Jesus future reign the house of Jacob on the earth (if you read this prophecy literally, it is clear that Jesus will reign over the house of Jacob on the earth! The only way to avoid this truth is to spiritualize or allegorize the text!)

Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths. 17 And it will be that whichever of the families of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, there will be no rain on them. 18If the family of Egypt does not go up or enter, then no rain will fall on them; it will be the plague with which the LORD smites the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths. 19This will be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths. 20In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “HOLY TO THE LORD.” And the cooking pots in the LORD’S house will be like the bowls before the altar. 21Every cooking pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to the LORD of hosts; and all who sacrifice will come and take of them and boil in them. And there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts in that day. (Zechariah 14:16-21-commentary)

Comment - Even the ESV Study Bible which often replaces the literal nation of Israel with the Church in comments on prophecy gets it right on this one - "The nations that once came up against Jerusalem for war will now come to the city for the three annual festivals, especially the climactic Feast of Booths, or Tabernacles, in the fall. Like Ezekiel before him (Ezek. 46:9–12), Zechariah envisages ongoing festival worship in renewed Israel but broadens this to include those from beyond Israel’s bounds....This requirement (Zech 14:17+) will be enforced by the threat of the judgment of a lack of rain, which would cripple their harvests....Egypt is singled out for mention with a separate plague, since its crops were watered by the Nile, without need for rainfall." (ED note: "Renewed Israel" is in my opinion another name for Israel in the Millennial Kingdom!)

And His kingdom (basileia) will have no end (will absolutely never end) - In Revelation John using the prophetic (proleptic) aorist writes "Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” (Rev 11:15+). There are some who teach this verse excludes a millennial reign but that is absurd and not what the text says. Forever means forever, but a lot of things can happen in the time designated forever including a period of 1000 years!

He will reign (936)(basileuo from basileus - a king) means literally to exercise supreme authority at a royal level, to reign over, to be king over (Rev 11:15, 17+ of Jesus' reign in the Millennial Kingdom). Basileuo is used figuratively of death personified as reigning from Adam until Moses (Ro 5:14, 17+), of sin reigning in death and grace reigning through righteousness (Ro 5:21+), in a command by Paul to "not let sin reign (don't let it be king, don't let sin completely control you, implying it will keep trying to usurp the throne from the Lordship of Jesus) in your mortal body" (Ro 6:12+). Paul uses basileuo in biting irony of the "imagined exaltation" of the Corinthians which contrasted with the apostle's lowly lot (1 Cor 4:8+). In 1 Cor 15:25+ basileuo is used in an eschatological sense describing Jesus' Millennial reign in which He will abolish death. In another eschatological passage in Rev 5:10+ (cp Rev 20:4, 6+) the saints of God are given the glorious promise of a priceless privilege that we shall "reign upon the earth." (contrast the tragic truth regarding those who deny Jesus in the related compound verb sumbasileuo in 2 Ti 2:12+).

W E Vine basileuo - is used (I) literally, (a) of God, Rev. 11:17; 19:6, in each of which the aorist tense (in the latter, translated “reigneth”) is “ingressive,” stressing the point of entrance; (b) of Christ, Luke 1:33; 1 Cor. 15:25; Rev. 11:15; as rejected by the Jews, Luke 19:14, 27; (c) of the saints, hereafter, 1 Cor. 4:8 (2nd part), where the apostle, casting a reflection upon the untimely exercise of authority on the part of the church at Corinth, anticipates the due time for it in the future (see No. 2); Rev. 5:10; 20:4, where the aorist tense is not simply of a “point” character, but “constative,” that is, regarding a whole action as having occurred, without distinguishing any steps in its progress (in this instance the aspect is future); v. 6; 22:5; (d) of earthly potentates, Matt. 2:22; 1 Tim. 6:15, where “kings” is, lit., “them that reign”; (II), metaphorically, (a) of believers, Rom. 5:17, where “shall reign in life” indicates the activity of life in fellowship with Christ in His sovereign power, reaching its fullness hereafter; 1 Cor. 4:8 (1st part), of the carnal pride that laid claim to a power not to be exercised until hereafter; (b) of divine grace, Rom. 5:21; (c) of sin, Rom. 5:21; 6:12; (d) of death, Rom. 5:14, 17

Basileuo occurs in the Septuagint (Lxx) over 240 times - Here are a few uses of basileuo which is consistently understood to mean “to rule, reign” and refers to political kings who rule (Ge 36:31), or to the Lord who reigns forever and ever (Ex 15:18). Here are a few notable uses several of which parallel the truth of Luke 1:33

Psalm 10:16 The LORD is King (shall reign) forever and ever; Nations have perished from His land.

Psalm 47:8 God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.

Psalm 93:1 The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.

Psalm 96:10 Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity

Psalm 97:1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; Let the many islands be glad.

Psalm 99:1 The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!

Psalm 146:10 The LORD will reign forever, Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!

Basileuo - 21x in 18v - Usage: become kings(2), kings(1), reign(12), reigned(4), reigning(1), reigns(1).

Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee,

Luke 1:33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end."

Luke 19:14 "But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us.'
27 "But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence."

Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,

Wuest - When the saint counts upon the fact that the power of the sinful nature over him is broken, he obeys the exhortation of Paul, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body.” “Reign” is basileuō , “to exercise kingly power.” The verb is present imperative with the negative mē, which construction forbids the continuance of an action already going on. It is, “Stop allowing the sinful nature to reign as king in your mortal body.” The sinful nature is a dethroned monarch. The believer has the responsibility of keeping it from mounting into the throne of his heart, the place which the Lord Jesus should occupy. The believer is well able to do this. His will is free (Ed: Yes, but as discussed below he must still learn to depend on the Spirit to give him the desire and the power! cp Php 2:13NLT-note). He has the divine nature and the Holy Spirit to urge him on, and give him the desire and the power to refuse the sinful nature and obey the Word. Paul says, “Order your behavior in the sphere of, by means of, the Spirit, and you will positively not fulfill the desires of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16-note). Paul says, “Stop allowing the sinful nature to reign as king in your mortal body with a view to obeying it in the sphere of its passionate cravings.” Now, to what does the word “it” refer, to the sinful nature or the body? Logic would lead us to relate the pronoun to the sinful nature, but Greek grammar refers it back to the body, since the pronoun is neuter, the word “sin” is feminine, and the word “body,” neuter. The pronoun in Greek agrees with its antecedent in gender. It is true that the sinful desires originate with the evil nature, not with the physical body. But why does Paul in this instance relate them to the body? The answer is found in the fact that the sinful nature is an intangible, invisible entity, and cannot be watched. It is an unseen enemy whose tactics cannot be observed and therefore cannot be guarded against. But the saint is able to keep watch over the members of his body, what his eyes look at, his ears listen to, his mind thinks about, his hands do, and where his feet carry him. But not only will the saint who counts upon the fact that the power of the sinful nature is broken (Ro 6:11-note), stop allowing it to reign as king over him, but he will obey Paul’s exhortation, “neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin.” The verb is again present imperative with mē, “Stop yielding.” (Ed: As an aside remember that the ONLY WAY to obey these commands is by learning to lean on the power of the indwelling Spirit - cp Ro 8:13-note). The verb is paristēmi, “to place beside or near, to present, to proffer, to put at one’s disposal.” We are to stop putting the members of our body at the disposal of, at the service of the sinful nature. The word “instruments” is hopla. In classical Greek the word referred to the weapons of the Greek soldier. Paul thinks of the members of the Christian’s body as weapons to be used in the Christian warfare against evil. The saint, counting upon the fact that he has been disengaged from the evil nature, does two things, he refuses to allow it to reign as king in his life, and he stops putting his members at its disposal to be used as weapons of unrighteousness. Now, the saint who counts upon the fact that the divine nature has been implanted (cp 2 Peter 1:4-note), will obey Paul’s exhortation, “Yield yourselves to God, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” The word “yield” is again paristēmi, but in the aorist imperative, which commands a once for all action to be done at once. Paul says, “Put yourselves at once, and once for all, at the disposal of God, as those who are actively alive out from among those who are dead, and your members as weapons of righteousness, at the disposal of God.” This is a once for all act of the saint dedicating himself to God and His service, an act to be lived by, and upon the basis of its implications, moment by moment. The saint should live his life every day with the consciousness of that fact in his mind. When the saint obeys the instructions laid down in these verses relative to his adjustment to the evil nature and the divine nature, Paul says, “The sinful nature will not exercise lordship over you,” and he gives the reason (Ed: "for" a term of explanation in Ro 6:14), “You are not under law but under grace.” To be under law refers to an unsaved person who attempts to live in obedience to the law of God. To be under grace is to be a saved person who has been the subject of the surgical operation in which the power of the sinful nature has been broken and the divine nature implanted. The poet says, “Do this and live, the law commands, but gives me neither feet nor hands. A better word the gospel brings. It bids me fly and gives me wings.” Wings in Scripture, speak of supernatural power (Ed: Distributed by the indwelling Holy Spirit!)

1 Corinthians 4:8 You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.

1 Corinthians 15:25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.

1 Timothy 6:15 which He will bring about at the proper time-- He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Revelation 5:10 "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."

Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever."
17 saying, "We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.
Revelation 19:6 Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.

Revelation 20:4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

Revelation 22:5 And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.

Kingdom (932) (basileia from basileus = a sovereign, king, monarch) denotes sovereignty, royal power, dominion. Basileia can also refer to the territory or people over whom a king rules. Kingdom of Heaven/God is both simple and c omplex and has been the subject of many non-Biblical interpretations (this summary makes no attempt to review these interpretations). It is as simple as the truth that wherever the King (God/Jesus) rules and reigns, there the kingdom is present! It is complex in that a number of references to Kingdom of God/Heaven have prophetic (eschatological) overtones, so it has a present and future aspect. It is also complex in the sense that the Kingdom of God/Heaven is described in both testaments from Genesis to Revelation (See Tony Garland's interesting related summary of Genesis and Revelation as Bookends). It follows that any attempt to give a Biblical definition of kingdom will be woefully lacking --indeed, it will take all eternity to comprehend God's Kingdom, a Kingdom which will endure forever and ever! Amen! The Messiah’s throne will be eternal (Psalm 45:6–7a; Luke 1:31–33; Hebrews 1:8–9).

Basileia in Luke and Acts - Lk. 1:33; Lk. 4:5; Lk. 4:43; Lk. 6:20; Lk. 7:28; Lk. 8:1; Lk. 8:10; Lk. 9:2; Lk. 9:11; Lk. 9:27; Lk. 9:60; Lk. 9:62; Lk. 10:9; Lk. 10:11; Lk. 11:2; Lk. 11:17; Lk. 11:18; Lk. 11:20; Lk. 12:31; Lk. 12:32; Lk. 13:18; Lk. 13:20; Lk. 13:28; Lk. 13:29; Lk. 14:15; Lk. 16:16; Lk. 17:20; Lk. 17:21; Lk. 18:16; Lk. 18:17; Lk. 18:24; Lk. 18:25; Lk. 18:29; Lk. 19:11; Lk. 19:12; Lk. 19:15; Lk. 21:10; Lk. 21:31; Lk. 22:16; Lk. 22:18; Lk. 22:29; Lk. 22:30; Lk. 23:42; Lk. 23:51; Acts 1:3; Acts 1:6; Acts 8:12; Acts 14:22; Acts 19:8; Acts 20:25; Acts 28:23; Acts 28:31;

Related Resources:

Luke 1:34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"

Amplified And Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I have no [intimacy with any man as a] husband?

CSB Mary asked the angel, "How can this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?"

ESV And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"

KJV Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

NET Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?"

GNT εἶπεν δὲ Μαριὰμ πρὸς τὸν ἄγγελον, Πῶς ἔσται τοῦτο, ἐπεὶ ἄνδρα οὐ γινώσκω;

NIV "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

NLT Mary asked the angel, "But how can this happen? I am a virgin."

YLT And Mary said unto the messenger, 'How shall this be, seeing a husband I do not know?'

Jdg 13:8–12+ (Angel of the LORD, a Christophany announced Samson's birth
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:35 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

A HUSBAND I DO
NOT KNOW

Mary said to the angel (aggelos/angelos), "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" - The Greek word for virgin (parthenos) is not used by Mary, but she still makes a strong affirmation of her virginity! It is notable that several of the newer translation are interpretative paraphrases stating "since I am a virgin." The old KJV is more accurate with "seeing I know not a man." In Greek Mary literally says "seeing a husband I do not know (ginosko)" She says since a man I absolutely do not (ou = strongest negative) know. In effect Mary is making a strong declaration regarding her virginity. The literal phrase "seeing a husband I do not know (ginosko)," is a euphemism for her not having had sexual relations. This more literal reading is Mary's testimony that she is a virgin, regardless of what the so-called "higher critics" have to say. Perhaps they should come down to the lowly position of humble, honest Mary and then they would have their eyes opened by the Spirit to see and know truth.

Notice the contrast between Zacharias and Mary - Mary, unlike Zacharias, did not ask for a sign that what the angel had predicted would happen. Zacharias asked "How will I know for certain?" (Lk 1:18+) Mary asked "How can this be since I am a virgin?" The former question expressed skepticism, the latter expressed simple logic "in wonder filled faith." The idea that the Messiah would appear soon did not surprise Mary, for she is asking how this would be possible? She was perplexed, but her faith was not weak and thus Gabriel did not rebuke her as he had Zacharias. Mary is inquiring as to how God might bring about such a "new thing in the earth" (Jeremiah 31:22+).

John MacArthur - “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” indicates. The concept of a pregnant virgin was utterly inconceivable to her; an impossibility, a contradiction in terms like a married bachelor, or a square circle." (See MacArthur Commentary)

Know (1097)(ginosko) means to know by experience. In this context it was a euphemism (an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh) for "knowing" someone in sexual relations and it was commonly used that way in the Old Testament. In the Septuagint ginokso is often used to translate the Hebrew word yada which means “know” and implies an intimate, personal relationship. So we read "And Adam knew (Hebrew - yada; Greek - ginosko) Eve his wife." Ginlosko is used in the wonderful story of Hannah in 1 Sa 1:19 which says "Elkanah had relations (Lxx = ginosko) with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her." Ginosko is used in Matthew 1:25+ describing Joseph "kept her a virgin (literally "no knowing" [ou = absolute negation + ginosko] = no intercourse) until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus."

Ginosko in Luke and Acts - Lk. 1:18; Lk. 1:34; Lk. 2:43; Lk. 6:44; Lk. 7:39; Lk. 8:10; Lk. 8:17; Lk. 8:46; Lk. 9:11; Lk. 10:11; Lk. 10:22; Lk. 12:2; Lk. 12:39; Lk. 12:46; Lk. 12:47; Lk. 12:48; Lk. 16:4; Lk. 16:15; Lk. 18:34; Lk. 19:15; Lk. 19:42; Lk. 19:44; Lk. 20:19; Lk. 21:20; Lk. 21:30; Lk. 21:31; Lk. 24:18; Lk. 24:35; Acts 1:7; Acts 2:36; Acts 8:30; Acts 9:24; Acts 17:13; Acts 17:19; Acts 17:20; Acts 19:15; Acts 19:35; Acts 20:34; Acts 21:24; Acts 21:34; Acts 21:37; Acts 22:14; Acts 22:30; Acts 23:6

Mormons : answered verse by verse (borrow this book) by Reed, David A

Luke 1:34, 35 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Although obscured today by an LDS Church working hard to improve its public image, the Mormon version of the birth of Christ is quite different from the understanding of it Christians derive from the Bible alone. The doctrine introduced by Brigham Young and confirmed by other General Authorities of the church is basically this: that God the Father-a male person with a body of flesh and bones-visited the virgin Mary and physically fathered Jesus Christ. Family Home Evening Manual, a book published by the Mormon Church for parents to use in home studies with their children, puts it this way: “Well, now for the benefit of the older ones, how are children begotten? I answer just as Jesus Christ was begotten of his father” (1972 edition, p. 125).

This says that God the Father procreated Jesus through sexual relations with Mary. This is, in fact, one of the hidden doctrines of Mormonism. Brigham Young taught this on numerous occasions: “The birth of the Saviour was as natural as are the births of our children: it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood-was begotten of his Father, as we were of our fathers” (1860, Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 115). “When the time came that His first born, the Saviour, should come into the world and take a tabernacle [body], the Father came Himself and favoured that spirit with a tabernacle instead of letting any other man do it” (1857, Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, p. 218).

When defending the doctrine of polygamy Brigham Young added, “This matter was a little changed in the case of the Savior of the world, the Son of the living God. The man Joseph, the husband of Mary, did not, that we know of, have more than one wife, but Mary the wife of Joseph had another husband” (1866, Journal of Discourses, vol. 11, p. 268).

This teaching on the birth of Christ was by no means limited to Brigham Young, but was understood and taught by other contemporary LDS Church leaders: “I was naturally begotten; so was my father, and also my Saviour Jesus Christ. According to the Scriptures, he is the first begotten of his father in the flesh, and there was nothing unnatural about it” (Heber C. Kimball, 1860, Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 211).

And, lest any Mormon deny that the LDS Church teaches this today (some may be ignorant of the doctrine, and some, although aware of it, may feel that others are not ready to hear it), it can be found in The Articles of Faith: Being a Consideration of the Principal Doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by James E. Talmage. In Appendix 2 on page 473 this work refers to Christ’s “unique status in the flesh as the offspring of a mortal mother and of an immortal, or resurrected and glorified, Father.” And the teaching is confirmed in the more recent (1966) text Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce McConkie: “Begotten means begotten; and Son means son. Christ was begotten by an Immortal Father in the same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers” (p. 547). “There is nothing figurative about his paternity; he was begotten, conceived and born in the normal and natural course of events, for he is the Son of God, and that designation means what it says” (p. 742).

In presenting this doctrine Brigham Young knew how it would be received by outsiders, particularly Christians. He said, “I could tell you much more about this; but were I to tell you the whole truth, blasphemy would be nothing to it, in the estimation of the superstitious and over-righteous of mankind” (Brigham Young, The Latter-Day Saints MILLENNIAL STAR, 1853, vol. 15, p. 770). On this point we agree with Brigham Young, that his doctrine is in fact blasphemy-and one does not have to be “over-righteous” to appreciate that fact.

See also the discussions of Psalm 2:7; Daniel 7:9, 13, 22; and Matthew 1:18, 20.

Luke 1:35 The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.

Amplified Then the angel said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a shining cloud]; and so the holy (pure, sinless) Thing (Offspring) which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God.

GNT καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ ἄγγελος εἶπεν αὐτῇ, Πνεῦμα ἅγιον ἐπελεύσεται ἐπὶ σὲ καὶ δύναμις ὑψίστου ἐπισκιάσει σοι· διὸ καὶ τὸ γεννώμενον ἅγιον κληθήσεται υἱὸς θεοῦ. (Luk 1:35 GNT)

CSB The angel replied to her: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.

ESV And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God.

KJV And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

NET The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God.

NIV The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

NLT The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.

YLT And the messenger answering said to her, 'The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, therefore also the holy-begotten thing shall be called Son of God;

The Holy Spirit. Lk 1:27, 31. Mt. 1:20.
that. Job 14:4; 15:16; 25:4. Ps. 51:5. Ep. 2:3. He. 4:15; 7:26–28.
the Son of God. Luke 1:32. Ps. 2:7. Mat. 14:33; 26:63, 64; 27:54. Mark 1:1+. John 1:34, 49; 20:31. Ac. 8:37. Ro. 1:4. Ga. 2:20.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:35 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

THE MYSTERY OF
MYSTERIES

The angel (aggelos/angelos) answered and said to her, The Holy (hagios) Spirit (pneuma) will come upon you and the power (dunamis) of the Most High (hupsistos) will overshadow (episkiazo) you - We must be honest that is verse is what I would call "holy ground," so we need to take off our shoes and marvel at the mystery and majesty in this description. Even as a physician I would dare not try to explain scientifically this supernatural working of God lest we lose the sense of wonder at such a miracle.

As Robertson says "The wonder of Mary would increase at these words. The Miraculous Conception or Virgin Birth of Jesus is thus plainly set forth in Luke as in Matthew. The fact that Luke was a physician gives added interest to his report." MacArthur notes that "The Spirit plays a prominent role in Luke’s narrative of the Lord’s birth (Lk 1:15, 41, 67; 2:25–27), and would also be the power source throughout His earthly life and ministry (cf. Lk 3:21–22; Mt. 3:13–17; Jn 1:32–34)."

As creationist Henry Morris says "We cannot comprehend the mechanics of such a miracle; we can only believe God's Word." (overshadow thee)

Pate has an interesting note - “Technically speaking, however, the angel predicted a virginal conception, rather than a virginal birth. As far as anyone can tell, the actual birth of Jesus was normal; not so his conception.” (Quoted by Guzik - Enduring Word)

Guzik - When we approach the event we call Virgin Birth, we have to agree with Paul’s analysis: great is the mystery of godliness (1 Timothy 3:16). But the message of the Scriptures is clear regarding the Virgin Birth. There can be no question about the Virgin Birth, only questions on the authority of Scripture. The Virgin Birth is unique. Many mythologies have legends about a god who had sexual relations with a woman and produced offspring, but the idea of a virgin birth is unique to Christianity. (Enduring Word)

In some way Luke's use of the word overshadow speaks of the divine power and influence that rested upon Mary. As the power came upon Mary to accomplish God's purposes, so too did it come upon the disciples at the birth of the church in Acts 1:8+, Luke recording "you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

And for that reason the holy (hagios) Child shall be called the Son of God - For what reason? The clear implication is that this is a holy conception. God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit are intimately and mysteriously involved in his holy pregnancy.

The holy (hagios) Child (more accurately "the child to be born will be holy" = NET, ESV) - Holy (hagios) means set apart from the common. Yes Jesus was a baby but He was unique and thus the title "holy Child."

John MacArthur makes an interesting comment - Some have erroneously suggested the reason that Jesus was sinless was that He had no human father. But there is no biblical evidence that the sin nature is passed on genetically only through the father (Ed: I must confess this is an assumption I have held heretofore). All men and women are born sinners because “in Adam all die” (1 Cor. 15:22), since “through the one man’s [Adam’s] disobedience the many were made sinners” (Rom. 5:19). In a manner beyond human comprehension, Jesus was fully human, yet completely sinless from conception. The explanation of how that could be is shrouded in the unfathomable mystery of the incarnation. (See context Luke Commentary)

The writer of Hebrews gives us a truth that parallels Luke's description of the child as holy and the Son of God...

And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (Hebrews 1:3+)

Son of God - A recognized title of the Messiah and used by Mark in the "title" of Gospel (Mk 1:1+). Jesus only rarely called Himself Son of God (Mt 27:43), more often referring to Himself as the Son of Man

Mt. 8:20; 9:6; 10:23; 11:19; 12:8, 32, 40; 13:37, 41; 16:13, 27f; 17:9, 12, 22; 18:11; 19:28; 20:18, 28; 24:27, 30, 37, 39, 44; 25:31; 26:2, 24, 45, 64; Mk. 2:10, 28; 8:31, 38; 9:9, 12, 31; 10:33, 45; 13:26; 14:21, 41, 62; Lk. 5:24; 6:5, 22; 7:34; 9:22, 26, 44, 56, 58; 11:30; 12:8, 10, 40; 17:22, 24, 26, 30; 18:8, 31; 19:10; 21:27, 36; 22:22, 48, 69; 24:7; Jn. 1:51; 3:13f; 5:27; 6:27, 53, 62; 8:28; 9:35; 12:23, 34; 13:31)

Luke uses the phrase Son of God 8x - Lk. 1:35; 3:38; 4:3, 9, 41; 22:70; Acts 8:37; 9:20

The Most High (hupsistos superlative of hupsos = height and Septuagint translation of the Hebrew = El Elyon) - Hupsistos figuratively speaks of the highest possible status a sense conveyed in the KJV rendering "the power of the Highest". Luke uses this descriptive Name of God () five times - Lk 1:32, 35, 76, Luke 6:35, Luke 8:28.

Overshadow (1982)(episkiazo from epi = upon + skia = shadow) "literally, as darkening by partially blocking out a source of light" (Friberg) and so to throw a shadow upon as in Acts 5:15. To cover as with a cloud as in the cloud of Shekinah glory (Exodus 40:34). Even as the Shekinah glory cloud was a visible manifestation of the glory and holy, powerful presence of God, this same divine power which was with Moses and others in the Old Testament was now going to do a unique work in the life of Mary! The more common literal use of episkiazo is used in all three accounts of the transfiguration where a cloud formed (probably the Shekinah glory cloud from Hebrew = shakan) and overshadowed Jesus and the 3 disciples Peter and John and James (Matt. 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:34). Then the voice came out of heaven identifying God’s Son, but here an angel identified Him. John MacArthur comments that episkiazo "means “to surround,” “to encompass,” or in a metaphorical sense, “to influence.” The creative influence of the Spirit of God would overshadow Mary to produce a child in her womb."....This was a creative act of the Holy Spirit, not the sort of divine-human cohabitation sometimes seen in pagan mythology. Morris adds that "This delicate expression rules out crude ideas of a ‘mating’ of the Holy Spirit with Mary.” Bengel adds "Denoting the mildest and most gentle operation of divine power, that the divine fire should not consume Mary, but make her fruitful."

A T Robertson describes this as "A figure of a cloud coming upon her. Here it is like the Shekinah glory which suggests it (Ex. 40:38) where the cloud of glory represents the presence and power of God. Compare Ex 33:22; Mark 9:7. Compare the classical legend of Semele, who, being beloved of Jove, besought him to appear to her as he appeared in heaven, in all the terrors of the thunderer, and was consumed by his lightning. The metaphor in the word is taken from a cloud, in which God had appeared (Ex 40:34; 1 Ki 8:10)"

The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery - On the basis of the LXX use of episkiazō (cf. Ex 40:35 and esp. Ps 91:4), the NT uses the image of “overshadowing” to depict not so much divine protection as a divine presence or power, such as that of the Holy Spirit at the conception of Jesus (Lk 1:35) or the cloud at the transfiguration (Mt 17:5). The popular power of such an image is seen in the effort to find healing power in the shadow of Peter (Acts 5:15).

Episkiazo - 5x in 5v - Usage: fall(1), overshadow(2), overshadowed(1), overshadowing(1). Here are the other 4 uses...

Matthew 17:5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!"

Mark 9:7 Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!"

Luke 9:34+ While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.

Acts 5:15+ to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow (skia ) might fall on (episkiazo) any one of them.

Episkiazo is used 4x in the Septuagint (Lxx) - Ex. 40:35; Ps. 90:4; 139:8; Pr. 18:11;

Exodus 40:35 Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud (Shekinah glory cloud) had settled on (Hebrew = shakan; Lxx = episkiazo = overshadowed) it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Comment: Note the strong parallel between the cloud at Mt Sinai and the transfiguration on the mount (cp Lk 9:28) which is further linked by the use of the same rare verb episkiazo!

Psalm 91:4 He will cover (episkiazo) you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

Spurgeon - A wonderful expression! Had it been invented by an uninspired man it would have verged upon blasphemy, for who should dare to apply such words to the Infinite Jehovah? But as he himself authorised, yea, dictated the language, we have here a transcendent condescension, such as it becomes us to admire and adore. Doth the Lord speak of his feathers, as though he likened himself to a bird? Who will not see herein a matchless love, a divine tenderness, which should both woo and win our confidence? Even as a hen covereth her chickens so doth the Lord protect the souls which dwell in him (cp Mt 23:37); let us cower down beneath him for comfort and for safety. Hawks in the sky and snares in the field are equally harmless when we nestle so near the Lord. His truth—his true promise, and his faithfulness to his promise, shall be thy shield and buckler. Double armour has he who relies upon the Lord. He bears a shield and wears an all surrounding coat of mail—such is the force of the word "buckler." To quench fiery darts the truth is a most effectual shield, and to blunt all swords it is an equally effectual coat of mail. Let us go forth to battle thus harnessed for the war, and we shall be safe in the thickest of the fight. It has been so, and so shall it be till we reach the land of peace, and there among the "helmed cherubim and sworded seraphim, " we will wear no other ornament, his truth shall still be our shield and buckler.

Psalm 140:7 "O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered (episkiazo - here the idea seems to be to shield) my head in the day of battle.

Holy (40) hagios = set apart ones, separated ones, sanctified ones, holy ones) is literally a holy one and properly means different, set apart, distinct, holy. It describes one who is set apart for or by God and can be brought near or into God's holy presence. "Its fundamental idea is separation, consecration, devotion to the service of Deity, sharing in God's purity and abstaining from earth's defilement." (Zodhiates)

Hagios in Luke and Acts - Lk. 1:15; Lk. 1:35; Lk. 1:41; Lk. 1:49; Lk. 1:67; Lk. 1:70; Lk. 1:72; Lk. 2:23; Lk. 2:25; Lk. 2:26; Lk. 3:16; Lk. 3:22; Lk. 4:1; Lk. 4:34; Lk. 9:26; Lk. 10:21; Lk. 11:13; Lk. 12:10; Lk. 12:12; Acts 1:2; Acts 1:5; Acts 1:8; Acts 1:16; Acts 2:4; Acts 2:33; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:14; Acts 3:21; Acts 4:8; Acts 4:25; Acts 4:27; Acts 4:30; Acts 4:31; Acts 5:3; Acts 5:32; Acts 6:5; Acts 6:13; Acts 7:33; Acts 7:51; Acts 7:55; Acts 8:15; Acts 8:17; Acts 8:19; Acts 9:13; Acts 9:17; Acts 9:31; Acts 9:32; Acts 9:41; Acts 10:22; Acts 10:38; Acts 10:44; Acts 10:45; Acts 10:47; Acts 11:15; Acts 11:16; Acts 11:24; Acts 13:2; Acts 13:4; Acts 13:9; Acts 13:52; Acts 15:8; Acts 15:28; Acts 16:6; Acts 19:2; Acts 19:6; Acts 20:23; Acts 20:28; Acts 21:11; Acts 21:28; Acts 26:10; Acts 28:25

QUESTION - What is the Immaculate Conception?

ANSWER - Many people mistakenly believe that the Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ conception was most assuredly immaculate—that is, without the stain of sin—but the Immaculate Conception does not refer to Jesus at all. The Immaculate Conception is a doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church in regards to Mary, Jesus’ mother. The official statement of the doctrine reads,

“The blessed Virgin Mary to have been, from the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, in view of the merits of Christ Jesus the Savior of Mankind, preserved free from all stain of original sin” (Pope Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus, December 1854).

Essentially, the Immaculate Conception is the belief that Mary was protected from original sin, that Mary did not have a sin nature and was, in fact, sinless.

Catholics celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8. Within Eastern Orthodoxy, December 9 is the date of the Feast of the Conception by St. Anne of the Most Holy Theotokos. (Anne is Mary’s mother, according to tradition.) The Eastern Church does not hold to the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, although they do consider Mary “all-holy,” that is, she never committed a sin.

The Immaculate Conception is not a virgin birth. Catholics believe Mary was conceived the normal way, but God made her immune from imputed or inherited sin. For as long as she’s been in existence, Mary has been free of sin. This allowed her to be the “second Eve” to give birth to the “second Adam” (see 1 Corinthians 15:45). Overshadowed by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35), Mary was a pure and holy “ark,” fit to carry the Son of God. As the ark of the Lord in Moses’ day carried the elements of the Old Covenant within it, so Mary carried the Author of the New Covenant within her.

The Roman Catholic Church bases its teaching of the Immaculate Conception on tradition along with a couple passages of Scripture. One is Genesis 3:15, the protoevangelium. There, God speaks to the serpent: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers.” Catholics point to the fact that the conflict between the serpent and the woman is equal to the conflict between the serpent and the woman’s Offspring, and they explain this by saying the woman (Mary) must be as equally sinless as her Offspring (Christ). The other passage cited by Catholics in support of the Immaculate Conception is Luke 1:28, “The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’” The Greek word translated “highly favored” can be rendered “favored with grace”; thus, according to Catholic dogma, Mary had a superabundance of grace, rendering her sinless, and that’s why God chose her to bear His Son.

The Roman Catholic Church argues that the Immaculate Conception is necessary because, without it, Jesus would have received His flesh from one who was herself a slave to the devil, whose works Jesus came to destroy (1 John 3:8). Mary, as the mother of the Redeemer, needed for her flesh to be free from the power of sin, and God gave her that privilege. From her time in the womb, Mary was sanctified because of her special role in bringing the Son of God incarnate into the world.

One problem with the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is that it is not taught in the Bible. Even Catholics admit that Scripture does not directly teach the Immaculate Conception. The Bible nowhere describes Mary as anything but an ordinary human female whom God chose to be the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ. Mary was undoubtedly a godly woman (Luke 1:28). Mary was surely a wonderful wife and mother. Jesus definitely loved and cherished His mother (John 19:27). But the Bible gives us no reason to believe that Mary was sinless. In fact, the Bible gives us every reason to believe that Jesus Christ is the only Person who was not “infected” by sin and never committed a sin (see Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5).

The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is neither biblical nor necessary. Jesus was miraculously conceived inside Mary, who was a virgin at the time. That is the biblical doctrine of the virgin birth. The Bible never hints that there was anything significant about Mary’s conception. Mary is not an exception to the Bible’s statement that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23). Mary needed a Savior just like the rest of us (Luke 1:47). GotQuestions.org (Bolding added)

See also Was Mary sinless? Was Mary without sin?

Two Bethlehems

Read: Luke 1:26-35

The power of the Highest will overshadow you. —Luke 1:35

The birth of Jesus Christ was unlike any other. Mary’s was an “other world” conception. The angel told her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35). The child conceived in her was from outside our world. And it had to be so, because the boy born to Mary was Immanuel, “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).

The baby born in Bethlehem was of heavenly origin. God had entered the earth in the form and nature of Mary’s little son. He came into the world from above, and His incarnation made possible our redemption.

Now think about it. Our own new birth-our regeneration-comes from outside the world. Jesus said that we are born again “of the Spirit” (John 3:3,7-8). Our salvation is not from an earthly source, but from God Himself through Jesus by means of His Spirit. In a sense, then, our heart becomes a “Bethlehem stable,” a place where Jesus comes into the world. We open the door to Him by faith, and He is born in us by the blessed Holy Spirit.

We make Him known to others by His power in us. He affects every aspect of our lives. We are a “Bethlehem,” His place of entrance into today’s world. By David Egner (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
-Crosby

Christ was born here below that we might be born from above.

Overshadowed

Read: Luke 1:26-38

The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you. —Luke 1:35

The assassination of US President John F. Kennedy stunned people around the globe 50 years ago today. The day after the shooting, an article in The Times (London) spoke of the reverberations being felt throughout world financial markets. It carried the headline, “All Other Events Overshadowed by US Tragedy.”

There are times in our lives when a death, a tragedy, or a sudden turn of events eclipses everything else. It happened to an unmarried young woman who was told that she would become the mother of the promised Messiah, God’s Son (Luke 1:26-33). When she asked how this could happen, the angel Gabriel said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you” (v.35).

The impossibility in Mary’s life was overshadowed not by darkness but by the brightness of God’s glory and power. Her response continues to leave us in awe: “Let it be to me according to your word” (v.38).

In the coming weeks, as we read again the Christmas story and consider the birth of Jesus into our world, it’s worth pondering the word overshadowed. It speaks so powerfully of the Lord’s presence in our hearts and His ability to outshine the darkest moments. By David McCasland (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

I’m overshadowed by His mighty love,
Love eternal, changeless, pure,
Overshadowed by His mighty love,
Rest is mine, serene, secure.
—Ironside

In every situation, we are overshadowed by God’s mighty love and power.

Luke 1:36 "And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.

AMP And listen! Your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is now the sixth month with her who was called barren.

Luke 1:24–26.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:36 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

GABRIEL TELLS MARY OF
ELIZABETH'S MIRACLE BABY

And behold, (idou) even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month - Notice how Gabriel emphasizes the miraculous aspect of Elizabeth's pregnancy with two descriptions - in her old age and was called barren. Old women who were barren remained barren unless there was a miraculous intervention! Also the phrase called barren suggests that Elizabeth had endured derisive comments regarding her infertility (Elizabeth alludes to her disgrace before she conceived in Lk 1:25+)! It reminds me of the old (ugly) saying to "kick 'em when they're down!" (cf Hannah's rival in 1 Sa 1:6).

MacArthur on your relative Elizabeth "Sungenis (relative) is a non-specific term for a kinswoman or female relative, and the exact relationship between Mary and Elizabeth is not spelled out. Luke’s record of her genealogy (Lk 3:23–38), Mary was a descendant of David (Lk 3:31) and through him of Judah (Lk 3:33). Elizabeth, on the other hand, was a descendant of Aaron (Luke 1:5), and through him of Levi (Num. 26:59). Hence Mary must have been related to Elizabeth through her mother." (See context in Luke Commentary)

Now in her sixth month - At 6 months, Elizabeth would be "showing" (obviously pregnant). Seeing Elizabeth would be tantamount to witnessing a true miracle! What would this truth do to Mary's faith? Surely it would undergird it and/or increase it (cf Ro 10:17), because if God could miraculously give barren Elizabeth a son in her old age, nothing was too difficult for Him (which is what the angel actually says in the next verse)! (cf . Jer. 32:17+, Jer 32:27+; Matt. 19:26).

Spurgeon - So was she (Mary) thus visited, and thus she believed with a wonderful faith, much too wonderful for me to describe in this place. But now let us see what Mary said when she went to visit her cousin Elisabeth. (Luke 1)

Behold (2400) idou is an interjection calculated to arrest the reader's attention! It's as if the Holy Spirit is saying to Mary "Look at this!" "Don't miss this!" Behold is used 6 times by Luke in chapter 1 - Lk 1:20, 31, 36, 38, 44, 48. Mary would have been shocked, for she undoubtedly thought Elizabeth was still barren and past childbearing age! Two miraculous conceptions - one in old age, the other in a virgin!

Conceived (4815) see note above on sullambano Lu 1:24, 31,36 2:21 5:7,v9 22:54

Barren (4723)(steira from stereos = firm, solid. It gives us English sterile) means on incapable of bearing a child. Infertile. Not having borne children or not capable of doing do, and often attributed to divine action. The most famous OT use is "Sarai was barren; she had no child." (Ge 11:30) Used 5x - barren(3), barren woman(1) .Lk. 1:7; Lk. 1:36; Lk. 23:29; Gal. 4:27. Septuagint uses - Gen. 11:30; Gen. 25:21; Gen. 29:31; Exod. 23:26; Deut. 7:14; Jdg. 13:2; Jdg. 13:3; 1 Sam. 2:5; Job 24:21; Ps. 113:9; Isa. 54:1; Isa. 66:9

Luke 1:37 "For nothing will be impossible with God."

Greek hoti ouk (absolutely nothing) adunatesei (3SFAI) para tou theou pan rhema

AMP For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.

CSB For nothing will be impossible with God."

ESV For nothing will be impossible with God."

KJV For with God nothing shall be impossible.

NET For nothing will be impossible with God."

NIV For nothing is impossible with God."

NLT For nothing is impossible with God. "

YLT because nothing shall be impossible with God.'

with. Luke 18:27. Ge. 18:14. Nu. 11:23. Job 13:2. Je. 32:17, 27. Zec. 8:6. Mat. 19:26. Mark 10:27. Phi. 3:21.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:37 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

THE GOD OF THE
IMPOSSIBLE!

Beloved, whatever you are dealing with, this is still the immutable character of our great God! Mary knew full well that her becoming pregnant without human relations was unheard of and in fact impossible. Gabriel jumps in immediately to help allay any doubts that may have been rising up in her heart and mind.

For (hoti) is a term of explanation? Who made this statement? Gabriel who stands in the presence of the Lord! He should be able to make this bold statement. What is Gabriel explaining? He has just revealed to Mary she "will conceive in (her) womb, and bear a son, and (she) shall name Him Jesus," described His character and explained how this would transpire. (Lk 1:31-35). One of the greatest miracles in eternity has just been relayed from God to Mary. And Gabriel adds that another birth miracle had already occurred in Mary's relative Elizabeth. Now Gabriel explains why these miracles will occur.

Nothing will be impossible with God - Nothing (ouk = absolutely nothing) means "no exceptions" (including 2 miraculous births). In other words these miracles are not a problem for God. Mary can be confident that what God promised through Gabriel would definitely transpire. This divine/angelic assurance would have strengthened her faith. And we can see from her response in Lk 1:38 she received this assurance.

More literally the Greek text reads "No word (rhema) of God can fail." I love the old ASV translation "For no word (rhema) from God shall be void of power (adunateo) ." Amen or oh my! This is great news and should motivate us to read, memorize and claim by faith the manifold "precious and magnificent promises" of God (2 Pe 1:4+) which He has granted to us as His beloved children!

MacArthur - If nothing is too hard for God’s omnipotence, then everything is possible with Him (Ps. 115:3; Dan. 4:35). God, whose power knows no limits (Deut. 3:24; Job 9:4; Ps. 89:13), and who is not bound by the laws of nature that He created, can accomplish anything consistent with His holy nature and purposes. Gabriel’s reminder of what God had done in the past reassured Mary of His power to keep His word to her. (See context in Luke Commentary)

This passage recalls the last words (last words are lasting words) the aged Joshua gave to encourage the next generation of Israel...

"Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed. (Joshua 23:14)

Other translations of Luke 1:37:

Nothing is ever impossible with God, Adams...
Because no word of God shall be without power, HBIE
For nothing is ever impossible with God, Berkeley
For there is nothing which God is not able to do, BB
because no event is impossible with God, Fenton ... no word, Alford
No promise of God can fail, Phillips
nothing is difficult for God, Murdock...
not one word from God will prove powerless! TCNT.
there is nothing that God cannot do, TEV.
For no promise from God will be impossible of fulfilment. Weymouth

The OT parallel truth is found in Gen 18:14

“Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

Brenton's translation of the LXX of Ge 18:14: Shall anything be impossible with the Lord? At this time I will return to thee seasonably, and Sarrha shall have a son.

My translation of LXX (Brenton ignores the Greek word "rhema" = spoken word. He also translates adunatei as future but it is actually present tense. He also translates "Theo" as Lord but it is actually "God"). That said here is my translation = Is any spoken word [continually] too difficult for God?

Other OT passages that states the same truth about Jehovah:

Jeremiah 32:17+ Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You,

Comment - The context of this declaration is Judah being taken into exile in Babylon and the Temple in Jerusalem being destroyed. This section of Jeremiah is inspired by God to remind His disobedient and punished people that He is not finished with them. Israel has a future and a hope because of His great power and His sure promises. And that is true of every believer by way of application!

Jeremiah 32:27+ “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (How would you answer beloved?)

Word (4487)(rhema from verb rheo = to speak - to say, speak or utter definite words) refers to the spoken word, especially a word as uttered by a living voice. Laleo is another word translated speak but it refers only to uttering a sound whereas rheo refers to uttering a definite intelligible word. Rhema refers to any sound produced by the voice which has a definite meaning. It focuses upon the content of the communication. NET Note says "In Greek, the phrase pan rhema ("nothing") has an emphatic position, giving it emphasis as the lesson in the entire discussion. The remark is a call for faith.

Marvin Vincent has a long note related to rhema - With God nothing shall be impossible (οὐκ ἀδυνατήσει παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ πᾶν ῥῆμα). Rhema, word, as distinguished from logos, word, in classical Greek, signifies a constituent part of a speech or writing, as distinguished from the contents as a whole. Thus it may be either a word or a saying. Sometimes a phrase, as opposed to onoma, a single word. The distinction in the New Testament is not sharp throughout. It is maintained that rhema in the New Testament, like the Hebrew gabar, stands sometimes for the subject-matter of the word; the thing, as in this passage. But there are only two other passages in the New Testament where this meaning is at all admissible, though the word occurs seventy times. These are Luke 2:15; Acts 5:32. “Kept all these things” (Luke 2:19), should clearly be sayings, as the A. V. itself has rendered it in the almost identical passage, Lk 2:51. In Acts 5:32, Rev. gives sayings in margin. In Luke 2:15, though A. V. and Rev. render thing, the sense is evidently saying, as appears both from the connection with the angelic message and from the following words, which has come to pass: the saying which has become a fact. The Revised Version of the NT rendering of this passage is, therefore, right, though a little stilted: No word of God shall be void of power; for the Authorized Version errs in joining οὐκ and πᾶν, not every, and translating nothing. The two do not belong together. The statement is, Every (πᾶν) word of God shall not (οὐκ) be powerless. The A. V. also follows the reading, παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ, with God; but all the later texts read παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ, from God, which fixes the meaning beyond question.

Will be impossible (101)(adunateo from a = negates thus without + dunatos = possible, able, powerful) means to be powerless, be unable, be disabled. [LS] = of persons, to want strength, to be unable to do. II. of things, to be impossible,.

Only used 2x in NT -Mt. 17:20; Lk. 1:37 but 10x in Septuagint = Ge 18:14 "“Is anything too difficult [adunateo - impossible] for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”"; Lev. 25:35; Dt. 17:8 = "If any case is too difficult for you to decide,"; 2 Chr. 14:11; Job 4:4; Job 10:13; Job 42:2 = " “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted [ nothing is impossible with You]" ; Isa. 8:15; Dan. 4:9; Zech. 8:6;

Gilbrant - In the Septuagint adunateō is used to translate pālâ’ which means “beyond one’s capabilities or power.” In Genesis 18:14 the question is asked, “Is any thing too hard for the Lord?” The command in Deuteronomy 17:8,9 reads, “If any case is too difficult for you to decide, . . . then . . . you shall come to the Levitical priest or the judge . . . and they will declare to you the verdict in the case” (NASB). In the New Testament adunateō is only used to refer to the ability of God or the power of faith in God. In Matthew 17:20, for example, Jesus was speaking to the disciples and said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, . . . nothing shall be impossible to you” (NASB). (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary)

Bob Gass - For with God nothing shall be impossible. (Luke 1:37)

Your age is no problem to God. Elizabeth was too old, Mary was barely a teenager, but when God moved, they both became pregnant with a promise. Never forget, God will bless you in His own time and on His own terms! For six months Elizabeth had been a recluse. But one day she answered the door, and it was Mary. Suddenly everything changed. In that moment, the child leaped in her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. (See Luke 1:41.)

That’s still how God works. When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, God’s plan and purpose will begin to rise up within you. First, you’ll receive the seed, then it will begin to grow, and finally, after the pain and the stretching, you’ll give birth to your destiny. In that moment you’ll rejoice, because you’ll know why you were born. Your situation may look impossible today, but God says in effect, “You’re about to have visitation! Don’t just sit in your chair and die! Get up and answer the door!”

Look at Mary’s response: “Be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38). That’s it! Not according to your marital status, your age, your job, the color of your skin, even what you deserve, but according to His Word. When God speaks, the opinions of others simply don’t matter anymore. His verdict settles the issues and determines the future.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS BELIEVE HIM AND DO WHAT HE TELLS YOU TO DO.

Streams in the Desert - For with God nothing shall be impossible.” (Luke 1:37.) - FAR up in the Alpine hollows, year by year God works one of His marvels. The snow-patches lie there, frozen with ice at their edge from the strife of sunny days and frosty nights; and through that ice-crust come, unscathed, flowers that bloom.

Back in the days of the by-gone summer, the little soldanelle plant spread its leaves wide and flat on the ground, to drink in the sun-rays, and it kept them stored in the root through the winter. Then spring came, and stirred the pulses even below the snow-shroud, and as it sprouted, warmth was given out in such strange measure that it thawed a little dome in the snow above its head.

Higher and higher it grew and always above it rose the bell of air, till the flower-bud formed safely within it: and at last the icy covering of the air-bell gave way and let the blossom through into the sunshine, the crystalline texture of its mauve petals sparkling like snow itself as if it bore the traces of the flight through which it had come.

And the fragile thing rings an echo in our hearts that none of the jewel-like flowers nestled in the warm turf on the slopes below could waken. We love to see the impossible done. And so does God.

Face it out to the end, cast away every shadow of hope on the human side as an absolute hindrance to the Divine, heap up all the difficulties together recklessly, and pile as many more on as you can find; you cannot get beyond the blessed climax of impossibility. Let faith swing out to Him. He is the God of the impossible.—Selected.

L B E Cowman - With God nothing shall be impossible. (Luke 1:37)

Those who have had the joy of climbing the Swiss mountains in springtime will have learned to love the Soldanella, with its delicate little mauve bells. Many years ago there appeared a booklet by Lilias Trotter, “The Glory of the Impossible,” with a sketch of this little plant just above the snow. We have never forgotten her exquisite application of the lesson, as she traced the power of this fragile plant to melt its way through the icy covering into the sunshine overhead.

We love to see the impossible done and so does God!

“Canst thou prevail
To pierce the snow?
Thou art so frail,
And icy winds do blow!”
“I will lift up my head
And trusting, onward go.”

“Now hard as rock
Frozen and dry,
Thy strength to mock,
What profits it to try?
The snow will bar thy way.”
“On God I will rely.”

“Thou art so weak,
Tender and fair,
Why not go, seek
A balmier softer air?”
“God chose my lot for me,
And will sustain me there.”

“Wilt thou keep on?
Alas! the fight
Is stern from dawn
Till eve.” “Tis not by might
The victory is won;
God puts my foes to flight.”

And now above
In blaze of day,
Wonder of love,
We see the flower and say,
“Naught is impossible
To him who trusts alway.”
JUST TRUSTING, BY J. B. L.

The incense buds of the kiku (chrysanthemum) will open even in the frost. JAPANESE PROVERB

Stewart Custer - NOTHING

God “stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing” (Job 26:7b). “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37). “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Paul wrote, “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God… . As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (II Cor. 6:4a, 10). “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6). “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” (James 1:6).

A W Tozer - He’ll Hold You Up

For with God nothing shall be impossible. —Luke 1:37

I cannot for the life of me see any reason in the world why anyone should be fearful and timid, saying, “I’m afraid I can’t make it; I’m afraid God can’t keep me.” God can keep the stars in their courses and the planets in their orbits; God can keep all His vast display of might everywhere throughout His universe. Surely God can keep you!

It’s like a fly perched on a seat in an airplane, moaning and trembling for fear that the plane can’t carry its weight. That plane weighs several tons and it has several tons of people and baggage on it. That fly is so light that it’s impossible, outside of a laboratory, to even weigh the little guy. And yet we can imagine him sitting there, flapping his little wings and saying, “I’m just afraid this plane won’t hold me up!”

The great God Almighty stretches forth His broad wings and moves upon the wind. God will hold you up. He’ll keep you if you turn yourself over to Him! He’ll hold you when nothing else can; nothing will be able to destroy you.

William MacDonald - “The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” (Rev. 19:6)

The omnipotence of God means that He can do anything that is not inconsistent with His other attributes. Hear the uniform testimony of Scripture! “I am the Almighty God” (Gen. 17:1). “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Gen. 18:14). “I know that thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of thine can be thwarted” (Job 42:2 NASB). “There is nothing too hard for Thee” Qer. 32:17). “With God all things are possible” (Mt. 19:26). “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

But it is understood that God cannot do anything that is inconsistent with His own character. For instance, it is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18). He cannot deny Himself (2 Tim. 2:13). He cannot sin because He is absolutely holy. He cannot fail because He is absolutely dependable.

The omnipotence of God is seen in His creation and sustaining of the universe, in His providence, in the salvation of sinners, and in the judgment of the impenitent. The greatest display of His power in the Old Testament was the Exodus; in the New Testament, the resurrection of Christ.

If God is omnipotent, then no man can fight successfully against Him. “There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the Lord” (Prov. 21:30).

If God is omnipotent, then the believer is on the winning side. One with God is a majority. “If God be for us, who can be against us” (Rom. 8:31).

If God is omnipotent, then in prayer we can deal in the realm of the impossible. As the chorus says, we can laugh at impossibilities and cry, “It shall be done.”

If God is omnipotent, then we have the unutterable comfort that:

The Savior can solve every problem,
The tangles of life can undo.
There is nothing too hard for Jesus,
There is nothing that He cannot do.

“When my weakness leans on His might, all seems light.”

James Smith - What can be more difficult than this?

"For with God, nothing shall be impossible!" Luke 1:37

Difficulties often crowd the believer's path, and trials line his way. Obstacles and oppositionmeet him at almost every turn. What to do at times — he scarcely knows, for he has beendisappointed so often, and is now so completely baffled — that his way is hedged up with thorns! Look whichever way he will, or to whatever quarter he may — there is something to discourage him, and cast him down!

It is of no use looking any way, or to any one — but to the Lord; and while looking to Him, it will be well to remember what the angel said to the blessed virgin, to excite and strengthen her faith, "For with God, nothing shall be impossible."

Look at the Fact. There are no impossibilities with God! He can do — as He will. He will do — all that He has promised. He has promised to do all that you can need or even wisely desire. In Mary's case, much faith was required — it was exercised and honored.

A virgin did bear a son.
That son was free from all taint of sin.
That son was divine.
That divine Son was the Savior of men.

What can be more difficult than this?

What should stagger us, after this?

Look at what God IS:

look at His power and grace,
look at His wisdom and wealth,
look at His pity and compassion,
look at His greatness and glory.

Look at what God has DONE:

in nature — by His power,
in providence — by His wisdom,
in redemption — by His grace.

And looking at what God is, and at what He has done — you must come to the conclusion, "With God, nothing is impossible!"
Let us use this fact for our own benefit. Nothing shall be impossible with God!

Not the conversion of that obstinate child.

Not that hardened husband.

Not that trying and degraded wife.

Not the restoration of that backslider — as low as he may have sunk, and far as he may have gone.

Not the pardon of those sins — as great, glaring, and numerous as they may be.

Not the sanctification of that trouble — as deep, trying, and dreadful as it is.

Not the bringing of the greatest good out of that worst evil — though it may have alarmed and terrified you.

Not the perfecting of the soul in holiness — as sinful and polluted as it is at present.

No, nothing is too hard for the Lord! Therefore cheer up, press on, take up your cross or burden afresh — and bear it after Jesus.

Let this precious truth, feed and strengthen your faith — that you may be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Let it excite and animate your hope — that you may expect great things from God.

Let it stimulate you in prayer — that you may ask largely of God, and ask with confidence too.

Let it crush your fears — that you may press boldly on, until you reach the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Let it stir you up to exertion — for as nothing shall be impossible to God, so nothing shall be impossible to you, which you undertake with His sanction, and with a view to His glory.

Let it encourage and call forth praise — for how grateful and thankful we should be, that our God can do all things, and therefore will do for us, all that is necessary both in life and death.

Let us keep this sweet truth always in mind, and when cast down — chide our fears and excite our hopes, saying, "With God, nothing shall be impossible!"

J C Ryle - When it lays its head on the pillow of God's omnipotence!

"With God nothing shall be impossible!" Luke 1:37

Let us mark the mighty principle which the angel Gabriel lays down to silence all objections about the incarnation: "With God nothing shall be impossible."

A hearty reception of this great principle is of immense importance to our own inward peace. Questions and doubts will often arise in men's minds about many subjects in religion. They are the natural result of our fallen estate of soul. Our faith at the best is very feeble. Our knowledge at its highest is clouded with much infirmity. And among many antidotes to a doubting, anxious, questioning state of mind, few will be found more useful than that before us now — a thorough conviction of God's omnipotence. With Him who called the world into being and formed it out of nothing — everything is possible. Nothing is too hard for the Lord.

There is no sin too black and bad to be pardoned. The blood of Christ cleanses from all sin.
There is no heart too hard and wicked to be changed. The heart of stone can be made a heart of flesh.
There is no work too hard for a believer to do. We may do all things through Christ strengthening us.
There is no trial too hard to be borne. The grace of God is sufficient for us.
There is no promise too great to be fulfilled. Christ's words never pass away — and what He has promised, He is able to perform.
There is no difficulty too great for a believer to overcome. When God is for us — then who can be against us? The mountain shall become a plain!

Let principles like these be continually before our minds. The angel's maxim is an invaluable remedy. Faith never rests so calmly and peacefully — as when it lays its head on the pillow of God's omnipotence!

Henry Blackaby - Nothing Will Be Impossible

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”—Luke 1:37

The angel Gabriel told Mary that God was planning to do something humanly impossible. All human logic would agree that a virgin could not give birth to a child. It was impossible. Yet this is exactly what was to happen. When God speaks of doing the impossible, it is no longer absurd. When was the last time God did the impossible in your life? When was the last time God spoke to you about what He wanted to do and you were scared to death by its magnitude?

God still does the impossible! Too often we acknowledge our belief that God can do whatever He wants, then we add a safety clause: “But I just don't think God will do that with me!” We become practical atheists, believing that God can perform miracles but never expecting a miracle in our own lives.
God wanted to bring salvation to all of humanity. It is critical that Mary not only believed God could perform a miracle but also adjusted her life to the awesome work He planned to do through her. The difference between a Christian and a moral person is the divine. The difference between a church and a social club is the miraculous. Some can duplicate the morality of a Christian, but no one can reproduce the miraculous that should be a part of the Christian experience. Do you believe that nothing is impossible for God?

Luke 1:38 And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

AMP Then Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said. And the angel left her.

CSB "I am the Lord's slave," said Mary. "May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel left her.

ESV And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

KJV And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

NET So Mary said, "Yes, I am a servant of the Lord; let this happen to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

NIV "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

NLT Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." And then the angel left her.

YLT And Mary said, 'Lo, the maid-servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to thy saying,' and the messenger went away from her.

Behold. 2 Sa. 7:25–29. Ps. 116:16. Ro. 4:20, 21. be. Ps. 119:38.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:38 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

MARY THE BONDSLAVE
SUBMITS TO HER LORD

And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord - As discussed more below bondslave is the rare word doule which speaks of submission to one's master. As God's doule Mary sought no life of her own, no will of her own, no purpose of her own and no plan of her own. All of her was subject to her loving Master. Her every thought, breath, and action was subject to the will of her Master. In sum, the picture of Mary as a bondslave of the Lord is one who is absolutely surrendered and totally devoted to her Lord. Mary understood the Lordship of Christ and that it was not an option!

Behold (2400) see note on idou is an interjection calculated to arrest the reader's attention! It's as if the Holy Spirit is saying to Mary "Look at this!" "Don't miss this!" Behold is used 6 times by Luke in chapter 1 - Lk 1:20, 31, 36, 38, 44, 48.

MacArthur makes an excellent point - Mary was in an extremely embarrassing and difficult position. Betrothed to Joseph, she faced the stigma of unwed motherhood. Joseph would obviously have known that the child was not his. She knew she would be accused of adultery—an offense punishable by stoning (Dt 22:13–21; cf. Jn 8:3–5). Yet she willingly and graciously submitted to the will of God. (Study Bible)

William Barclay - Mary's submission is a very lovely thing. "Whatever God says, I accept." Mary had learned to forget the world's commonest prayer -- "Thy will be changed" -- and to pray the world's greatest prayer -- "Thy will be done."

Father, give me the faith to believe Your Word even as
Mary believed the promised Word of the birth of the Word,
knowing that nothing is too difficult for You.

Mary had never heard Paul's words in First Corinthians but she was an illustration for she saw body as not her own but belonging to the Lord:

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit Who is in you, Whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. (1 Cor 6:19-20+)

May it be done to me according to your word - The phrase may it be done is aorist optative, which is expresses either Mary's prayer or her desire. In other words "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!" (Mt 6:10+) Notice once again the mysterious balance of God's sovereignty and man's (Mary's) response (cooperation). This is an amazing expression of Mary's profound faith. Not even a "What if...?" What will Joseph say when he found out the baby was not his (that she did not ask this is incredible!)? And Mary would have undoubtedly been aware of the punishment of death by stoning as decreed in the OT for a woman who appeared to have committed adultery (Dt. 22:13–21; Lev 20:10; cf. Jn 8:3–7). But NO questions. Simply humble obedience and wholehearted acceptance of the Word of God. Mary is an example of one who was totally surrendered to God's will, an exemplary example for all saints of all ages!

David Jeremiah - This is the glory and wonder of Christmas, that God could plant not only into the womb of this woman the Son of God, but He could plant in her heart the faith to believe the message that she received from the angel. Her response has always overwhelmed me with a sense of absolute submission that ought to be in the heart of every child of God. Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (See full devotional - David Jeremiah Morning and Evening Devotions)

And the angel (aggelos/angelos) departed from her - "Mission impossible" accomplished! Gabriel's mission of bringing the message of divine revelation of a supernatural conception to Mary was finished, so he went away.

Bondslave (maidservant) (1399)(doule from deo = to bind) descrobes a female servant. It could refer to a voluntarily or involuntarily slave. This word conveys the idea of the slave's close, binding ties with the master, belonging to him, obligated (desirous) to do his will. Her will is ideally all together subsumed in the will of the master. This word used of Mary speaks of her humble station and also emphasizes serving another, and being in subjection. There are only 3 NT uses all by Luke - Lk 1:38, Lk 1:48+, Acts 2:18, Luke recording that "EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN (more literally "upon my servants and my handmaids"), I WILL IN THOSE DAYS ("Last days" = Acts 2:17+) POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy. (Acts 2:18+)

NET Note on doule - Traditionally, "handmaid"; Greek "slave woman." Though doule is normally translated "woman servant," the word does not bear the connotation of a free woman serving another. BDAG notes that "servant' for 'slave' is largely confined to Biblical translations and early American times… in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished" (BDAG). The most accurate translation is "bondservant," sometimes found in the ASV for doulos, in that it often indicates one who sells himself or herself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force.

Ralph Earle adds that the Greek doule signifies that "Mary placed herself completely at God's disposal, even though she knew the outcome would bring shame and disgrace on her in the eyes of her neighbors." (Word Meanings)

Doule - 50x in 44v in the Septuagint (Lxx) - Ex 21:7; Lev. 25:44; Jdg. 19:19; Ruth 2:13; Ruth 3:9; 1 Sam. 1:11; 1 Sam. 1:16; 1 Sam. 1:18; 1 Sam. 8:16; 1 Sam. 25:24; 1 Sam. 25:25; 1 Sam. 25:27; 1 Sam. 25:28; 1 Sam. 25:31; 1 Sam. 25:41; 1 Sam. 28:21; 1 Sam. 28:22; 2 Sam. 14:6; 2 Sam. 14:7; 2 Sam. 14:12; 2 Sam. 14:15; 2 Sam. 14:16; 2 Sam. 14:19; 2 Sam. 20:17; 1 Ki. 1:13; 1 Ki. 1:17; 2 Ki. 4:2; 2 Ki. 4:16; 2 Chr. 28:10; Est. 4:17; Isa. 14:2; Isa. 56:6; Joel 2:29; Nah. 2:7;

Doule is used in the Septuagint (Lxx) of another woman in the OT - Hannah used the title maidservant 3x in one verse and all are doule!

"She made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.” (1 Sa 1:11)

Doule is used in the Septuagint (Lxx) in another context of the birth of a son...

Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.....Then he said, “At this season next year you will embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God, do not lie to your maidservant.” (2 Ki 4:2, 16)

John MacArthur on Mary "Queen of Heaven" - One of the Roman Catholic Church’s most egregious errors is its turning of this self-proclaimed humble slave of God into the exalted queen of heaven. Such worship of Mary, which would have appalled and horrified her, is nothing less than idolatry. There is no queen of heaven, only the true and eternal King (Pss. 29:10; 47:8; Dan. 4:37; cf. Matt. 11:25; Acts 17:24), the triune God.

Catholicism’s elevation of Mary finds no support in Scripture; the concept of the “queen of heaven” does appear in the Old Testament in connection with ancient pagan religion. The idea derives from Assyrian and Babylonian beliefs and practices prevalent during Jeremiah’s time in apostate Judah. Their idolatry caused God through the prophet to pronounce judgment on His people:

“As for you [Jeremiah], do not pray for this people, and do not lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with Me; for I do not hear you. Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods in order to spite Me. Do they spite Me?” declares the Lord. “Is it not themselves they spite, to their own shame?” Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, My anger and My wrath will be poured out on this place, on man and on beast and on the trees of the field and on the fruit of the ground; and it will burn and not be quenched.” (Jer 7:16–20)

The “queen of heaven” (v. 18) was the pagan goddess Ishtar (also called Ashtoreth and Astarte), the wife of Baal or Molech. Because those false deities symbolized fertility, worship of them also involved prostitution.
Later, God once again used Jeremiah to confront His rebellious people over this issue. Defiantly, they replied,

“As for the message that you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we are not going to listen to you! But rather we will certainly carry out every word that has proceeded from our mouths, by burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, just as we ourselves, our forefathers, our kings and our princes did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; for then we had plenty of food and were well off and saw no misfortune. But since we stopped burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have met our end by the sword and by famine.” “And,” said the women, “when we were burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and were pouring out drink offerings to her, was it without our husbands that we made for her sacrificial cakes in her image and poured out drink offerings to her?” (44:16–19)

In response, the prophet solemnly warned them of God’s impending judgment:

Then Jeremiah said to all the people, including all the women, “Hear the word of the Lord, all Judah who are in the land of Egypt, thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, as follows: ‘As for you and your wives, you have spoken with your mouths and fulfilled it with your hands, saying, “We will certainly perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her.” Go ahead and confirm your vows, and certainly perform your vows!’ Nevertheless hear the word of the Lord, all Judah who are living in the land of Egypt, ‘Behold, I have sworn by My great name,’ says the Lord, ‘never shall My name be invoked again by the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, “As the Lord God lives.” Behold, I am watching over them for harm and not for good, and all the men of Judah who are in the land of Egypt will meet their end by the sword and by famine until they are completely gone. Those who escape the sword will return out of the land of Egypt to the land of Judah few in number. Then all the remnant of Judah who have gone to the land of Egypt to reside there will know whose word will stand, Mine or theirs.’ ” (Jer 44:24–28)

To worship Mary as if she were the queen of heaven is to mix paganism with biblical truth and to blaspheme the true King of heaven. To proclaim that Mary is co-redemptrix and mediatrix of saving grace (cf. the discussion of Catholicism’s unbiblical view of Mary in chapter 4 of this volume), only compounds its false, syncretistic view of her. (Luke Commentary - See also MacArthur's messages - Exposing the Idolatry of Mary Worship: An Overview; Exposing the Heresies of the Catholic Church: Mary Worship; Exposing the Idolatry of Mary Worship: Catholic Dogma, Part 1)

Related Resource:

Who is the Queen of Heaven? | GotQuestions.org

GOD'S WAY IS BEST!

And Mary said . . . be it unto me according to thy word . . . . Luke 1:38

When I was a fourth grader, one of my classmates suddenly died due to a ruptured appendix. All of us were shocked when we heard the news. We knew that adults died, and that some-times children also were taken, but the death of Donald, a boy our own age whom we knew so well, had a sobering effect upon us all. Naturally, the question was in everybody's mind why God had permitted him to die.

The day came for the funeral, and the whole class was to attend. Before leaving the school, however, our teacher, a fine Christian, told us a true story designed to help each of us ad-just to the tragedy. She knew that we were deeply concerned about why the Lord had allowed this thing to happen. She related an incident concerning a young woman whose husband had died many years before, leaving her alone with her precious little boy. One day this child became extremely ill, and it appeared that he too would pass away. The mother pleaded with the Lord for healing, and then, when about to close her prayer with the familiar words, "Not my will, but Thine be done," found herself exclaiming instead, "Lord, I can't say that. I want my little boy! I won't give him up!" God listened to her pleadings, and her son was spared. However, she lived to see him become an outlaw, and finally he was sentenced to the execution chamber. Her son broke her heart with his wicked life, and she often regretted the day she refused to say, "Not my will, but Thine be done."

We went to our classmate's funeral service, and I remember that my heart was touched when a man sang, "Safe in the Arms of Jesus." I knew that all was well with Donald. But most of all I remembered from that day to this that I must always live before God with a humble and yielded spirit, no matter what He sends in life.(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

May we ever be able to say with Mary of old,
"Be it unto me according to thy word!"

Have Thy way, Lord, have Thy way,
This with all my heart I say:
I'll obey Thee, come what may,
Dear Lord, have Thy way!
—G. Bennard

Don't ever put a question mark where God puts a period!

Significant Surrender

Read: Luke 1:26-38

Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. —1 Peter 5:6

Throughout history, Mary the mother of Jesus has been held in high esteem. And rightly so! She was singled out by God to deliver the long-awaited Messiah.

But before we get lost in the significance of her life, let’s take a look at what it meant for her to surrender to the assignment. Living in a small backwater Galilean village where everyone knew everyone else’s business, she would have to live with the perceived shame of her premarital pregnancy. Explaining to her mother the visits of the angel and the Holy Spirit probably didn’t calm things down. To say nothing of the devastating interruption that her pregnancy would bring to her plans to marry Joseph. And while we are thinking about Joseph, what would she tell him? Would he believe her?

In light of these personal ramifications, her response to the angel who told her the news about her role as Jesus’ mother is amazing: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38 ESV). Her words remind us that a life of significance is most often preceded by a heart eager to surrender to God’s will regardless of the cost.

What significant experience does God have in store for you? It starts with surrender to Him.

What shall I give You, Master? You have redeemed my soul; My gift is small but it is my all— Surrendered to Your control. —Grimes

Surrender to God precedes His significant work in your life.

In The Safe Hands Of God

Read: Luke 1:26-38 | Bible in a Year: Genesis 13-15; Matthew 5:1-26

Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." —Luke 1:38

At age 16, Madame Jeanne Guyon (1648-1717) was forced into an arranged marriage with an invalid 22 years older. She found her marriage to be one of utter humiliation. Her husband was often angry and melancholy. Her mother-in-law was a merciless critic. Even the maid despised her. In spite of her best attempts at devotion to her husband and family, she was subjected to relentless criticism.

Forbidden by her husband to attend church, she sought God in His Word and worshiped Him in secret. She learned that even in the midst of her dreary circumstances she was “perfectly fine—within the safe hands of God.” In her book Experiencing The Depths Of Jesus Christ, she wrote, “Abandonment [to Christ] is the key to the fathomless depths. Abandonment is the key to the spiritual life.”

How can we respond to difficult circumstances with acceptance and abandonment? Mary’s response to the angel in Luke 1:38 shows us. The only way to have that same attitude is to believe that God’s will is “good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2), and to lay down our will and patiently submit to Him day by day.

When we're abandoned to God's will,
We need not doubt nor fear;
We'll know that He is in control,
That He is always near.
—Sper

He who abandons himself to God will never be abandoned by God.

The Call Of The Present

Read: Luke 1:26-38

Let it be to me according to your word. —Luke 1:38

The life of the mother of Jesus was simple and plain. She did the tasks that others did at her age, learning how to be a good homemaker for her future husband. There was nothing out of the ordinary about her external life-at least not revealed in Scripture.

Yet what treasures of grace lie concealed in Mary’s attitude! When the angel announced that her child would be called “the Son of God,” she responded, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

Her answer contained all that our Lord requires-the pure, simple submission of the soul to His will. This was the secret of Mary’s deep spirituality: She abandoned herself to God’s will in the present and received the grace to do what God asked of her.

What is God asking you to do? It may be something magnificent, or something ordinary. It may be to respond actively to a command of Scripture, or to submit patiently to present suffering. “What God arranges for us to experience at each moment is the holiest thing that could happen to us,” commented the 18th-century writer Jean-Pierre de Caussade.

Are you able to accept each moment with grace and submission? Can you respond to the Lord as Mary said to the angel, “Let it be to me according to your word”? By David Roper (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

May we learn the blessed secret
Of delighting in Your will,
Welcoming whate'er You send us,
Joy or sorrow, good or ill.
-Anon.

To know God's will is a treasure; to do God's will is a privilege.

The Facts Of Life

Read: Luke 1:24-38

Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” —Luke 1:38

It seems that most of our struggles revolve around wanting something we don’t have or having something we don’t want. Our deepest longings and our greatest challenges are deeply rooted in trying to see the hand of God in these two facts of life. This is where Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus begins.

The aging Elizabeth longed for a baby. For the young and engaged Mary, however, pregnancy should have been a disgrace. But when both learned they would have a child, they accepted the news with faith in the God whose timing is perfect and for whom nothing is impossible (Luke 1:24-25,37-38).

As we read the Christmas story, we may be struck by the real-life context of the people whose names have become so familiar. Even while Zechariah and Elizabeth suffered their culture’s stigma of childlessness, they were described as “righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord” (v.6). And the angel told Mary she had found favor with God (v.30).

Their example shows us the value of a trusting heart that accepts the mysterious ways of God and the presence of His mighty hand, no matter how perplexing our circumstances may be. By David McCasland |(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Though you cannot see the outcome,
Trust the Lord—He knows what’s best;
Be assured He sees your trial,
And He’s with you in your test.
—Hess

For the Christian, testing cannot be separated from trusting.

Luke 1:39 Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah,

AMP And at that time Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country to a town of Judah,

CSB In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah

ESV In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,

KJV And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

NET In those days Mary got up and went hurriedly into the hill country, to a town of Judah,

NIV At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,

NLT A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town

YLT And Mary having arisen in those days, went to the hill-country, with haste, to a city of Judea,

to a city of Judah. Jos. 10:40; 15:48–59; 21:9–11.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:39 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

From Nazareth to Hill Country of Judea

MARY RUSHES
TO VISIT ELIZABETH

Now at this time - More literally "in those days." It was at the time of Gabriel's visit and after his announcement and departure.

NET Note - The expression In those days is another general time reference, though the sense of the context is that the visit came shortly after Mary miraculously conceived and shortly after the announcement about Jesus. (ED: WE DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHEN MARY MIRACULOUSLY CONCEIVED, BUT SHE CLEARLY WAS PREGNANT BY THE TIME SHE GOT TO MARY'S HOME -- WE CAN DISCERN THIS TRUTH FROM THE REACTION OF JOHN THE BAPTIST IN MARY'S WOMB [Lk 1:41] AND MARY'S SUBSEQUENT SPIRIT FILLED PRONOUNCEMENT OF BLESSING INCLUDING "the fruit of your womb." [Mary had not yet told her anything - Lk 1:42.]

Mary arose (anistemi) and went in a hurry (spoude) to the hill country - She lost no time. She dropped everything so to speak and was off to Judea! Why was she in such a hurry? As explained more in the next passage note, seeing a previously barren old woman pregnant (6 months would be visible), would be confirmation to Mary and would surely undergird her faith (not that she disbelieved, but given the incredible nature of the miracle, the substantiation of the miracle in Elizabeth could only encourage her further.)

To a city in Judah - Judah south of Nazareth about 65+ miles (estimated because we do not know the city in the hill country) and if a person on foot could cover about 26 miles in a day, this would have been a journey of 3-4 days. And keep in mind she was probably pregnant as she began the trip, although Scripture never tells us specifically when she became impregnated by the Holy Spirit. It is doubtful that Joseph was aware that Mary was pregnant and there is no statement that he accompanied Mary. Mary must have had plenty of time on the trip to ponder what Gabriel had just revealed to her!. This could have been Hebron (the largest city of this region of Judea) but we do not know with certainty. Click to enlarge the following map to see Mary's presumptive route to Elizabeth's house. She may have traveled on the King's Highway which paralleled the Jordan River down the Jordan Valley.

Arose (450)(anistemi from ana = up, again + histemi = stand, to cause to stand) means literally to get up, to stand up, to stand again, to cause to rise (thus "to raise"), to stand or be erect (Acts 9:41). To rise from a lying or reclined position. To stand straight up from a prostrate position (Acts 14:10). Most uses of anistemi denote the act of getting up from a seated or reclined position especially in the preparation for a journey as in Lk 1:39, Lk 15.18, 20; 17.19. The most important use is of Jesus' resurrection - Jn. 11:23; 24; 20:9, etc.

Went in a hurry(4710)(spoude from speudo = move quickly, hasten, make haste) refers to eagerness, earnestness, willingness, zeal. Spoude implies more than mere earnest desire, but includes action as well as desire. Spoude "never takes 20 minutes to do a 10 minute job." (William Hill) It denotes Mary's quick movement accompanied by her eager interest in Elizabeth's receipt of divine providence.

Luke 1:40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

Amplified - And she went to the house of Zachariah and, entering it, saluted Elizabeth..

Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:40 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

ELIZABETH'S PREGNANCY
FURNISHES CONFIRMATION TO MARY

And entered the house of Zacharias and greeted (aspazomai) Elizabeth - Now we can understand the significance of the time phrase 6 months (Lk 1:36+), for by now Elizabeth's pregnancy would be obvious to all, but most importantly to Mary. Mary's first glance at Elizabeth would confirm the the truth of Gabriel’s message “And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month." (Lk 1:36+) Notice how Gabriel emphasizes the miraculous aspect of Elizabeth's pregnancy with two descriptions - in her old age and was called barren. Old women who were barren remained barren unless there was a miraculous intervention!

John MacArthur explains Mary went to visit Elizabeth for confirmation, a substantiation of the promise she too would experience a miraculous conception - If you stop and think about it you can begin to understand why Mary wanted at the sort of slight prompting of the angel Gabriel, she wanted to go and meet with Elizabeth as soon as she could. She had just been told something that was absolutely humanly impossible and frankly unimaginable, that she was going to be the mother of Messiah. She was going to be the mother of the Son of God. She was going to bear a holy offspring that would be conceived in her by God the Most High Himself. And all of this while being a virgin. She had been chosen by God to be the mother of Messiah. Messiah would be a holy offspring. All of this would happen without a man’s involvement. It would all be done by God. This was...mind boggling, more than any human could ever understand or comprehend. No woman who ever lived had heard such a word.... And besides, miracles didn’t happen and God didn’t speak and angels just didn’t show up in visible fashion. (ED: REMEMBER NO MIRACLES FOR OVER 400 YEARS!) The angel knew that this was a startling, devastating bit of information. And so he gave her a sign, Lk 1:36, “Behold, your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month for nothing will be impossible with God.” There weren’t miracles. There weren’t conception miracles. Mary believed the angel. She had faith. Her faith had a measure of strength, but it was still really beyond comprehension. It takes little imagination to understand that she would need to bolster that strength that miracles do happen, that conception miracles do happen and this one was going to happen in her body.....How would her mortal flesh withstand the emotional and spiritual strain of carrying the Son of God, the Messiah? This ordinary girl of flesh and blood, this ordinary girl who knew her own sinfulness and her own weaknesses, how could she endure the emotional strain of the incalculable honor of having the Son of God in her womb? And could she really be sure upon all examination that this in fact was reality? It might not begin to evidence itself in her body for a period of time, but she couldn’t wait for that and so in a hurry she wants to go and see Elizabeth because she wants to be sure that in fact God can do, is doing, has done conception miracles and Elizabeth was the living proof of that. There was one person who would be verification for her that God was able to do a conception miracle, and that one person was Elizabeth. So it tells us in verse 39 she arose and went with haste to the hill country of Judah and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. (Mary and Elizabeth: Confirming Angelic Prophecy)

J C Ryle on Mary's visit to Elizabeth - We should observe in this passage, the benefit of fellowship and communion between believers. We read of a visit paid by the Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. We are told in a striking manner how the hearts of both these holy women were cheered, and their minds lifted up by this interview. Without this visit, Elizabeth might never have been so filled with the Holy Spirit, as we are here told she was; and Mary might never have uttered that song of praise which is now known all over the Church of Christ. The words of an old divine are deep and true--"Happiness communicated doubles itself. Grief grows greater by concealing--joy by expression." We should always regard communion with other believers as an eminent means of grace. It is a refreshing break in our journey along the narrow way to exchange experience with our fellow travelers. It helps us insensibly and it helps them, and so is a mutual gain. It is the nearest approach that we can make on earth to the joy of heaven. "As iron sharpens iron, so does the countenance of a man his friend." (Pr 27:17 - see William Arnot's note The Countenance of a Friend; Ray Pritchard's Accountability - How to Reach Your Full Potential) We need reminding of this. The subject does not receive sufficient attention, and the souls of believers suffer in consequence. There are many who fear the Lord and think upon His name, and yet forget to speak often one to another. (Malachi 3:16.) First let us seek the face of God. Then let us seek the face of God's friends. If we did this more, and were more careful about the company we keep, we would oftener know what it is to feel filled with the Holy Spirit. (Expository Thoughts Luke 1)

John Trapp - To whom she could not rest till she had imparted the good news, and both given and received some spiritual gift for mutual confirmation and comfort, Romans 1:11-12. Grief grows greater by concealing, joy by expression. Only the meeting of saints in heaven can parallel the meeting of these two cousins.

Bengel - The salutations of the saints and those of the ungodly are altogether different. No mere effort of reason can comprehend how powerfully moving and how effectual is the will of the saints, which draws its resources from God by faith and love, and then turns the tide of them on friends capable of receiving them [susceptible to them].

Greeted (782)(aspazomai from a + spao = draw out as a sword, pull, breathe) means to enfold in arms, to welcome, to embrace. To salute one (not in a military sense), greet, bid, wish well to. In classical literature aspazomai can also be used of physical expressions of welcome, such as “embrace” and “kiss.” It is spoken of those who meet (Mt. 10:12; Mk 9:15; Lk 1:40; 10:4; Acts 21:19; Lxx = Ex. 18:7) or separate (Acts 20:1; 21:6). This is one final expression of Paul's paternal love. A salutation on meeting; an expression of good wishes at the opening (or in Hellenistic times times also the close) of a letter. Aspazomai is constantly used in the papyri for conveying the greetings at the end of a letter (Ro 16:3, 5–16, 21–23; 1Cor. 16:19, 20; 2Cor. 13:12; Phil. 4:21, 22; Col. 4:10, 12, 14, 15; 1Th. 5:26; 2Ti 4:19, 21; Titus 3:15; Philemon 1:23; Heb. 13:24; 1Pet. 5:13; 2 John 1:13; 3 John 1:14). In Heb 11:13 spoken of promises to be embraced, to be happy about, based on the fact that they would prove to be particularly welcome.)

Luke 1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

the baby leaped . Luke 1:15, 44. Ge. 25:22. Ps. 22:10.
was filled. Luke 1:67; Luke 4:1. Ac. 2:4; 4:8; 6:3; 7:55. Ep. 5:18. Re. 1:10.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:41 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

Related Passages:

Luke 1:15 “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb.

Luke 1:44 “For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.

Luke 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying

JOHN THE BAPTIST'S JOYFUL JUMPING:
HIS FIRST TESTIMONY OF JESUS!

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting the baby leaped (skirtao) in her womb (koilia) -. For a baby at 6 month to "leap" (move around, even kicking) is not in itself unusual as all mothers know, but in this case it was miraculous timing. As an expression of joy, John jumped for joy in the womb. He was filled with joy because he was filled with the Spirit (Luke 1:15+) and he was filled with the Spirit to be a prophet! Here he could not speak but he could jump for joy upon encountering the Messiah he would later proclaim audibly!

THOUGHT- Joy (independent of circumstances) is a good "barometer" as to whether you are filled with the Spirit are not. See Gal 5:22+, Acts 13:52+, Ro 14:17+, Ro 15:13+, 1Th 1:6+. So John begins to fulfill his role of pointing others to Jesus before he is even born! Are you fulfilling the "good work" which God has prepared for you before you were even born (more accurately even before you were created!)? (see Eph 2:10+).

John Trapp quips that "Such comfort there is in the presence of Christ (though but in the womb) as it made John to spring. What then shall it be in heaven, think we?"a

John MacArthur on the fetus leaping in the womb - The fetus is a prophet … not only is that a prophet but that’s not just a prophet that’s the greatest prophet that ever lived. Not only that, that little prophet is John the Baptist and his responsibility is to be the forerunner of Messiah. Folks, this is his first announcement. It’s a silent prophecy!...back in Lk 1:15 it says about John the Baptist, verse 15, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb....why would God’s Holy Spirit fill that little fetus unless God’s Holy Spirit wanted to achieve something supernatural through him, right?....That little fetus in the womb was filled with the Holy Spirit even while in the womb because it was going to do something important to the purposes of God in a supernatural way. (Mary and Elizabeth: Confirming Angelic Prophecy)

J Vernon McGee - What we are dealing with here is miraculous, and there is no use trying to offer a natural explanation. You either believe what happened in these verses or you do not. I am so weary of people today, especially preachers, who try to appear intellectual by attempting to explain away the miracles in the Bible. You either accept the miracles of the Bible or you do not, and what took place in these verses was a miracle. This woman is filled with the Holy Spirit, and the babe leaps in her womb. (See context in Thru the Bible)

SPIRITED FILLED
BELIEVERS

And Elizabeth was filled (pimplemi) with the Holy Spirit - Elizabeth was filled and what was the "fruit of her filling"? She erupts in a loud proclamation of blessing to Mary and the fruit of her womb (Lk 1:42). Her husband was filled and began to prophesy (Lk 1:67+). Elizabeth and Zacharias were filled and spoke divine revelation. In short, this was a Spirit filled family! The mother Elizabeth. The father Zacharias (Lk 1:67+), The baby John (Luke 1:15+). Filling with the Spirit prior to Pentecost was not permanent as it was after the coming of the Spirit in Acts 2.

THOUGHT - Remember that what fills you controls you! If you are filled with wine your emotions and actions are affected! The same applies if you are filled with the Holy Spirit! (cf Eph 5:18+) But if you are filled with rage or anger or jealousy or fear, etc, then you can mark it down that (1) the Spirit of God is quenched/grieved (Eph 4:30+, 1Th 5:19+) and (2) your words and actions will be under the control of those emotions! (see Lk 4:28+, Lk 5:26+, Lk 6:11+, Acts 5:17+, Acts 13:10+, Acts 13:45+).

Luke gives more attention to the Holy Spirit than do Matthew and Mark.

THOUGHT - Luke mentions Spirit filling a number of times so it must be a very important truth (and it is!) - Lk 1:15+, 1:41, Lk 1:67+, Acts 2:4+, Acts 4:8, 31+, Acts 6:3, 6:5+, Acts 7:55+, Acts 9:17+, Acts 11:24+, Acts 13:9+). In Luke 4:1+ Jesus is described as "full of the Holy Spirit" and as such He gives us the perfect example of how we are to imitate Him and walk in the same manner (and with the same supernatural power Source, read Peter's summary of Jesus' ministry Acts 10:36-38+) (cp Paul's command in 1Cor 11:1+ and Peter's exhortation in 1 Peter 2:21+). Are you a believer? Then John is addressing this exhortation to you = " the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. (1 Jn 2:6-see discussion) We often hear the phrase "WWJD?" for "What Would Jesus Do?" This is the wrong question! A better question is How did Jesus walk? He emptied Himself of His divine prerogatives and functioned in dependence on prayer to His Father and power from the Spirit. That is the (only) pattern for a victorious Christian life! Too many believers are trying hard to live the Christ life in their own natural power, not realizing that they have access to the supernatural power of the indwelling Spirit. Activating that power depends first on being continually filled with (controlled by) the Spirit (Eph 5:18+). This begs the question -- Are you Spirit filled? If not, why not? And if not do not be surprised that you are having a difficult time living the supernatural life in your natural power! A proper understanding and practice of this truth about Spirit filling will revolutionize your Christian life! It's a guarantee that the non-lying God Himself stands behind!

Related Resources

Greeting (salutation)(783)(aspasmos from aspazomai = welcome, greet, to salute) describes the use of set words or phrases to express a welcome or farewell -- salutation, greeting, either orally or by letter. Acknowledgement or expression of goodwill on meeting. Louw-Nida = "employ certain set phrases as a part of the process of greeting, whether communicated directly or indirectly." Liddell-Scott adds an embrace. Aspasmos the noun form is extremely rare in antiquity, both in literary documents and nonliterary papyri. "There is later Jewish material in the Talmud that spells out such greetings in detail." (NET NOTE)

TDNT - To offer rabbis the aspasmos coveted by them was the impulse of all pious Jews. Only once (Mk. 9:15) do we read that the multitude respectfully greeted Jesus: ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐξεθαμβήθησαν, καὶ προστρέχοντες ἠσπάζοντο αὐτόν. But there is frequent mention of → προσκυνεῖν before Jesus, and this is a particularly respectful form of aspasmos. The caricature of such greeting is the mocking of Jesus as the King of the Jews in Mk. 15:18 f.: καὶ

Aspasmos - 10v - Matt. 23:7; Mk. 12:38; Lk. 1:29; Lk. 1:41; Lk. 1:44; Lk. 11:43; Lk. 20:46; 1 Co. 16:21; Col. 4:18; 2 Thess. 3:17

Leaped (4640)(skirtao) means to leap, spring, and was used especially of animals (Septuagint - "skip about like calves" - Mal 4:2 = those who fear God, who are saved will one day "skip" about). Leaping is often associated with joy and is an expression of it. Twice (Lk 1:41, 44) this verb describes the baby John leaping in Elizabeth's womb. In the only other NT use in Lk 6:23 skirtao describes the future promise for those who are persecuted on earth that - "You will leap [for joy,] for behold, your reward is great in heaven."

Skirtao - 5x in the Septuagint (Lxx) - Gen. 25:22; Ps. 114:4; Ps. 114:6; Jer. 50:11; Joel 1:17; Mal. 4:2;

Genesis 25:22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If it is so, why then am I this way?" So she went to inquire of the LORD.

Comment: Here skirtao is not associated with joy but with a struggle!

Psalms 114:4 The mountains skipped like rams, The hills, like lambs.

Psalms 114:6 ) O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs?

Jeremiah 50:11 “Because you are glad, because you are jubilant, O you who pillage My heritage, Because you skip about like a threshing heifer And neigh like stallions,

Womb (2836) koilia from koilos = hollow) refers literally to a hollow space or cavity (although not used with this sense in Scripture) and then to (1) the belly (stomach), (2) the womb (uterus) and (3) (figuratively) the inner man or innermost being, which is almost synonymous with way the NT usually uses heart (kardia).

Koila - 22v appetite(1), appetites(1), belly(1), innermost being(1), stomach(7), womb(11), wombs(1). Matt. 12:40; Matt. 15:17; Matt. 19:12; Mk. 7:19; Lk. 1:15; Lk. 1:41; Lk. 1:42; Lk. 1:44; Lk. 2:21; Lk. 11:27; Lk. 15:16; Lk. 23:29; Jn. 3:4; Jn. 7:38; Acts 3:2; Acts 14:8; Rom. 16:18; 1 Co. 6:13; Gal. 1:15; Phil. 3:19; Rev. 10:9; Rev. 10:10

Jim Cymbala on joy - Happiness ebbs and flows based on our changing circumstances. A new baby or grandchild is born, and we’re all smiles. We win a free vacation, and we’re ecstatic! The boss gives a big raise just when we need the extra money, and we’re elated. But the euphoria is only temporary. Inevitably something changes and takes our happiness with it. The baby gets sick; our vacation gets rained on; our job is eliminated by a corporate merger. The positive feeling is fleeting. At best we’re left feeling empty, and at worst, even angry. So how do we get our happiness back when the situation changes? We can’t wish happiness back. We can’t chase it. Trying harder to regain it only produces frustration. If circumstances alone make us happy, then our situation has to change for us to be happy again. Yet that’s precisely the reason we’re unhappy. We don’t, and never will, have control over the things that make for “don’t worry, be happy.” Happiness is circumstantial and elusive, but joy is not circumstantial. We can have joy even when we’re not happy. Some may hear Christians talking about joy and think that joy is just a religious word for happiness. But joy differs from happiness. If the situation is right, anyone can experience happiness. Even people who don’t know God or who curse God can be happy. But they don’t have joy, for that blessing in life has a totally different source. According to Scripture, the Holy Spirit produces joy. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal. 5:22–23). Isn’t it interesting that joy is mentioned immediately after love? Obviously God doesn’t want us to live depressed, cranky, and bitter lives. He knows that happiness is fleeting, so through the Spirit, he gives us supernatural joy that transcends our circumstances. Joy is a beautiful gift that accompanies salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a gift imparted by the Holy Spirit to our innermost being. Inexpressible and Glorious Joy - If joy is a gift, we should expect to see more of it in the church, yet we’re often surprised when we do. However, when we recognize that true joy doesn’t come from our circumstances but rather from God, we begin to see joy as a blessing for everyday life. And that joy from the Spirit will make us distinctive to the culture around us.....Peter wrote: “Though you have not seen [Jesus], you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8–9, emphasis added). Does an “inexpressible and glorious joy” describe your church or mine? It should. The epistle to Rome is Paul’s great theological document regarding justification by faith and other weighty doctrinal matters. Yet toward the end of his letter, the apostle declares that the kingdom of God isn’t essentially about doctrinal positions such as Calvinism or Arminianism. The kingdom isn’t about who is right in the pretribulation or posttribulation rapture debate. Paul said that the kingdom of God is a matter of “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17, emphasis added). That is how important joy is; it makes us distinctive as followers of Jesus Christ. I’m not talking about emotionalism, however, not worked up frenzies or singing choruses endlessly until we create a certain vibe. I don’t want that, and neither do you. What the apostle Paul described was a life of joy that comes from the Spirit. He wrote to the Thessalonian believers, “You welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess. 1:6, emphasis added). (Spirit Rising: Tapping into the Power of the Holy Spirit - a convicting book. See my related article - A Spirit Filled Church)

Luke 1:42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

CSB Then she exclaimed with a loud cry: You are the most blessed of women, and your child will be blessed!

ESV and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

GWN She said in a loud voice, "You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child that you will have.

KJV And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

NET She exclaimed with a loud voice, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb!

NAB cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

NIV In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!

NLT Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.

NJB She gave a loud cry and said, 'Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

YLT and spake out with a loud voice, and said, 'Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb;

Blessed are Luke 1:28, 48. Jdg 5:24.
blessed is. Luke 19:38. Ge. 22:18. Ps. 21:6; 45:2; 72:17–19. Ac. 2:26–28. Ro. 9:5. He. 12:2.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:42 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

ELIZABETH'S BENEDICTION
ON MARY

And she cried out (anaphoneo) with a loud voice (krauge) - "and she exclaimed with a great cry." This was not just a casual "hello" but a Spirit enabled loud cry! Spirit filling was often connected which proclamation of a message from God here in the Gospels and then in Acts. In 2 Samuel 23:2, David declared, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue.” After John’s birth “Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied” (Lk 1:67, 68–79) Simeon "came in the Spirit into the temple" and prophesied in (Lk 2:27–32+). Peter filled with the Spirit proclaimed the Gospel at Pentecost (Acts 2:4, 14ff+) Peter filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke out boldly after the Sanhedrin threatened them and released them. (Acts 4:8-12+, cf Acts 4:31+)

Vincent on cried out is the verb anaphoneo (400) which used only here in NT (5x in Lxx - all in context of praise to God! - 1 Chr. 15:28; 1 Chr. 16:4; 1 Chr. 16:5; 1 Chr. 16:42; 2 Chr. 5:13) - She lifted up her voice with a loud cry; thus rendering in the verb the force of ana, up ( (anaphoneo), besides picturing the fact more naturally. Elizabeth’s sudden and violent emotion at the appearance of Mary, and the movement of the child, prompted an exclamation which was followed by words ( said). It was a medical term for a certain exercise of the voice.

MacArthur - What followed was a hymn of praise, the first of five associated with Christ’s birth that Luke records (cf. Lk 1:41-45, Lk 1:46–55, Lk 1:67–79; Lk 2:14, Lk 2:25–32). This hymn of praise pronounced blessing on Mary, her child, Elizabeth herself, and ultimately everyone who believes God’s word. (See context in Luke Commentary)

Blessed (eulogeo) are you among women - Blessed is in the perfect tense signifying past completed action (probably when the Spirit came upon Mary in conception) and enduring effect as Mary herself later affirmed in Lk 1:48 "from this time on all generations will count me blessed." Note Elizabeth says "among women" and not "above women!" The NLT paraphrase could be somewhat misleading ("above all women") which makes the point that you always need to remember that the Bible translations (especially the paraphrases) exhibit a significant element of human interpretation. It is therefore wise to compare translations or even better to examine the original language. Yes Mary is blessed among women, but is not a co-redemptrix or mediatrix with Jesus Christ nor was Mary sinless or without sin! These teachings are the perfidious words of men, not the pure Word of God and is patently, blatantly false, heinously heretical and devilishly dangerous to one's entrance into the Kingdom of God.

It is one thing to honor Mary.
It is quite another thing to worship Mary!

THOUGHT - Believers today of all denominations should honor Mary as blessed among women but we should never worship her as divine (see Mariolatry). Even Mary acknowledges her need for a Saviour (Lk 1:47)! She would have us worship Him, not her!

MacArthur explains that "The phrase blessed are you among women is a Hebrew superlative expression that describes Mary as the most blessed of all women (cf. Jdg. 5:24). In Hebrew culture, a woman’s status was based to a great extent on her children; her significance was directly tied to their significance. Thus, when a woman wanted to honor Mary, she called out to Jesus, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed” (Luke 11:27+). Elizabeth’s point was that Mary was the most blessed woman of all because she would bear the greatest child. Although Gabriel had informed Zacharias that their own son would be great, Elizabeth humbly acknowledged that Mary’s would be greater. Elizabeth’s child would be Messiah’s forerunner, but Mary’s was the Messiah. Thus, Elizabeth acknowledged that Mary had received the greater privilege and the greater honor. Being a righteous woman (Lk 1:6+), she was thrilled not only at the privilege of bearing Messiah’s forerunner, but even more so that Messiah was coming." (See context in Luke 1-5 MacArthur New Testament Commentary) (Bold added)

And blessed is the fruit (karpos) of your womb (koilia) - First Elizabeth blessed Mary and here she blesses her Son. Blessed is Jesus! Note that this proclamation by Mary is before Mary had stated anything. This indicates that Elizabeth had received supernatural revelation that her relative Mary was pregnant with the Messiah! Fruit of the womb is a common figure of speech for a child in the Old Testament but used only here in the NT (Ge 30:2; Dt 7:13, Dt 28:4, Ps 127:3, Isa 13:18)

Voice (shout, cry) (2906)(krauge from krazo = clamor or cry = a word like "croak" ~ suggests a rough and guttural sound = croaking of ravens = croak or cry out with a loud, raucous voice like donkey in Job 6:5, childbirth Is 26:17, war cry in Josh 6:16) in this case refers to Elizabeth's loud cry. Krauge even without megas can mean a loud cry so megas accentuates her excitement. The root verb krazo was associated with the speaking of divine truth in such passages as John 1:15; Jn 7:28; 37; Ro 9:27.

Blessed (2127)(eulogeo from eu = good + lógos = word; see cognates eulogetos and eulogia) means speak good or well. When eulogeo is used by men toward men it means to speak well of with praise and thanksgiving (English "Eulogy" = an address in praise for one deceased ). To say good or positive things. Both uses of blessed are perfect tense, passive voice signifying a past completed action with ongoing effect (blessing). As Robertson explains the "Perfect passive participle (is) a Hebraistic equivalent for the superlative." This is a different word than makarios in Luke 1:47. Luke's uses of eulogeo - Lk. 1:42; Lk. 1:64; Lk. 2:28; Lk. 2:34; Lk. 6:28; Lk. 9:16; Lk. 13:35; Lk. 19:38; Lk. 24:30; Lk. 24:50; Lk. 24:51; Lk. 24:53; Jn. 12:13; Acts 3:26

Fruit (2590) karpos is used in its literal sense to refer to fruit, produce or offspring, which describes that which is produced by the inherent energy of a living organism. Karpos is what something naturally produces.Figuratively, karpos is used of the consequence of physical, mental, or spiritual action. In the NT the figurative (metaphorical) uses predominate and this is particularly true in the Gospels, where human actions and words are viewed as fruit growing out of a person's essential being or character. Karpos refers to that which originates or comes from something producing an effect or result (benefit, advantage, profit, utility).

Womb (2836)(koilia from koilos = hollow) refers literally to a hollow space or cavity (although not used with this sense in Scripture) and then to (1) the belly (stomach), (2) Koilia frequently refers to the womb (Mt 19:12; Lk 1:15, 41-42, 44; 2:21; Jn 3:4; Acts 3:2; 14:8; Gal 1:15). Koilia is also to personify a woman (Lk 11:27; 23:29; Ge 25:23, 24; Ru 1:11; Isa 44:2). and (3) (figuratively) the inner man or innermost being, which is almost synonymous with way the NT usually uses heart (kardia).

Norman Geisler - When Cultists Ask

LUKE 1:42—Does the fact that Mary was called “Blessed” show that she was immaculately conceived?

MISINTERPRETATION: Luke 1:42 is offered by Catholics in defense of the doctrine of the immaculate conception of Mary. They claim that when Elizabeth said, “Blessed are you among women,” the “blessing of God which rests upon Mary is made parallel to the blessing of God which rests upon Christ in His humanity. This parallelism suggests that Mary, just like Christ, was from the beginning of her existence, free from all sin” (Ott, 1960, 201).

CORRECTING THE MISINTERPRETATION: Ott’s reasoning that this blessing is parallel to the one on Christ is farfetched. It grasps for straws in the lack of biblical evidence for a Catholic dogma proclaimed so many years after the events themselves. The passage nowhere sets a parallel between Mary and Christ. It simply says that Mary, the bearer of our Lord, was given grace for her task.

Even if the parallel could somehow be made, an immaculate conception would not necessarily follow from it. Jesus was conceived of a virgin. Mary was not so conceived; she had two natural parents. By Ott’s illogic, one could make Mary a redeemer for our sins, something that some Catholics have sought to do and others approach in their extreme veneration of Mary. The church, however, has not officially proclaimed such a heresy.

Thomas Aquinas, one of the greatest Catholic theologians of all time, declared that the doctrine of the immaculate conception of Mary is impossible (Aquinas, Summa Theologica 3, 27, 2), since Mary, like all other humans except Christ, inherited a sin nature from Adam (cf. Rom. 5:12).

LUKE 1:42, 48—Do these verses show that Mary should be venerated above all creatures, as Roman Catholics claim?

MISINTERPRETATION: According to the teaching of the Catholic church, “Mary, the Mother of God, is entitled to the Cult of Hyperdulia” (Ott, 1960, 215). This means that Mary may be venerated and honored on a level higher than that of other creatures, whether angels or saints. However, “this [veneration due to Mary] is substantially less than the cultus latriae (or adoration) which is due to God alone, but is higher than the cultus duliae (or veneration) due to angels and to the other saints.

The Scriptural source of the special veneration due to the Mother of God is to be found in Luke 1. Verse 28 says: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee,” in the praise of Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Ghost. Verse 42 adds: “Blessed are thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” The prophetic words of the Mother of God are found in verse 48: “For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed” (Ibid., 215).

CORRECTING THE MISINTERPRETATION: Nothing in these verses supports the conclusion that Mary should be venerated above all creatures and below God.

The texts say nothing about veneration or prayers to Mary. They simply call Mary “blessed” of God, which she truly was. However, contrary to Catholic practice, Mary was not blessed above all women but simply was the most blessed among all women. Even in the Catholic Bible it reads, “Most blessed are you among [not above] women” (Luke 1:42). This is not a distinction without a difference. It is a strange logic to argue that being the most blessed among women makes her worthy of more honor than any other women. Eve was the mother of all humanity (Gen. 3:20), a distinctive honor held by no other person including Mary, and yet she is not venerated by Catholics in accord with her blessed status.

Further, even great sinners that are forgiven are highly blessed but need not be most highly esteemed because of that fact (see, for example, 1 Cor. 15:9; 1 Tim. 1:15). Abraham was called the Father of the faithful, yet he lied about his wife (Gen. 20:1–18). It was said of David that his heart was fully devoted to the LORD his God (1 Kings 11:4), yet he committed adultery and murder (2 Sam. 11).

There is not a single instance in the New Testament where any veneration was given to Mary. When the Magi came to the manger at the Nativity to visit the Christ child, the Bible declares that they worshiped him, not her (Matt. 2:11).

In addition, bowing down in veneration before any creature, even angels (cf. Col. 2:18; Rev. 22:8–9), is forbidden in Scripture. The Bible makes it clear that we are not to make any “images” of any creature or even to “bow down” to them in an act of religious devotion (Exod. 20:4–5). To call Mary “Queen of Heaven,” knowing that this phrase was borrowed directly from an old pagan idolatrous cult condemned in the Bible (cf. Jer. 7:18), only invites the charge of mariolatry. And mariolatry is idolatry.

In addition, despite theological distinctions to the contrary, in practice many Catholics do not distinguish between the veneration given to Mary and that given to Christ.

There is clearly a difference, both in theory and in practice, in the way Catholics honor other human beings and the way they venerate Mary. Consider the following book, Novena Prayers in Honor of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, with the Catholic imprimatur (and nihil obstat declaration) on it, which guarantees that there is nothing heretical in it (published by Sisters of St. Basil, 1968, 16, 19):

Come to my aid, dearest Mother, for I recommend myself to thee. In thy hands I place my eternal salvation, and to thee I entrust my soul. Count me among thy most devoted servants; take me under thy protection, and it is enough for me. For, if thou protect me, dear Mother, I fear nothing: not from my sins, because thou wilt obtain for me the pardon of them; nor from the devils, because thou art more powerful than all hell together; not even from Jesus, my judge, because by one prayer from thee, He will be appeased.

QUESTION - Is Mary the co-redemptrix / mediatrix?

ANSWER - Some Catholics view Mary as a co-redemptrix or a mediatrix who plays a key role in the salvation of mankind. (The suffix -trix is a feminine word ending in Latin, so a redemptrix is a female redeemer, and a mediatrix is a female mediator.) Within Catholicism, there is a drive to define a new Marian dogma in which Catholics, as a matter of faith, would be obliged to accept these three doctrines:

(1) Mary participates in redemption with Jesus Christ,

(2) grace is granted by Jesus only through the intercession of Mary, and

(3) all prayers from the faithful must flow through Mary, who brings them to the attention of her Son.

This movement would, in practice, redefine the Trinity as a kind of Quartet.

The belief in Mary as a co-redemptrix would be in addition to current Catholic teaching on Mary, which states that Mary was a virgin perpetually, that she never had intercourse with her husband, Joseph; that she never had children other than Jesus; and that she was sinless and ascended into heaven. These teachings are more than unscriptural; Scripture directly refutes them.

The idea that Mary is a co-redemptrix or mediatrix contradicts 1 Timothy 2:5, which says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” Jesus is the Mediator. There is no mediator between man and Jesus. Jesus Himself dwells in believers; thus, none is required (Colossians 1:27).

Jesus is the perfect and sole Mediator between man and God because He is the sinless Son of God. Mary was not sinless. There is no Scripture whatsoever to back the claim of Mary’s sinlessness or of her assumption into heaven. This dogma was accepted as a result of papal proclamation. In the biblical narratives, Mary is pictured as a humble and submissive young woman, faithful to God, grasping the implications of what is about to happen to her, and uttering praises and doxologies (Luke 1:46–55). In fact, in her Magnificat, Mary says, “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (verse 47). The clear implication of Mary’s calling God her “Savior” is that she recognized her need of salvation. Just like the rest of us, Mary needed a Savior, a Redeemer.

Jesus Himself indicated that Mary holds no special place relative to redemption or mediation. In Matthew 12:47–50, Mary and her other sons were trying to see Jesus while He was teaching. “Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ He replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’”

Later, at the foot of the cross, Mary is a grief-stricken mother. She did not suffer for mankind as a whole; she clearly suffered her own pain and mourning. She is one of the people receiving salvation from Jesus, not a contributor to His work. She is anguished and must be cared for by the apostle John.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Mary was part of the community of believers continuing in prayer and supplication prior to Pentecost (Acts 1:14). Mary is “most blessed among women” (Luke 1:42) because she was the mother of the Messiah. But she is not divine and cannot be seen as part of the Trinity. She did not redeem us from sin and cannot be made part of the redemptive process.GotQuestions.org

Related Resources: (All from Gotquestions.org)

Luke 1:43 "And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?

How has it happened. Luke 7:7. Ru. 2:10. 1 Sa. 25:41. Mat. 3:14. John 13:5–8. Phi. 2:3.
my. Luke 20:42–44. Ps. 110:1. John 13:13; 20:28. Phi. 3:8.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:43 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

JESUS IS LORD
OF ALL!

And how has it happened to me - Notice Elizabeth's humility which is in concord with Luke's description that she was "righteous in the sight of God." O, how we all need to learn from this woman "righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord." (Lk 1:6+) Notice her humility leads her to declare "my Lord" as discussed below. How easy it would have been for Elizabeth to be "green with envy" that Mary had been chosen to bear the desire of every Jewish woman, the Messiah, but to the contrary she sees Mary's visit as a wonderful thing.

That (hina) - This serves to explain what "it" is in the first clause.

The mother of my Lord (kurios) would come to me - Note not "mother of God" but of my Lord. Mary gave birth to a human being, Jesus. Yes he was fully God and fully Man, but His divinity was not the result of Mary but the attribute He had for all eternity. Elizabeth is not only filled with the Spirit but here she is inspired by the Spirit Who has revealed to her that the baby in Mary's womb is Jesus, the long expected Messiah Whom she appropriately recognizes as "my Lord." (cp Jn 20:28, 13:13, Lk 20:42) So even though Jesus was but a baby in Mary's womb, to Elizabeth He was her Lord. Elizabeth instead of saying "My Lady" correctly focused on "My Lord." Bengel adds "she does not, however, call her, My Lady [i.e. as if she had lordship, like Christ, over all." Note that A T Robertson agrees that "Only by the help of the Holy Spirit could Elisabeth know that Mary was to be the mother of the Messiah." This shows us that she was not only filled with the Spirit, she was sensitive to His voice! Humble, not jealous, filled, sensitive! O that we all could have the demeanor of this godly woman Elizabeth!

William MacDonald - The Bible never speaks of Mary as “the mother of God.” While it is true that she was the mother of Jesus, and that Jesus is God, it is nevertheless a doctrinal absurdity to speak of God as having a mother. Jesus existed from all eternity whereas Mary was a finite creature with a definite date when she began to exist. She was the mother of Jesus only in His Incarnation. (See Believer's Bible Commentary )

John Trapp on would come to me - "That the Lord Himself should come among us, as He did in the flesh, and doth still by His Spirit. Oh, what a mercy!"

Leon Morris makes a good point - We should not miss the absence of all jealousy in Elizabeth’s attitude to Mary. The older woman, who had received such a signal blessing from the Lord, might well have tried to guard her position jealously. But in genuine humility she recognized the greater blessing God had given to Mary....Apparently Elizabeth’s recognition that he is Lord was inspired, but personal. John had to find it out for himself. (See Luke: An Introduction and Commentary)

That (in order that)(2443)(hina is a conjunction which is used as a marker of purpose, definition or result and is rendered in order that, that, so that. With the result or consequence that. With the particular aim or purpose of; in order that.

“So that” means “in order to” which answers the question “Why?” We use it to begin adverb clauses of purpose. Let’s hear an example: It helps to lower blood sugar so that you feel less hungry. The adverb clause is “so that you feel less hungry.” It shows the purpose for the action in the main clause. Why does it help to lower blood sugar? To feel less hungry. (LearnEnglish)

Lord (master, owner)(2962)(kurios from kuros = might or power) means a supreme one, one who is sovereign and possesses absolute authority, absolute ownership and uncontested power. Kurios is used of the one to whom a person or thing belonged, about which he has the power of deciding, the one who is the master or disposer of a thing (Mk 7:28) In classical Greek, kurios was used of the false gods, such as Hermes, Zeus, etc. Luke uses almost 30% of the 717 uses of kurios in the NT. Luke 1:69, 78-79 Luke uses kurios 104x in 96 verses in the Gospel (Mt = 80x in 73v; Mark = 18x in 16v; John 52x in 50v). Constable suggests Luke uses kurios so often because his Greek readers would not have been familiar with the title Messiah or Christ.

J C Ryle - Those words "my Lord" are so familiar to our ears, that we miss the fullness of their meaning. At the time they were spoken they implied far more than we are apt to suppose. They were nothing less than a distinct declaration that the child who was to be born of the Virgin Mary was the long promised Messiah, the "Lord" of whom David in spirit had prophesied, the Christ of God. Viewed in this light, the expression is a wonderful example of faith. It is a confession worthy to be placed by the side of that of Peter, when he said to Jesus, "You are the Christ." (Mt 16:16, 17) Let us remember the deep meaning of the words, "the Lord," and beware of using them lightly and carelessly. Let us consider that they rightly apply to none but Him who was crucified for our sins on Calvary. Let the recollection of this fact invest the words with a holy reverence, and make us careful how we let them fall from our lips. There are two texts connected with the expression which should often come to our minds. In one it is written, "No man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Spirit." In the other it is written, "Every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (1 Corinthians 12:3.Philippians 2:11.) (Ryle)

Constable on my Lord - This title has a double meaning. It is the word the Septuagint used to translate the Hebrew “Yahweh,” and the New Testament writers used it the same way. As such, it implies deity. It also means “master” in the sense of a superior person, specifically the Messiah. This usage does not necessarily imply that the person using it believed that Jesus was God. Elizabeth apparently meant that Jesus was the Messiah at least. Luke evidently used the term “Lord” frequently because for Greek readers “Christ” or “Messiah” had little meaning. The pagan Gentiles referred to Caesar as “Lord” Caesar meaning that he was their divine sovereign. “Lord” had the same connotation for Luke’s original readers. Jesus is the divine sovereign for Christians.

Matthew Poole - Elisabeth in these words acknowledges both the incarnation of Christ, and the union of the Divine and human nature in the one person of the Mediator; she acknowledges Christ her Lord, and Mary to be his mother.

Jamieson - High as was the distinction conferred upon herself, Elizabeth loses sight of it altogether, in presence of one more honoured still; upon whom, and on her unborn Babe, in an ecstasy of inspiration, she pronounces a benediction

Ellicott - “Great “as her own son was to be (Luke 1:15-note "he will be great in the sight of the Lord") in the sight of the Lord, here was the mother of One yet greater, even of the Lord Himself.

Ralph Earle - In Luke 1:15 Lord (kurios) is used for God, as it is very frequently in the Septuagint (Lxx) (to translate Yahweh, "Lord"). But here it refers to Jesus. In Luke's Gospel Lord is used for Jesus over 20 times. This is a tremendous affirmation of His deity. Marshall comments: "The use of kurios in narrative to refer to Jesus is distinctive of Luke" (p. 81). It is Luke's favorite way of emphasizing the deity of Jesus. (Ibid)

Wayne Detzler writes that kurios - In the earliest Greek this word meant "to have power or authority." Later it came to describe one who is in control. As classical Greek developed, it became a title for men of importance. Since the gods of ancient Greece were neither creators nor lords of their fate, pagan deities were not called "lord" until much later. By the time of Christ, kings had come to be called "lord." This was true of the Roman Emperor Caligula (A.D. 37-41). It was also true of Candace, the fabled queen of upper Egypt (Ac 8:27). So too Herod the Great, Herod Agrippa I, and Herod Agrippa II were called "lord." (New Testament Words in Today's Language)

Related Resources:

Is it biblical to refer to God as God the mother? | GotQuestions.org
Is Mary the mother of God (Theotokos)? | GotQuestions.org (SHORT ANSWER: A RESOUNDING "NO"!)

Luke 1:44 "For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.

the baby. Luke 1:41.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:44 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

Related Passage:

John 3:29+ “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.

JOHN LEAPS
FOR JOY

For behold, (idou) when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped (skirtao) in my womb (koilia) for joy (agalliasis) - Why did the baby John leap? Surely because he was filled with the Holy Spirit which had been prophesied in Lk 1:15+ that "he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while in his mother's womb." Leaped for joy describes excessive, ecstatic joy, an exceeding joy (independent of circumstances) (cf John's reaction to the voice of Jesus as an adult - Jn 3:29+). So both mother (Elizabeth) and child (John) had supernatural responses energized by the Holy Spirit (cf joy Gal 5:22+) on the arrival of Mary (which of course supports that Mary was indeed pregnant with Jesus by this time although we do not know the exact moment of conception).

Barclay writes that agalliasis "is the joy which leaps for joy. As it has been put, it is the joy of the climber who has reached the summit, and who leaps for joy that the mountain path is conquered." (DSB) Barclay's picture of jumping joy is great, as long as I'm "on top of the world". What about when I am in the valley? The word agalliasis teaches that believers do not have to be on a mountain top to experience this exceeding joy. In fact, believers, because of their new nature (partakers of the divine nature 2 Peter 1:4), can experience this quality of joy even though they are walking through "the valley" of difficult circumstances!

Note that in Lk 1:41 and Lk 1:44, Luke repeats the fact that the baby leaped in Elizabeth's womb. What does this repetition signify? (1) Fulfillment of the prophecy in Lk 1:15 (because jumping for joy was clear evidence that John had been filled with the Spirit Who gives joy), (2) Indicates 6 month old John recognized and acknowledge the presence of the Messiah in Mary's womb and (3) Related to #2, John began to fulfill his role as Messiah's forerunner, this first time by jumping for joy! When reading Scripture always pay attention to repeated words or phrases as you can often discern a deeper meaning to the passages.

For joy (20)(agalliasis related verb - agalliao from agan = much + hallomai = jump; gush, leap, spring up = literally to jump much, leap for joy) means gladness or extreme joy, often accompanied by words and/or bodily movements, such as jumping, smiling, etc. "Literally, “with exultation” as of those who leap for joy." (Jamieson) This quality of rejoicing refers to a demonstrative rejoicing (Arndt). It indicates the joy and happiness that arises from the experience of God’s saving action. Agalliasis - Luke has 3 of the 5 NT uses - Lk. 1:14-note; Lk. 1:44; Acts 2:46; Heb. 1:9; Jude 1:24.

A Bad Christmas?

Read: Luke 1:26-45

As soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. —Luke 1:44

Just about the time Americans have devoured the last Thanksgiving turkey leftovers, sad-faced TV newscasters tell them that it “looks like a bad Christmas” this year. What they mean is that sales in retail stores may be down during the upcoming shopping season. And that makes for a “bad” Christmas.

We understand why this is news. Many companies need a year-end consumer spending frenzy to stay afloat financially. Yet there’s something in me that doesn’t like people talking about a “bad” Christmas, even when it refers to poor retail sales. How can the celebration of the birth of the Messiah, the Savior of the world, ever be bad?

Let’s look at that familiar story again. In the months before Jesus was born, Mary ventured to a nearby town to visit her relative Elizabeth, who also was expecting a child. As soon as Mary spoke, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy (Luke 1:44). There was excitement in the air for those who knew the true identity of Mary’s baby.

Let’s recapture that joyous excitement by refocusing our attention on the event we celebrate, rather than on the celebration of the event. It is Jesus’ birth we are honoring, and that always makes for a good Christmas. By Dave Branon (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Beyond all else the day should be
A day of holiest memory
When all the world should joyfully
See Christ, the Lord, in Christmas.
—Anon.

Every Christmas is good when we focus on the good news of Jesus.

Luke 1:45 "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord."

GWT - You are blessed for believing that the Lord would keep His promise to you."

NET And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled."

CSB She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!"

ERV And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord.

ESV And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

NIV Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

NLT You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said."

ICB You are blessed because you believed what the Lord said to you would really happen."

blessed. Luke 1:20; Luke 11:27, 28. 2 Ch. 20:20. John 11:40; 20:29.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:45 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

Related Passages:

Luke 1:20+ (THE ANTITHESIS OF MARY'S RESPONSE TO GABRIEL'S MESSAGE) “And behold, you (ZACHARIAS) shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not (ouk = absolutely did not) believe (pisteuo) my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

THE BLESSEDNESS OF BELIEF
OF THE PROMISE OF MESSIAH

And blessed (makarios) is she who believed (pisteuo) that there would be a fulfillment (teleiosis) of what had been spoken to her by the Lord - This is the last mention of Elizabeth, who is not mentioned in any other chapter in the Bible. Elizabeth bestows this blessing on Mary because of her faith which issued in her unquestioning obedience. Mary knew by faith that what had been promised by Gabriel would be fulfilled. O, to have such a great faith! Note the phrase what had been spoken to her by the Lord is affirmation that the words Gabriel spoke were really words from the Lord. The verb had been spoken is perfect tense indicating past completed action with ongoing effect. God's promise was an enduring promise.

Rob Morgan - Makarios (blessed) means happy, fortunate, blissful. Homer used the word to describe a wealthy man, and Plato used it of one who is successful in business. Both Homer and Hesiod spoke of the Greek gods as being happy (makarios) within themselves, because they were unaffected by the world of men-who were subject to poverty, disease, weakness, misfortune, and death. The fullest meaning of the term, therefore, had to do with an inward contentedness that is not affected by circumstances. That is the kind of happiness God desires for His children, a state of joy and well-being that does not depend on physical, temporary circumstances (cf Php 4:11, 12, 13+). (From his sermon entitled "Blessed")

THOUGHT - Note the clear association of blessing and believing. This should not surprise us because genuine belief is intimately related to immediate obedience and obedience is clearly associated with God's blessing. In fact (Spirit enabled) obedience (not legalistic obedience) is the secret of divine blessing. Are you allowing the Spirit of God to give you the desire and the power (Php 2:13NLT+) to obey God?

She who believed (pisteuo) means that she not only heard the promise but she accepted it internally, not just intellectually as true, genuine, or real but with a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of God to carry out with He had promised. Because she had this firm conviction in God's promise it affected her internal condition so that she experienced a state of blessedness wrought by the Spirit of God. Spurgeon has a sermon on genuine belief - John 8:30-32 Believing On Jesus, And Its Counterfeits

Matthew Henry adds that “We must depend upon the performance of the promise, when all the ways leading up to it are shut up. ‘For all the promises of God in him are yea (yes), and in him Amen (so be it), unto the glory of God by us.” (2Co 1:20+)

Guzik adds that "Elizabeth recognized that Mary’s faith played an active role in receiving the promise. God promises should never make us passive; they should prompt us to seize them by faith."

Warren Wiersbe - The thing that Elizabeth emphasized was Mary’s faith: “Blessed is she that believed” (Luke 1:45). We are saved “by grace … through faith” (Eph. 2:8–9). Because Mary believed the Word of God, she experienced the power of God. (See context in The Bible Exposition Commentary or here Bible Exposition Commentary)

THOUGHT - Mary gets a blessing because when God told her she would do something so unbelievable, something never done before, SHE BELIEVED GOD. We need to be like Mary: If God says it we need to believe. If you want to be blessed, believe God's word. If you say you believe God's word it will translate into obedience for God's Word. Don't delude yourself (James 1:22+) Jesus associates blessing with obedience. While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.” But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Luke 11:27-28+) Play Trust and Obey

J C Ryle adds "we should observe in these verses, the high praise which Elizabeth bestows upon the grace of faith. "Blessed," she says, "is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" We need not wonder that this holy woman should thus commend faith. No doubt she was well acquainted with the Old Testament Scriptures. She knew the great things that faith had done. What is the whole history of God's saints in every age but a record of men and women who obtained a good report by faith? What is the simple story of all from Abel downwards but a narrative of redeemed sinners who believed, and so were blessed? By faith they embraced promises. By faith they lived. By faith they walked. By faith they endured hardships. By faith they looked to an unseen Savior, and good things yet to come. By faith they battled with the world, the flesh, and the devil. By faith they overcame, and got safely home. Of this goodly company the Virgin Mary was proving herself one. No wonder that Elizabeth said, "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" Do we know anything of this precious faith? This, after all, is the question that concerns us. Do we know anything of the faith of God's elect, the faith which is the working of God? (Titus 1:2. Col.2:12.) Let us never rest until we know it by experience. Once knowing it, let us never cease to pray that our faith may grow exceedingly. Better a thousand times be rich in faith than rich in gold. Gold will be worthless in the unseen world to which we are all traveling. Faith will be owned in that world before God the Father and the holy angels. When the great white throne is set, and the books are opened, when the dead are called from their graves, and receiving their final sentence, the value of faith will at length be fully known. (Rev 20:11-15-note) Men will learn then, if they never learned before, how true are the words, "Blessed are those who believed." (Ryle)

There shall be a performance of those things
That loving heart hath waited long to see;
Those words shall be fulfilled to which she clings,
Because her God hath promised faithfully;
And, knowing Him, she ne’er can doubt His Word;
“He speaks and it is done.” The mighty Lord!

There shall be a performance of those things,
O burdened heart, rest ever in His care;
In quietness beneath His shadowing wings
Await the answer to thy longing prayer.
When thou hast “cast thy care,” the heart then sings,
There shall be a performance of those things.

There shall be a performance of those things,
O tired heart, believe and wait and pray;
At eventide the peaceful vesper rings,
Though cloud and rain and storm have filled the day.
Faith pierces through the mist of doubt that bars
The coming night sometimes, and finds the stars.

There shall be a performance of those things,
O trusting heart, the Lord to thee hath told;
Let Faith and Hope arise, and plume their wings,
And soar towards the sunrise clouds of gold;
The portals of the rosy dawn swing wide,
Revealing joys the darkening night did hide.
—Bessie Porter.

Blessed (3107)(makarios from root makar, but others say from mak = large or lengthy) means to be happy, but not in the usual sense of happiness based on positive circumstances. From the Biblical perspective Makarios describes the person who is free from daily cares and worries because his every breath and circumstance is in the hands of His Maker Who gives him such an assurance (such a "blessing"). As discussed below makarios was used to describe the kind of happiness that comes from receiving divine favor.

Markarios is used 50x in the NT with 17 uses by Luke - Lk. 1:45; Lk. 6:20; Lk. 6:21; Lk. 6:22; Lk. 7:23; Lk. 10:23; Lk. 11:27; Lk. 11:28; Lk. 12:37; Lk. 12:38; Lk. 12:43; Lk. 14:14; Lk. 14:15; Lk. 23:29;Acts 20:35; Acts 26:2

Who believed (4100)(pisteuo) means to be persuaded of, to place one's confidence in, to trust, to express reliance upon. Belief in the New Testament sense that effects the new birth denotes more than intellectual assent to a set of facts or truths. The demons believe but they are clearly not saved (Jas 2:19+). Genuine belief does involve an intellectual assent and consent of one's mind, but also includes an act of one's heart and will. Biblical saving faith is not passive assent but an active staking of one's life on the claims of God. The respected Greek lexicon author W E Vine defines belief as consisting of (1) a firm conviction which produces full acknowledgment of God's revelation of Truth, (2) a personal surrender to the Truth (3) a conduct inspired by and consistent with that surrender. Vincent: "The verb means to persuade, to cause belief, to induce one to do something by persuading, and so runs into the meaning of to obey, properly as the result of persuasion" Relationship of believing & obedience: FAITH is of the heart, invisible to men. OBEDIENCE is of the conduct and may be observed. When a man obeys God he gives the only possible evidence that in his heart he believes God. Faith ALONE saves, but the faith that truly saves is NOT ALONE!

Pisteuo in Luke and Acts - Lk. 1:20; Lk. 1:45; Lk. 8:12; Lk. 8:13; Lk. 8:50; Lk. 16:11; Lk. 20:5; Lk. 22:67; Lk. 24:25; Acts 2:44; Acts 4:4; Acts 4:32; Acts 5:14; Acts 8:12; Acts 8:13; Acts 8:37; Acts 9:26; Acts 9:42; Acts 10:43; Acts 11:17; Acts 11:21; Acts 13:12; Acts 13:39; Acts 13:41; Acts 13:48; Acts 14:1; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:5; Acts 15:7; Acts 15:11; Acts 16:31; Acts 16:34; Acts 17:12; Acts 17:34; Acts 18:8; Acts 18:27; Acts 19:2; Acts 19:4; Acts 19:18; Acts 21:20; Acts 21:25; Acts 22:19; Acts 24:14; Acts 26:27; Acts 27:25

A fulfillment (5050)(teleiosis) when speaking of an action refers to the "actualization of a promise" (accomplishment; achievement; completing of) as here in Lk 1:45. The only other NT uses of teleiosis refers to a completion of spiritual preparation ("perfection" in Heb 7:11)

Warren Wiersbe - These words were spoken to Mary by Elizabeth, who in spite of her great age was pregnant with John the Baptist. God was doing great things for both of these women. God had announced great things to Mary and would do great things for her, not because she herself was great but because she put her faith in the true and living God who alone is great. How wonderful it would be if every Christian today would surrender to the Lord as Mary did (Luke 1:38). Then the Lord would do the “greater works” Jesus promised his church (John 14:12–14), and the unbelieving world would sit up and take notice. If we truly want to see “greater works” in our lives we must follow the example of Mary. .(Bible Exposition Commentary)

There is grace to receive. Whenever God wants to do something great in and through one of his children, he always begins with grace. He called the aged Abraham and Sarah to found the Jewish nation and in his grace gave them a son. He chose Moses to lead his people from Egypt to the Promised Land and graciously equipped him to do the job. He called Joshua to claim the Promised Land for Israel and gave him the grace he needed to defeat every enemy. God’s calling always includes his equipping and enabling, if we surrender to him and walk by faith. “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). If you are chosen by God to serve in some way, and you feel inadequate, that is a good sign! Just say with Paul, “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10). The servant who feels adequate will fail; the servant who feels inadequate will glorify God. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (v. 9).

There is a promise to believe. We do not live on explanations; we live on promises. Dr. Bob Cook used to remind us, “If you can explain what’s going on, God didn’t do it.” Elizabeth’s husband, Zacharias, did not believe God’s promise and was mute until his son was born (Luke 1:18–20). Mary’s song of praise reveals that she knew the Old Testament Scriptures, especially Hannah’s praise song in 1 Samuel 2:1–11, for “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). “I used to think that I should close my Bible and pray for faith,” said evangelist D. L. Moody, “but I came to see that it was from studying the Word that I was to get faith.” So let’s pray for faith and then open the Bible! When the Lord wants us to do something, he always gives us a promise from Scripture that will carry us through.

There is a purpose to achieve. Elizabeth said there would be a fulfillment of all God said he would do—and there was! The Lord told Mary that her Son would be the Savior (Jesus means “savior”) and the King (Luke 1:31–33), and God kept his word. “There has not failed one word of all His good promise,” said King Solomon (1 Kings 8:56). It has often been said that the Lord is not looking for better methods but for better men and women of faith. In Christian living and serving, it is faith that makes the difference, for “the just shall live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4). What God calls us to do may look impossible, but as the angel Gabriel told Mary, “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37). First Mary surrendered to the Lord (v. 38), experienced God’s grace, and claimed God’s promise. Then she rejoiced in the Lord, and so may we. “Then they believed His words; they sang His praise” (Ps. 106:12). Blessed are those who believe! (New Testament Words for Today: 100 Devotional Reflections)

No one is holy like the LORD,
For there is none besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.
1 Samuel 2:2

Luke 1:46 And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord,

CSB Luke 1:46 And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

ESV Luke 1:46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,

GWN Luke 1:46 Mary said, "My soul praises the Lord's greatness!

KJV Luke 1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

NET Luke 1:46 And Mary said, "My soul exalts the Lord,

NAB Luke 1:46 And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

NIV Luke 1:46 And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord

NLT Luke 1:46 Mary responded, "Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.

NJB Luke 1:46 And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

YLT Luke 1:46 And Mary said, 'My soul doth magnify the Lord,

1 Sa. 2:1. Ps. 34:2, 3; 35:9; 103:1, 2. Is. 24:15, 16; 45:25; 61:10. Hab. 3:17, 18. Ro. 5:11. 1 Co. 1:31. 2 Co. 2:14. Phi. 3:3; 4:4. 1 Pe. 1:8.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:46 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

MARY'S SONG
THE MAGNIFICAT

And Mary said: "My soul (psuche) exalts (megaluno) the Lord (kurios) - Having seen the confirmation of the miraculous birth in Elizabeth, and full of faith that her miraculous birth would soon come to pass, she breaks out in praise and worship of the Lord. Notice where her worship originates - from her soul. Real worship, the heart worship that pleases Yahweh comes with within, from the soul, in distinction from external worship as God described in Isaiah 29:13

Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote

See related passages - Mt 15:7-9, Isaiah 48:1, Jeremiah 12:2, Ezekiel 33:31, Amos 5:21-24

And Mary said: "My soul (psuche) exalts (megaluno) the Lord" (kurios) - ESV has "My soul magnifies the Lord." Here Mary uses soul and in the next verse uses spirit which is difficult to interpret dogmatically but, setting aside detailed theological discussion and approaching this simplistically, this combination of soul and spirit supports the premise that Mary is singing these words with all of her being! I am reminded of the words of David who cries out "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. (Ps 103:1-see Spurgeon). Notice that the verb exalts or magnifies is in the present tense signifying that the Lord's praise was continually in her mouth (cf Ps 34:1)! O blessed state for all to attain! "Her heart filled to overflowing with thanksgiving for that which God had done for her" (Hendriksen) and considering what God has done for us, should we do any less?

THOUGHT - Let me suggest you take a few moments from your busy day and sing praise to your Lord from the depths of your soul as you watch Shane and Shane's incredible version of "Is He Worthy?" This song will cause you to dig deep into your soul as you sing to Him and likely your eyes won't be dry when you finish singing this great anthem of praise! You won't regret it and for the rest of your day may God grant that you continue to recall the refrain "He is worthy!" Amen! (Rev 4:11+, Rev 5:2, 9, 12+) Your perspective on everything changes when you sing from the depths of your soul "He is Worthy!"

Luke 1:46-55 - "Magnificat anima mea Dominum" which means "My soul magnifies the Lord!" It is interesting that Mary's Song (Psalm) is one of the few praise psalms in the NT. Her opening words remind us of the words of David...

1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice.
3 O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. (Psalm 34:1-3)

THOUGHT - Praise is a good pattern for all of us! Like David, Mary's great desire was to magnify the Lord…NOT herself! She does this with some 20 references to God in her song.She praises God eight times for what He has done (“He has”)

Spurgeon adds this note on praise continually in my mouth - His praise shall continually be in my mouth, not in my heart merely, but in my mouth too. Our thankfulness is not to be a dumb thing; it should be one of the daughters of music. Our tongue is our glory, and it ought to reveal the glory of God. What a blessed mouthful is God's praise! How sweet, how purifying, how perfuming! If men's mouths were always thus filled, there would be no repining against God, or slander of neighbours. If we continually rolled this dainty morsel under our tongue, the bitterness of daily affliction would be swallowed up in joy. God deserves blessing with the heart, and extolling with the mouth--good thoughts in the closet, and good words in the world.

As Ralph Earle explains "Mary's song is called the Magnificat because the first word of it in Latin is magnificat, "magnifies" (the verb is usually first in a Latin sentence). In the Greek also the verb comes first here: megalunei, "makes great."

Constable has some interesting introductory comments - This “Magnificat” has strong connections with Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving in 1 Samuel 2:1–10. However it also alludes to at least 12 other Old Testament passages. Mary’s familiarity with the Old Testament shows her love for God and His Word. A striking feature of this poem is the fact that Mary viewed God as overthrowing established authorities (v. 52). This would have been of special interest to Luke’s original readers. She viewed herself as occupying an important role in the history of salvation (v. 48).

Ray Pritchard outlines Mary's "Psalm of Praise" in Luke 1:46-55 as follows:

Luke 1:46-50 - Mary gives here personal reasons for her praise - "Mary is reflecting on what it means to her to be chosen to bear the Messiah. She is praising God for his great mercy to her personally. Her words are personal and her point of view is turned inward." (Ray Pritchard)
Luke 1:51-55 - Mary gives Israel's reasons for her praise - "Mary seems to fade from view; she is praising God for the effects the coming of Christ will have on the world. Her point of view is outward and her words are global in their scope. Finally, we can observe the two stanzas by noting that each one ends with a reference to God’s mercy (Lk 1:50, 54)."

There is similarity to Hannah's song of praise

HANNAH'S SONG (It is a beautiful, powerful song worth taking the time to read) - Then Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD, My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. (Lxx = soteria) 2 “There is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. 3 “Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed. 4 “The bows of the mighty are shattered, But the feeble gird on strength. 5 “Those who were full hire themselves out for bread, But those who were hungry cease to hunger. Even the barren gives birth to seven, But she who has many children languishes. 6 “The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 “The LORD makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts. 8 “He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with nobles, And inherit a seat of honor; For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, And He set the world on them. 9 “He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail. 10 “Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered; Against them He will thunder in the heavens, The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; And He will give strength to His king, And will exalt the horn of His anointed *(HEBREW = mashiach; LXX = Christos = CLEARLY A MESSIANIC PROPHECY).” (1 Sa 2:1-10)

Soul (5590)(psuche) or psyche from psucho = to breathe, blow, English = psychology, "study of the soul") is the breath, then that which breathes, the individual, animated creature. Richard Watson says the soul is "that immortal, immaterial, active substance or principle in man, whereby he perceives, remembers, reasons, and wills" and in Mary's case sings praise to the Lord!

Gotquestions summarizes Soul - "Simply stated, the human soul is the part of a person that is not physical. It is the part of every human being that lasts eternally after the body experiences death. Ge 35:18 describes the death of Rachel, Jacob’s wife, saying she named her son “as her soul was departing.” From this we know that the soul is different from the body and that it continues to live after physical death. The human soul is central to the personhood of a human being. As George MacDonald said, “You don’t have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.” In other words, personhood is not based on having a body. (See the full article What is the human soul?)

Baker Evangelical Dictionary Soul

Holman Bible Dictionary Soul

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Soul

Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Soul Soul

Vines' Expository Dictionary Soul

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Soul

Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Soul

McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Human Soul

Exalts (3170)(megaluno from megas - great) to make or declare great. Of course we don't make God great, but declare that He is great! In the literal sense it means to physically enlarge (as the tassels of one's garment - Mt 23:5) It can mean to show great mercy to someone or to do him great kindness as below in Lk 1:58+. Most commonly in the NT megaluno means to magnify or praise (Luke 1:46; Acts 5:13; Acts 10:46; 19:17; 2 Cor. 10:15; Phil. 1:20; Sept.: 2 Sam. 7:26; Ps. 34:3; 69:31).To cause something or someone in this case to be held in great esteem.

Megaluno - 8x in 8v- Usage: displayed...great(1), enlarged(1), exalted(1), exalting(1), exalts(1), held...in high esteem(1), high esteem(1), lengthen(1), magnified(1).

Matthew 23:5 “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels [of their garments.

Luke 1:46 And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord,

Luke 1:58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her.

Acts 5:13+ But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.

Acts 10:46+ For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered,

Acts 19:17+ This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified.

2 Corinthians 10:15 not boasting beyond [our] measure, [that is,] in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,

Philippians 1:20+ according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but [that] with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

Megaluno - 70x in the Septuagint (Lxx) - Note prominence of in the Psalms which is fitting for here in Luke 1:46 it introduces Mary's "Psalm of Praise." -

Gen. 12:2; Gen. 19:19; Gen. 43:34; Num. 15:3; Num. 15:8; 1 Sam. 2:21; 1 Sam. 2:26; 1 Sam. 3:19; 1 Sam. 12:24; 1 Sam. 26:24; 2 Sam. 5:10; 2 Sam. 7:22; 2 Sam. 7:26; 2 Sam. 22:51; 1 Ki. 1:37; 1 Ki. 1:47; 1 Ki. 10:23; 1 Chr. 11:9; 1 Chr. 29:12; 1 Chr. 29:25; 2 Chr. 1:1; 2 Chr. 9:22; Ezr. 9:6; Job 7:17; Job 19:5; Ps. 12:4; Ps. 18:50; Ps. 20:5; Ps. 20:7; Ps. 34:3; Ps. 35:27; Ps. 40:16; Ps. 41:9; Ps. 57:10; Ps. 69:30; Ps. 70:4; Ps. 92:5; Ps. 104:1; Ps. 104:24; Ps. 126:2; Ps. 126:3; Ps. 138:2; Prov. 8:16; Eccl. 1:16; Eccl. 2:4; Eccl. 2:9; Isa. 42:21; Jer. 5:27; Jer. 31:13; Jer. 48:26; Jer. 48:42; Lam. 1:9; Lam. 2:13; Lam. 4:6; Ezek. 9:9; Ezek. 16:7; Ezek. 24:9; Ezek. 38:23; Dan. 2:48; Joel 2:20; Joel 2:21; Amos 8:5; Mic. 1:10; Mic. 5:4; Zeph. 2:8; Zeph. 2:10; Zech. 12:7; Zech. 12:11; Mal. 1:5;

Representative uses of megaluno in the Septuagint (Lxx) -

Genesis 12:2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; (Lxx = megaluno) And so you shall be a blessing;

Psalm 20:7 Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast (Lxx = megaluno - we will glory in, exalt in) in the name of the LORD, our God. (Psa 20:7 NAU)

Psalms 34:3 O magnify (Lxx = megaluno - aorist imperative - command to magnify Jehovah) the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.

Psalm 35:27 Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication; And let them say continually, "The LORD be magnified (Lxx = megaluno - aorist imperative - command to magnify Jehovah), Who delights in the prosperity of His servant."

Lord (master, owner)(2962)(kurios from kuros = might or power) means that God is the supreme One, the One Who is sovereign over everything and everyone and Who therefore possesses absolute authority, absolute ownership and uncontested power. In short there is no equal to Kurios! This truth should either encourage you (believer) or frighten you (unbeliever)! There is no middle ground with His Lordship! We do not make Jesus Lord as I sometimes hear! No, He is Lord and His Lordship is inseparable from His role as Savior and Redeemer. Now even though I equate Lord here with Jesus, there is clearly some ambiguity in the use and it could justifiably be seen as identifying the Father or the Son. Certainly the Father is described elsewhere as Savior (cf. Titus 1:4; 2:13; 3:6).

Norman Geisler - When Critics Ask -

LUKE 1:46—Was Mary born sinless as Roman Catholics claim?

PROBLEM: Roman Catholics claim that Mary the mother of Jesus was immaculately conceived (i.e., conceived without sin). However, with the exception of Christ, the Bible asserts that every human being is born in sin (Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12). Was Mary immaculately conceived?

SOLUTION: Mary the mother of Jesus was the most blessed among women (see comments on Luke 1:28ff). However, she was not sinless, and the Bible makes this clear in many ways.

First, David declared for all human beings, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me” (Ps. 51:5).

Second, Paul affirmed that every human born of natural parents since Adam’s time sinned in Adam, for “through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned [in Adam]” (Rom. 5:12).

Third, there is absolutely no trace anywhere in the Bible that Mary was an exception to the rule that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). In Christ’s case, however, it points out repeatedly that He was human, yet without sin (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 3:3).

Finally, Mary proclaimed her own sinfulness when she confessed, “my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46). Like everyone else, Mary too needed a Savior.

Spurgeon's comment on Psalm 103:1 -

Bless the Lord o my soul - Soul music is the very soul of music. The Psalmist strikes the best keynote when he begins with stirring up his inmost self to magnify the Lord. He soliloquizes, holds self-communion and exhorts himself, as though he felt that dullness would all too soon steal over his faculties, as, indeed, it will over us all, unless we are diligently on the watch. Jehovah is worthy to be praised by us in that highest style of adoration which is intended by the term bless "All thy works praise thee, O God, but thy saints shall bless thee." Our very life and essential self should be engrossed with this delightful service, and each one of us should arouse his own heart to the engagement. Let others forbear if they can: "Bless the Lord, O MY soul." Let others murmur, but do thou bless. Let others bless themselves and their idols, but do thou bless the LORD. Let others use only their tongues, but as for me I will cry, "Bless the Lord, O my soul."

And all that is within me, bless his holy name. Many are our faculties, emotions, and capacities, but God has given them all to us, and they ought all to join in chorus to his praise. Half-hearted, ill-conceived, unintelligent praises are not such as we should render to our loving Lord. If the law of justice demanded all our heart and soul and mind for the Creator, much more may the law of gratitude put in a comprehensive claim for the homage of our whole being to the God of grace. It is instructive to note how the Psalmist dwells upon the holy name of God, as if his holiness were dearest to him; or, perhaps, because the holiness or wholeness of God was to his mind the grandest motive for rendering to him the homage of his nature in its wholeness. Babes may praise the divine goodness, but fathers in grace magnify his holiness. By the name we understand the revealed character of God, and assuredly those songs which are suggested, not by our fallible reasoning and imperfect observation, but by unerring inspiration, should more than any others arouse all our consecrated powers.

William Barclay - HERE we have a passage which has become one of the great hymns of the church-the Magnificat. It is saturated in the Old Testament; and is specially kin to Hannah’s song of praise in 1 Samuel 2:1–10. It has been said that religion is the opiate of the people; but, as Stanley Jones said, “the Magnificat is the most revolutionary document in the world.” It speaks of three of the revolutions of God.

(i) He scatters the proud in the plans of their hearts. That is a moral revolution. Christianity is the death of pride. Why? Because if a man sets his life beside that of Christ it tears the last vestiges of pride from him. Sometimes something happens to a man which with a vivid, revealing light shames him. O. Henry has a short story about a lad who was brought up in a village. In school he used to sit beside a girl and they were fond of each other. He went to the city and fell into evil ways. He became a pickpocket and a petty thief. One day he snatched an old lady’s purse. It was clever work and he was pleased. And then he saw coming down the street the girl whom he used to know, still sweet with the radiance of innocence. Suddenly he saw himself for the cheap, vile thing he was. Burning with shame, he leaned his head against the cool iron of a lamp standard. “God,” he said, “I wish I could die.” He saw himself. Christ enables a man to see himself. It is the deathblow to pride. The moral revolution has begun.

(ii) He casts down the mighty—he exalts the humble. That is a social revolution. Christianity puts an end to the world’s labels and prestige. Muretus was a wandering scholar of the middle ages. He was poor. In an Italian town he took ill and was taken to a hospital for waifs and strays. The doctors were discussing his case in Latin, never dreaming he could understand. They suggested that since he was such a worthless wanderer they might use him for medical experiments. He looked up and answered them in their own learned tongue, “Call no man worthless for whom Christ died.” When we have realized what Christ did for all men, it is no longer possible to speak about a common man. The social grades are gone.

(iii) He has filled those who are hungry … those who are rich he has sent empty away. That is an economic revolution. A non-Christian society is an acquisitive society where each man is out to amass as much as he can get. A Christian society is a society where no man dares to have too much while others have too little, where every man must get only to give away. There is loveliness in the Magnificat but in that loveliness there is dynamite. Christianity begets a revolution in each man and revolution in the world. (Daily Study Bible - Luke)

The Song Of Mary

Read: Luke 1:39-56 | Bible in a Year: Micah 4-5; Revelation 12

Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord.. —Luke 1:46

Mary was troubled. She had just heard the words, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you” (Lk. 1:28). Comforting words, it would seem, but startling because they were spoken by an angel.

Mary was about to be presented with the most magnificent news ever, yet she was fearful. And when the angel told her she would have a baby, she exclaimed, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” (v.34).

Those two facts about Mary—that she was troubled and that she questioned the angel—tell us she was a person like us, with normal concerns.

Yet, after listening to the angel, Mary called herself “the maidservant of the Lord,” and she said, “Let it be to me according to your word” (v.38). She was a humble, godly servant, with a willingness to do God’s will.

We see more of Mary’s heart in her eloquent prayer, known as the Magnificat, the Song of Mary (vv.46-55). Here she rejoiced in God’s holiness (v.49), His mercy (v.50), His strength (vv.51-52), His care for the hungry (v.53), and His goodness to His people (vv.54-55).

We can learn from Mary to trust God despite our concerns and fears, and to praise Him for His greatness. That’s what the song of Mary is all about.

God's unsearchable ways deserve our unbounded praise.

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior" Luke 1:46, 47

A Baltimore congregation found the answer to its financial troubles on a church wall. And it had been "hiding" there for more than twenty-five years! Someone finally recognized a piece of art hanging in the chapel as a valuable woodblock print by Albrecht DDrer, dated 1493. The work shows the angel telling Mary she would give birth to God's Son. Some members just couldn't believe they had underestimated the value of the old masterpiece, saying in effect, "If it were real, why would it he here?" What about us? Are we underestimating the value of the event depicted on that woodblock print? Jesus isn't hiding. The truth that God came to earth in human form is plainly announced in His Word. It is reflected in our art and in our hymnbooks. But the significance of Christ's birth is still neglected. Let's not get so wrapped up in activities and pro-grams that we miss the immeasurable worth of knowing who that Baby was. M. R. D. II

CHRIST'S BIRTH BROUGHT THE INFINITE GOD TO FINITE MAN.

James Smith - VISITED AND REDEEMED. Luke 1:46.

A PROPHETIC SONG.

I. The Visitor. The Lord God. (1) The need of a Visitor. —Man's lost and helpless condition. (2) The Promise. —"I will surely visit you" (Exod. 3:16). (3) The Wonder. —"What is man that Thou visitest him. ?" (Psa. 8:4). (4) The manner. —"God was in Christ reconciling the world" (2 Cor. 5:19).

II. The Visited. His People. (1) They knew Him not (John 1:11). (2) They knew not their time of visitation (Luke 19:44). (3) They rejected Him (John 19:14).

III. The Purpose. To Redeem. (1) Who? Thy Maker is thy Redeemer (Isa. 54:5). (2) How? By giving Himself a ransom (Matt. 20:28). (3) What from? (Titus 2:14). (4) What to? To God, to holiness, and to service (Luke 1:74-75).

QUESTION - What is the Magnificat?

ANSWER - The Magnificat is Mary’s prayer/poem/hymn of praise found in Luke 1:46–55.

Luke 1 records many of the events preliminary to the birth of Jesus, leading up to the famous passage in Luke 2. The Magnificat is part of this introductory section of Luke.

Luke 1:5–24 foretells the coming of John the Baptist, who is to prepare the way for the Messiah. An angel appears to the priest Zechariah while he is performing his duties in the temple and tells him that he will have a son whom he is to name John. This is shocking news, since Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, are childless. Elizabeth had been barren and is well past child-bearing years. Elizabeth also happens to be the cousin of Mary.

In Luke 1:26–38 an angel appears to Mary and explains that, even though she is a virgin, she is to give birth to the Messiah. While Mary expresses great faith, no doubt she also had a lot of questions and some uncertainty, as this was something completely different from anything that had ever happened to any other human being. Perhaps she wondered how her parents and Joseph, her fiancé, would respond. (We know from Matthew 1 that this was an issue!) So, perhaps wanting to talk to someone outside of her immediate family circle, Mary decided to visit her cousin Elizabeth in the Judean hill country.

Luke 1:39–45 records the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth. Elizabeth, who is about 6 months pregnant at this time, is filled with the Holy Spirit and reports that, the moment she heard Mary’s voice, her unborn baby (John) leaped in her womb. Elizabeth then goes on to bless Mary.

In Luke 1:46–55 Mary responds to Elizabeth’s blessing with what is now commonly called the Magnificat. Some Bibles will label this passage the “Song of Mary,” although the Bible does not report that she sang it. (The Magnificat is poetic and is now sung at various services during the Advent/Christmas season, especially in churches with a liturgical tradition.) The first line of Mary’s response is translated variously:

• NASB: My soul exalts the Lord
• NIV: My soul glorifies the Lord
• KJV: My soul doth magnify the Lord
• ESV: My soul magnifies the Lord

The Latin translation of Mary’s response begins with the word magnificat, which simply means “magnify” (or “exalt,” “glorify,” etc.). The Magnificat is a poem of praise to God, praising Him for His blessing to Mary and His faithfulness to Israel. The Magnificat also highlights a series of reversals in which the proud are humbled and the humble are exalted—not the least being a poor young girl who will be the mother of the Messiah.

Here is the text of the Magnificat, as found in the English Standard Version:

My soul magnifies the Lord,
    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.

Commentators have pointed out that the Magnificat is full of quotations of and allusions to passages in the Old Testament. Many of the truths Mary expresses find a counterpart in Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1–10. The Magnificat also foreshadows many themes that are addressed later in the book of Luke and in the ministry of Jesus.GotQuestions.org

James Smith - HOLY JOY Luke 1:46–55

“Bethlehem and Calvary—
A human child that God might die;
This the stupendous mystery.
Bethlehem and Calvary—
Sweet picture of humility,
And earth and Hell’s hostility.”

Bethlehem and Calvary are the two poles of Divine grace and human guilt. In the one we see the evidence of God’s love to man, in the other the proof of man’s hatred to God.

In this chapter we have three holy songs:

1. The song of Elizabeth (vs. 41, 42).

2. The song of Mary (v. 46).

3. The song of Zacharias (v. 67).

It is with the song of Mary that we have now specially to do. It is pleasant to think of Mary as a singer. Did ever mortal voice sing a sweeter song than this? Her joy was holy, deep, Divine. It was—

1. Spiritual joy. “My spirit hath rejoiced” (v. 47). The tidings of the grace of God, in the gift of His Son, filled her soul with joy and made her spirit sing. The Gospel of God is intended to reach the very spirit of man, to touch and revive the innermost spring of His being. The lip songs of the hypocrite and the sentimental songs of the world never penetrate to the needy spirit in man.

2. Joy in God. “My spirit hath rejoiced in God” (v. 47). God revealed Himself, and He was known to Mary in the gift of His Son, and so known and believed that her spirit rejoiced in God. It cannot be said of us that we know God if in our spirits we do not rejoice in Him. We joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:11). The joy that is in God is pure and blameless, and may be changeless and eternal.

3. Joy of salvation. “My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour” (v. 47). How near the heart of the virgin mother comes to her God in these words, “MY SAVIOUR” Mary needed a Saviour, and she found Him in the Son of the Highest, begotten in her by the power of the Holy Ghost. Where and how else can we find Him? My Lord and my God. Christ dwells in our hearts by faith.

4. Praiseful joy. “My soul doth magnify the Lord” (v. 46). Even the joy of salvation may be a selfish joy, but the joy of adoration is God-glorifying. Hannah also knew this double joy. Joy in the salvation of the Lord, and joy in the Lord Himself (1 Sam. 2:1). O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His Name together (Psa. 34:3).

5. Grateful joy. “For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden” (v. 48). She is deeply conscious that she could never merit the exceptional honour conferred upon her. No more can ye. Every one who knows God and lives in the light of His presence cannot but be conscious of his or her utter unworthiness of such love and favour. It is when, like Mary, we are in the low estate that the Lord will lift us up. Humble thyself and He will honour thee (Psa. 138:6).

6. Hopeful joy. “Behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed” (v. 48). She was blessed indeed, and blessed down through the generations, all because of her very close relationship to both her Lord and ours. May we not learn from this that it is our nearness to Christ that is to tell on our children and the generations yet to come? The memory of the wicked shall rot, rot like a rootless, lifeless tree, but those planted by the river shall never wither (Psa. 1:3).

7. Reasonable joy. “For He that is mighty hath done to me great things” (v. 49). When we are so really conscious that the Lord hath done great things for us and in us, by the mighty operation of His Holy Spirit, the joy becomes, as it were, natural. The fruit of the Spirit is joy. The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad (Psa. 126:3). Think on these things. He that is mighty is still able to do for us great things (Eph. 3:20).

8. Joy that constrained to testimony. In the following verses (50–55) Mary testifies to—

1. THE POWER OF GOD. “He scattereth the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, He hath sent the rich empty away. The arm that is strong to save is also strong to smite down everything that exalts itself against God. Those who know the joy of the Lord know this also.

2. THE GRACE OF GOD. “His mercy is on them that fear Him.” “He hath exalted them of low degree.” “He hath filled the hungry with good things.” “By grace are ye saved, that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Luke 18:14). It is the hungry and thirsty that are filled (Matt. 5:6). Our testimony will be blessed if it is given as Mary gave hers.

Luke 1:47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

God my Savior . Luke 2:11. Is. 12:2, 3; 45:21, 22. Zep. 3:14–17. Zec. 9:9. 1 Ti. 1:1. Titus 2:10, 13; 3:4–6.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:47 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

REJOICING IN
GOD MY SAVIOR

In Luke 1:46 her soul exalts in the Lord and here it is her spirit that rejoiced. Mary's entire being was affected by the presence of Jesus in her womb. Imagine the effect He will have on us when we see Him in glory! I can only imagine!

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior (soter) - As alluded to in comments on the previous passage Mary does not seem to make a major theological distinction between soul (v46) and spirit (v47). As Leon Morris said "We should not make a difference between soul and spirit, the change being nothing more than poetic parallelism." (TNTC) Rejoiced is the picture of her spirit jumping for joy. The source of her great joy is God my Savior. She says "MY" Savior indicating her personal possession of God as HER Savior. He is not God THE Savior but is God HER Savior (contrast the prevalent reaction by other Jews in Jn 1:11+). Mary was an Old Testament believer, one looking forward to Messiah's coming, while New Testament believers look back to His first coming, and anticipate eagerly His Second Coming (cf Titus 2:13+). Mary knew her need! Mary was not sinless, but like every human being born in the line of Adam (Ro 5:12+, cf 1 Cor 15:22) was in desperate need for a Savior to save her from the wages of sin which are eternal death (Ro 6:23+) and eternal separation from God and His glorious Kingdom (2 Th 1:9). Spurgeon agrees writing that Mary "needed a Saviour, you see. Though about to become the mother of Jesus, Mary did not think herself without sin. Her eyes still looked to Him Who should be her Saviour from guilt and condemnation." (Luke 1)

A T Robertson on spirit - One need not press unduly the difference between “soul” in verse 46 and “spirit” here. Bruce calls them synonyms in parallel clauses.

In God my Savior - My Savior in Greek is Soter which is has several meanings which could be translated - My Rescuer, My Deliverer, My Preserver, My Protector, My Healer! Mary acknowledges her need for a Savior, which signifies she recognizes she is a sinner! A non-Biblically based teaching proposes that Mary was free from original sin, but she herself proclaims her need for a Savior and her Son is named "Jesus (Jehovah Saves), for He will save His people from their sins.” (Mt 1:21+). And Paul makes it very clear that all human flesh is born with Adam's "sin virus" writing "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to ALL men (AND WOMEN INCLUDING MARY), because ALL (HOW MANY?) sinned" (DID PAUL MEAN MARY ALSO SINNED? YES HE DID!) (Ro 5:12+). So if you have been taught that Mary was sinless, you have been taught a false doctrine based on the imperfect words of men and that doctrine is clearly and dogmatically refuted by the perfect Word of God. It is a dangerous thing to argue with God and His holy Word, because there can be eternal consequences!

Ralph Earle on Luke 1:46, 47 - In these two lines (Lk 1:46-47) we have a good example of poetic parallelism, the main feature of Hebrew poetry in the OT. Both lines say essentially the same thing, Luke majors on joy and praise throughout his Gospel. (Incidentally, it is obvious that these two lines should have been put in the same verse!) (Adding on God my Savior) This phrase is a familiar one in the Septuagint (Lxx), where it represents the Hebrew expression "God of my salvation" (ED: THE EXACT GREEK PHRASE IS FOUND IN THE SEPTUAGINT OF Micah 7:7 and Hab 3:18 SO ONE COULD SAY MARY IS QUOTING OT SCRIPTURE HERE!). In the NT it is primarily Christ who is Savior. (Word Meanings)

John Phillips on Mary's exclamation of my Savior - So much for the so-called "Immaculate Conception of the blessed virgin Mary." Mary owned herself to be in need of a Savior (Lk 1:47)."

Liefeld - "Note that in beginning the Magnificat by praising ‘God my Savior,’ Mary answered the Roman Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception, which holds that from the moment of her conception Mary was by God’s grace ‘kept free from all taint of Original Sin.’ Only sinners need a Savior.” (See Luke-Acts - Expositor's Bible Commentary)

Rejoiced (Exulted, Jumped for joy) (21)(agalliao from agan = much + hallomai = jump; gush, leap, spring up) means literally to "jump much", "leap for joy", skip and jump with happy excitement and so to be exceedingly joyful, overjoyed or exuberantly happy. The idea is Mary demonstrated her excessive, ecstatic joy by leaping and skipping (if not literally certainly feeling like it!). Barclay adds that agalliao "is the joy which leaps for joy. As it has been put, it is the joy of the climber who has reached the summit, and who leaps for joy that the mountain path is conquered."

Savior (4990)(soter from sozo = rescue from peril > from saos = safe; delivered) refers to the agent of salvation or deliverance, the one who rescues, delivers, saves and preserves. Anyone who saves or delivers can be called a deliverer or rescuer (a soter). Greeks used soter as a title of divinities such as Asclepius, the god of healing. Soter was used by the mystery religions to refer to their divinities. At an early date soter was used as a title of honor for deserving men, e.g., Epicurus (300BC) was called "soter" by his followers. Soter was used as a designation of the "deified" ruler, e.g., Ptolemy I Soter (323-285BC). In Jude 1:25+ and Titus 3:4+ (cp Titus 1:3+; Titus 2:10+, 1 Ti 1:1, 2:3, 4:10) soter refers to the Father indicating the participation of the Trinity in salvation and placing Jesus on a par with the Father clearly. Thus the term Soter is another testimony to the fact that Jesus is God (cp 2 Pe 1:1+, Titus 2:13+). Soter used frequently in the Septuagint (Lxx) to translate the word "salvation" in reference to God (Ps. 24:5; Ps. 25:5; Ps. 27:1; Ps. 27:9; Ps. 62:2; Ps. 62:6; Ps. 65:5; Ps. 79:9; Ps. 95:1; Isa. 12:2; Isa. 17:10; Isa. 45:15; Isa. 45:21; Isa. 62:11; Mic. 7:7; Hab. 3:18)

Mary's words are very similar to those of the prophet Habakkuk (in fact "the God of my salvation" in the Lxx is identical to Luke's Greek suggesting that this is actually an OT quotation of Hab 3:18 by Mary)

Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice (Lxx - agalliao and chairo) in the God of my salvation (HEBREW = yesha‛ LXX = soter). (Hab 3:18+)

In Luke 2:10-11+ the angel recognizes Jesus as the soter...

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people (Jews and Gentiles); for today in the city of David (Bethlehem) there has been born for you a Savior (soter), Who is Christ the Lord.

Luke's two other uses of Soter referring to Jesus as Savior are in Acts -

Acts 5:31+ “He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 13:23+ “From the descendants of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus,

THOUGHT - Consider taking a moment to lift your hands and heart in praise to Our great Deliverer...below is Rich Mullins' song I had never heard until this morning...I began to weep and praise and lift my hands as I pondered Mary's words in Luke 1:47 with Mullins' words of praise in the song...MY DELIVERER. Praise our Deliverer, Jesus, Who saves us, Who "rescues us from the wrath to come." (1 Th 1:10+)

Related Resource:

What is the Immaculate Conception?

Luke 1:48 "For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.

CSB because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed,

ESV looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

GWN because he has looked favorably on me, his humble servant. "From now on, all people will call me blessed

KJV For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

NET because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant. For from now on all generations will call me blessed,

NAB For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.

NIV for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,

NLT For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.

NJB because he has looked upon the humiliation of his servant. Yes, from now onwards all generations will call me blessed,

YLT Because He looked on the lowliness of His maid-servant, For, lo, henceforth call me happy shall all the generations,

He has had regard. 1 Sa. 1:11; 2:8. 2 Sa. 7:8, 18, 19. Ps. 102:17; 113:7, 8; 136:23; 138:6. Is. 66:2. 1 Co. 1:26–28. Ja. 2:5, 6.
all generations. Luke 1:28, 42; Luke 11:27. Ge. 30:13. Mal. 3:12.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:48 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

For - always pause to ponder this term of explanation. Luke explains that Mary is rejoicing because in spite of her “humble state” (Lk 1:48) she has been blessed by the Lord.

Ray Pritchard - Dr. E. Stanley Jones, the great Methodist scholar, author and evangelist, said that the Magnificat was “the most revolutionary document in the history of the world.” That’s quite a statement to make, isn’t it? But consider this. Years before Dr. Jones made that statement, William Temple, the Archbishop of Canterbury, instructed his missionaries to India never to read the Magnificat in public when unbelievers were present. Why? Because in a country like India with all its poverty, this portion of Scripture, if taken out of context, would cause nothing but trouble.(from his sermon "Jesus The Revolutionary: Mary's Song" - Luke 1:48-55)

Brian Bell comments "A pregnant teen from Nazareth, engaged to marry a poor carpenter. What did Mary have to sing about? She sang about her Lord! It is both a song of present joy and a prophecy of future days. Mary knew the Scriptures for Mary’s song contains at least 15 OT quotations from or allusions in her song, especially from the Psalms and Hannah’s song that she’s known from infancy (1 Samuel 2) Mary hid God’s Word in her heart! And turned it into a song!

He has had regard (epiblepo) for the humble state (tapeinosis) of His bondslave (doule) - He had regard ("He has looked with favor" - CSB) pictures God as gazing at Mary attentively with concern regarding her humble state, her low status in Jewish society, a status which would soon be changed forever! Notice the phrase His bondslave (doule), indicating that Mary was God's possession (cf 1 Cor 6:19-20+); she was a doule (bondslave) belonging to God (Second time she acknowledges her state as a bondslave of the Lord - see Lk 1:38+). The word doule conveyed the idea of the slave's close, binding ties with their Master, not only belonging to Him but obligated to and desiring to do His will because of love for Him. In sum, the will of Mary the doule was consumed in the will of Her loving Master. She had no will of her own except to do His will! (A good pattern for all God's bondslaves to imitate). The mercy of the Lord which she experienced was so overwhelming and undeserved (read Lk 1:49–50) that she erupts in praise because of it.

MacArthur points out that Mary "is the first in the New Testament to identify herself as the Lord’s slave—a designation that becomes the norm for the saints (cf. Lk 2:29; 1 Cor. 7:22; Eph. 6:6; Rev. 1:1)" (See context in Luke Commentary)

THOUGHT- Beloved, can we not identify with Mary? Is not this emotive joy ours every Advent season as we remember Jesus is the real reason for the season? If joy does not fill us, it should, because we like Mary should realize that the mercy we received as a result of Jesus' first coming is just as undeserved, for we too were in a humble state outside of Christ! And so we should make the Spirit led choice to rejoice! We should never grow apathetic or lacksadaisical regarding our "so great a salvation!" (Heb 2:3+) And now can rejoice even more because we know Jesus is coming back! Jude links His future coming with future mercy exhorting us to "maintain ourselves in the love of God, while anticipating the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that brings eternal life." (Jude 1:21NET+)

Pritchard comments "isn’t that just like God to choose the most unlikely girl for the greatest privilege any woman would ever know? No wonder Mary says, “From now on all generations will call me blessed.” She didn’t know how true that statement was. After 2000 years we are still talking about Mary. Outside of Elizabeth, can you name even one other mother who lived in Israel in Mary’s day? The rest are all forgotten, but Mary is remembered forever." (Jesus The Revolutionary: Mary's Song)

For (gar) introduces a second explanation (Paul's writings are full of "for's"!). Mary explains why or how God showed that he had regard for her humble state. It would be by causing her to be counted blessed. This combination of humble and blessed is a perfect illustration of the fact that God's blessings have absolutely nothing to do with our earthly status or condition. When God blesses, He does so INDEPENDENT of the circumstances, in this case Mary's low estate socioeconomically!

Behold (idou) from this time on all generations (genea) will count me blessed (makarizo) - Behold is introduced to grab Elizabeth's (and our) attention. From this time on signifies that from this point on things will be different for Mary! (cf same idea in Lk 5:10+, Lk 12:52+, Lk 22:18, 69+) Elizabeth was the first generation to count Mary blessed in Luke 1:42+ declaring “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb (JESUS)!" And again in Lk 1:45+ Elizabeth declares "blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” Indeed, this prophecy has been fulfilled as all subsequent generations of people have regarded Mary as specially favored (blessed) by God because of His having chosen her to give birth to His only begotten Son.

J Vernon McGee encourages all us "Protestant friend, let us call her blessed. We don’t make her a goddess and kneel before her, but we do need to call her blessed. It was her glorious privilege to be the mother of the Son of God, to bring Him into the world. We should not play it down, but we should not play it up either. She was a wonderful person, and it was no accident that she was chosen by God. It was His definite decision, and God makes no mistakes." (See context in Thru the Bible)

He has had regard (looked upon) (1914)(epiblepo from epí = upon + blépo = look) means literally to look upon, to gaze at especially with a disposition to show favor, pity or partially. The "epi" prefix speaks of directing one's attention to (or upon). The ideas is to pay close attention and thus look attentively at, with implication of personal concern for the one looked at. Sadly this is the word chosen by the Septuagint (Lxx) translators to depict Lot's wife when she "looked back and she became a pillar of salt." (Ge 19:26, 28) Her "look" was not just a quick glance but a longing gaze and it cost her her life. I fear there is a little (or "lot") of Lot's wife in all of us! Epiblepo describes Jehovah when He "looked down on the arm of the Egyptians." (Ex 14:24) which was a demonstration of His regard for Israel (cp Lev 26:9 - "I will turn toward you..." in the Lxx = epiblepo - a promise to be fulfilled upon the nation of Israel in the endtimes)..

Humble state (low state) (5014)(tapeinosis is the noun derived from adjective tapeinos; cp the related derivative tapeinophrosune) means low, not high, not rising far from the ground. It speaks of Mary's condition as lowly or of low degree, low on the social scale, socially powerless, having little value (in the eyes of men but not God). The Greeks used tapeinos almost exclusively in a derisive way, most commonly of a slave.

Generations (1074)(genea gives us our English genealogy) literally refers to those descended from a common ancestor.

Count...blessed (3106)(makarizo from makarios = blessed from makar = blessed) means to call or consider someone blessed, fully satisfied (independent of circumstances but some writers say because of favorable circumstances) or especially favored. Note that blessing should be distinguished from happiness. Happiness is a subjective, emotional response and depends on what "happens!" Blessing on the other hand is objective and reflects the "unalterable approval and reward of God."

Ray Pritchard on "the original Christmas carols" - In the early centuries of the Christian church, the Bible was translated into Latin. From that time until the present, these four songs have been best known by their Latin titles. In each case, the title is simply the first word or two of the very first line of the song. The four songs in order are:

1. Mary’s Song —called the Magnificat—found in Luke 1:46-55

2. Zacharias' Song—called the Benedictus—found in Luke 1:67-80+

3. Angels’ Song—called the Gloria in Excelsis—found in Luke 2:14+

4. Simeon’s Song—called the Nunc Dimittis—found in Luke 2:29-32+

(MacArthur would add a fifth - Elizabeth's Song - Luke 1:42-45+).

Luke 1:49 "For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.

The Mighty One - Ge. 17:1. Ps. 24:8. Is. 1:24; Isa 63:1. Jer. 10:6; 20:11.
has. Ps. 71:19–21; 126:2, 3. Mark 5:13. Ep. 3:20.
and. Ex. 15:11. 1 Sa. 2:2. Ps. 99:3, 9; 111:9. Is. 6:3; 57:15. Re. 4:8; 15:4.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:49 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

Related Passages:

Exodus 15:11 “Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders?

1 Samuel 2:2 “There is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.

OUR GOD IS THE
MIGHTY AND HOLY ONE

For - always pause to ponder this term of explanation. In the immediate context this would seem to be explaining why will all generations count Mary blessed? MacArthur sees it slightly different as giving the first of 3 reasons for Mary's praise. (Mary's Praise)

For the Mighty One has done great things for me - BDAG writes that "God's name is almost equivalent to God's being" which emphasizes how important it is that we understand the meaning of His names as best we can. In this passage the Name literally this reads "the Mighty." Mary's testimony here could/should be the testimony of every born again soul! In context Mary is alluding to fact that she now was bearing in her person the Messiah even though she was a virgin and is participating in what is surely one of the mightiest miracles in all eternity.

Bob Utley feels that the Name Mighty One "reflects the Patriarchal name of God, El Shadday (see notes) (cf. Ex 6:3)."

Jeremiah rightly says "There is none like You, O LORD; You are great, and great is Your Name in might." (Jer 10:6)

Isaiah asks Who is this Who comes from Edom (REFERRING TO THE MESSIAH AT HIS SECOND COMING), With garments of glowing colors from Bozrah, This One who is majestic in His apparel, Marching in the greatness of His strength? (MESSIAH ANSWERS ISAIAH'S QUERY) “It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” (Isa 63:1+)

Related Resources:

Discussion of God Who is Mighty to Save.
Simple chorus Mighty is our God.
Why is the Virgin Birth so important?

Mighty (strong) (1415)(dunatos from dunamai = to have power by virture of inherent ability) describes the inherent ability that God has by virtue of His omnipotence and infinite resources. God is powerful, able, strong. Luke alludes to God's mighty power in Luke 18:27+ recording "The things that are impossible with people are possible (dunatos) with God (SUCH AS THE VIRGIN BIRTH)." In Acts 18:24+ Luke describes Apollos as a man who "was mighty (dunatos) in the Scriptures." What a testimony, one we should all strive by the Spirit's power to attain to! And finally consider Paul's testimony regarding how he became "mighty" for as he said "Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong (dunatos)." (2 Cor 12:10+) Paul was dunatos because of Divine dunatos!

In the Septuagint (Lxx) dunatos is used several times to describe God

Psalm 24:8 "Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong (Lxx - kratos) and mighty (Lxx - dunatos), The LORD mighty (Lxx - dunatos) in battle."

Psalm 45:3 "Gird Your sword on Your thigh, O Mighty (Lxx - dunatos) One, In Your splendor and Your majesty!"

Psalm 89:8 O LORD God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty (Lxx - dunatos) LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.

Zephaniah 3:17+ The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior (a warrior who can deliver = Lxx = dunatos + sozo, = mighty to save). He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

Has done (past tense = has been accomplished) (4160)(poieo) conveys the idea of undertaking to do something that brings about an event or condition. In this case of course Mary is referring to the "The Holy Spirit (coming) upon (her), and the power of the Most High" overshadowing her (Lk 1:35+), so that "the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." (Mt 1:20).

And holy is His name - The very Name of God is holy -- how tragic to watch modern television which repeatedly uses Jesus' holy Name as a curse word! There is no fear of the "thrice holy" God before their eyes! Woe! They will be repaid in due time, not just in this life but throughout eternity! (cf eternal punishment)

Isaiah 6:3+ And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.”

Revelation 4:8+ And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY (pantokrator), WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.”

Revelation 15:4+ “Who will not fear (ANSWER? FOOLS!), O Lord, and glorify (FINALLY AND FULLY GIVE A PROPER OPINION REGARDING) Your Name? For You alone are holy; For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED (FINALLY AND FULLY IN THE REVELATION OF JESUS).”

Holy (40)(hagios) carries the fundamental idea of separation, of purity and of abstinence from defilement. It means utterly pure, separated from sin. Applied to God, holiness is that characteristic that sets Him apart from His creation. There are many verses that speak of God being "on high," "reigning," "in his holy temple," "sitting on the throne" and these all picture God as separate from His creation and reigning over it. In short, "Holiness is that which makes God God." Reginald Showers calls God's holiness "the foundational truth of revelation." God's holiness is the most difficult attribute to define because it deals with the essence of God's character. Defining holiness is like defining God! It can't be done completely. We can describe holiness and find ample illustrations of it, but we can't define it entirely. This is what makes God God! As an indication of how important this attribute of God it note that holiness is the only attribute of God mentioned in triplicate (see verses above). Holy is used throughout the New Testament to speak of anyone or anything that represents God’s holiness and thus Christ as the Holy One of God, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Father, holy Scriptures, holy angels, holy brethren, and so on.

What a contrast with the sad secular concept of "holy" - The secular and pagan use of hagios pictured a person separated and dedicated to the idolatrous "gods" (who in fact were no gods) and conveyed absolutely no idea of moral or spiritual purity as holy does when associated with God's Name! Man-made gods of wood and stone were just as sinful and just as degraded as the men who made them! The worshipper of the pagan god acquired the character of that pagan god and the debauched, degrading religious ceremonies connected with its "worship." (For example, I think of Dionysus or Bacchus "the god of the grape-harvest, winemaking and wine, of fertility, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, and theatre in ancient Greek religion and myth.') The Greek temple at Corinth (Temple of Aphrodite) housed a large number of harlots who were connected with the so called "worship" of the Greek god (Contrast Our Body, His Temple). Thus, the set-apartness or holiness of the Greek worshipper was in character licentious, totally depraved, and sinful.

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You, I want to see You

To see You high and lifted up
Shining in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy
(Play)

Related Resources:

Holy - God's great attribute
Holiness-Quotes, Devotionals, Illustrations
Name of the LORD is a Strong Tower: Summary
Name of the LORD is a Strong Tower: Why Should You Study It?

The Blessing Tree

Read: Luke 1:46-55

He who is mighty has done great things for me. —Luke 1:49

I read about a young couple whose business had failed, and they had little money to spend at Christmas. They were going to have to move out of their house after the new year. But they didn’t want their holiday season to be spoiled because of it. So they decided to throw a party. When the guests arrived, they saw a cedar tree decorated with one string of lights and small rolled-up pieces of paper tied to the limbs with ribbon.

“Welcome to our ‘blessing tree’!” they said, beaming. “In spite of hard times, God has blessed us in so many ways that we decided to dedicate our tree to Him. Each piece of paper describes a blessing He has given us this year.”

This couple has faced more trials since then, but they have chosen to stay focused on the Lord. They often remark that the Christmas with the “blessing tree” was one of their most beautiful, because they could testify as Mary did: “My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. . . . He who is mighty has done great things for me” (Luke 1:47-49).

Whatever your difficulties, they needn’t spoil Christmas, for nothing can spoil Christ! Stay focused on Jesus and seek ways to share His blessings with others—perhaps through your own “blessing tree.” - Joanie Yoder | (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Jesus came—and came for me!
Simple words, and yet expressing
Depths of holy mystery,
Depths of wondrous love and blessing.
—Havergal

To give meaning to Christmas, give Christ first place.

Luke 1:50 "AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.

Ge. 17:7. Ex. 20:6; 34:6, 7. Ps. 31:19; 85:9; 103:11, 17, 18; 115:13; 118:4; 145:19; 147:11. Mal. 3:16–18. Re. 19:5
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries.

THE ADVANTAGE OF THE
FEAR OF THE LORD

AND HIS MERCY (eleos) IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM - This is a great promise conditioned upon a reverential fear of the Lord. One of God's great attributes is His boundless mercy but as with all of His attributes even His mercy can be "missed" by those who do not fear Him. This principle is repeatedly described in the Psalms, where is clear that "His mercy" is associated with salvation.

MacArthur adds "Mary’s praise went beyond herself to embrace all that God would do for others in the future. Once again demonstrating her familiarity with the Old Testament, she quoted Psalm 103:17" (Mary's Praise)

(Ps 25:14-commentary) The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant.

(Ps 31:19) How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of men!

(Ps 85:9) Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.

(Ps 103:11) For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.

Comment: See study of the Hebrew equivalent Lovingkindness (Steadfast Love) (02617) hesed/chesed/heced

(Ps 103:17) But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting (FOREVER SOMETHING ONLY BELIEVERS CAN EXPERIENCE) on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, 18 To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them.

(Ps 115:13) He will bless those who fear the LORD, The small together with the great.

(Ps 118:4) Oh let those who fear the LORD say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

(Ps 145:19) He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.

(Ps 147:11) The LORD favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His lovingkindness.

In essence when a person genuinely has a reverential awe of God it is because they are saved by His grace. Unbelievers do not reverentially fear God even as Paul says in Romans 3:18 quoting Psalm 36:1 which says '“THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.” The basic sinful condition of men and of their spiritual deadness is evidenced by the fact that, for the unsaved, there is no fear of God before their eyes. So one definition of a lost man is NO FEAR OF GOD. If you are truly born from above by the Spirit you fear God to some degree. You know that He is mighty to save and mighty to judge. You realize that the Lord is a great King, sitting high and lifted up on a throne, ruling the universe. But to those who do not know the Lord personally, they have no fear of God. If they were honest, they would say, “No, I do not fear God. To fear God never enters my mind. Since God is all loving, what is there to fear? If I want to steal something, I steal it. If I want to say something, I say it because I do not fear God.” When men no longer fear God, there is no restraint upon their evil desires.

Peter describes this "restraining" power of a healthy fear of God in giving this commandment to believers

"If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct (aorist imperative) yourselves in fear (See discussion of the Need for the Holy Spirit to obey this command) during the time of your stay on earth" (1 Peter 1:17+)

We are commanded to continually pursue (present imperative)...holiness (Heb 12:14NET+) and Paul links our pursuit of holiness with the fear of God...

"Therefore, having these promises (2 Cor 6:16-18), beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness (HOW?) in the fear of God." (2 Cor 7:1+)

Mercy (compassion) (1656)(eleos) is the outward manifestation of pity and assumes need on the part of those who are recipients of the mercy (WHICH APPLIES TO EVERY BELIEVER, EVERY DAY FOR WE SIN EVERY DAY!) and sufficient resources to meet the need (WHICH ONLY GOD HAS) on the part of those who show it. The idea of God's mercy is that He shows kindness and concern for one who is in serious need, giving help to the wretched (Ro 7:24+) and relieve to the miserable (cf David in Ps 32:3-4,10) because of their sin. Here the essential thought is that mercy gives attention to those in misery. God’s mercy refers to his “loyal love” or “steadfast love,” (Hebrew - hesed) expressed in His faithful actions. Vincent adds that mercy is God’s “kindness and goodwill toward the miserable and afflicted, joined with a desire to relieve them” (Vincent). Whereas grace meets man’s need in respect to his guilt and lost condition; God mercy meets man's need with reference to his suffering as a result of his sin. How grateful all of us saved sinners are for His infinite mercy!

Guy King has suggested that grace is needed for every service, mercy for every failure, and peace for every circumstance. Someone else has said, “Grace to the worthless, mercy to the helpless, and peace to the restless.” Hiebert defines mercy as “the self-moved, spontaneous loving kindness of God which causes Him to deal in compassion and tender affection with the miserable and distressed.”

Generation (1074)(genea gives us our English genealogy) literally means birth or the circumstances related to one's origin and so it refers to those descended from a common ancestor. In the present context generation refers to the time span of one generation, which as a rule of thumb, is the time between birth of parents and the birth of their children. (cf Mt 1.17).

Fear of God takes two forms, a healthy, reverential awe of the creature before the Creator including the idea of fear of offending (Ro 11:20) or the terror and dread of the unregenerate sinner in the presence of the just and holy God (cf first reaction of fear in Ge 3:10+, cf Lk 12:5+).

Puritan Charles Bridges defines fear of God - It is that affectionate reverence by which the child of God bends himself humbly and carefully to his Father's law. His wrath is so bitter, and His love so sweet; that hence springs an earnest desire to please Him, and—because of the danger of coming short from his own weakness and temptations—a holy watchfulness and fear, 'that he might not sin against Him.

Fear (5399)(phobeo from phobos = fear source of our English "phobia") means to be in an apprehensive state that can range from mild uneasiness to stark terror as when one is frightened, terrified or alarmed. (Mt 10:31). Phobeo can be a fear of man (Lk 20:19, Mt 2:22, Mt 21:26, 46) as when Peter feared "the party of the circumcision" (Gal 2:12+) which motivated him "to withdraw and hold himself aloof." Pilate experienced fear when he was about to sentence Jesus to death (Jn 19:8). Fear of people kept religious leaders from laying hands on Jesus (Luke 20:19+) On the other hand Moses did not fear man (pharaoh - Heb 11:27)

Robert Haldane wrote, It is astonishing that men, while they acknowledge that there is a God, should act without any fear of His displeasure. Yet this is their character. They fear a worm of the dust like themselves, but disregard the Most High. ... They are more afraid of man than of God-of his anger, his contempt, or ridicule. The fear of man (Pr29:25) prevents them from doing many things from which they are not restrained by the fear of God. ... They love not His character, not rendering to it that veneration which is due; they respect not His authority. Such is the state of human nature while the heart is unchanged. (Exposition of Romans, p. 121)

But that is not the type of fear about which this passage speaks. The fear in this passage represents reverential awe, not cringing fright. It expresses the feeling of the person who is in the presence of One Who is infinitely superior (cf Peter's reaction to Jesus in Lk 5:8-9, 10+). Reverential fear of God is a component of the one who is truly repentant (2Cor. 7:10–11) Godly fear motivates godly living as Paul says in (Phil. 2:12+) exhorting the believers at Philippi "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling." And then Paul explains how it is even humanly possible (IT'S NOT HUMANLY POSSIBLE BUT ONLY DIVINELY POSSIBLE) live godly teaching that "it is God Who is at work (energeo - present tense = CONTINUALLY "ENERGIZING") in you (THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT), both to will (SPIRIT GIVES US THE DESIRE) and to work (SPIRIT PROVIDES THE POWER) for His good pleasure." (Php 2:13+)

Related Resources:

Max Lucado - Spiritual Bankruptcy Luke 1:50
God does not save us because of what we’ve done. Only a puny god could be bought with tithes. Only an egotistical god would be impressed with our pain. Only a temperamental god could be satisfied by sacrifices. Only a heartless god would sell salvation to the highest bidders. And only a great God does for his children what they can’t do for themselves. God’s delight is received upon surrender, not awarded upon conquest. The first step to joy is a plea for help, an acknowledgment of moral destitution, an admission of inward paucity. Those who taste God’s presence have declared spiritual bankruptcy and are aware of their spiritual crisis.… Their pockets are empty. Their options are gone. They have long since stopped demanding justice; they are pleading for mercy. (The Applause of Heaven)

Luke 1:51 "He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.

He has done - Ex. 15:6, 7, 12, 13. Dt. 4:34. Ps. 52:9; 63:5; 89:13; 98:1; 118:15. Is. 40:10; 51:9; 52:10; 63:12. Re. 18:8.
He has scattered. Ex. 15:9–11; 18:11. 1 Sa. 2:3, 4, 9, 10. Job 40:9–12. Ps. 2:1–6; 33:10; 89:10. Is. 10:12–19. Je. 48:29, 30. Da. 4:37; 5:25, etc. 1 Pe. 5:5.
the thoughts. Ge. 6:5; 8:21. De. 29:19, 20. Ro. 1:21. 2 Co. 10:5.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:51 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

MARY'S PROPHECY:
OUR GOD IS STRONGER

He has done mighty deeds (kratos) with His arm (brachion) - Mary is speaking of her Son Jesus Christ Who was not yet born and describes these things as if He has already accomplished them. Of course the idea is that the things Mary prophetically describes are so certain to come to pass that she can speak of them as if they had in fact already been fulfilled (past tense)

THOUGHT - Perhaps your faith is on a bit of a low ebb. We've all been there. But there is nothing like the reminder of the "mighty deeds" of our God in the past to remind us He is able to accomplish mighty deeds in the present (and in our life). Take a moment asking the Spirit to speak to your heart as you read meditatively and prayerfully the following truths about our mighty God (don't rush! Instead ruminate!) - Ex. 15:6, 7, 12, 13. Dt. 4:34. Ps. 52:9; Ps 63:5; Ps 89:13; Ps 98:1; Ps 118:15. Isaiah 40:10; Isaiah 51:9; Isaiah 52:10; Isaiah 63:12. Rev 18:8.

Pritchard observes "As you read Luke 1:51-55, you not only notice a change in focus, but you also notice a change in tenses. When Mary talks about herself, she uses the present tense; but when she talks about the world, she uses the past tense—"He has performed, He has scattered, He has brought down, he has filled.” What’s going on here? When she says “He,” Mary is talking about Jesus Christ. When she says “has,” she is talking about what Christ will do. But at this point, the Lord Jesus is still growing inside her body. How can she speak in the past about what Christ will do in the future? The answer is that Mary is using what the grammarians call the “prophetic aorist.” Sometimes the prophets would look into the future and be so certain of what they saw that they would use the past tense to describe what was for them an absolutely certain future event. She is so utterly convinced about what her Son, the Lord Jesus, will do when he comes, that she speaks of it as if it had already happened. In time, it is yet future; in Mary’s mind, it is an accomplished fact because God has willed it to happen..(from his sermon "Jesus The Revolutionary: Mary's Song" - Luke 1:48-55)

Utley on mighty deeds (kratos) with His arm (brachion) - This is an anthropomorphic phrase. God does not have a physical body. It is used in the Bible to describe God’s power to act (cf. Ps. 98:1; 118:15–16; Isa. 51:9; 52:10).

He has scattered (diaskorpizo) those who were proud (huperephanos) in the thoughts of their heart (kardia) - This prophecy has been fulfilled countless times since it was uttered but one day it will be finally and fully finished. In that day Mary's Son will destroy all those rulers and nations who are opposed to the rule of God. Daniel describes it as occurring when the Stone (Jesus Christ) returns writing

You (KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S DREAM) continued looking until a Stone was cut out without hands, and it struck the statue (SYMBOLIZING ALL THE GODLESS KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD) on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them. 35 “Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all at the same time and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors (THIS PICTURE FITS PERFECTLY WITH MARY'S PROPHECY "HE HAS SCATTERED" FOR CHAFF SCATTERS IN THE WIND AND THAT IS WHAT WILL OCCUR TO THE GODLESS PROUD NATIONS); and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the Stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth (THIS REFERS TO THE STONE, THE MESSIAH, ESTABLISHING HIS EARTHLY MESSIANIC KINGDOM)." .(Da 2:34-35+)

Ultimately this "scattering" will be fulfilled at Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ as described by John in the Revelation:

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses (THE ARMIES IS US BELOVED! IT IS THE SAINTS IN HEAVEN! WE RETURN WITH HIM TO WITNESS HIS VICTORY! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY MIND-BOGGLING! MAY GOD'S SPIRIT USE THIS INCREDIBLE TRUTH TO STIMULATE IN US A DEEP DESIRE TO LIVE FOR HIS GLORY NOW AND FOREVER! AMEN! ). 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. (pantokrator) 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Rev 19:11-16+)

Pantokrator is from pás = all + kratos = strength or might, especially manifested power, the power to rule or control) is literally the ruler over all or the One Who controls all things and Who has power over everything. The One in total control! Pantokrator thus describes God’s sovereign, omnipotent, irresistible power in the Person of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ as He returns to vanquish all resistance to the Kingdom of God. To reiterate, this certainty is what Mary is inspired by the Spirit to use the past tense of her prophetic announcements regarding Jesus Christ.

As Ray Pritchard says "The Coming of Christ means the end of all human boasting. It’s the end of vanity and outrageous ambition. His Coming means an end to insatiable greed and uncontrolled lust for power. The mighty are brought down by the strong arm of the Lord. So it has happened across the centuries. Proud and daring men lift their heads to challenge the Almighty (Pantokrator), but he swats them down like flies. What happened to Saddam Hussein? What happened to Erich Honecker? What about Idi Amin? What about Vladimir Lenin? When was the last time you thought about Juan Peron? Or Pinochet? Or Ho Chi Minh? Or Mao Tse Tung? They come, they rise to power, and sooner or later, they disappear. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “The arm of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” (Ibid)

The heart of man's problem is man's depraved heart "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. "All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man." (Mk 7:21-23+)

Play Chris Tomlin's song in the background as you read Mary's magnificat...

Our God

Our God is greater, Our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, Awesome in power.
Our God, Our God.

Mighty deeds (2904)(kratos) means strength or might, especially manifested power, the power to rule or control or dominion (power to rule, supreme authority, sovereignty, the right to govern or rule or determine). Krátos denotes the presence and significance of force or strength rather than its exercise. It is the ability to exhibit or express resident strength. There is surely a play on words here as the word kratos is the root of the word pantokrator (pas = all + kratos = "all power") the very word that the apostle John uses to describe the Lord Jesus Christ as He returns to "scatter" the proud that have arrayed against Him. (See note)

Arm (1023)(brachion comparative of brachús 1024 = short) is literally the shorter part of the arm from the shoulder to the elbow. in the NT figuratively expresses God's powerful activity in analogy to human activity. The arm of man is the principal organ or instrument with which he exerts his strength.

Brachion is used in only 3 verses in the NT and 100 in the Septuagint (Lxx) - Lu 1:51 Jn 12:38 Acts 13:17

Brachion in Septuagint - Gen. 24:18; Gen. 27:16; Gen. 49:24; Exod. 6:1; Exod. 6:6; Exod. 15:16; Exod. 29:22; Exod. 29:27; Exod. 32:11; Lev. 7:32; Lev. 7:33; Lev. 7:34; Lev. 8:25; Lev. 8:26; Lev. 9:21; Lev. 10:14; Lev. 10:15; Num. 6:19; Num. 6:20; Num. 18:18; Deut. 3:24; Deut. 4:34; Deut. 5:15; Deut. 6:21; Deut. 7:8; Deut. 7:19; Deut. 9:26; Deut. 9:29; Deut. 11:2; Deut. 18:3; Deut. 26:8; Deut. 33:20; Deut. 33:27; Jdg. 15:14; Jdg. 16:12; 2 Sam. 1:10; 2 Sam. 22:35; 2 Ki. 9:24; 2 Ki. 17:36; 2 Chr. 6:32; 2 Chr. 32:8; Job 26:2; Job 31:22; Job 35:9; Job 38:15; Job 40:9; Ps. 10:15; Ps. 18:34; Ps. 37:17; Ps. 44:3; Ps. 71:18; Ps. 77:15; Ps. 79:11; Ps. 89:10; Ps. 89:13; Ps. 89:21; Ps. 98:1; Ps. 136:12; Prov. 31:17; Cant. 8:6; Isa. 9:20; Isa. 15:2; Isa. 17:5; Isa. 26:11; Isa. 30:30; Isa. 40:10; Isa. 40:11; Isa. 44:12; Isa. 51:5; Isa. 51:9; Isa. 52:10; Isa. 53:1; Isa. 59:16; Isa. 62:8; Isa. 63:5; Isa. 63:12; Jer. 17:5; Jer. 21:5; Jer. 32:17; Jer. 32:21; Jer. 51:14; Ezek. 4:7; Ezek. 13:20; Ezek. 17:9; Ezek. 20:33; Ezek. 20:34; Ezek. 30:21; Ezek. 30:22; Ezek. 30:24; Ezek. 30:25; Dan. 2:32; Dan. 9:15; Dan. 10:6; Dan. 11:6; Dan. 11:15; Dan. 11:22; Dan. 11:31; Hos. 7:15; Hos. 11:3; Zech. 11:17

Representative uses in the Septuagint (Lxx) - note His fearful power, His power to deliver (redeem from bondage), His ability to judge figuratively depicted in the following passages that allude to His arm.

Exodus 6:6 “Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm (Heb = zeroa; Lxx = brachion) and with great judgments.

Exodus 15:16 “Terror and dread fall upon them; By the greatness of Your arm (Heb = zeroa; Lxx = brachion) they are motionless as stone; Until Your people pass over, O LORD, Until the people pass over whom You have purchased.

Deuteronomy 5:15 ‘You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; (Heb = zeroa; Lxx = brachion) therefore the LORD your God commanded you to observe the sabbath day.

Psalm 71:18 And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength (Hebrew = zeroa = arm, shoulder, strength, power - translated with brachion in the Lxx) to this generation, Your power to all who are to come. (Same thing in Ps 77:15 and Ps 79:11 where "power" = zeroa; Lxx - brachion)

Psalms 89:10 You Yourself crushed Rahab like one who is slain; You scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm. (Heb = zeroa; Lxx = brachion)

Psalm 98:1 A Psalm. O sing to the LORD a new song, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm (Heb = zeroa; Lxx = brachion) have gained the victory for Him.

Isaiah 51:5 “My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, And My arms will judge the peoples; The coastlands will wait for Me, And for My arm they will wait expectantly.

Scattered (1287)(diaskorpizo from dia = an intensifies or denotes separation + skorpízō = to dissipate) means to scatter abroad or disperse. It is used of chaff being scattered to the wind on the threshing floor, meaning to winnow (Mt 25:24, 26). Metaphorically it means to squander (money, riches) which is what the prodigal son did in (Luke 15:13+) as id the rich man in (Lk 16:1+). Mattoon says the idea of the verb is "to winnow, like a person that separates the grain from the chaff by throwing it up high into the air and letting the wind blow away the chaff." Jesus will one day in the future "winnow" the nations and their chaff will be carried away (scattered) without a trace as described above by Daniel (Da 2:35+)

Proud (arrogant) (5244)(huperephanos from huper = over, above, + phaíno = shine) is the haughty person pictured with his head held high above others. The man who is huperephanos is the one who shows himself above. This is one who because of his feeling of personal superiority, regards others with haughtiness. He is puffed up with a high opinion of himself, and thus regards others with contempt, as if they were unworthy of any social interactions. The noun huperephania is usually translated pride which is one of those sins which Jesus says proceeds out of a man's heart (Mark 7.22 = only NT use of huperephania).

Huperephanos is used in a similar sense (of scattered the proud) Ps 18:27 which says "You save an afflicted (Lxx = tapeinos = a humble) people, but haughty (Lxx = huperephanos) eyes You abase (Lxx = tapeinoo = bring low, make humble)."

In Isaiah 2:12+ (and similar uses in Isa 13:11, Isa 29:20) we read "the LORD of hosts will have a day of reckoning against everyone who is proud (Lxx = huperephanos) and lofty And against everyone who is lifted up, That he may be abased (Lxx = tapeinoo = bring low, make humble)."

Thoughts (1271)(dianoia from dianoéomai = to agitate in mind in turn from dia = separation + noeo = to think over, nous = mind, intellect, thought, reason) means thinking through something, meditating, reflecting. It refers to the intellect, moral understanding or the way of thinking. It is the faculty of thinking, comprehending, and reasoning. Dianoia is the seat of perception and thinking, the faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring. TDNT adds that dianoia is the "common word for “thought” has such varied senses as (1) thought as a function, (2) the power of thought, the thinking consciousness, (3) the way of thought, (4) the result of thought, e.g., thought, idea, opinion, or judgment, (5) resolve of intention, and (6) the meaning of words or statements. The LXX uses it as an equivalent of kardia (HEART), and the usage is much the same in other Jewish works. (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament)

Heart (2588)(kardia) does not refer to the physical organ but is always used figuratively in Scripture to refer to the seat and center of human life. The heart is the center of the personality, and it controls the intellect, emotions, and will. No outward obedience is of the slightest value unless the heart turns to God.

MacArthur commenting on kardia writes that "While we often relate heart to the emotions (e.g., “He has a broken heart”), the Bible relates it primarily to the intellect (e.g., “Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders,” Matt 15:19). That’s why you must “watch over your heart with all diligence” (Proverbs 4:23-note). In a secondary way, however, heart relates to the will and emotions because they are influenced by the intellect. If you are committed to something, it will affect your will, which in turn will affect your emotions." (Drawing Near. Crossway Books) MacArthur adds that "In most modern cultures, the heart is thought of as the seat of emotions and feelings. But most ancients—Hebrews, Greeks, and many others—considered the heart to be the center of knowledge, understanding, thinking, and wisdom. The New Testament also uses it in that way. The heart was considered to be the seat of the mind and will, and it could be taught what the brain could never know. Emotions and feelings were associated with the intestines, or bowels." (MacArthur, J: Ephesians. 1986. Chicago: Moody Press)

Luke 1:52 "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.

Brought down...exalted - Luke 18:14. 1 Sa. 2:4, 6–8. Job 5:11–13; Job 34:24–28. Ps. 107:40, 41; Ps 113:6–8. Ec. 4:14. Eze. 17:24. Am. 9:11. Mark 6:3. Ja. 1:9, 10; 4:10.
Exalted those who were humble - Lk 14:11; 18:14; Gen. 45:26; 1Sa. 2:6–8; Job 5:11; Ps 78:70–71; 113:7–8
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:52 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

TWO STRIKING
CONTRASTS

The high are made low and the low are made high!

He has brought down (kathaireo) rulers (dunastes/dynastes) from their thrones - Remember Mary is speaking in past tense as if these things have already transpired because they are so sure to transpire! One could read it Jesus as "will bring down rulers from their thrones." Ultimately this will be fulfilled at His Second Coming (read Rev 19:11-21+)

God lowers the high (1 Sa 2:4) and raises the low (1 Sa 2:7-8)! We see this pattern frequently in the NT (Mt 5:3, Mt 23:12, James 1:9, 10, 11+, James 4:6+, James 4:10+, 1 Pet 5:5+, 1 Pet 5:6+) and later in his Gospel Luke writes "For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted." (Lk 14:11+, context = Lk 14:10) and "everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk 18:14+). See Ray Pritchard's advent devotional "Get Off Your High Horse"

NET Note comments that "The contrast between the mighty and those of lowly position is fundamental for Luke. God cares for those that the powerful ignore (see Luke 4:18–19+)."

Ray Pritchard - Some of you may have seen a movie last year called “Reversal of Fortune.” That’s what Mary is talking about here: The coming of Christ brings about a great reversal of fortune in society. The proud are brought low and the humble are lifted up. What men call luck, Mary calls the work of God. When someone loses it all, we talk about bad luck. When someone hits the jackpot, we say he had good luck. Not Mary. She understands that behind the faceless mystery called luck stands God himself. He lifts up, and no one can bring down. He brings down, and no one can lift up again. As John Calvin says, the princes of the world don’t understand this. They grow insolent, fat and lazy and greedy. They indulge in luxury, swell with pride and grow intoxicated with power. They soon forget that all they have comes from God. And to quote Calvin exactly, “If the Lord cannot tolerate such ingratitude, we should not be surprised.” (Jesus The Revolutionary: Mary's Song - Luke 1:48-55)

And has exalted (hupsoo) those who were humble (tapeinos) - He has lifted high to a place of honor those who the world sees as low position. This is a repeated pattern in Scripture.

Ray Pritchard explains that "Throughout history whenever the Gospel has gone into a society, it has usually entered at a lower socioeconomic level. It’s a rare thing for the rich to be the first to embrace the Gospel. Poor folks usually make up the first church in any culture. Why? Because the poor have nothing in which to trust, so when they hear the Gospel they embrace it as truly good news. But the rich don’t see their need of Christ, so they ignore the Gospel....Whenever the Gospel has entered a society and made an impact on a significant group of people, it has always had the effect of lifting those people up economically. Whenever the Gospel goes in to the poor, it raises that group up in society. (Jesus The Revolutionary: Mary's Song)

James encourages those who have less than others writing "But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away." (James 1:9-10+)

This truth (divine exaltation of the humble) calls for believers to be willing to be humbled (both the following commands are in the passive voice indicating the power or source of our humbling comes from without which makes sense because the flesh would never humble itself since it is the very essence of pride and self-exaltation).

James 4:10+ Humble (tapeinoo in aorist imperative = "Just do it!" don't delay = only possible as we willingly submit to the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to obey this command) yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt (hupsoo) you.

1 Peter 5:6+ Therefore humble (tapeinoo in aorist imperative - see our need above) yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt (hupsoo) you at the proper time (cf 1 Peter 5:10+),

Brought down (destroyed) (2507)(kathaireo) means primarily to cause something or someone to be lowered or brought down from one point to another (literally buildings Lk 12:18+). Figuratively it means to destroy completely by tearing down and dismantling (speculations in spiritual matters - 2 Cor 10:5+; nations Acts 13:19+). There is an interesting use of kathaireo in Acts 19 (in a sense a partial fulfillment of Mary's prophecy) showing how God used Paul to "bring down" the pagan idol Artemis, Luke recording the complaints of the idol worshipping Ephesians...

“Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned (kathaireo) from her magnificence.” (Acts 19:27+)

Rulers (1413)(dunastes/dynastes [English = dynasty] from dunamai = to be able to, to be capable of, to be strong enough to do) denotes one who has a position to command others (ruler, potentate). It often refers to one in a relatively high position (politically speaking). In Luke 1:52 and Acts 8:27+ (Ethiopian court official) dunastes refers to human rulers. In the only other NT use in 1 Ti 6:15+ dunastes refers to God and is translated Sovereign.

Exalted (lifted up) (5312) (hupsoo from hupsos = height, elevation) means to lift up spatially, to raise high as of the serpent in the wilderness symbolizing Jesus on the Cross (Jn 3:14+, cf Jn 8:28, 12:32, 34). Figuratively, it can describe lifting one up to a place of honor, fame, power, or position (Jesus exalted to the right hand of God = Acts 2:33+, Acts 5:31+). Mary says that self-exaltation will result ultimately in humiliation a truth that Jesus reiterates later in Luke's Gospel...

Luke 14:11+ “For everyone who exalts (hupsoo) himself will be humbled (tapeinoo), and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 18:14+ “I tell you, this man (Lk 18:13) went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts (hupsoo) himself will be humbled (tapeinoo), but he who humbles (tapeinoo) himself will be exalted (hupsoo).”

Humble (5011)(tapeinos) means low, not high, not rising far from the ground. It speaks of one's condition as lowly or of low degree. It described what was considered base, common, unfit, and having little value. It pictures one brought low, as for example by grief. Tapeinos is descriptive particularly of attitude and social positions. Wuest adds that tapeinos "is found in an early secular document where it speaks of the Nile River in its low stage in the words, “It runs LOW.” And so tapeinos means “not rising far from the ground.” Tapeinos describes the Christian who walks in Jesus' steps (1 Pe 2:21+) for declared " I am gentle and humble (tapeinos) in heart" (Mt 11:29+). Indeed, is not the best place for us as Christ followers at the foot of Jesus' Cross, for that is when grace can best "flow down!" (Read 2 Cor 12:9+, 2 Cor 12:10+, cf James 4:6+ = "gives grace to the humble [tapeinos])

Gotquestions has an excellent discussion on humbling ourselves - John Bunyan, in the second part of his book The Pilgrim’s Progress, describes the time when Christiana and her companions must descend into the Valley of Humiliation. Bunyan describes that place as “a steep hill, and the way was slippery.” In other words, it’s never easy to humble oneself, and when our path demands humility of us, we can easily slip up. Humility can be defined as the absence of pride, just as darkness is the absence of light. We cannot become more humble by focusing on humility, as it becomes a source of pride when we believe we have achieved it. C.S. Lewis describes humility not as thinking less of ourselves, but as thinking of ourselves less. With that definition in mind, the Bible has much to say about seeing ourselves in proper perspective. Holding the biblical perspective humbles us. Humility increases when we are willing to be humbled by God, circumstances, and others. Our sinful natures do not want to be humbled. We tend to protect our pride as though it were our best friend, but pride gets in the way of our relationship with God. He resists the prideful but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6+). He will work with us when we desire humility, but the development of humility will be painful. Despite the discomfort, we find an added measure of grace to sustain us as we suffer through the refining process (see The Refiner's Fire). (Read the full article - What does the Bible say about how to humble yourself?) (Bolding added)

Spurgeon exhorts believers to gladly accept a prone position (which is the root meaning of humility - see tapeinos above) in order that grace might flow down most efficaciously…

Humble hearts seek grace, and therefore they receive grace. Humble hearts yield to the sweet influences of grace, and so grace is bestowed on them more and more largely. Humble hearts lie in the valleys where streams of grace are flowing, and hence they drink of them. Humble hearts are grateful for grace and give the LORD (Jehovah) the glory of it, and hence it is consistent with His honor to give it to them.

Come, dear reader, take a lowly place. Be little in thine own esteem, that the LORD may make much of thee. Perhaps the sigh breaks out, "I fear I am not humble." It may be that this is the language of true humility. Some are proud of being humble, and this is one of the very worst sorts of pride.

We are needy, helpless, undeserving, hell-deserving creatures, and if we are not humble we ought to be.

Let us humble ourselves because of our sins against humility, and then the LORD will give us to taste of His favor. It is grace which makes us humble, and grace which finds in this humility an opportunity for pouring in more grace. (Ed: Read that profound truth again!)

Let us go down that we may rise.

Let us be poor in spirit that God may make us rich.

Let us be humble that we may not need to be humbled but may be exalted by the grace of God (Jas 4:10+, 1Pe 5:6+). (Faith's Checkbook)

Related Resources:

Luke 1:53 "HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent away the rich empty-handed.

Greek of Luke 1:53 πεινῶντας ἐνέπλησεν ἀγαθῶν καὶ πλουτοῦντας ἐξαπέστειλεν κενούς.

Greek of Ps 107:9 ὅτι ἐχόρτασεν ψυχὴν κενὴν καὶ ψυχὴν πεινῶσαν ἐνέπλησεν ἀγαθῶν

filled. Luke 6:21. 1 Sa. 2:5. Ps. 34:10; 107:8, 9; 146:7. Eze. 34:29. Mat. 5:6. John 6:11–13, 35. Ja. 2:5. Re. 7:16, 17.
and sent away. Luke 6:24; 12:16–21; 16:19–25; 18:11–14, 24, 25. 1 Co. 1:26; 4:8. Ja. 2:6; 5:1–6. Re. 3:17, 18.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:53 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

JESUS THE BREAD OF LIFE
FILLS THE HUNGRY

Mary continues to show that she is a woman of the Book by quoting from Psalm 107:9 (See above for the Greek words in Lk 1:53 which are in common with the Greek words in the Septuagint (Lxx) of Ps 107:9).

For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.

Spurgeon - the hungry soul He has filled with what is good. As for thirst he gives satisfaction, so for hunger he supplies filling. In both cases the need is more than met, there is an abundance in the supply which is well worthy of notice: the Lord does nothing in a niggardly fashion; satisfying and filling are his peculiar modes of treating his guests; none who come under the Lord's providing ever complain of short commons. Nor does he fill the hungry with common fare, but with goodness itself. It is not so much good, as the essence of goodness which he bestows on needy suppliants. Shall man be thus royally supplied and return no praise for the largeness of love? It must not be so. We will even now give thanks with all the redeemed church, and pray for the time when the whole earth shall be filled with his glory.

HE HAS FILLED (empiplemi) THE HUNGRY (peinao) WITH GOOD THINGS (agathos) - Jesus will fill the hungry with a sufficient quantity and this applies literally but more important figuratively. Yes, Jesus provides literal bread (I think of the story of George Muller's orphan's who had no food for breakfast until Muller prayed and God immediately answered - see illustration below). But ultimately Jesus provides for man's greatest need which is spiritual "bread" for He Himself is the "manna" that came down from Heaven (Jn 6:35+) and His Word is the daily bread we must take in in order to live spiritually (Mt 4:4, Lk 4:4+). Indeed, ultimately is the only "bread" that will satisfy our soul is the "Bread of Life" (cf Ps 42:1-2+)! Jesus promised "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (chortazo)." (Mt 5:6+, cf Lk 6:21+) Are you hungry?

ILLUSTRATION OF JESUS FILLING THE HUNGRY - George Muller records the following in his journal - "One morning, all the plates and cups and bowls on the table were empty. There was no food in the larder and no money to buy food. The children (IN THE ORPHANAGE) were standing, waiting for their morning meal, when Müller said, “Children, you know we must be in time for school.” Then lifting up his hands he prayed, “Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou art going to give us to eat.” There was a knock at the door. The baker stood there, and said, “Mr. Müller, I couldn’t sleep last night. Somehow I felt you didn’t have bread for breakfast, and the Lord wanted me to send you some. So I got up at 2 a.m. and baked some fresh bread, and have brought it.” Mr. Müller thanked the baker, and no sooner had he left, when there was a second knock at the door. It was the milkman. He announced that his milk cart had broken down right in front of the orphanage, and he would like to give the children his cans of fresh milk so he could empty his wagon and repair it."

He has filled (empiplemi) the hungry looks forward to later events in Luke's Gospel such as Jesus feeding the five thousand (Luke 9:10–17+) and the breaking of bread at the Lord’s Supper (Lk 22:14–20+ especially Lk 22:19+; Lk 24:13–35+; Acts 2:42, 46+; Acts 20:7, 11+). Here in Luke 1:53 empiplemi is used metaphorically meaning that Jesus (and He Alone) satisfies the deepest needs of our hungry souls. Jesus satisfies all who come to Him with hungry hearts because He is the "Bread of Life" (Jn 6:35+). There is no better "soul food" than Jesus! God please grant that Jesus would be the sole satisfaction of our souls now and forever! Amen.

An amazing passage that seems to describe the Lord Jesus serving us in the future is found in Luke 12 “Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. (Lk 12:37+)

Spurgeon - This is a wonderful passage. Christ has already had one turn as a servitor. He was Master and Lord, yet he washed his disciples’ feet; but he says that, if we are watchful and faithful, if we truly serve him, the day shall come when, in all his robes of glory, he shall gird himself, and serve us. I never read this verse without wondering at the marvelous condescension of our Lord. Even in the day of his appearing in glory, his thoughts will be more about his people than about himself: “He shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.”

In a partial fulfillment to Mary's prophecy Jesus declared “Blessed are you who hunger (peinao) now, for you shall be satisfied....(25) “Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry (peinao) (COMPARE "sent away the rich empty-handed")." (Luke 6:21; 25+) And in John 6:35+ "Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger (peinao), and he who believes in Me will never thirst." Mary's prophecy is ultimately consummated in the Revelation of Jesus Christ where John records the wonderful description of our future state of full satisfaction...

For this reason, they (Saints from Great Tribulation [Rev 7:14+] but ultimately all the redeemed of Christ) are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He Who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. They will hunger (peinao) no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; 17 (WHY NO MORE HUNGER OR THIRST?) for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their Shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” (Rev 7:15-17+) AND ALL GOD'S CHILDREN SHOUT "HALLELUJAH! THANK YOU JESUS OUR LORD! AMEN!

And sent away (exapostello) the rich (plouteo) empty-handed (kenos) - Why? Because the rich did not want the "bread" that Jesus offered (cf Jn 6:61, 66, John 4:32+). They trusted in their wealth, and were like the church at Laodicea Jesus declaring...

‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth (THAT IS CERTAINLY A FORM OF SENDING AWAY THE RICH "EMPTY-HANDED"!. 17 ‘Because you say, “I am rich (plouteo = EARTHLY "RICHES" - SAME WORD USED HERE IN Lk 1:53), and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich (plouteo - HERE SPEAKING OF SPIRITUAL RICHES FOUND ONLY IN JESUS!), and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.(Rev 3:16-18+)

In Luke's Gospel we see a number of allusions to "sending away" the rich empty-handed...

But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. 25 “Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. (Lk 6:24-25+)

Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14 But He said to him, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” 16 And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. 17 “And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you (SENDING AWAY THE RICH EMPTY-HANDED!); and now who will own what you have prepared?’ 21 “So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Lk 12:13–21+)

“Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 “And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, 21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. 22 “Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried (EMPTY-HANDED). 23 “In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 “And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ 25 “But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. (Lk 16:19-25+)

And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. 3 And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; 4 for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.” (Lk 21:1–4+)

He has filled (present tense)(1705)(empiplemi from en = in + pímplemi = to fill) means to fill in (or up) and so to make full and was used literally after they ate of the loaves and fishes in John 6:12+. At Lystra after healing a lame man and being acclaimed a god, Paul sought to draw attention to God declaring that God "did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying (empiplemi) your hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:17+).

Here are 2 uses of empiplemi in the Septuagint (Lxx). Note especially in Jeremiah 31:14 what truly satisfies the hungry soul!

Ps 107:9 For He has satisfied (Lxx = empiplemi) the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.

Jeremiah 31:14+ “I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people (Israel) will be satisfied (Lxx = empiplemi) with My goodness,” declares the LORD.

Comment - When will Jeremiah's prophecy be fulfilled for Israel? When Jesus returns to bring an end to the Time of Jacob's distress!

The hungry (a verb in present tense = continually hungry) (3983)(peinao from peín = hunger) means to feel the pangs of lack of food. The majority of the NT uses speak of literal hunger. Jesus elevated feeding the hungry to high level in His teaching in Mt 25:35, 37, 42, 44. The figurative use as in Mt 5:6+ signifies to have strong desire to attain some goal with the implication of an existing lack. In summary, peinao may refer to hunger for earthly produce (eg. Lazarus hungering for crumbs - Lk 16:19-31+) or to an intense desire for spiritual nourishment which is also necessary for the continuance of life.

Peinao in Luke - Lk. 1:53; Lk. 4:2; Lk. 6:3; Lk. 6:21; Lk. 6:25;

Good (18) agathos means intrinsically good, inherently good in quality but with the idea of good which is also profitable, useful, benefiting others, benevolent (marked by or disposed to doing good). Agathos is one whose goodness and works of goodness are transferred to others. Good and doing good is the idea. Agathos describes that which is beneficial in addition to being good. Agathos is that which is good in its character, beneficial in its effects and/or useful in its action. Agathos is used in the New Testament primarily of spiritual and moral excellence.

Agathos in Luke and Acts - Lk. 1:53; Lk. 6:45; Lk. 8:8; Lk. 8:15; Lk. 10:42; Lk. 11:13; Lk. 12:18; Lk. 12:19; Lk. 16:25; Lk. 18:18; Lk. 18:19; Lk. 19:17; Lk. 23:50 Acts 9:36; Acts 11:24; Acts 23:1

Sent away (1821)(exapostello from ek = out, forth + apostéllo = send away or forth) means to send away or forth out of the place where one is. In some contexts as here in Lk 1:53 it means to remove someone or dismiss them. It is used this way in a parable by Jesus and gives us an interesting paradoxical parallel in that sent away and empty-handed are paired in that passage as they are here in Luke 1:53. The paradox is that the owners (the Jews) threw out the prophets and then threw out the heir (Jesus) and ultimately killed Him, so that the vineyard was taken away from them (Romans destroyed Temple in 70AD), and they ended up empty-handed just as described in Luke 1:53!

At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, so that they would give him some of the produce of the vineyard; but the vine-growers beat him and sent him away (exapostello) empty-handed (same word kenos). 11 “And he proceeded to send another slave; and they beat him also and treated him shamefully and sent him away (exapostello) empty-handed (same word kenos). (Lk 20:10, 11+ Read the complete parable Lk 20:9-16+)

Exapostello - 13 uses - Lk. 1:53; Lk. 20:10; Lk. 20:11; Lk. 24:49; Acts 7:12; Acts 9:30; Acts 11:22; Acts 12:11; Acts 13:26; Acts 17:14; Acts 22:21; Gal. 4:4; Gal. 4:6

The rich (4147)(plouteo from ploutos = wealth) means to be or to become wealthy, to be increased with goods. Jesus uses this same word warning of the fleeting value of earthly riches versus eternal riches in Luke 12:21+ “So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Paul warned that "those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction." (1 Ti 6:9+) Bock wrote that "Luke wrote more on the topic of wealth than any other New Testament writer."

Plouteo is used 12x in 12v: Lk. 1:53; Lk. 12:21; Ro 10:12; 1 Co. 4:8; 2 Co. 8:9; 1 Ti 6:9; 1 Tim. 6:18; Rev. 3:17; Rev. 3:18; Rev. 18:3; Rev. 18:15; Rev. 18:19

Empty-handed (2756)(kenos) means literally to be without something material and thus means empty or without content. It was used with this literal meaning (as in Mk 12:3 "they took him and beat him and sent him away empty handed" - see Luke's version above). More often kenos is used figuratively referring to things that lack effectiveness and thus are futile, useless, of no purpose or without result. Kenos is used to refer to endeavors, labors, acts, which result in nothing and thus are vain, fruitless, without effect and will not succeed as described. In Acts 4:25+ the companions of the apostles who had just been released by the Jewish religious leaders asked ‘WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE, AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE (kenos) THINGS?" Kenos can refer to being devoid of intellectual, moral, or spiritual value. For example Paul speaking of the value of God's grace declares "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain (kenos); but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me." (1 Cor 15:10+)

Kenos - all 16 uses - Mk. 12:3; Lk. 1:53; Lk. 20:10; Lk. 20:11; Acts 4:25; 1 Co. 15:10; 1 Co. 15:14; 1 Co. 15:58; 2 Co. 6:1; Gal. 2:2; Eph. 5:6; Phil. 2:16; Col. 2:8; 1 Thess. 2:1; 1 Thess. 3:5; Jas. 2:20

Poor Rich People - Martin Luther once observed, "Riches are the least worthy gifts which God can give a man. What are they to God's Word, to bodily gifts: such as beauty and health; or to the gifts of the mind, such as understanding, skill, and wisdom? Or what are they compared to spiritual treasures? Yet men toil for wealth day and night, and take no rest. Therefore God commonly gives riches to foolish people, to whom He gives nothing else!"

The children of a certain family, during a period of prosperity, were constantly left in the nursery in the care of servants. At length a depression came, the servants had to be discharged, and the parents once again cared for their little ones. One evening when the father returned home after a day filled with business worries, his little girl climbed up on his lap and, twining her soft, childish arms around his neck, said, "Papa, don't get rich again. You didn't come into the nursery when you were rich; but now we can be around you and get on your knee and kiss you. Please, please, don't get rich again, Papa!" The father suddenly realized how empty his life had been when he was busy making money but neglecting his family. He saw how he had actually been squandering his God-given time which should have been devoted to higher goals, and abiding values.

Some years ago in Bogota, Colombia, a tame pigeon swallowed a diamond and several emeralds worth $40,000 and flew away. The news item stated that the children of a millionaire had been playing with the stones when the bird snatched them. What a parable on wealth that is amassed at the expense of spiritual, moral, and personal values. Such riches soon "take wings and fly away." Jesus says that few rich men reach the kingdom. Completely occupied with the affairs of this world, neglecting the things of the soul, they are "sent empty away" when their time to leave this earth arrives. (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Carve your name high above shifting sands,
On rocks that defy decay;
All that you'll hold in your poor, dead hand
Is that which you've given away!
—Anon.

The real measure of our wealth is how much we would be worth if we lost our money!

Don’t Pray for a Life of Convenience - Thanking God for the good things He has given us comes pretty easy. But thanking Him for an enduring “inconvenience” can be difficult.

Moira MacLachlan (a pen name) experienced a shattering, life-altering event when she was raped and became pregnant. Because of her decision to raise the child, there would be a daily reminder of this violent disruption of life.

Moira cautiously likens her situation to Mary’s unexpected pregnancy. She writes, “This world considers any disruption of its thoroughly detailed preparation for a life of convenience a rational excuse for unbridled anguish and rebellion. To [the world], the thankful prayer I raise to God for the radical explosion that took place in my life is akin to insanity. The disruptions in the plans of Mary and me served to bring us both to the same conclusion: Sometimes God’s purpose in shattering the peace in our lives is to remind us that He has a purpose for everything.” Moira thanks God for her beautiful child, and concludes, “Don’t pray for a life of convenience, you might get it—and wouldn’t that be too bad? (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Luke 1:54 "He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy,

Luke 1:70–75. Ps. 98:3. Is. 44:21; 46:3, 4; 49:14–16; 54:6–10; 63:7–16. Je. 31:3, 20; 33:24–26. Mi. 7:20. Zep. 3:14–20. Zec. 9:9–11.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:54 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

GOD GIVES HELP
TO ISRAEL

He has given help (antilambano) to Israel His servant (pais) - What does this mean? Again He refers to the unborn Jesus, and the past tense of has given indicates the help He will give to Israel in the future is so sure that it can be spoken of as a completed act. But how does Jesus give help to Israel? He gives help because His coming as Redeemer is fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant made with Abraham ("the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his Seed....and to your seed," that is, Christ." Gal 3:16+), then with Isaac and then reaffirmed with Jacob (Israel). He gives help to Israel today for the faithful remnant of Israel, those Jews who believe in Jesus and receive the ultimate help of salvation. And finally Jesus will give help to Israel in the future as Paul describes in Romans 11 declaring

For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery–so that you will not be wise in your own estimation–that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved; (See notes on Zechariah 12:10-14+, Zech 13:1+ and Zech 13:8-9+) just as it is written, “THE DELIVERER (JESUS) WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.” (See Isaiah 63:1-3+) 27 THIS IS MY COVENANT (see Jer 31:31-34+) WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.” (Ro 11:25-27+)

Phillips - The nation of Israel had fallen on hard times. The majority of Jews lived in the Diaspora. The homeland had been invaded repeatedly, and now cruel Herod sat on David's throne. For four centuries, God had been silent. Now He was about to speak and act as never before. The divine treaty that God had signed with Israel was unconditional, never to be revoked despite Israel's constant apostasies (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:9-21; 17:1-27). Two women, an old one and a young one, blended their voices, and Zacharias sat there dumb! Probably never in all of the nine long months did his dumbness afflict him more. (Exploring Luke)

Bruce Barton - The words “he has helped … Israel” are in the same verb tense as the previous verses—this is a future event so certain that it is mentioned in the past tense. This “help” for Israel is the Messiah, Who will come according to the promise [God] made to our ancestors. God kept his promise to Abraham to be merciful to God’s people forever (Genesis 22:16–18). Jesus’ birth fulfilled the promise, and Mary understood this as the Spirit revealed it to her. Some of God’s promises to Israel are found in 2 Sa 22:50–51; Ps 89:2–4; Ps 103:17–18; Micah 7:18–20+). (Life Application Bible Commentary)

Here is a example of a prophecy (among many which could have been given) from Micah which fulfills Mary's prophecy that Messiah give help to Israel in remembrance of His mercy...

Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity (ANSWER? NO ONE!) and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, (HOW CAN WE BE SURE?) Because He delights in unchanging love (hesed/chesed/heced = Jehovah's love that is unchanging because His covenant with Abraham is unconditional, unchanging! He is a Covenant Keeping God! Hallelujah!). 19 He will again have compassion on us (racham = tender, heartfelt concern cf IN REMEMBRANCE OF HIS MERCY); He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea. (COMPARE THE PROMISE QUOTED BY PAUL) 20 You will give truth to Jacob And unchanging love (hesed/chesed/heced) to Abraham, Which You swore to our forefathers From the days of old. (Micah 7:18–20+).

MacArthur comments on Micah 7:20 specifically the phrase which you swore to our forefathers (clearly an allusion to the covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) - In spite of Israel's unfaithfulness to God, the Lord intends to fulfill His unconditional promises in the Abrahamic Covenant made with Abraham and confirmed with Isaac and Jacob (cf. Ge 12, 15, 17, 22, 26, 28, 35). When enacted in conjunction with the Davidic Covenant, Israel will again be restored as a people and a nation to the land originally promised to Abraham. Jesus Christ, the ultimate descendant of David, will rule from Jerusalem over the world as King of kings and Lord of lords (cf. Rev 17:14; Rev 19:16). (The MacArthur Study Bible) (Bolding added for emphasis)

In remembrance (mimnesko) of His mercy - "God is and has been faithful to Israel because of His unchanging character (cf. Mal. 3:6+) of mercy and covenant love (Hebrew hesed)."

Here is another promise that clearly demonstrates Jehovah's remembrance in mercy... “If your outcasts are at the ends of the earth, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you back. 5 “The LORD your God will bring you into THE LAND which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. 6 “Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart (NEW COVENANT - cf Ezek 36:26-27+) and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live. (Dt 30:4-6+)

He has given help (482)(antilambano from antí = mutually or against + lambáno = to take, to hold) in the middle voice it means to take hold of another as by the hand and figuratively means to support them from falling. In middle voice it means come to the aid of, to help, to support, to assist. This verb is used only 3x in the NT - Lk 1:54, Acts 20:35 and 1 Ti 6:2. Mary could be alluding to a prophecy in Isaiah 41:9 which uses this same verb antilambano in the Septuagint (Lxx) and reads

"You (Israel - see context Isa 41:8) whom I have taken (Lxx = antilambano in middle voice = taken hold of to help) from the ends of the earth, and called from its remotest parts and said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you."

Comment - God has not rejected Israel as a nation contrary to what many teach today! God has plans to give Israel help and bring them from the ends of the earth for in Ezekiel God promises "After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations (cf Isaiah's "from the ends of the earth"), and they are living securely, all of them." (Ezek 38:8+) Israel is not living securely now, but in the Messianic Kingdom she will be restored and will be absolutely secure!

Antilambano - Used 54x in 53 verses in Septuagint (Lxx) - Gen. 48:17; Lev. 25:35; 1 Ki. 9:9; 1 Ki. 9:11; 1 Chr. 22:17; 2 Chr. 7:22; 2 Chr. 28:15; 2 Chr. 28:23; 2 Chr. 29:34; Ps. 3:5; Ps. 18:35; Ps. 20:2; Ps. 40:11; Ps. 41:12; Ps. 48:3; Ps. 63:8; Ps. 69:29; Ps. 89:43; Ps. 107:17; Ps. 118:13; Ps. 119:116; Ps. 139:13; Prov. 11:28; Isa. 9:7; Isa. 26:3; Isa. 41:9; Isa. 42:1; Isa. 49:26; Isa. 51:18; Isa. 59:16; Isa. 63:5; Isa. 64:7; Jer. 23:14; Ezek. 12:14; Ezek. 16:49; Ezek. 20:5; Ezek. 20:6; Dan. 6:27; Mic. 6:6

Servant (child, boy, girl)(3816) pais English - pedo- as in pediatrics, pedobaptism) is translated most often as servant but can also refer to young children. Regarding the uses of pais for servant or slave BDAG writes this describes "one who is committed in total obedience to another." It is surprising that there are no other NT uses outside of the Gospels and Acts. Nevertheless, the concept of a slave as totally committed to the obedience of another, especially God, is portrayed in the noun doulos, which is first used by these new believers in Acts 4:29 to describe their relationship of God. I wonder how many modern believers see themselves as a doulos of God? What difference would it make in our lives if we really understood what this meant? (See comments on Acts 4:29).

Pais -24v - Matt. 2:16; Matt. 8:6; Matt. 8:8; Matt. 8:13; Matt. 12:18; Matt. 14:2; Matt. 17:18; Matt. 21:15; Lk. 1:54; Lk. 1:69; Lk. 2:43; Lk. 7:7; Lk. 8:51; Lk. 8:54; Lk. 9:42; Lk. 12:45; Lk. 15:26; Jn. 4:51; Acts 3:13; Acts 3:26; Acts 4:25; Acts 4:27; Acts 4:30; Acts 20:12

Remembrance (3403)(mimnesko) means to bring to mind or think of again. It means to keep in mind for attention or consideration. Most of the NT uses convey this sense of recalling information from memory. In Acts 10:31+ (Rev 16:19+) the idea of mimnesko is to think of and call attention to someone or something and to make mention of. The dying thief asked Jesus to keep him in mind when He came into His Kingdom (So what did the thief believe? That Jesus would die but would rise again and live to rule. He believed Jesus was the King!). (Lk 23:42+) He was asking Jesus to be concerned about him or to think of him.

The verb mimnesko is used in the Septuagint (Lxx) of Habakkuk 3:2 "O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years, In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember (mimnesko) mercy." In Habakkuk this is a prayer for God to "remember mercy" and in Luke 1:54 it is His answer via Mary's prophecy "in remembrance of His mercy!"

Mercy (1656)(eleos) is an attitude and emotion roused by the affliction of another - pity, compassion. Eleos speaks especially of gracious action demonstrating God's compassion. Eleos us used over 300 times in the Septuagint and frequently translates hesed or God's lovingkindness, His unchanging, steadfast covenant love for Israel.

Eleos in Luke - Lk. 1:50; Lk. 1:54; Lk. 1:58; Lk. 1:72; Lk. 1:78; Lk. 10:37

Eleos (His remembrance of mercy) is used in Isaiah where we read of Yahweh's great promise of help to the nation of Israel who even now is dispersed throughout the world...

“For a brief moment I forsook you, But with great compassion (Lxx = eleos) I will gather you (cf Isa 26:20 - after the indignation of Jacob's Trouble Messiah will return and gather the believing remnant of Israel). “In an outburst of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, But with everlasting lovingkindness (Hebrew = hesed; Lxx = eleos) I will have compassion on you,” Says the LORD your Redeemer." (Isaiah 54:7-8)

Comment - How could one read a promise like this and think that God is finished with the nation of Israel? The only way to misinterpret the clear promise of God to Israel is to fail to read the passage literally and instead to spiritualize or allegorize it like sadly so many do today!

Spurgeon - The Interpreter's Bible - The person chosen to be the mother of the Lord Jesus was a lowly maid, but she was also a godly woman of no mean ability of mind, for her song is written in the highest style of poetry. To the humble and devout the visitations of the Holy Spirit are granted. The manner in which the angel saluted Mary was highly honourable to her, but affords no ground for the superstitious reverence of the Papists, for “he saluted her as a saint, and did not pray to her as a goddess.” Mary confessed herself a sinner needing salvation, for she rejoiced in God her Saviour; it never entered into her mind to claim the homage of mankind. It is a great blessing that in answer to earnest prayer the Holy Spirit will come into our hearts, and make us sing as joyfully as Mary did. Christ will dwell in our hearts by faith, and we shall be numbered with those favoured ones of whom Jesus said, “The same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

My soul doth magnify the Lord,
My spirit doth rejoice;
To thee my Saviour and my God
I lift my joyful voice.

Down from above the blessèd dove
Is come into my breast,
To witness thine eternal love,
And give my spirit rest.

Hark, the glad sound, the Saviour comes,
The Saviour promised long!
Let every heart prepare a throne,
And every voice a song.

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
Thy welcome shall proclaim;
And heaven’s eternal arches ring
With thy beloved name.

Luke 1:55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever."

Ge. 12:3; 17:19; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14. Ps. 105:6–10; 132:11–17. Ro. 11:28, 29. Ga. 3:16, 17.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:55 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

AN EVERLASTING
COVENANT

As He spoke to our fathers Abraham and his descendants forever (aion) - God literally spoke to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. These are the "fathers" or the patriarchs of Israel. And this is a reference to the everlasting, unconditional covenant God cut with Abraham and his seed.

God's covenant promise to Abraham:

Gen 12:3+ And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Gen 15:17-20+ It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates: 19 the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite 20and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Rephaim 21 and the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Girgashite and the Jebusite.” (cf similar promise of land in Ge 17:8)

Comment - This is a literal promise of literal land to the literal nation of Israel and will not be fulfilled until the Messianic Kingdom. This promise is not made to the Church, but clearly the church will enjoy and share in the benefits and blessings of this promise throughout the 1000 year Millennial reign of Christ. For example, in a prophecy in Ezekiel, Jehovah promises the nation of Israel "You will live in THE LAND that I gave to your forefathers (WHEN? Ge 15:17-20. WHO? ABRAHAM, ISAAC, JACOB); so you will be My people, and I will be your God." (Ezekiel 36:28+)

Gen 17:19 But God said, "No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.

Gen 22:18 "And in your Seed (= CHRIST - Gal 3:16+) all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."

And his descendants = God's covenant promise to Abraham's son Isaac:

Gen 26:4 "And I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed;

(Note Isaac's blessing on Jacob in Ge 28:4 that he might "possess THE LAND of your sojournings, which God gave to Abraham.”)

And his descendants = God's covenant promise to Isaac's son Jacob

Gen 28:13-14 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; THE LAND on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your descendants (THE CHURCH IS NEVER SAID TO BE A DESCENDANT OF JACOB!). "Your descendants shall also be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

Gen 35:10-12 God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; You shall no longer be called Jacob, But Israel shall be your name.” Thus He called him Israel. 11 God also said to him, “I am God Almighty; Be fruitful and multiply; A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, And kings shall come forth from you. 12 “THE LAND which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you, And I will give the land to your descendants after you (WHO ARE JACOB'S DESCENDANTS? JEWS BUT ULTIMATELY ONLY THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN MESSIAH WILL INHERIT THESE PROMISES! THIS LAND PROMISE IS NOT GIVEN TO THE CHURCH IF THIS PASSAGE IS READ LITERALLY! cf Dt 1:8).”

Comment - Beloved could God have been any clearer? To whom did He give THE LAND? To a man whose name He changed from Jacob to Israel (NAME CHANGES WERE CHARACTERISTIC OF MAKING COVENANTS)

Related Resources:

Forever (165)(aion) is the idiom "eis ton aiona" is more literally "to the age" meaning to the end of the age or forever. The promises God made to the nation of Israel will endure unto the end of this present age and forever and ever. Amen! (So be it!)

Luke 1:56 And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.

Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:56 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

MARY SOJOURNS
THREE MONTHS

And Mary stayed (meno) with her about three months - Why did Mary stay 3 months? We know that travel was not easy so that long visits were common in the ancient world. Luke's timing is often given as an approximation as in this case. My wife (we had 4 children) used to complain that the baby was moving around a lot. Well, imagine Elizabeth filled with a Spirit filled baby! One has to wonder if John was jumping around filled with the Spirit for 3 months because he was in the presence of the Messiah in Mary? Recall that in Lk 1:36 (cf Lk 1:26) Elizabeth had apparently been pregnant 6 months and now with 3 months this would have been very near the time of John’s birth.

Jamieson comments "What an honored roof was that which, for such a period, overarched these cousins! and yet not a trace of it is now to be seen, while the progeny of those two women—the one but the honored pioneer of the other—have made the world new." (Luke 1)

Then returned to her home - It is difficult to state with certainty, but Mary probably stayed with Elizabeth until John was born (but we cannot be dogmatic). To her hometown Nazareth (Luke 1:26+), not to Joseph's house because they apparently were still betrothed and not formally married. Certainly Mary's tummy would have begun to show signs of baby Jesus' growth, and you can imagine the shock of Joseph. So shocked was he that God had to send an angel to avert a divorce disaster! Matthew records the sequence of events which took place after Mary returned to Nazareth...

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed (mnesteuo - cf Lk 1:27+) to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly (divorce her privately). 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” 24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife (I.E., HE TOOK HER INTO HIS HOME), 25 but (HE DID NOT CONSUMMATE THE MARRIAGE BUT INSTEAD) kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.(Mt 1:18-25).

Utley says in view of the fact that she was beginning to look pregnant she returned home "Obviously to face ridicule. Belief always costs!"

William MacDonald agrees adding "No doubt she became the object of suspicion and slander in the neighborhood. But God would vindicate her; she could afford to wait." (See Believer's Bible Commentary)

Lenski makes an interesting point - "We judge that Mary hastens home because she wanted to avoid the people who would soon throng the house of Elisabeth. "(See context in The Interpretation of St. Luke's Gospel)

Luke 1:57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son.

Luke 1:13; Luke 2:6, 7. Ge. 21:2, 3. Nu. 23:19.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:57 Commentaries
Torrey's Topic - God's Faithfulness
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

John Hannah outlines this last section: The advent of John (Lk 1:57-80)

The birth of John (Lk 1:57-58)
The naming of John (Lk 1:59-66)
The song of Zacharias (Lk 1:67-79)
The childhood of John (Lk 1:80)

GOD ALWAYS KEEPS HIS
PROPHECY AND HIS PROMISE

As with the narrative of the announcement of John's conception, Luke is the only Gospel writer to also provide the events of John's birth.

John MacArthur observes that "Luke’s matter of fact statement that the time had come marks the beginning of the apex of redemptive history. The birth of Messiah’s forerunner would be followed by the birth of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who would accomplish the work of redemption and ratify the New covenant, providing the sacrifice that brought forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all believers from Adam on." (See context Luke Commentary)

Now the time had come (pimplemi) for Elizabeth to give birth (gennao) - Now the time had come is similar to expressions in (Lk 1:23, Lk 2:6, 21, 22). This phrase "combines two ideas: (1) that a certain time must elapse before something can happen, as shown by the fact that hēmerai ‘days’, and chronos ‘time’, always denote a period, never a moment; (2) that the time has come for something to happen, as intimated by eplēsthē ‘was fulfilled’." (UBS Handbook) John's birth was 6 months before Jesus (cf Lk 1:26+). The angel Gabriel had predicted John's birth (Luke 1:13+, Luke 1:19+) and now God keeps His promise. As someone has said God tests our faith so that we may trust His faithfulness. (cf 1 Pe 4:19+)

Had come (pimplemi) means to cause to be completely full, to come to the end of a period of time and in this case means the 266 days of gestation have been fulfilled and it was now time for parturition.

Happy the man whose hopes rely
On Israel’s God; He made the sky,
And earth and seas, with all their train;
His truth forever stands secure;
He saves the oppressed, He feeds the poor,
And none shall find His promises vain.
Isaac Watts

She gave birth to a son - God had not forgotten His promise. Recall that Zacharias' name means "Jah has remembered!"

THOUGHT - Beloved, we have a promise keeping God and we have been granted (manifold) "precious and magnificent promises" which are like blank checks which are accessed by faith and obedience, just like the old hymn wisely says "Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, then to trust and obey!" Are you yourself being faithful to God and thereby laying hold of the faithfulness of His precious promises "in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." (2 Peter 1:4+) This is the way you will "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Pe 3:18+). This is the way you will experience progressive sanctification. As Puritan William Gurnall asked "What more powerful consideration can be thought on to make us true to God, than the faithfulness and truth of God to us?" And remember that our faithfulness in little things is a big thing.

Scripture repeatedly asserts that we can trust God's promises of He Who Alone is worthy of the title "the God of truth" (Ps 31:5, Isa 65:16) Whose every Word is truth (Jn 17:17)...

Joshua 21:45 Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.

1 Kings 8:56 “Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant.

2 Corinthians 1:20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him (JESUS CHRIST) they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. (I like the old KJV rendering - "For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in him Amen" 2Co 1:20KJV)

Since that is the truth about God's promises "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Heb. 10:23+) Because God is faithful, His promises are infallibly reliable! As Calvin said "God is always like Himself."

Moses centuries affirms God's faithfulness writing that "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent (change his mind); Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19) As Matthew Henry said "Though men are false, God is faithful."

Paul gives us the the NT version affirming God's faithfulness writing "Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie (apseudes = "the non-lying God!"), promised long ages ago, (Titus 1:1-2+)

Trusting God's faithfulness dispels our fearfulness.

Play the great old hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness as you think about the times in your own life when God has shown you His faithfulness...

Great is Thy faithfulness
O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not
Thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been
Thou forever will be

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
And all I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me

Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer
And to guide
Strength for today
and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord every morning new mercies I see
And all I have needed Thy hands hath
provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me
So faithful too me

Worship Him today by singing this hymn from John Newton Come My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare

Thou art coming to a King,
Large petitions with thee bring;
For His grace and power are such,
None can ever ask too much;
None can ever ask too much.

God's faithfulness applies to His…

Temporal blessings (1Ti 4:8+; Ps 84:11; Isa 33:16, Spurgeon)
Spiritual blessings (1Co 1:9)
Support in temptation (1Cor 10:13+)
Support in persecution (1Pe 4:12, 13+; Isa 41:10 Spurgeon)
Sanctifying discipline (He 12:4-12+)
Direction in difficulties (2Chr 32:22; Ps 32:8)
Enabling of His own to persevere (Jer 32:40)
Bringing to glory (1Jn 2:25+).
In the Old Testament, God’s faithfulness and covenant love are closely related (Deut 7:9)

Related Resources:

Faithfulness - God's wonderful attribute
The Faithfulness of God by A. W. Pink
How can I learn to trust in the faithfulness of God? | GotQuestions.org
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is faithfulness?

God's Faithfulness: Do you have a "Rushmore Reminder"? - These stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever. --Joshua 4:7 In 1941, sculptor Gutzon Borglum completed his work on Mount Rushmore. The 60-foot-high granite heads of four US Presidents now stand like sentinels of democracy over the Black Hills of South Dakota. The imposing likenesses of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt remind visitors of our nation's heritage and history. God told Israel's leader, Joshua, to take 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan River for a similar purpose (Josh. 4:1-7,20-24). The Lord wanted future generations to have a memorial to their national history. He wanted them to remember that as He parted the Red Sea to get them out of Egypt, He also parted the Jordan to get them into the Promised Land. He wanted them to live not only in the present, but with the reminder of the values, faith, and experiences of their founding fathers: Moses, Aaron, and Joshua. God understands our human nature and knows that "out-of-sight, out-of-mind" occurs all too often in our spiritual lives. We need physical reminders of spiritual truths. We need to pile up stones, write journals, and tell family stories to help us remember the miracle of God's provisions that neither we nor our children can afford to forget. Think About It -- How has God shown Himself to be faithful to you and your family in the past? How can you make sure you'll remember? With whom can you talk about it today? Precious memories of yesterday can be precious moments today. --M R De Haan II (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

The Father’s Faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23) - Hudson Taylor, the humble servant of God to China, demonstrated extraordinary trust in God’s faithfulness. In his journal he wrote: “Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning… He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all… Depend on it, God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” We may be faint and weary, but our heavenly Father is all-powerful. Our feelings may fluctuate, but He is unchangeable. Even creation itself is a record of His steadfastness. That’s why we can sing these words from a hymn by Thomas Chisholm: “Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.” What an encouragement to live for Him! Our strength for the present and hope for the future are not based on the stability of our own perseverance but on the fidelity of God. No matter what our need, we can count on the Father’s faithfulness.

He who abandons himself to God
will never be abandoned by God.

Luke 1:58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her.

her neighbours. Luke 1:25. Ru. 4:14–17. Ps. 113:9.
they were rejoicing. Luke 1:14. Ge. 21:6. Is. 66:9, 10. Ro. 12:15. 1 Co. 12:26.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:58 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

DIVINE MERCY
ON DISPLAY

Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great (megaluno) mercy (eleos) toward her - This does not suggest that the neighbors did not know she was pregnant (as some writers propose) because Luke 1:24 says "she kept herself in seclusion for five months." But that possibility cannot be completely excluded. It is important to note that God received the glory for His display of mercy. Elizabeth alluded to the Lord's display of great mercy earlier testifying “This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.” (Luke 1:25+)

Displayed...great (megaluno) (Weymouth = had lavished His mercy upon) means to declare great and was used earlier by Mary in Lk 1:46 (exalts). Megaluno is used in a similar way in the Septuagint in several passages that give glory to God...

1 Sa 12:24 “Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.

Ps 126:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

Ryle on God's mercy - WE have in this passage the history of a birth, the birth of a burning and shining light in the Church, the forerunner of Christ Himself,—John the Baptist. The language in which the Holy Ghost describes the event is well worthy of remark. It is written that “The Lord showed great mercy on Elisabeth.” There was mercy in bringing her safely through her time of trial. There was mercy in making her the mother of a living child. Happy are those family circles, whose births are viewed in this light—as especial instances of “the mercy” of the Lord.

Spurgeon - This is a very beautiful way of stating the case, “The Lord had shewed great mercy upon her.” Family events should be looked at in this light, and made the occasion of pious thanksgiving.) (Luke 1)

Hendriksen - The visitors had heard “how kind [or merciful] the Lord had been” to Elizabeth. Literally, they had heard “that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her.” This kind of language clearly shows that Luke is making use of Semitic—that is, Hebrew and/or Aramaic—sources. In the nativity account that is the rule, not the exception. Note also the emphasis, here as well as elsewhere (Luke 1:50, 54, 55, 72, 78) on God’s mercy or lovingkindness in action. (Luke Baker Exegetical Commentary).

MUTUAL JOY

And they were rejoicing with (sugchairo) her - Recall that Elizabeth was not surprised that she gave birth to a boy and even knew his name would be John, because the angel had foretold this in Luke 1:13+. God is always good to His Word beloved no matter how seemingly incredible His promise may seem to be (cf Ps 111:7)! The removal of social stigma of Elizabeth's barrenness was a cause of rejoicing among the Jews. As discussed below sugchairo uses the prefix sun/syn which signifies that there was a strong element of joint joy. A T Robertson quips that "Joy demands fellowship" and certainly it is more pleasing to be around those who are rejoicing as it becomes "infectious." This joy is a partial fulfillment of Luke 1:14+. Later in the description of Jesus’ birth, Luke would describe the shepherds’ joy (Lk 2:10+).

THOUGHT - Are you (am I) a joy for the saints to be around? Or is my affect and attitude a joy killer to others.

Barclay relates the custom of the time (cannot find this anywhere else so keep that in mind if you quote it) - “When the time of the birth was near at hand, friends and local musicians gathered near the house. When the birth was announced and it was a boy, the musicians broke into song, and there was universal congratulation and rejoicing. If it was a girl, the musicians went silently and regretfully away!”

Rod Mattoon adds - The birth of a baby boy in Israel was a very joyous occasion. As the time approached for the baby to be born, friends of the family and musicians would congregate near the home. When the baby was born, everyone would be informed of whether it was a boy or a girl. If it was a boy, the musicians would start playing their instruments and the people would sing. There was great rejoicing. On the other hand, if it was a girl, the musicians would leave in silence. There was a saying, "The birth of a male child causes universal joy, but the birth of a female child causes universal sorrow." Those same sentiments continue today as mothers are aborting their babies if they find out they are carrying a girl, especially in countries like China, India, and even in the United States. Let me say right here that I am the father of two sons and five daughters.

Mercy (1656)(eleos) is the outward manifestation of pity and assumes need (Elizabeth's barrenness and old age) on the part of those who are recipients (Elizabeth and Zacharias) of the mercy and sufficient resources to meet the need (Ps 127:3). And it is amazing that almost 20% of all the NT uses of eleos are found in Luke 1 (Lk 1:50, 54, 58, 72, 78) We do well to remember that God's Mercy is also when that which is deserved is withheld to the benefit of the object of the mercy.

Related Resource:

Mercy - God's Attribute
Mercy - notes by C H Spurgeon

Rejoicing with (4796)(sugchairo from sun/syn = with, speaks of an intimate union + chairo = to rejoice, be glad) means literally to rejoice with, to take part in joy, to feel (and express) joy with, to share joy with (Lk 1:58, Php 2:17 What a great thing to share!) Sugchairo describes a deep mutuality of purpose and feeling. In 1 Cor 12:26 sugchairo reflects the ideal unity of the Body of Christ to rejoice with one another. "To express pleasure over another’s good fortune, congratulate." (BDAG) Sugchairo is used twice in the form of commands in Jesus' stories of the man who rejoiced over finding his lost sheep (Luke 15:6) and of the woman who, rejoiced over finding her lost coin, both of these individual desiring that others share in their joy (Luke 15:9).

Sugchairo - 7x in 7v - Usage: rejoice(3), rejoices(1), rejoicing(1), share...joy(2).

Luke 1:58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her.

Luke 15:6+ “And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘‘Rejoice with (command - see Need for the Holy Spirit to obey NT commands) me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’

Comment: Note the context of the previous and following uses of shared joy - "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (Lk 15:5)

Luke 15:9+ “When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with (command) me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’

1 Corinthians 12:26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

1 Corinthians 13:6+ does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

Comment: Rejoices in the truth” refers to a joy that harmonizes with the facts.

Philippians 2:17+ But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.

Philippians 2:18+ You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

A T Robertson - Joy is mutual when the service is mutual. Young missionaries offer their lives as a challenge to other Christians to match their money with their blood.

John Phillips - Paul had a stake in the Philippians and they had a stake in him. They were supporting him, helping to supply his financial needs, and ministering to him in prison. They were to rejoice in him just as he rejoiced in them.

The only use of sugchairo in the Septuagint is Genesis 21:6

Sarah said, "God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me."

Rod Mattoon - Our responsibility as Christians is to trust in the Lord, His Word, and to be patient in waiting for Him to fulfill His Word. Mary had to wait patiently for the child to be bom in God's time. Rushing God's plan would have been bad for the baby. She needed to carry the child full term. In the same manner, we need to learn to wait on God and His timing. Beloved, give God the opportunity to lead, guide, direct your life, answer your prayers, and provide for your needs. The promise of the Rapture and the Second Coming may seem incredible, but He is going to return one day soon and remove the Christians from this planet. We are to patiently wait for His coming and serve Him until He returns. If you are sick, single, stressed, or strained financially, give the Lord time to answer your prayers and work in your life. Don't rush the Lord. God is powerful enough to do that which seems absolutely impossible. Never underestimate His power and the power of His Word. (Ps 27:14).

J C Ryle on rejoicing - We see in the conduct of Eliasbeth’s neighbors and cousins, a striking example of the kindness we owe to one another. It is written that “They rejoiced with her.”

How much more happiness there would be in this evil world, if conduct like that of Elisabeth’s relations was more common! Sympathy in one another’s joys and sorrows costs little, and yet is a grace of most mighty power. Like the oil on the wheels of some large engine, it may seem a trifling and unimportant thing, yet in reality it has an immense influence on the comfort and well-working of the whole machine of society. A kind word of congratulation or consolation is seldom forgotten. The heart that is warmed by good tidings, or chilled by affliction, is peculiarly susceptible, and sympathy to such a heart is often more precious than gold.

The servant of Christ will do well to remember this grace. It seems “a little one,” and amidst the din of controversy, and the battle about mighty doctrines, we are sadly apt to overlook it. Yet it is one of those pins of the tabernacle which we must not leave in the wilderness. It is one of those ornaments of the Christian character which make it beautiful in the eyes of men. Let us not forget that it is enforced upon us by a special precept: “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” (Rom. 12:15.) The practice of it seems to bring down a special blessing. The Jews who came to comfort Mary and Martha at Bethany, saw the greatest miracle that Jesus ever worked.—Above all, it is commended to us by the most perfect example. Our Lord was ready both to go to a marriage feast, and to weep at a grave. (John 2:1, &c. John 11:1, &c.) Let us be ever ready to go and do likewise. (Luke 1)

Luke 1:59 And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father.

Luke 2:21. Ge. 17:12; 21:3, 4. Le. 12:3. Ac. 7:8. Phi. 3:5.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:59 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

CIRCUMCISED IN OBEDIENCE
TO GOD'S WORD

And it happened that - This introductory phrase (egeneto, “it happened that”) is one of Luke's favorite words and is used some 69 times in the Gospel (e.g., Lk 1:5, 8, 23, 59, 2:6, 15, 46, 3:20-21, 5:1, 12, 17, etc) and about 54 times in the book of Acts (Acts 4:5, 5;7, 9:19, 32, 37, 43, etc).

John's circumcision had no deep spiritual significance as the Jews were wont to teach, but it did reflect his parents obedience tot he law (see Leviticus 12:3-note).

Rod Mattoon - The purpose of the circumcision was part of the covenant that God had with Abraham. It was a symbol of putting away the filth of the flesh and of the covenant agreement that God had with Abraham's descendants. It was an act of obedience to the Lord for the Jewish family.

That on the eighth day (as with Jesus - Lk 2:21+) they came to circumcise the child - Who is they? This did not just "happen" by accident but was actually a reflection of the infinite wisdom of God and their obedience to His Word. Circumcision was the covenant mark for a Jewish male. Thus circumcision on the eighth day was not just random but was clearly stated in the Old Testament...

“And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a servant who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants. (Ge 17:12)

Comment - For you skeptics, we see that Moses' information regarding circumcision on the 8th day was 100% scientifically accurate!

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying: ‘When a woman gives birth and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean for seven days, as in the days of her menstruation she shall be unclean. 3 ‘On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. (Lev 12:1-3+)

Paul alluded to this OT ordinance carried out on himself writing "circumcised the eighth day" (Php 3:5+).

God, the Creator of everything, knew that an infant's coagulation factors would be low in the first 7 days of life and that circumcision in that time could result in uncontrollable bleeding and loss of the infant's life. Below is a diagram which demonstrates the progressive rise in prothrombin levels which are produced in the liver and are dependent on Vitamin K. Notice that the prothrombin levels reach 100% range on day eight. This is just another piece of the puzzle to support that the Bible is fully inspired, word for word! So much for evolution! Click diagram below to enlarge...

Circumcise (4059)(peritemno from perí = around + témno = cut off - see study of peritome) means literally to cut something off or away ("to cut off around"), signifying a removal of that which has been cut away.

And they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father - Something like "Zacharias, Jr!" Tradition dictated that the child should receive a family name, honoring a parent, a grandparent, or some other relative. (cf Mk 7:5, Tradition from Fiddler on the Roof) Note the pronoun they indicating this is not the will of Zacharias or Elizabeth but the Jewish crowd. Custom dictated that the firstborn son be named after his father. Were going to call is in the imperfect tense which gives us a vivid picture of this scene and could be paraphrased they were "repeatedly trying to call him Zacharias."

Stein - We find a parallel to this naming of John the Baptist at his circumcision in the following account about Jesus (Luke 2:21+), but it was more common to name a child at birth (cf. Ge 4:1; 21:3; 25:25–26). It was unusual to name a son after his father, since a man tended to be identified as (John) son of (Zechariah), i.e., (John), Bar-(Zechariah); and Zechariah Bar-Zechariah would have been strange. (See Luke: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition )

Hughes quips "The relatives assumed that the boy would be “little Zechariah”—“big Zech and little Zech.” That was a nice thought, but a wrong one." (See Luke: That You May Know the Truth)

Hendriksen - "In the old dispensation the naming of the child occurred in connection with its birth (Ge 21:1–3; 25:24–26; etc.). The present passage (and cf. Luke 2:21+) appears to be the earliest witness for the practice of connecting the naming of a child with circumcision." (Luke Baker Exegetical Commentary).

Bob Utley on circumcision - This was practiced by all of Israel’s neighbors except the Philistines (Greek Aegean people). For most cultures it was usually a rite of passage into manhood, but not for Israel (it was instead an initiation rite into the covenant People). It was a sign of a special faith relationship with YHWH (Ge. 17:9–14). Each Patriarch circumcised his own sons (i.e. acted as priest for his own family). Robert Girdlestone, Synonyms of the Old Testament, p. 214, says the rite of circumcision connected the rite of blood-shedding with the act of circumcision. Blood was connected to covenant forming (cf. Ge. 15:17), covenant breaking (cf. Gen. 2:17), and covenant redemption (cf. Isa. 53). (Luke 1 )

Related Resources:

Luke 1:60 But his mother answered and said, "No indeed; but he shall be called John."

No indeed Luke 1:13. 2 Sa. 12:25. Is. 8:3. Mat. 1:25.
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GENUINE OBEDIENCE
DOES NOT HESITATE

Elizabeth (and Zacharias) were as we say today "Swimming against the tide" which means to go against or disagree with a prevailing or popularly held opinion or perspective; to act or behave contrary to the majority of others. It means you do or say the opposite of what most other people are doing or saying. Obedience to God often involves "swimming against the tide," going against what the rest of the fallen world is doing or believing. It is uncomfortable and will seldom get the applause of others. Ultimately, we need to let the Word of Truth undergird our mind (Jn 17:17), the Spirit of Truth to enable our will (Php 2:13+), and the Glory of God to be our goal.

Bock writes "WHEN GOD ACTS, we should listen. Zechariah has learned this lesson. When the birth of John was announced to him, he could not believe it, so the Lord gave him a sign for reflection: He would be unable to speak until all was fulfilled (Lk 1:18-20+). Then he would know that God does what He says (ED: AND MEANS WHAT HE SAYS!). The present passage shows the outcome of Zechariah’s reflection. As a righteous man, he has learned from his mistake. Through the pain of the discipline, he emerges a stronger man of God (Heb 12:10, 11+). Those who are arrogant, thinking they know it all, have no need for God or for instruction. Zechariah is not an arrogant man." (NIV Application Commentary - Luke)

But his mother answered - Zacharias though unable to speak had nevertheless clearly communicated God's wishes for their child's name. And Elizabeth did not hesitate for a moment to counter the crowd's call to name him after his father! She obeyed without hesitation. Delayed obedience is always disobedience!

No indeed; but he shall be called John - No indeed is a strong Greek negative ouchi which is a strengthened form of the strongest negative (ou) and could be translated "not so," "by no means," "not al all," "no you don't," or our modern idiom "mo way!". In short, Elizabeth is answering negatively about as forcefully as one can in the Greek! This matter was not open for discussion and could not be a group decision! Case closed! The phrase he shall be called while future tense, in context clearly conveys the force of an imperative or command. The angel from God told her husband "you will give him the name John." (Lk 1:13+) They resisted peer pressure (which is never easy) and obeyed God's clear word. This is a good pattern for all God's children to emulate (cf Heb 6:12+) - if peer pressure tries to coerce you to do something contrary to God's clear word, then in a word "DON'T!" Remember that to obey is always better than sacrifice (1 Sa 15:22), for as David declared "You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." (Ps 51:16-17+)

THOUGHT FROM MATTOON - This may have seemed like an insignificant matter. It's just a name for a baby. There is, however, an important principle that is hidden here. This crowd is typical of the world today. How many times have servants of the Lord and the work of the Lord been given the wrong names or incorrectly labeled by the world? Those who are wicked have difficulty in calling that which is right or wrong by its correct name. People who are wicked tend to call that which is evil, good and that which is good is considered as evil. If a Christian has convictions and won't compromise with sin, he is considered as snooty, stuck-up, and judgmental. If he takes a stand against premarital sex and drunkenness, he is considered narrow minded, out of touch, or from another planet. If he stands against abortion, he is accused of being a dangerous nut and violating someone's rights. If he stands against homosexuality, he is accused of being a bigot and promoting hate crimes....Beloved, when a nation or an individual rejects the Word of God and the authority of Scripture, when people fail to recognize evil as "evil," that nation or person loses their common sense and invites God's judgment. (Pr 17:13)....Let us be like Elisabeth and speak up for the truth no matter how outnumbered we may be. May we stand up for what is right, even if we stand alone. What will you turn out to be? If you spend your life standing for Christ and for what is right, you will turn out to be a tremendous blessing to many people.

NET Note - By insisting on the name specified by the angel, Elizabeth (Lk 1:60) and Zacharias (Lk 1:63) have learned to obey God (see Luke 1:13-note).

John - "the Lord's gracious gift" (Spurgeon) See "Behind the Name"

MacArthur on the names of John and his parents - The reason the baby’s name was nonnegotiable was because God Himself, as He had done in the cases of Isaac (Gen. 17:19), Isaiah’s son (Isa. 8:3), Hosea’s children (Hos. 1:4, 6, 9), and would shortly do in the case of Jesus (Matt. 1:21), had chosen it. Iōannēs (John) is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Jehohanan (or Johanan), which means, “God is gracious.” The name reflects God’s gracious salvation, in which John would figure prominently as Messiah’s forerunner. The names of his parents also unfold aspects of the plan of redemption. “Zacharias” means, “God remembers” (i.e., is faithful to His promises), while “Elizabeth” may mean, “my God has sworn” or “my God is an oath,” in other words, He is “the Absolutely Reliable One” (William Hendriksen, The Gospel of Luke [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1978], 65). Both of those possible meanings of Elizabeth’s name also refer to God’s faithfulness. (Luke Commentary)

Allen Ross on John - The LORD God had named the child, “John,” and so the parents now comply with that instruction, much to the astonishment of everyone. Two observations: First, the name “John” is a beautiful Hebrew name, more precisely Yohanan (pronounced Yo-kha-nan, a guttural sound kh in the middle--which is how the nickname Jack came from John). It means, “Yah [the LORD] is merciful” or “Yah [the LORD] has been gracious.” It is a good name for this child, because God showed favor/mercy to Elizabeth. But the whole chapter is about the unfolding mercy of God in their lives, and in the human race. To have the prophet named for the meaning of the message is typical of the Bible. Second, God named the child. Whoever names, or renames, in the Bible shows sovereignty. This would be their child in one sense, but in the true sense John belonged to God. God gave him, God named him, and God would fill him with His Spirit.

Mattoon on obedience - Obedience brings blessing as we have seen all throughout the Bible. The Israelites that marched around Jericho for one week found this out. The walls came down as promised because God's people did what they were told to do. Gideon's 300 men defeated the massive army of the Midianites with their horns and torches because they followed God's weird instructions. The disciples that obeyed Jesus and cast their nets on the other side of the boat after a long night of unsuccessful fishing found out the huge blessing that comes from obeying the Lord. Their nets were stuffed. Beloved, God looks at our obedience in little matters before He entrusts us with bigger responsibilities. Luke 16:10- He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Luke 1:61 And they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name."

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TAKEN ABACK
THE CROWD DISSENTS

MacArthur observes that "For a group to participate in the naming of a child was not unusual; according to Ruth 4:17+, “The neighbor women gave him [the son of Boaz and Ruth] a name, saying, ‘A son [i.e., descendant] has been born to Naomi!’ So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.”...In Jewish culture, names were meant to be descriptive. Sometimes they reflected a person’s physical characteristics; for example, Esau means, “hairy,” and Jacob, “one who grabs the heel”—an obvious reference to what he did at his birth (Ge 25:26). Other names expressed the parents’ joy over their child’s birth, such as Saul and Samuel, both of which mean “asked for.” Other names, such as Elijah (“Yahweh is God”), reflected the parents’ faith. (Luke Commentary)

And they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name." - Leifield suggests that "The objection from Elizabeth (Lk 1:60) was against custom and was apparently discounted, probably because she was only a woman." (Expositor's Bible Commentary) In any event, while Luke does not state it, clearly Elizabeth stood firm despite attempts by relatives to name him something besides John. In short her obedience was not only immediate but persistent! Her actions remind me of a well-known Christian book entitled "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society"

Kent Hughes notes that "It is difficult for us to appreciate what a jolt this was to the family (ATTENDING THE BIRTH CELEBRATION), because in that culture children were always named after someone in the family. The double vehemence of the old couple was truly shocking....But there is more to this because by giving the boy a non-family name, God was indicating that his mission and power would come from outside the natural order. Who he was could not be explained by his being the child of his parents. The name John was meant to stir their spiritual imagina-tions." (Preaching the Word - Luke)

Luke 1:62 And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called.

Luke 1:22-note But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute.
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SIGNING TO
ZACHARIAS

And they made signs to his father - This is a strange thing to do considering that Zacharias was mute but he was not deaf! Well, maybe not because the Greek word kophos in Lk 1:22 has two main meanings (1) Incapable of speaking = mute (Mt 9.32) or (2) incapable of hearing = deaf (Mk 9.25). Luke is a doctor and thus this detail is not inconsequential, possibly serving to affirm that Zacharias had been struck both deaf and mute. While Spurgeon and the NET Note below think this is the explanation, not everyone agrees so we will have to wait until eternity future to ask him!

Spurgeon on they made signs - For he was deaf as well as dumb, a double chastisement for his unbelief, which was now to be graciously removed (Luke 1)

NET Note - The crowd was sure there had been a mistake, so they appealed to the child’s father. But custom was not to be followed here, since God had spoken. The fact they needed to signal him (made signs) shows that he was deaf as well as unable to speak.

Made signs (only here in NT)(1770)(enneuo) means to signify by bodily movement, and such as to nod at, or make signs by hand gestures. The idea is to communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs. Uses twice in Septuagint of winking the eye (Pr 6:13, Pr 10:10).

Luke 1:63 And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, "His name is John." And they were all astonished.

a. Pr. 3:3. Is. 30:8. Je. 17:1. Hab. 2:2.
His. Luke 1:13, 60.
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ZACHARIAS SHOWS HE
HAS LEARNED THE LESSON

And he asked for a tablet - The writing tablet requested by Zacharias would have been a wooden tablet covered with wax, not an Ipad.

Tablet (only here in the NT)(4093)(pinakidion) is a diminutive of pinax (board, tablet) and descriibes a writing tablet covered with wax. Not found in the Septuagint.

And wrote as follows, "His name is John" - (Hebrew = Yohanan = "Jehovah is gracious" or "The LORD has given grace"). Notice that Zacharias is more definitive than Elizabeth's "but he shall be called John," with a terse, emphatic "His name is John!" God had named the child (Luke 1:13+) and Zacharias, having learned his lesson, obediently gives him that name.

John had learned from his affliction and did not hesitate to obey, a beautiful illustration of Psalm 119:71 "It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Thy statutes."

And they were all astonished (thaumazo) - Why were they so surprised? Because they had been so certain of what the boy's name would be. Tradition is a strong force in our minds! And they were struck with wonder that Zacharias, a Jewish priest, would break from tradition.

This experience at John’s birth is paralleled at Jesus’ birth - When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child (JESUS). And all who heard it wondered (thaumazo) at the things which were told them by the shepherds. (Lk 2:17–18+)

Astonished (2296)(thaumazo from thauma [from thaomai = to wonder] = wonder, admiration) means to wonder, marvel, be struck with admiration or astonishment. To be surprised by the unexpected. Thaumazo describes the human response when confronted by divine revelation in some form (Mt 9.33). Be surprised (Gal 1:6). It denotes incredulous surprise. Thaumazo was a rhetorical device used in law courts and politics to attack things done by the opposition party.

NIDNTT on Thaumazo in Classic Greek - The word-group associated with thauma is found in Gk. from the 8th and 7th centuries, to designate that which by its appearance arouses astonishment and amazement. The root is cognate with theaomai, to look at.

TDNT on Classic Greek uses - The group has first the sense of astonishment, whether critical or inquisitive, then admiration, with a nuance of awe or fear at what is unusual or mysterious, e.g., miracles or oracles in religion, also magical acts or media, and certain phenomena (prior to their explanation) in philosophy.

Luke uses thaumazo to express reaction to miraculous events or to teaching (cf. Lk 1:63; 2:18; 4:22; 7:9; 8:25; 9:43; 11:14; 20:26).

Thaumazo is found especially in the Gospels - Matt. 8:10; Matt. 8:27; Matt. 9:33; Matt. 15:31; Matt. 21:20; Matt. 22:22; Matt. 27:14; Mk. 5:20; Mk. 6:6; Mk. 15:5; Mk. 15:44; Lk. 1:21; Lk. 1:63; Lk. 2:18; Lk. 2:33; Lk. 4:22; Lk. 7:9; Lk. 8:25; Lk. 9:43; Lk. 11:14; Lk. 11:38; Lk. 20:26; Lk. 24:12; Lk. 24:41; Jn. 3:7; Jn. 4:27; Jn. 5:20; Jn. 5:28; Jn. 7:15; Jn. 7:21; Acts 2:7; Acts 3:12; Acts 4:13; Acts 7:31; Acts 13:41; Gal. 1:6; 2 Thess. 1:10; 1 Jn. 3:13; Jude 1:16; Rev. 13:3; Rev. 17:6; Rev. 17:7; Rev. 17:8

Luke 1:64 And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God.

his mouth. Luke 1:20. Ex. 4:15, 16. Ps. 51:15. Je. 1:9. Eze. 3:27; 29:21; 33:22. Mat. 9:33. Mark 7:32–37.
and he. Ps. 30:7–12; 118:18, 19. Is. 12:1. Da. 4:34–37.
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ZECHARIAS' TRIAL TERMINATES IN
AN UNTIED TONGUE THAT PRAISES GOD

At once (parachrema) his mouth was opened (anoigo) and his tongue loosed - Don't miss the miracle! God unties his tongue! Note the reaction of those gathered for this occasion (see Lk 1:65)! At once is parachrema which means instantly, so unlike the so-called miracles of today "faith healers!". A miraculous reversal of Luke 1:20+ and a fulfilment of the angel's prophecy (recall Gabriel said "until the day when these things take place") Zacharias' unbelief had been replaced by belief as one aspect of the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Heb 12:11+)! His faith brought obedience (see Obedience of faith) which brought blessing. We also do well to note that his first reflexive action was to offer praise to God, some of which is recorded in Luke 1:67-79+.

Kent Hughes makes an interesting comment that "Significantly, Zechariah’s initial words did not include his son’s name but were an outpouring of praise to God. Think of the spiritual voltage here! Zechariah has endured nine months of speechless frustration, and during the last three a young woman kept talking and asking questions by making signs to him, and he could only respond by scribbling answers on his writing pad. Now all that pent-up frustration poured out in loud, emotional praise. In this way he foreshadowed the future God-glorifying ministry of his son." (See context in Luke: That You May Know the Truth)

NET Note on mouth and tongue - The mention of both mouth and tongue here is a figure called zeugma (The joining of two nouns to one verb when logically only one of the nouns goes with the verb) and emphasizes that the end of the temporary judgment came instantly and fully upon Zechariah's expression of faith in naming the child. He had learned to trust and obey God during his short period of silence. He had learned from his trial.

John Phillips quips that "The old priest's last word had been one of doubt; his first word now was one of delight. Then he had wanted a sign; now he wanted to sing." (See context in Exploring the Gospel of Luke)

He began to speak (laleo) in praise (eulogeo) of God - Began to speak is imperfect tense speaks of his praising God over and over, again and again, a good pattern for all of us! His first words were not to grumble or complain but to praise God! This was already undoubtedly a Spirit filled man as he was so identified in (Lk 1:67). He reminds me of David after he had sinned against God and in Psalm 51 asked "O Lord, open (Lxx = anoigo) my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise."

Spurgeon - The dumb man in a moment not only spake, but sang for very joy. The Lord is a God of wonders. (Luke 1)

Opened (455)(anoigo from ana = again + oigo = to open) means to open, to open up, to open again, to give access to. In this passage it is used literally open Zacharias' mouth that he might begin to speak (cf Jesus in Mt 5:2). Figuratively it means to open one's eyes spiritually causing them to see into the unseen world (Acts 26:18+, 2 Cor 4:18+). The next two uses of anoigo by Luke are interesting - "heaven was opened" (Lk. 3:21), "He opened the book " (Lk. 4:17). There is an interesting parallel in Acts when the Spirit came, filled the believers, and they began to praise God - "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance...speaking of the mighty deeds of God." (Acts 2:4, 11+) This would suggest that even now Zacharias praise to God was the fruit of his being filled with the Spirit which he clearly is in Lk 1:67+.

All of Luke's uses of anoigo - Lk. 1:64; Lk. 3:21; Lk. 4:17; Lk. 11:9; Lk. 11:10; Lk. 12:36; Lk. 13:25; Jn. 1:51; Acts 5:19; Acts 5:23; Acts 8:32; Acts 8:35; Acts 9:8; Acts 9:40; Acts 10:11; Acts 10:34; Acts 12:10; Acts 12:14; Acts 12:16; Acts 14:27; Acts 16:26; Acts 16:27; Acts 18:14; Acts 26:18.

At once (3916)(parachrema from pará = at, and chrḗma = something useful or needed) means suddenly, immediately, at the very moment, on the spot, forthwith, directly after something else has taken place. It sometimes has the implication of unexpectedness in certain context as the withering of the fig tree (Mt 21:19, 20). Note how most of the uses are in the context of a miraculous event and emphasize the absence of delay in the performance of the miracle (Lk 4:39+; Lk 5:25+; Lk 8:44, 47, 55+; Lk 13:13+; Lk 18:43+).

Parachrema is used to describe Peter's mother in law "immediately" getting up after Jesus rebuked the fever (Lk 4:39+), the paralyzed man "immediately got up" after Jesus healed him (Lk 5:25+), the woman's hemorrhage stopping "immediately" after she touched the fringe of Jesus' cloak (Lk 8:44, 8:55+), of the woman bent double "Immediately" standing erect after Jesus laid His hands on her (Lk 13:13+), of the blind man "immediately" receiving his sight at the command of Jesus (Lk 18:43, 42+), of Jesus' disciples misconception that "the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately (Lk 19:11+), before a cock crowed a second time Peter denied Jesus and immediately he crowed (Lk 22:60+), of the man lame from birth who Peter seized by the right "and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened (Acts 3:7+), of Sapphira lying to Peter and "immediately" falling dead at his feet (Acts 5:10), of Herod's being struck "immediately" by an angel because he did not give God the glory (Acts 12:23+), of Saul (Paul) made blind "immediately" (Acts 13:11+), of the sudden earthquake that liberated Paul and Silas from prison (Acts 16:25, 26+), and lastly of the immediate baptism of the jailer at Philippi (Acts 19:33+).

Parachrema - 18x in 18v - note most uses are by Dr Luke for this was one of his medical words and occurs most of in connection with disease or healing.

Matt. 21:19; Matt. 21:20; Lk. 1:64; Lk. 4:39; Lk. 5:25; Lk. 8:44; Lk. 8:47; Lk. 8:55; Lk. 13:13; Lk. 18:43; Lk. 19:11; Lk. 22:60; Acts 3:7; Acts 5:10; Acts 12:23; Acts 13:11; Acts 16:26; Acts 16:33

Parachrema - 8x in 8v in the Septuagint -

Nu 6:9; Nu 12:4; 2 Sa 3:12; Job 39:30; Job 40:12; Ps. 40:15; Isa. 29:5; Isa. 30:13;

Luke 1:65 Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea.

fear. Luke 7:16. Ac. 2:43; 5:5, 11; 19:17. Re. 11:11.
sayings. or, things. all the. Luke 1:39. Jos. 10:6, 40.
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ZACHARIAS AND HIS FAMILY
BECOME THE "TALK OF THE TOWN"

As Phillips observes "God had broken His long silence! There could be no doubt about that." (See context in Exploring the Gospel of Luke)

Fear (phobos) came on all those living around them -

The NET Note says that "Fear is the emotion that comes when one recognizes something unusual, even supernatural, has taken place." The reaction by the people is similar to the that of the crowds in Mt 9:33 "After the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed, and were saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” There was clearly a sense that this was the work of God in their midst and a personal encounter with holy God by unholy people is a fearful thing! God's presence caused them to tremble with a holy awe much like Isaiah responded to his divine encounter in Isaiah 6:1-4, 5+. Compare a similar reaction in Acts 19:17+ in the context of Acts 19:12-16+ where the sons of Sceva were assaulted by the demons.

Luke records a similar reaction to the sense that God was present and active in the newly formed church in Acts 2 writing that "everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles." (Act 2:43+)

When Jesus raised the dead man in Lk 7:16+ "Fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited His people!”

And all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea - All these matters would surely be all the details of this miraculous conception announced by an angel to a priest whose wife Elizabeth was barren and of advanced age and how Zacharias' unbelief had resulted in him being struck mute, and then 9 months later instantly healed when he wrote John's name on a tablet. This miraculous news spread throughout Judea. It would also have included important news that John would be a forerunner of the Messiah (Lk 1:17+), which would in turn serve to heighten Messianic expectations among the Jews in Judea. And one has to believe this news found its way to the religious leaders in Jerusalem.

The hill country of Judea - See location on map. The city Jerusalem is situated in the very middle; on which account some have, with sagacity enough, called that city the Navel of the country.

Fear (awe) (5401)(phobos from phebomai = flee, withdraw) is used in an active sense to describe that which causes fear or terror. It is usually an emotion of severe distress aroused by intense concern of some impending pain, danger, etc, and is usually accompanied by a desire to flee because feeling inadequate or without sufficient resources. Fundamentally phóbos involves separating from, removing oneself and hence avoiding because of dread or fright. Phobos is used positively in relation to God, of avoiding or fleeing from what displeases the Lord, and embracing what is truly good and in His will.

Luke 1:66 All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, "What then will this child turn out to be?" For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.

kept them in mind. Luke 2:19, 51; 9:44. Ge. 37:11. Ps. 119:11.
For the hand. Luke 1:80; Luke 2:40. Ge. 39:2. Jdg 13:24, 25. 1 Sa. 2:18; 16:18. 1 Ki. 18:46. Ps. 80:17; 89:21. Ac. 11:21.
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NET All who heard these things kept them in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the Lord's hand was indeed with him.

Related Passages:

1 Samuel 2:21, 26 The LORD visited Hannah; and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew before the LORD...26 Now the boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with the LORD and with men.

TREASURING THESE THINGS
IN THEIR HEARTS

All who heard them kept them in mind (kardia) - Literally "in the heart." KJV has "laid them up in their hearts." Other translations have "the hearers treasured them in their heart, pondering" (Fenton), "No one who heard it could forget it" (Barclay). The point is that the supernatural events the people had witnessed and heard about made a deep impression. We see a similar description in Lk 2:19+ ("Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.") and Lk 3:15+ ("all were wondering in their hearts").

Hughes - They could sense God was at work, and an exhilarating reverence coursed through their souls. This resulted in ongoing spiritual conversations—an eminently healthy state. (See context in Luke: That You May Know the Truth)

NET Note adds this note on mind in the present passage - "The term "heart" (kardia) could also be translated as "mind," or "thoughts," and the entire phrase be rendered as "kept them in mind," "thought about," or the like. But the immediate context is clearly emotive, suggesting that much more is at work than merely the mental processes of thinking or reasoning about "these things." There is a sense of joy and excitement (see the following question, "What then will this child be?") and even fear. Further, the use of kardia in Luke 1:66 suggests connections with the same term in Luke 2:19-+ where deep emotion is being expressed as well. Therefore, recognizing both the dramatic nature of the immediate context and the literary connections to Luke 2:19, the NET translation renders the term in Luke 1:66 as "hearts" to capture both the cognitive and emotive aspects of the people's response."

"What then will this child (paidion) turn out to be?"- Just what is this boy John going to become? What is this child's future going to be? There was a sense of Messianic hope and expectation given the supernatural circumstances surrounding John's birth. In other words, there would have been a sense that "God is up to something!"

ILLUSTRATION - William Barclay shared a story about a teacher that pertained to this question. He said, "There was an old Latin schoolmaster who always bowed gravely to his class before he taught them. When he was asked why, he answered, 'Because you never know what one of these lads will turn out to be.'" The birth of any child is a birth of possibilities. What would become of John the Baptist? Concerning his early childhood and early adult years, Luke gives us one verse, Luke 1:80!

THOUGHT FROM MATTOON - "What will you turn out to be? What will you become?" We usually ask these questions to people that are young. We need to be asking these questions of ourselves right now, no matter what are age. I don't care if you are five, fifteen, twenty-five, fifty-five, or eighty-five. What will you become? What will you be ten years from now if Jesus tarries and you live that long? Will you be faithful to live for Christ or fizzle out? Beloved, what you are tomorrow is affected by what you have done and the choices you have made in your past. More importantly, what you are tomorrow is being determined by what you are and do today. The foundations of your life in the future are laid by your past and present. Yesterday is gone, but today is a new day. You can do something about today. If you have failed in the past, then today, you can make the decision to get your life right with God and others and take the steps to be faithful to the Lord from this time forth in your life. The power of being faithful to Christ rests in what happens today. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not here yet. You do, however, have today to make your life count for Jesus Christ. Your past may be filled with great blessings and achievements for Christ, but you can foul that up today. You cannot live in the past for that time is dead and used up. Today is a new day to live your life for the Lord and make your life count for Him. If you will take one day at a time to be surrendered to Christ, you will finish your life in victory and faithfulness. You will turn out to be a Christian that honors God.

THE HAND OF THE LORD
WITH JOHN THE BAPTIST

For the Hand of the Lord (kurios) was certainly with him - Don't miss the "for" (gar) which is a term of explanation, which should always cause us to pause and ask what is the author explaining? What is Luke explaining in this case? That from the circumstances of John's supernatural angelic birth announcement, his miraculous conception and his birth, the good Hand of the Lord was certainly with him.

What does the hand of the Lord signify? First note that this is the "good" hand (SAVING POWER of HIs Hand in Acts 11:21+), not the "bad" hand (JUDGMENT as in Acts 13:11+, Jdg 2:15, 1 Sa 5:6, 9, Isa 51:17), the latter being associated with God's displeasure. To the contrary, John experienced the good hand of the Lord signifying His presence, His power (cf Ezra 7:9, 7:28, Ezek 3:14), His provision (Ezra 7:6, Ps 104:28), His direction, His grace, His blessing, etc. No one is more secure than the one who is held in God’s hand (Jn 10:28). Merrill says that “The ‘hand of the Lord”‘ is always a metaphor for His power." The hand of the Lord that came upon John is an anthropomorphism expressing the direct control and divine empowerment that Yahweh exercised over John the Baptist. The hand of the Lord on John would enable him to accomplish his difficult ministry.

THOUGHT - We too need the good hand of the Lord upon our life and ministry if we are to accomplish anything of God pleasing, God glorifying, and of eternal value! (cf 2 Cor 3:5, 6+, Jn 15:5, Jn 15:16). You ask then how can I assure the GOOD hand of the Lord is on me? There is more than one answer but for sake of time and space we will look at one very clear illustration. Ezra gives us the perfect "template" to follow in Ezra 7:9-10+ "For on the first of the first month he began to go up from Babylon; and on the first of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, because the good hand of his God was upon him. 10 For (TERM OF EXPLANATION = EXPLAINS WHY THE GOOD HAD OF THE LORD WAS UPON EZRA) Ezra had (1) set his heart (2) to study the law of the LORD (3) and to practice it (A DOER, NOT JUST A HEARER - James 1:22+), and (4) to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel." Notice it all begins with our HEART! Compare Proverbs 4:23+.

God’s hand that holds the ocean’s depths
Can hold my small affairs;
His hand that guides the universe,
Can carry all my cares.
—Anon.

John Phillips has an interesting thought on the hand of the Lord with John - "The Hand of the Lord was with him!" Or, as we would say, they held hands. If a couple is going to hold hands, one thing is necessary-closeness! It is very difficult to hold hands if two or three people manage to get in between. If John and the Lord were going to hold hands, nobody and nothing must come between. (See context in Exploring the Gospel of Luke)

It is notable the hand of the Lord was also on the prophet Elijah (1 Ki 18:46 = "The Hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and outran Ahab to Jezreel.") for the angel had declared to Zacharias that John "will go as a forerunner before Him (MESSIAH) in the spirit and power of Elijah." (Lk 1:17+)

Related Resource:

See study on The Hand of the Lord - The hand of the Lord is primarily an OT phrase. Study this great phrase which occurs 38x in 37 verses (NAS) - Ex. 9:3; Deut. 2:15; Jos. 4:24; Jos. 22:31; Jdg. 2:15; Ruth 1:13; 1 Sam. 5:6; 1 Sam. 5:9; 1 Sam. 7:13; 1 Sam. 12:15; 2 Sam. 24:14; 1 Ki. 18:46; 2 Ki. 3:15; 1 Chr. 21:13; Ezr. 7:6; Ezr. 7:28; Job 12:9; Ps. 75:8; Ps. 118:15; Ps. 118:16; Prov. 21:1; Isa. 19:16; Isa. 25:10; Isa. 41:20; (cf Isa 51:17) Isa. 62:3; Isa. 66:14; Jer. 51:7; Ezek. 1:3; Ezek. 3:14; Ezek. 3:22; Ezek. 8:1; Ezek. 33:22; Ezek. 37:1; Ezek. 40:1; Lk. 1:66; Acts 11:21; Acts 13:11

Luke 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

filled. Luke 1:15, 41. Nu. 11:25. 2 Sa. 23:2. Joel 2:28. 2 Pe. 1:21.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:67 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

ZACHARIAS' PROPHETIC SONG
THE BENEDICTUS
Luke 1:67-80

Benedictus is from first word in the Latin Vulgate for Blessed (eulogētos = “blessed”; Latin = benedictus). As you read Zacharias' prophetic song notice the frequent allusions to other prophecies from the Old Testament. Here's the point -- this man was walking blamelessly before the Lord and one reason undoubtedly is because he was a Word Saturated man (THUS ABLE TO DRAW DEFTLY FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES), and this also relates to his being a Spirit Saturated man because filling with the Word is clearly linked with filling with the Spirit

THOUGHT - Zacharias' example begs the question - Are you in the Word of God daily? Better yet is the Word sinking down into your heart? If not, this might be part of the reason you are not Filled with the Spirit and as John MacArthur wrote "Being filled with the Spirit is the constant goal and lifelong pursuit of all believers (Eph 5:18+)." See the chart which clearly demonstrates the vital relationship between being Filled with the Holy Spirit and being richly indwelt by His Holy Word. Paul commands us to continually imitate Jesus 1 Cor 11:1+. Paul also commands us to commands us to continually be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18+) and to continually be filled with the Word (Col 3:16+) - this is the way Jesus was enabled to resist the temptations of the devil. He DID NOT rely on His divine power, but on the divine provision, so that me might be able to imitate His pattern! Had He relied on His power, we could never have imitated Him! So we see that the filling (controlling) of the Spirit and the wielding of the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God - Eph 6:17+) is the "Jesus way" of defeating temptation in our lives! (See the commentary on Mark 1:12-13+ and the related commentary on Luke 4:1-14+) (See also The Holy Spirit-Walking Like Jesus Walked!)

THOUGHT - Walter Liefeld draws an excellent application - Observe that Zechariah’s previous doubt and his discipline through loss of speech did not mean the end of his spiritual ministry. So when a believer today has submitted to God’s discipline, he or she may go on in Christ’s service. The emphasis on Zechariah’s act of prophesying is explained by the quotation of Joel in Acts 2, where it is noted that in the last days even “old men” will experience the Spirit of prophecy (Acts 2:17–18). (Expositor's Bible Commentary)

And his father Zacharias was filled (pimplemi) with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied (propheteuo), saying ("controlled by the Holy Spirit" - Amplified) - Zacharias was Spirit filled/controlled (like Elizabeth Lk 1:41 as she began the first major "song") and the Spirit gave him utterance so that he prophesied. One of the first "marks" of a man or woman who is filled with or controlled by the Holy Spirit is "holy speech" often delivered with boldness and without fear of possible reprisals! This entire family was Spirit filled - John in Lk 1:15+, Elizabeth in Lk 1:41+ and here Zacharias! Prophesied can mean simply to speak forth (FORTHTELL) or to speak before (some event occurs), predicting something would happen before it happened (FORETELL). While much of Zacharias' "song" is a speaking forth, it is interspersed with eschatological overtones. The important point of this verb is that the prophet serves as a conduit so that the words he speaks are God's words, "for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God!" (2 Peter 1:21+)

John Phillips - Suddenly filled with the Spirit, this obscure priest took his place among the prophets. His long enforced silence had thrown Zacharias in upon himself, to meditate no doubt on some of the great passages of Scripture that he had known since boyhood but that now came home to him with new depths of meaning. For three months, he had been Mary's host. No doubt his writing tablet had been busy with questions. Elizabeth was soon to give birth to the Messenger; Mary would soon give birth to the Messiah. Now, his tongue untied, he recorded his musings (See Exploring the Gospel of Luke)

It is notable that filling with the Spirit was often connected to speaking a message from God. In 2 Samuel 23:2, David declared,

“The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue.”

In Luke 2 we read of Simeon

And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel.” (Lk 2:27-32+)

We see a similar pattern of Spirit controlled saints at Pentecost after being filled with the Spirit (Acts 2:4+) "began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance" and they spoke "of the mighty deeds of God.” (Acts 2:11+)

In Acts 2 clearly Peter was filled with the Spirit as he preached a sermon with about 3000 being saved. And then again in Acts 4:8-12+ Luke records

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, 9 if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead–by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 “He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. 12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

John MacArthur adds that here in Luke 1 regarding filled with the Spirit "In every case where someone was Spirit-filled in Luke’s nativity account, the result was Spirit-directed worship." Cf. Eph 5:18–20. (See MacArthur Study Bible)

Steven Cole observes that "Salvation is the theme of Zacharias' prophecy: He mentions "redemption" (Lk 1:68); "salvation" (Lk 1:69, 71, 77); and, "being delivered" (Lk 1:74). (The Tender Mercy of Our God)

NET Note - The reference to prophecy reflects that Zechariah is enabled by the Spirit to speak God's will. He does so in this case through a praise psalm, which calls for praise and then gives the reason why God should be praised.

Prophesied (4395) (propheteuo from próphemi = tell beforehand <> pró = before or forth + phemí = tell) means to speak under inspiration of God's Spirit (Lu 1:67; Acts 2:17, 18; 19:6; 21:9), foretell things to come, tell forth God’s message. Zechariah prophesied the coming of a Savior who would redeem his people and predicted that his son, John, would prepare the Messiah's way. Liefeld adds that "The description of the song as prophecy points to the various functions of prophecy in the OT. Prophecy is not only concerned with the prediction of the future; it also functions as exhortation for God’s people. At its heart is the assumption that God is the one who reveals himself through his mighty acts... It is not surprising, therefore, to find Zechariah’s prophecy focusing on the mighty acts of God." (EBC)

Related Resources:

John MacArthur has an in depth sermon series on Zacharias' Song

Luke 1:68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,

NET Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he has come to help and has redeemed his people.

GNT Εὐλογητὸς κύριος ὁ θεὸς τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, ὅτι ἐπεσκέψατο καὶ ἐποίησεν λύτρωσιν τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ,

NLT Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people.

KJV Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

ESV Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people

ASV Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; For he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people,

CSB Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and provided redemption for His people.

NIV Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.

NKJ Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people,

NRS Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.

YLT Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, Because He did look upon, And wrought redemption for His people,

NAB Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people.

NJB Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people, he has set them free,

GWN Praise the Lord God of Israel! He has come to take care of his people and to set them free.

BBE Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and made them free,

Blessed. Ge. 9:26; 14:20. 1 Ki. 1:48. 1 Ch. 29:10, 20. Ps. 41:13; 72:17–19; 106:48. Ep. 1:3. 1 Pe. 1:3.
He. Luke 7:16; 19:44. Ex. 3:16, 17; 4:31. Ps. 111:9. Ep. 1:7.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:67 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

ZACHARIUS' PROPHETIC
BENEDICTUS BEGINS

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel - NIV, NLT, GWN = "Praise the Lord, the God of Israel." Zacharias begins his "eulogy" (blessed is eulogetos) for God, not because as Nietzsche said "God is dead" but because God is alive and well and active in history! As noted above the Latin Vulgate begins with Benedictus the name commonly given to Zacharias' prophecy. What better way to begin prophecy, speaking forth, than by praising the Lord God! It reminds me of David in Psalm 103:1-2 "Bless (begins with same word - verb form - eulogeo) the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits." Indeed Zacharias was filled with the Spirit which naturally (supernaturally) led to praise of God. It is as if the Holy Spirit spoke through this surrendered saint, which is the ideal way all praise should be offered to the Lord God.

Blessed (2128)(eulogetos from eulogeo = to bless <> eú = good, well + logos = word. English = eulogize) means to be well spoken of or inherently worthy of praise. As in this passage, all the NT uses of eulogetos refer to God as the One "well spoken of". Eulogetos, used of God indicates praise and adoration on the part of the creature, in recognition of the power and prerogatives of the Creator, and the privileges enjoyed as the result of His gracious gifts. Eulogetos - 8v - Mk. 14:61; Lk. 1:68; Ro. 1:25; Rom. 9:5; 2 Co. 1:3; 2 Co. 11:31; Eph. 1:3 = "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" 1 Peter. 1:3 = "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"

Lord God of Israel - This exact Name appears 54x in the Bible all in the Old Testament except for Zacharias' use - surprisingly there are no uses in the Psalms - Jos. 14:14; Jdg. 21:3; 1 Sam. 2:30; 1 Sam. 23:10; 1 Sam. 23:11; 1 Sam. 25:32; 1 Sam. 25:34; 2 Sam. 12:7; 1 Ki. 14:7; 1 Ki. 14:13; 1 Ki. 15:30; 1 Ki. 16:13; 1 Ki. 16:26; 1 Ki. 16:33; 1 Ki. 17:14; 1 Ki. 22:53; 2 Ki. 22:15; 2 Ki. 22:18; 1 Chr. 15:12; 1 Chr. 15:14; 1 Chr. 16:4; 1 Chr. 22:6; 1 Chr. 23:25; 1 Chr. 24:19; 1 Chr. 29:10; 2 Chr. 11:16; 2 Chr. 13:5; 2 Chr. 15:4; 2 Chr. 15:13; 2 Chr. 20:19; 2 Chr. 29:10; 2 Chr. 30:1; 2 Chr. 30:5; 2 Chr. 32:17; 2 Chr. 33:16; 2 Chr. 33:18; 2 Chr. 34:26; 2 Chr. 36:13; Ezr. 4:1; Ezr. 4:3; Ezr. 6:21; Ezr. 7:6; Ezr. 9:15; Isa. 21:17; Jer. 21:4; Jer. 23:2; Jer. 24:5; Jer. 32:36; Jer. 33:4; Jer. 34:2; Jer. 34:13; Jer. 37:7; Ezek. 44:2; Lk. 1:68

THOUGHT - Why did Zacharias address God as the Lord God of Israel? Why did he limit God to Israel? Why did he not address God as the Lord God of the earth? "Zacharias was thinking of God’s promise to Israel, of the glorious fact that the promise of the Messiah was now being fulfilled. He knew nothing of Israel’s rejection of the Messiah, of God’s turning to the Gentiles, of the birth of a new people (the church). Therefore, he did the natural thing: he praised the Lord God of Israel." (POSB)

For (because) - The preposition "for" (term of explanation) which is the preposition hoti which can have a causal sense (for or because, eg. used by Jesus in every Beatitude - Mt 5:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 20) and in the present context explains why Zacharias praises the Lord God of Israel. Zacharias under the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit had come to understand that God was doing a work that had in effect already been accomplished (redemption for His people). He spoke in the past tense because he was certain that this redemption would take place.

He has visited (episkeptomai) us - Notice has visited is past tense which describes this future event as so certain that speaks of it as having already occurred. He in context is referring to be God the Son, the long expected Messiah, Who would soon "visit" planet earth as the God-Man. In fact in Lk 1:78+ Zacharias uses the same verb changing it from has visited to will visit. The phrase visited us which reminds us of Jesus' great Name in Matthew 1:23 Immanuel which means God with us. The pronoun "us" signifies that Zecharias includes himself as a recipient of this divine visitation. And being a Jew, in context the us speaks primarily of His people, Israel. Obviously, Jesus has "visited" the Gentiles (such as yours truly) but the Bible is clear that we " once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now (we) are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; (we) had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now (we) have RECEIVED MERCY."(1 Pe 2:10+) And so Zacharias rejoices in the context of the miraculous birth of his son who would announce the miraculous birth of the Son of God, the long prophesied about Messiah, the Redeemer Who was to visit His people Israel.

THOUGHT - Have you ever thought about the Lord God of Israel visiting you, a Gentile? He has if you are a believer! Just as His visit here in Luke was to announce the birth of the Messiah, the Savior, the Spirit has visited our hearts and caused us to be born again (and that miraculously!) And every morning you meet with Him and all during the day in those divine appointments of what I like to call "providential serendipity." Praise the Lord God of Israel Who has graced us with His blessed visitation, the first time and thousands of times thereafter! Amen

And accomplished (poieo) redemption (lutrosis) for His people - Now in order to accurately interpret this prophecy we need to establish who are His people? In context, this Jewish prophet utters a prophecy directed at the nation of Israel (notice the repeated phrases with "Jewish flavor" that clearly refer directly or indirectly to Israel - "Lord God of Israel," "house of David," "holy prophets of old," "mercy toward our fathers"). His people does not refer to the Church. The verb accomplished like the verb has visited describes this future redemption in the past tense as if it had already been accomplished. Zacharias had complete assurance that the redemption of his people Israel would be performed by God. However as discussed below this redemption of Israel would be accomplished at the two comings of Christ. In the first century Israel was looking for a Messiah Who would deliver them from Roman oppression (political redemption) and most of the Jews in first century Israel missed (cf Jn 1:11+) the fact that at His First Coming the Messiah would accomplish a spiritual redemption, not a political redemption. The redemption of His people by the Messiah would only be fully accomplished at His Second Coming, at which time He would bring both spiritual and political redemption to the nation of Israel.

The NET Note agrees stating that the phrase accomplished redemption (lutrosis) "anticipates the total release into salvation that the full work of Messiah will bring for Israel. This involves both spiritual and material benefits eventually."

MacArthur adds that "Zacharias rightly viewed God’s plan of redemption as the unfolding of His promises to Israel." (Ibid).

John Phillips says that "At last! God was coming to visit His people and coming as a Redeemer and a Ruler. Zacharias, like so many of the Old Testament prophets, telescoped together the two advents of Christ (ED: SEE SCHEMATIC BELOW DEPICTING HOW THE PROPHETS "TELESCOPED" THE TWO COMINGS OF CHRIST. THEY COULD NOT SEE INTERVENING DELAY, THE CHURCH AGE.)."

In other words Zacharias' praise for redemption accomplished did not distinguish between Christ's First Coming (as Redeemer = NEAR FULFILLMENT) and His Second Coming (as Redeemer and Ruler, cf Rev 19:16+, Rev 20:4, 6+ = FAR FULFILLMENT), but both would accomplish redemption for His people just not on their timetable. So as alluded to above in His First Coming John records that "He came to His own (ISRAEL, THE JEWS), and those who were His own did not receive Him." (Jn 1:11+) "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (Jn 1:12-13+) Of course, some Jews did receive Messiah as Redeemer, but it was only a remnant of the nation. Most rejected their Redeemer and still do, although in recent years there have been an increasing number of Jews who recognize and receive Jesus as their Messiah. On the other hand Israel's rejection opened the door of redemption for the Gentiles, Paul writing "I say then, they (JEWS/ISRAEL) did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous (DOES YOUR NEW SPIRIT EMPOWERED LIFE IN CHRIST MAKE YOUR JEWISH FRIENDS JEALOUS? IT SHOULD!). Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!" (Ro 11:11-12+, see also Ro 11:17+ where "branches" = Israel and "you" = Gentiles) So the question is this -- when will Israel's "fulfillment" be? This promised redemption of His people (Israel) will not be fully accomplished until Messiah returns a second time. At that time Paul explains "ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED (That is, "ALL" that believe in Jesus); just as it is written, “THE DELIVERER (Messiah = rhuomai) WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.” “THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.” (Ro 11:26-27-see in depth note explaining this incredible harvest of Jews at the end of this age! For more discussion of this harvest of Jewish souls by Jesus at the end of this present age see the discussion of the incredible prophecy in Zechariah 12-14, specifically Zechariah 12:10-14+, Zechariah 13:1+ and Zechariah 13:8-9+. (See also discussion below on TIME GAP.)

Visited (concerned about) (1980)(episkeptomai from epí = upon or intensifying verb + skopeo = regard, give attention to, look at, contemplate; cf episkope) literally means to look upon, to examine closely, to inspect, to examine the state of affairs, to look after or to oversee. The idea is to go to see with the goal of relieving distress, sickness or bondage. "An old Greek word with a Hebraic colouring to look into with a view to help. The papyri have plenty of examples of the verb in the sense of inspecting, examining." (Robertson) In the Septuagint episkeptomai speaks of a visitation from God, most often a visitation for good and that is the sense in Luke 1:68. One's destiny is changed when Jehovah visits! (or at least it should be unless you fail to open the door! cf Rev 3:20) Episkeptomai is used in the Septuagint of Jehovah "visiting" Sarah to give her the promised child Isaac (Ge 21:1 = "The LORD took note of Sarah...").

Note that 7/11 NT uses of episkeptomai are by luke - Luke 1:68, Lk 1:78, Lk 7:16+ Acts 6:3+, Acts 7:23+, Acts 15:14, 36+. In Acts 15:14+ the verb describes God's concern for Gentiles - “Simeon has related how God first concerned (episkeptomai) Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name." Luke uses episkeptomai to describe the Jew's reaction to Jesus' raising a man from the dead - "And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother. And fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and, "God has visited His people!" (Luke 7:15-16+) They were partially correct for Jesus was not only a great Prophet (fulfilling Dt 18:15), but He was the great Savior and His restoration of the man's life should have been like a "giant finger" pointing to the fact that Jesus was the long awaited Jewish Messiah! As noted above sadly most of the nation missed the first visitation of the Redeemer. The theme of God visiting His people is described by Joseph who uttered these words before death - "I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you (Lxx = episkeptomai) and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob (WHAT IS BASIS FOR GOD'S GRACIOUS ACTION? HIS OATH TO THE PATRIARCHS - THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT!)....God will surely take care of you (Lxx = episkeptomai), and you shall carry my bones up from here.”(Ge 50:24-25) In fact in the Septuagint of these passages in Genesis 50, the Greek uses an emphatic Hebraism, “in visiting, God will visit you,” (episkope and episkeptomai) which means, “God will surely visit you.” It is a sure thing! After an interval of 400 years of slavery in Egypt, we read of God telling Moses "I am indeed concerned about (again the Hebraism of doubling similar words - episkope and episkeptomai to emphasize the certainty of this coming to pass = “Visiting, I have visited”) you and what has been done to you in Egypt" (Ex. 3:16) And then in Exodus 4:31. "So the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD was concerned about (Lxx = episkeptomai) the sons of Israel and that He had seen their affliction, then they bowed low and worshiped." Even so, in Zacharias’ time, Israel had not heard a word from the Lord in 400 years. The nation was now under the Roman yoke of oppression. It seemed as if God had forgotten His people. But then, after the birth of the forerunner of Messiah, and knowing the angel’s promise to Mary that she would bear the Son of God, Zacharias prophesies, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people.”

FIRST VISITATION - Later in his Gospel Luke uses the related noun episkope which generally describes the presence of divine power to save. In Luke 19:43-44+ Jesus issued a prophetic warning that was fulfilled about 40 years later with the destruction of the city of Jerusalem and the Temple.

"For the days shall come upon you when your enemies will throw up a bank before you, and surround you, and hem you in on every side (ROMANS UNDER TITUS LAID SIEGE AND SURROUNDED JERUSALEM), and will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another (EXACTLY WHAT THE ROMANS DID TO THE TEMPLE IN 70AD), because (WHY WOULD THIS OCCUR?) you did not recognize the time (kairos = OPPORTUNITY) of your visitation (episkope)."

Comment: Note that Jesus says this tragic fate would come upon the nation of Israel because they did not recognize the time of their visitation. The clear implication is that the Jews had been given sufficient prophetic truth so that they should have known this was the time of the Messiah's arrival. And yet their eyes were blinded, their ears were shut and their heart was hard (cf Acts 28:27+) and they failed to recognize that passages like Daniel 9:24, 25+ if interpreted literally would have told them to the very day (according to many conservative commentators) when Jesus would enter the city of Jerusalem in the last week of His life. (See story of one Jewish rabbinical student who did recognize that God has visited His people!)

Accomplished (4160)(poieo) means He (Messiah) would provide for redemption by dying on the Cross, as "the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!" (Jn 1:29+) Salvation is God's doing from start to finish! Steven Cole adds that "There are many other evidences in our text that salvation is God’s doing, not our doing. He accomplished it (Lk 1:68). “He raised up a horn of salvation for us” (Lk 1:69). The horn is a symbol of the strength of an animal, such as a bull (Ps. 132:17; 18:2). Here it points to the fact that salvation required God’s mighty power because our enemy is so strong. But God did it--He raised it up. He did it in fulfillment of many prophecies that He had given centuries before (Lk 1:70–71). Alfred Edersheim found more than 400 Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament, but even apart from these specific prophecies, the whole of the Old Testament points to Christ....In addition to all of these proofs that salvation is God’s doing, not ours, there is also the theme of God’s great mercy that permeates Luke 1 (see Lk 1:50, 54, 58, 72, 78)." (The Tender Mercy of Our God Lk 1:57-80)

Redemption (3085)(lutrosis from lutroo [Lk 24:21+, Titus 2:14+, 1 Pe 1:18+] = to release on receipt of a ransom <> Lutroo from root luo = loosen that which is bound, release from prison, opening what is closed, putting off fetters) describes a ransoming, a liberation, or a deliverance by paying the price of redemption. The price of redemption would not be "perishable things like silver or gold...but... the precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." (1 Peter 1:18, 19+). While lutrosis is used only 3 times in the NT (here, Lk 2:38 see below and Heb 9:12+), it is used 11x in 8 verses in the Septuagint. For example Psalm 49:8 says "For the redemption (Lxx - lutrosis) of his soul is costly (IT COST THE LIFE OF CHRIST), and he should cease trying forever."

PROPHETIC USE OF LUTROSIS IN THE SEPTUAGINT - Lutrosis is used in Isaiah 63:1-6 (see in depth commentary) which is clearly a prophecy of Messiah's Second Coming to defeat His enemies (and Israel's enemies and all who hate them, cf Lk 1:71). In this context Messiah says that "the day of vengeance was in My heart, and My year of redemption (Lxx - lutrosis) has come." (Isaiah 63:4+, see similar prophecies in Isaiah 34:8+ and Isaiah 35:4+ = "Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you [Israel]."). When is "My year"? Again, allowing the context to guide the interpretation, it is clear that this is when Messiah returns and finally fulfills Zacharias' prophecy of accomplished redemption for His people. The "year of redemption" is therefore the time when Messiah will ransom (lutrosis) captive Israel and one-third of the nation of Israel will be saved as discussed above (Ro 11:26-27+, Zech 12:10-14+, Zech 13:1+ and Zech 13:8-9+)

John MacArthur agrees commenting on Isaiah 63:4 "The Messiah's future reckoning with the wicked will coincide with His redemption of Israel (Isa 61:2+t)." (MacArthur Study Bible) Now compare Isaiah 61:2 (see commentary) where "To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD" was quoted by Jesus in Lk 4:19+ and stated by Him to be a fulfilled prophecy in Lk 4:20+. Jesus did not say "the day of vengeance of our God" was fulfilled at His first coming, but it will be fulfilled at His Second Coming as Isaiah 63:4+ describes! J Vernon McGee commenting on Isaiah 63:4 says "He (MESSIAH) has come to save forever His redeemed ones from their vicious oppressors. This (Second Coming) is His judgment upon the earth, and it is defined as the day of vengeance." (Thru the Bible) John Martin also agrees writing "Though that day (Second Coming) will bring doom to the Lord's enemies, it will mean deliverance (redemption and salvation, Isa 63:4-5+) for those of His covenant people who turn to Him (ED: 1/3 of Israel = Zech 13:8-9+). (Bible Knowledge Commentary)

LUKE'S SECOND USE OF LUTROSIS - As noted above Luke uses lutrosis a second time in Luke 2:38+ writing "at that very moment she (Anna the prophetess, Luke 2:36-38+) came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him (the newborn Messiah) to all those who were looking for (see prosdechomai) the redemption of Jerusalem." "Those who were looking for the redemption of Israel" is a beautiful phrase describing the Jews who believed in the Messiah (before He came) and thus were part of the Jewish remnant.

THOUGHT - Are you looking for your glorious future redemption by your Redeemer (see Ro 8:23+)? Are you loving His appearing as shown by the way you are living? (see 2 Ti 4:8+) If not it may be because you are spiritually cross-eyed and have one eye on Jesus and one eye on the world! If so read Jesus' warning in Mt 6:24+!

J C Ryle observes that "We should notice, firstly, the deep thankfulness of a Jewish believer’s heart in the prospect of Messiah’s appearing. Praise is the first word that falls from the mouth of Zacharias as soon as his dumbness is removed, and his speech restored. He begins with the same expression with which St. Paul begins several of his epistles: “Blessed be the Lord.” At this period of the world we can hardly understand the depth of this good man’s feelings. We must imagine ourselves in his position. We must fancy ourselves seeing the fulfilment of the oldest promise in the Old Testament,—the promise of a Saviour, and beholding the accomplishment of this promise brought near to our own door. We must try to realize what a dim and imperfect view men had of the Gospel before Christ actually appeared, and the shadows and types passed away. Then perhaps we may have some idea of the feelings of Zacharias when he cried out, “Blessed be the Lord.” It may be feared that Christians have very low and inadequate conceptions of their amazing privileges in living under the full light of the Gospel. We have probably a very faint idea of the comparative dimness and twilight of the Jewish dispensation....Let us learn from the example of Zacharias, to be more thankful." (Luke 1 Commentary)

THE MIRACULOUS STORY OF LEOPOLD COHN

Leopold Cohn (pictured above- Additional notes; Brief Wikipedia article) was born into an Orthodox Jewish community in Berezna, a small town in eastern Hungary in 1862. At age 18 he graduated with high marks from the Talmudic academy and became a rabbi. One of his rituals was to daily repeat the 12th article of the Jewish creed:

I believe with a perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah,
and though he tarry, yet will I wait daily for His coming.

Cohn however wondered why Messiah tarried, but was unsettled by the "answers" he able to find. While reading the Talmud (collected writings of rabbis commenting on the Torah or Old Testament), he discovered that other rabbis had also wrestled with this question. But as he continued to study he discovered that the Messiah should have come long ago. This prompted him to study the Hebrew prophets for himself, and as he studied Daniel’s prophecy of the "70 weeks" in Daniel 9:24-27+, it became clear that Daniel had predicted the coming of Messiah some 400-500 years after the prophecy was given. But that was 2500 years ago and the rabbis said that Messiah had not yet come. How could he resolve this contradiction? (Click for the rest of the story).

Luke 1:69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant--

Horn 1 Sa. 2:10. 2 Sa. 22:3. Ps. 18:2; 132:17, 18. Eze. 29:21. in. 2 Sa. 7:26. 1 Ki. 11:13. Ps. 89:3, 20, etc. Is. 9:6, 7; 11:1–9. Je. 23:5, 6; 33:15–26. Eze. 34:23, 24; 37:24, 25. Am. 9:11. Mark 11:10. Ro. 1:2, 3. Re. 22:16.
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

JESUS CHRIST OUR
"HORN OF SALVATION"

And has raised (egeiro) up a horn of salvation (soteria) for us In the house of David His servant (pais) - Notice the verb has raised up is spoken by Zacharias in the past tense about an event still future. The Messiah was already being “raised up,” for God had begun to set his plan into motion at His first advent and will consummate His plan of national redemption of Israel at His Second Coming. God has raised up a horn of salvation is another manifestation of the unmerited favor (grace) of God to Israel.These words were clearly not meant to exalt John the Baptist but the One for Whom John would be the forerunner. A horn of salvation is clearly a "Name" (or description) of Jesus (see Lockyer below) and even as a horn described an animal's defense, it was a symbol of strength, power, glory. What is fascinating is that horn is used as a symbol for Christ and for Antichrist (Septuagint of Daniel 7:8+ = the "Little Horn" who would arise from 10 other contemporaneous horn, presumably a 10 nation confederacy that will exist in the end-times). Horn is often used as a metaphor for power (cf. 2 Sa 22:3); thus this phrase means "a powerful Savior." This is fascinating because to those who witnessed Jesus' 3 year ministry, He was "meek and mild," (Mt 11:29KJV+) and although He clearly wrought powerful miracles and signs, He did not exert any power against Israel's enemy Rome. As one writer said Israel "was ready for a military Savior, but not for a peaceful Messiah Who would conquer sin!" Indeed, Jesus seemed to most of Israel as anything but a "powerful Savior!" And so He entered Jerusalem, riding on a donkey the first time (cf Mt 21:2-9), not as a militarily conquering King, but as a Savior to suffer and die and conquer the even more powerful enemies of Sin, Satan and Death! (cf Lk 19:10+). However, when Jesus comes the Second time, He will return on a white horse, vanquish all His enemies (including those of the nation of Israel) and reign as King of kings and Lord of lords (see Rev 19:11-16+). At that time the truth in the phrase horn of salvation will have been fully revealed and perfectly appropriate!

Mary had stayed with Zacharias and Elizabeth for three months and had undoubtedly told them of Gabriel’s promise to her in Luke 1:31-32. And he would also have known that Mary was a descendant of David and so would pass on the royal bloodline to Jesus. In this way he would be able to associate horn of salvation (Jesus) with the house of David.

John Martin - Zechariah described the deliverance for Israel through the Messiah (Luke 1:69-75). The Messiah was to be Israel's horn of salvation (Lk 1:69). (Bible Knowledge Commentary)

And has raised up (1453)(egeiro) means to arouse from sleep, to arose to upright position, but here is used in a metaphorical sense to cause One (Christ) to appear in history (cp Mt 3:9+). NET Bible adds "The phrase raised up means for God to bring someone significant onto the scene of history." It is interesting that this same verb egeiro is used of raising up Jesus from the dead, and while not Zacharias' main meaning in this context, it is certainly a fascinating use- see Mt 26:32, 27:63, 64, Mt 28:6, 7, Mk 14:42, Lk 24:6, Lk 24:34. In other words God will raise up a horn of salvation and will raise Him from the dead. In another sense Messiah's return will also result in a "raising up" of the "fallen booth of David" as described by Amos.

Amos 9:11+ "In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David, And wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old;

MacArthur - A reference to the dynasty of David (cf. Introduction: Interpretive Challenges). God will “raise up” and “rebuild” this tabernacle on earth for Christ to rule in His millennial kingdom (cf. Zec 14:9–11+). The apostles used this passage to illustrate that Gentiles could thus be a part of God’s redemption. See notes on Acts 15:13–18+.

Mark 11:10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!"

MacArthur - This tribute, recorded only by Mark, acknowledges Jesus as bringing in the messianic kingdom promised to David’s Son. The crowd paraphrased the quote from Ps 118:26 (Mk 11:9) in anticipation that Jesus was fulfilling prophecy by bringing in the kingdom.

NET Bible - The horn of salvation is a figure that refers to the power of Messiah and his ability to protect, as the horn refers to what an animal uses to attack and defend (Ps 75:4–5, 10; 148:14; 2 Sa 22:3). Thus the meaning of the figure is "a powerful savior."

Here are two OT prophecies that clearly speak of the Messiah as a THE HORN...

Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered; Against them He will thunder in the heavens, The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; And He will give strength to His king, And will exalt the HORN OF HIS ANOINTED (Hebrew = mashiach/masiyah = gives us our Name "Messiah"! The Lxx translates with Christos the Name from which we get "Christ" in the NT) .” (1 Sa 2:10)

(David's Affirmation) My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the HORN OF MY SALVATION, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior (yasha'- related to Yeshua from which we get the Greek name Jesus!), You save me from violence. (2 Sa 22:3, also Ps 18:2)

“There I will cause the horn of David (MESSIAH) to spring forth; I have prepared a lamp for Mine anointed (Referring to Jesus = Heb = mashiach/masiyah; Lxx = Christos). (Psalm 132:17)

Salvation (4991)(soteria from soter = Savior in turn from sozo = save, rescue, deliver) describes the rescue or deliverance from danger, destruction and peril. Salvation is a broader term in Greek than we often think of in English. Other concepts that are inherent in soteria include restoration to a state of safety, soundness, health and well being as well as preservation from danger of destruction. See study of Sozo/Soteria by Gerald Cowen. Luke uses soteria 4x - Lk 1:69, Lk 1:71, Lk 1:77, Lk 19:9.

William Barclay - In classical Greek soteria means 'deliverance' or 'preservation'. It can be used for a man's safe return to his own home or his own country after an absence and a journey. It can mean a 'guarantee of safety' or a 'security against danger'. In the papyri by far the commonest meaning of soteria is 'bodily health'. For instance, a member of the family writes home, 'Write me a letter about your soteria,' or, as we would say, 'Let me know how you are.' (New Testament Words)

See short study - Our Deliverer is Coming referring to Messiah's Second Coming.

For us - For the nation of Israel. As discussed above this national salvation would not be completely fulfilled until Messiah's Second Coming (cp Ro 11:26-27+)

In the house of David His servant - This phrase refers to the fact that Messiah would descend from the line of David as in Mt 1:1 "The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham." See discussion of Messianic Prophecy. This promise echoes many OT prophecies that Messiah would come from the line of David, the man after God’s own heart (1 Sa 13:14), the “sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Sa 23:1).

(Isaiah 11:1, 10) Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse (David's father so in the line of David), And a branch from his roots will bear fruit. (11:10) Then in that day The nations will resort to the root of Jesse, Who will stand as a signal for the peoples; And His resting place will be glorious.

(Jer 23:5) “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch (MESSIAH = Branch - Isaiah 4:2, Isaiah 53:2, Zech 3:8, 6:12); And He will reign as king and act wisely And do justice and righteousness in the land.

(Jer 33:15) ‘In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David (MESSIAH) to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.

Servant (3816)(pais English - pedo- as in pediatrics, pedobaptism) is translated most often as servant but can also refer to young children. Regarding the uses of pais for servant or slave BDAG writes this describes "one who is committed in total obedience to another." Pais is used to refer to "David (God's) servant" (Acts 4:25+) and the Jesus - "His Servant Jesus" (Acts 3:13+), "God raised up His Servant," (Acts 3:26+), "Your holy Servant Jesus," (Acts 4:27+, Acts 4:30+). All uses - Matt. 2:16; Matt. 8:6; Matt. 8:8; Matt. 8:13; Matt. 12:18; Matt. 14:2; Matt. 17:18; Matt. 21:15; Lk. 1:54; Lk. 1:69; Lk. 2:43; Lk. 7:7; Lk. 8:51; Lk. 8:54; Lk. 9:42; Lk. 12:45; Lk. 15:26; Jn. 4:51; Acts 3:13; Acts 3:26; Acts 4:25; Acts 4:27; Acts 4:30; Acts 20:12

David is repeatedly called the servant of Jehovah - 2 Sa 3:18; 2 Sa 7:5; 2 Sa 7:8; 2 Sa 7:26; 1 Ki. 3:6; 1 Ki. 8:25; 1 Ki. 11:13; 1 Ki. 11:32; 1 Ki. 11:34; 1 Ki. 11:36; 1 Ki. 11:38; 1 Ki. 14:8; 1 Chr. 17:7; 2 Chr. 6:15; 2 Chr. 6:16; 2 Chr. 6:17; 2 Chr. 6:42; Ezek. 34:23; Ezek. 34:24; Ezek. 37:24

Ezekiel 34:23 “Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd. 24 “And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them; I the LORD have spoken.

Ezekiel 37:24+ “My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them.

Comment - Many interpret these passages in Ezekiel as reference to Messiah, but if one adheres to literal interpretation, they refer to David who will be resurrected and rule over Israel in the Millennium under Jesus the King of kings.

Herbert Lockyer - Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)

Are we not truly amazed at the great variety of symbols chosen to set forth all that Christ is in Himself? It would seem as if every realm is ransacked for fitting designations of Him whom no man can fully describe. All the names and titles given Him in Scripture are but broken arcs and cannot fully reveal Him who is beyond all human comparison. "To whom will ye liken God?" (Isaiah 40:18). Zacharias in his song at the birth of John the Baptist, chose a common object familiar to people in Old Testament times to describe Him whose way John was to prepare—it was a horn.

"The Lord God... hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David."

Zacharias also used other symbols to portray Him who was to be born in Bethlehem as the Saviour of the world. The figure of the Horn is taken from those animals whose strength is in their horns (Psalms 18:2; 75:10; 132:17), and so "Horn of Salvation" implies "Strength of Salvation," or "Mighty Salvation" meaning Jesus Himself, whom Simeon called "Thy Salvation" (Luke 2:30). Because the "horn" was once the instrument of the oxen's strength, it became the symbol of power (1 Kings 22:11), On Egyptian and Roman coins, and. in Assyrian sculptures, are figures of gods with horns symbolic of their prowess, and our God and Saviour came as a Horn, or mighty instrument of salvation. Daniel represents Darius and Alexander as a goat and ram running violently at each other with their powerful horns (Daniel 8:3-6). Mighty nations were styled in prophecy as horns (Zechariah 1:18). It may be that Zacharias, conversant with Old Testament claims and promises, had verses like—
"Mine horn is exalted in the LORD" (1 Samuel 2:1); "The LORD... shall exalt the horn of his anointed" (1 Samuel 2:10)
in mind when he described Jesus as "The Horn of Salvation."

When God exalts the horn of a man it is a sign of favor and manifested power (Psalm 89:24).

When a man exalts his own horn, it is a sign of arrogance. In modern jargon, "He likes to blow his own trumpet" (See Psalm 75:4, 5). An old proverb has it, "He had better put his horns in his pocket than blow them."

When horns were fixed to an altar they became projections to which sacrifices were bound and to which those who needed protection could cling (1 Kings 2:28; Psalm 18:2; 118:27; Amos 3:14). Pursued by the enemy of souls we can cling to Him who is our "Horn of Salvation and who will protect us.

If Jesus is your "Horn of Salvation" then all strength is His to keep you saved and safe. A modern writer says that, "Most Chinese believe that if you save someone's life, you are forever responsible for that person." Whether this is true we cannot say, but we do know that if we have laid hold on Him who came as the "Horn of Salvation," then He will be eternally responsible for us. None can ever sever us from Him who is God's anointed Horn (John 10:28-30). He is not like the Grecian king described as "the great horn that was broken" (Daniel 8:8, 21, 22). Nothing or no one can break our indestructible Horn.

I hide beneath my Horn of strength,
For I am weak and frail,
And rest in Thee until, at length,
(Thy might can never fail)—
I reach the land of light and love,
And sing to Thee with saints above.

SEVEN ASPECTS OF SALVATION. - James Smith - Handfuls of Purpose

1. Horn of Salvation—the Power of Salvation, Luke 1:69
2. Rock of Salvation—the Stability of our Salvation, Psalm 95:1
3. Tower of Salvation—the Security of our Salvation, 2 Sam. 22:51
4. Helmet of Salvation—Preservation of our Salvation, 1 Thess. 5:8
5. Cup of Salvation—the Joy of our Salvation, Psa. 116:13
6. Wells of Salvation—the Refreshment in our Salvation, Isaiah 12:3

Luke 1:70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old--

spoke: 2 Sa. 23:2. Je. 30:10. Mark 12:36. Ac. 28:25. He. 3:7. 2 Pe. 1:21. Re. 19:10.
from of old. Luke 24:26, 27, 44. Ge. 3:15; 12:3; 49:10. Da. 9:24–27. Acts 3:21–24. 1 Pe. 1:12.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:70 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

GOD'S PROMISE:
MESSIANIC PROPHECY

As He spoke - In context this refers to God's promises of sending a Deliverer, the Messiah, this promise going all the way back to Genesis - Ge. 3:15+; Ge 12:3+; Ge 49:10. He refers to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for David affirms the Spirit was speaking to and through him when he wrote "The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, and His word (WHOSE WORD? GOD'S) was on my tongue." (2 Sa 23:2)

He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old (according to the promise which he made by the lips of holy men, Knox.) - It is interesting that here is Zacharias is a prophet in the present speaking of prophets from of old. And what Zacharias says is a clear statement of God's inspiration of the words of that the Old Testament prophets spoke and recorded for us to read. These surrendered men were "vessels of honor, sanctified (hagiazo = "holy"), useful to the Master, prepared for every good work" (2 Ti 2:21+), who merely opened their mouth and spoke every good Word the Spirit gave them to utter (cf Acts 2:4b+). As for example, Jesus testifies that His ancestor "David himself said in the Holy Spirit, "The Lord said to my LORD, "Sit at My right hand, Until I put Thine enemies beneath Thy feet." (Mk 12:36+; Ps 110:1) The prophets spoke as the Spirit spoke through them even as Paul testified to the Jews who rejected the Gospel declaring "the Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers." (Acts 28:25+). Peter affirms the basic truth regarding divine inspiration of the Bible writing that "no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." (2 Peter 1:21+)

THOUGHT - When we read the word of God from Genesis to Revelation, we should read it reverentially and with a sense of awe cognizant of the truth that what we are reading ultimately is what "He spoke!" When the Bible speaks, God speaks! Do you want to hear a word from God today? Then read the Word of God every day! Ask the Spirit to open your ears to understand what God is saying (cf Lk 24:45+), and at the same time ask His Spirit to apply it practically to your life giving you by His grace and power a heart to obey! He will!

Holy (40)(hagios) describes the OT prophets as separated ones, sanctified ones, men set apart by God and for God (even as you are dear saint, dear "holy one"!) The fundamental idea of hagios is separation, consecration, devotion to God, sharing in God's purity and keeping "oneself unstained by the world." (James 1:27+). Holy prophets bring a message from the Holy One!

Prophets (4396)(prophetes from próphemi = literally to tell beforehand in turn from pró = before, in front of, forth, on behalf of + phemí = speak, tell) is primarily a forth-teller or one who speaks out God’s message, primarily to their own generation, usually always calling the people to God's truth for them at that moment, often using the phrase "Thus saith the Lord." (415x in KJV!, e.g, Isa 28:16KJV) Prophetes is "one who speaks out" and always conveys the idea of speaking forth. In short "The prophet was someone who gave God a voice in the world." (MacArthur) I like the old 1828 Webster's definition of a prophet "In Scripture, a person illuminated, inspired or instructed by God to announce future events; as Moses, Elijah, David, Isaiah, etc. An interpreter; one that explains." That's a Biblically accurate definition!

From of old - From old is aionos (ap aionos) which means "from the age" and so "from eternity." KJV has "since the world began". Complete Jewish Bible has "from the very beginning." See some of the precious promises of these OT prophets Ge. 3:15+; Ge 12:3+; Ge 49:10. Da. 9:24–27+. Acts 3:19–24+

Below is a quote from one of holy prophets from of old who predicted even as the nation of Israel was about to be taken into exile in Babylon and their Temple destroyed (some have spoken of Jeremiah 30-33+ as "The Book of Consolation" which is filled with God's prophetic promises like the one below clearly promising the rebellious nation of Israel that God " I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 - which many Christians love to quote but sadly often forget the original context was primarily to Israel - of course the priniciples are still applicable to believers today.)

Jeremiah 30:10+ And fear not, O Jacob My servant (GOD IS SPEAKING TO THE NATION OF ISRAEL), declares the LORD, And do not be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar, (Ro 11:26-27+) and your offspring from the land of their captivity (cf Jer 3:18, Jer 30:3+). And Jacob shall return, and shall be quiet and at ease, and no one shall make him afraid.

Related Resources:

Baker Evangelical Dictionary Inspiration of Scripture
Holman Bible Dictionary Inspiration of Scripture
What is verbal plenary inspiration?
How does the translation process impact the inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility of the Bible?
Is there proof for the inspiration of the Bible?
What does it mean that the Bible is inspired?
Does the inerrancy of the Bible only apply to the original manuscripts?
Messianic Prophecies - on site discussion
Messianic Prophecy
Messianic Prophecies - Bible.org - J. Hampton Keathley, III
Prophecies Concerning Christ - Michael Finlay
Prophecies of the Birth of Christ - J. Hampton Keathley, III
The Story of the "Seed" - The Coming of the Promised Messiah - Bob Deffinbaugh
Prophecies of Jesus Christ as Messiah
Chris Tomlin's song Jesus Messiah
Messianic Prophecies in Isaiah - 20 part Series by S Lewis Johnson
The Messianic Hope of Israel - Series - Max Reich
Messianic Prophecy in the Old Testament - Wil Pounds
Messianic Prophecies, Types & Applications in the Old Testament - Wil Pounds

Luke 1:71 Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US;

NET that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us.

GNT σωτηρίαν ἐξ ἐχθρῶν ἡμῶν καὶ ἐκ χειρὸς πάντων τῶν μισούντων ἡμᾶς,

NLT Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us.

KJV That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

ESV that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;

Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES. Luke 1:74. De. 33:29. Ps. 106:10, 47. Is. 14:1–3; 44:24–26; 54:7–17. Je. 23:6; 30:9–11; 32:37. Eze. 28:26; Ezek 34:25, 28; Ezek 38:8. Zep. 3:15–20. Zech. 9:9, 10. 1 John 3:8.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:71 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

SALVATION FROM ENEMIES
AND ANTI-SEMITES

Salvation (soteria) FROM OUR ENEMIES (echthros) - Salvation is a promise from God that Israel will be delivered or rescued, but as a nation this will not happen until the end of the the 3.5 year Great Tribulation. (Jeremiah 30:7+, Romans 11:26-27+ Zechariah 12:10-14+, Zechariah 13:1+, Zechariah 13:8-9+). As discussed earlier, at His first coming Jesus' came not to conquer nations, but to conquer even the more dreadful enemies of Sin, Satan and Death. Sadly, most of Israel did not recognize that these spiritual enemies were far more deadly than their temporal mortal enemies, for the latter bring only short term adversity, but the the former bring eternal defeat, doom and destruction. As John said Jesus "came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him." (John 1:11+) Israel was looking not for a "Spiritual Savior" but for a "Military Savior" Who would in fact eventually come but not until His Second Coming! Recall even the 11 disciples were still confused after Jesus' resurrection asking Him “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6+, even after spending 40 days discussing the things concerning the Kingdom of God! Acts 1:3+).

To state this another way, Israel failed to recognize the TIME GAP between His first and second comings, a TIME GAP which the Old Testament prophets had clearly described (but not fully understood as best I can discern, even as Zacharias did not fully grasp the full significance of his prophecy). For example...

Zechariah 9:9 (FULFILLED AT JESUS FIRST COMING - Read at Jesus "Triumphal Entry" Mt 21:4-5, Jn 12:12-16 which should have been a clear sign to Israel that Jesus was in fact their long expected Messiah! But even His disciples did not fully comprehend at first - Jn 12:16) Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King (cf Mt 2:2, 6+) is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

TIME GAP
NOW ALMOST 2000 YEARS

Zechariah 9:10 (TO BE FULFILLED AT HIS SECOND COMING) I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim And the horse from Jerusalem; And the bow of war will be cut off. And He will speak peace to the nations; And His dominion will be from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.

Comment - Even the ESV study Bible (borrow) (which often minimizes literal fulfillment of future prophecies related to Israel) makes this comment on Zechariah 9:10 - "The Lord will bring to an end Israel’s need (ED: THIS SURE SOUNDS LIKE THE WRITER IS DESCRIBING A LITERAL NATION OF ISRAEL!) for the traditional instruments of war: chariot, war horse, and battle bow (ED: HAS THIS HAPPENED YET? CLEARLY IT IS YET FUTURE!). The coming ruler will rule the whole earth, from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth (ED: THIS SOUND LIKE HE WILL RULE ON A LITERAL EARTH!), just as Ps. 72:8 anticipated. The result of his rule will be universal peace." That comment I shout "HALLELUJAH! AMEN!" John MacArthur (who is clearly a "literalist" on prophecies related to Israel) writes "Zechariah moves to the Second Advent of Christ and the establishment of His universal kingdom (Zech 9:9, 10; 11:15, 16). Not characterized by bloodshed, Messiah's rule will be a kingdom of peace in which weapons of warfare will be destroyed or converted to peaceful uses (cf. Isa 2:4; Isaiah 9:5-7; 11:1-10; Micah 5:2, 10-15), and peace spreads from the Euphrates River (the terminus of civilization) to the world. (See context MacArthur Study Bible)

Note for more OT "time gaps" click here (Isaiah 61:1-2, Isaiah 9:6-7, et al) See also the diagram of NEAR and FAR fulfillment.

John Phillips comments that John the Baptist "thought about the Old Testament prophecies, great prophecies "that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us" (Lk 1:71). In Zacharias's day, the Jews were crushed under the iron heel of Rome. In the end times, the Antichrist will have the Jews by the throat (Ed: Read Da 7:21-note, especially Da 7:25-note. "Saints" in context = the Jews not the church). Zacharias saw an end to all of that kind of thing." (See context in Exploring the Gospel of Luke)

And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE (miseo) US - The hand speaks of power (a hand holds someone in its grip) and in historical context as Zacharias spoke Israel was in the hand of Rome. God promises to deliver the nation of Israel, not just from the hand or power of Rome, but of everyone (all = pas = all without exception) who hates them (and this is much, even most of the world today, but especially the Arab nations and this intense hated will persist and even intensify as we approach the end of this age when the hatred will culminate in Great Tribulation, the Time of Jacob's Distress or Trouble - Jer 30:7+). This promise is repeated as if to make sure Israel really understands that deliverance is God's heart and His sure promise to the nation. Hate (miseo) is in the present tense signifying continual hatred.

Luke 1:74 To grant us that we, being rescued (rhuomai) from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear,

Ps 106:10 So He saved them from the hand of the one who hated them, And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

Dt 33:29 "Blessed are you, O Israel; Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, Who is the shield of your help, And the sword of your majesty! So your enemies shall cringe before you, And you shall tread upon their high places."

The phrase from the hand is used 82x in 70v and speaks often of being under the power of another - Gen. 32:11; Gen. 33:19; Gen. 48:22; Exod. 2:19; Exod. 14:30; Exod. 18:9; Exod. 18:10; Lev. 22:25; Num. 35:25; Deut. 3:8; Deut. 7:8; Deut. 25:11; Jos. 22:31; Jdg. 2:18; Jdg. 6:14; Jdg. 8:22; Jdg. 9:17; Ruth 4:5; Ruth 4:9; 1 Sam. 4:8; 1 Sam. 7:3; 1 Sam. 7:8; 1 Sam. 7:14; 1 Sam. 9:16; 1 Sam. 10:18; 1 Sam. 17:37; 1 Sam. 25:39; 2 Sam. 3:18; 2 Sam. 8:1; 2 Sam. 12:7; 2 Sam. 14:16; 2 Sam. 18:19; 2 Sam. 18:31; 2 Sam. 19:9; 2 Sam. 22:1; 2 Ki. 13:25; 2 Ki. 16:7; 2 Ki. 17:39; 2 Ki. 18:33; 2 Ki. 19:14; 2 Ki. 20:6; 1 Chr. 18:1; 2 Chr. 30:6; 2 Chr. 30:16; 2 Chr. 32:11; 2 Chr. 32:15; 2 Chr. 32:22; Ezr. 8:31; Neh. 9:27; Job 5:15; Job 6:23; Ps. 18:1; Ps. 31:15; Ps. 97:10; Ps. 106:10; Ps. 107:2; Prov. 6:5; Eccl. 2:24; Isa. 36:18; Isa. 37:14; Isa. 38:6; Jer. 15:21; Jer. 20:13; Jer. 31:11; Ezek. 34:27; Mic. 4:10; Hab. 2:9; Lk. 1:71; Lk. 1:74; Acts 12:11

John MacArthur is one of the few commentators I have been able to find who interprets Zacharias' prophecy with both a present and future fulfillment (which is what I favor) so here is his entire comment on Luke 1:71

Like many Old Testament predictions, the Lord’s promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:12–14 has both a near and a distant fulfillment. In the short term, David’s descendant, whose kingdom God promised to establish (2 Sa 7:12) was his son Solomon. He was granted the privilege of building the temple that was denied to David (2 Sa 7:13a).

But neither Solomon’s kingdom nor the temple he built were to last. As Solomon grew old, he sank deeper and deeper into sin. As a result, after his death the kingdom split into two kingdoms: the northern kingdom of Israel, and the southern kingdom of Judah. Eventually, after centuries of rebellion and disobedience, Israel was destroyed by the Assyrians (722 B.C.). Little more than a century later Judah fell to the Babylonians, who in 586 B.C. destroyed Solomon’s magnificent temple.

God’s covenant promise, however, did not fail. It extends to the One greater than Solomon (Luke 11:31+)—the Lord Jesus Christ. It is His kingdom that God promised to establish forever (2 Sa 7:13, 16). He will one day return to establish His earthly kingdom in fulfillment of the promise made to David, and “there will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore” (Isa. 9:7+).

It was that Messianic Kingdom, with its hope and expectation of salvation from Israel’s enemies, and from the hand of all who hate the Jewish people (cf. Ps. 106:10), that elicited Zacharias’s praise. As noted above, he believed the kingdom’s arrival was imminent (as indeed did Jesus’ own disciples, even after His resurrection [Acts 1:6-see commentary]); he knew that his son was the forerunner of the Messiah, and that Mary was pregnant with the Messiah. Zacharias did not foresee that the unthinkable would happen—that Israel would reject and execute her King.

But Israel’s disobedience cannot nullify the promises of God (Ro 3:1–3). The King will one day return to establish His earthly kingdom, just as God promised David. In that day the remnant of Israel will come to repentance and faith and, says the Lord, “will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn” (Zech. 12:10+). They will cry out joyously, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mt 23:39). “In that day,” Zechariah prophesied, “His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east” (Zech. 14:4+). The most detailed description of the triumphant return of Jesus Christ to judge His enemies and establish His earthly kingdom is found in Revelation 19:11–21+...The hope of Zacharias and the future remnant of Jews, as well as all true believers, is sure and will certainly come to pass. God will not forget His covenant with David (ED: NOR HIS COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM - Lk 1:73). The redeemed will experience the blessed joy of serving and worshiping the King during the Millennial Kingdom and the eternal kingdom that will follow it. Only then will the fervent longing of the children of Israel for salvation from their enemies, and from the hand of all who hate them be realized. (See context in Luke Commentary)

Salvation (4991) (soteria from soter = Savior in turn from sozo = save, rescue, deliver) describes the rescue or deliverance from danger, destruction and peril. Salvation is a broader term in Greek than we often think of in English. Other concepts that are inherent in soteria include restoration to a state of safety, soundness, health and well being as well as preservation from danger of destruction. See study of Sozo/Soteria by Gerald Cowen.

Luke uses soteria 4x - Lk 1:69, Lk 1:71, Lk 1:77, Lk 19:9.

William Barclay - In classical Greek soteria means 'deliverance' or 'preservation'. It can be used for a man's safe return to his own home or his own country after an absence and a journey. It can mean a 'guarantee of safety' or a 'security against danger'. In the papyri by far the commonest meaning of soteria is 'bodily health'. For instance, a member of the family writes home, 'Write me a letter about your soteria,' or, as we would say, 'Let me know how you are.' (New Testament Words)

Enemies (2190)(echthros from échthos = hatred, enmity; noun = echthra = enmity, hostility) is an adjective which pertains to manifesting hostility, a "deep-rooted hatred" or being at enmity with another, where enmity is a deep seated animosity or hatred which may be open or concealed and in regard to Israel is known as ANTI-SEMITISM. In the active sense echthros means to be hateful, hostile toward, at enmity with or adversary of someone. In the passive sense echthros pertains to being subjected to hostility, to be hated or to be regarded as an enemy.

Luke uses echthros 10x (out of a total of 32) - Lk. 1:71; Lk. 1:74; Lk. 6:27; Lk. 6:35; Lk. 10:19; Lk. 19:27; Lk. 19:43; Lk. 20:43; Acts 2:35; Acts 13:10

Hate (verb) (3404) miseo from misos = hatred) means to dislike strongly, to have a strong aversion to or to detest, all of these representing expressions of hostility of one person (or group) toward another (Mt 5:43, Lk 6:27, et al). Specifically the hatred can be directed toward God (Lk 1:71). Good hatred in Heb 1:9 (cf use of miseo in Lxx of Ps 101:3, Ps 119:104, 113, 128, 163, Ps 139:21-22). The majority of the NT uses of miseo convey the literal meaning of animosity towards God, people or particular attitudes. It is notable that except for Lk 1:71, miseo is always used by Jesus in the Gospels. The literal meaning of bearing ill will towards another person or persons is found in the majority of texts (e.g., Mt 5:43, 44; 6:24; Lk 1:71; Jn 7: 7; 17:14; Titus 3: 3; 1Jo. 2: 9 ff.; Rev. 17:16). The world’s hatred for the people of God is expressed in Lk 1:71; Jn 7: 7; 15:18; 17:14; 1Jo. 3:13. Mt 10:22; 24:9; Mk 13:13; Lk 21:17 describe suffering hatred for the cause of the Gospel.

Miseo uses in Luke - Lk. 1:71; Lk. 6:22; Lk. 6:27; Lk. 14:26; Lk. 16:13; Lk. 19:14; Lk. 21:17;

Luke 1:72 To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant,

NET He has done this to show mercy to our ancestors, and to remember his holy covenant–

GNT ποιῆσαι ἔλεος μετὰ τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν καὶ μνησθῆναι διαθήκης ἁγίας αὐτοῦ,

NLT He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant--

KJV To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

ESV to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant,

NIV to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant,

show mercy. Luke 1:54, 55. Ge. 12:3; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14. Ps. 98:3. Ac. 3:25, 26. Ro. 11:28. He. 6:13–18.
And to remember. Ge. 17:4–9. Le. 26:42. Ps. 105:8–10; 106:45; 111:5. Eze. 16:8, 60. Ga. 3:15–17.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:72 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

GOD'S COVENANT
MERCY

To show mercy toward our fathers (pater) - In context God has demonstrated His mercy through His bestowal of the unconditional Abrahamic covenant. MacArthur writes that "The Abrahamic covenant is preeminently a covenant of mercy, revealing that God is gracious and compassionate to undeserving people. The stream of mercy that began with God’s blessing of Abraham flows down through the centuries to provide forgiveness, redemption, and eternal blessing to all who have faith in the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Ibid) Our fathers in context refers especially to the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who each received assurance of the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant

Mercy (1656)(eleos) is the outward manifestation of pity and assumes need on the part of those who are recipients of the mercy and sufficient resources to meet the need on the part of those who show it. The idea of mercy is to show kindness or concern for someone in serious need or to give help to the wretched, to relieve the miserable. Here the essential thought is that mercy gives attention to those in misery.

To remember His holy covenant - God never forgets a promise! As noted above this is a reference to His covenant with Abraham (Luke 1:73) which was immutable and unconditional. The Abrahamic Covenant began in Genesis 12:1-3+ and was ratified in Genesis 15:1-21, 18+. Zacharias took literally God’s covenant promises with Israel and expected God to fulfill them.

Remember (3403)(mimnesko) means to bring to mind or think of again. It means to keep in mind for attention or consideration. Most of the NT uses convey this sense of recalling information from memory. You can mark it down that God never suffers from amnesia!

Holy (40)(hagios) properly means set apart, and in this context means set apart by God and for His children.

Covenant (1242)(diatheke from diatithemi = set out in order, dispose in a certain order <> from dia = two + tithemi = to place pictures that which is placed between two Thus, a covenant is something placed between two = thus an arrangement between two parties) literally conveys the idea of a testament, as in one's last will and testament. Remember that there were 3 unconditional covenants in the Old Testament, the Abrahamic (which is the basis on which we are saved today), the Palestinian and the Davidic covenants. The question might arise as to how or on what grounds will God fulfill the Abrahamic and Davidic covenant?

Covenant: Abrahamic versus Mosaic

Covenant: New Covenant in the Old Testament

Covenant: Why the New is Better

Covenant: Abrahamic vs Old vs New

John Phillips - The Abrahamic covenant was personal, spiritual, and territorial. And it was wholly unconditional (Ge 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-21).

Related Resources:

Robert Hawker - The mercy promised.—Luke 1:72.

THE mercy promised! Why, God graciously promised many mercies, and most faithfully and fully performed them. Yes! every thing out of hell may well be called a mercy. Every child of Adam beareth about with him, day by day, tokens of God’s mercy. The air we breathe, the garments we put on, the food we eat; all the comforts, conveniences, enjoyments of life; these are all mercies. But none of these are what the sweet portion of the morning points at. It is here a particular, a special, one specific mercy. And who can this mean, my soul, but Jesus, thy Jesus? He is indeed the mercy promised; the first mercy, the first promise; the first, best, and comprehensive gift of God in the Bible. He is indeed the mercy of mercies, the first-born, the sum and substance of every other. He is essential to make all other mercies really and truly mercies; for, without him, they ultimately prove injurious. He is essential to put a sweetness, to give a relish, a value, an importance, to every other. Where Jesus is, there is mercy; where Jesus is not, what can profit? My soul! hast thou considered this? Dost thou know it? Is Jesus thine? Is this mercy promised, really, truly given to thee? Hast thou taken him home to thine house, to thine heart? Pause! If it be so, how dost thou value him, know him, use him, live to him, walk with him, hope in him, rejoice in him, and make him thine all? Hast thou received him as a free mercy, an undeserved mercy? Hast thou accepted him as so seasonable a mercy, that, without him, thou wouldest have been undone for ever? Is he now so truly satisfying to thee in all thy desires, for time and for eternity, that thou canst bid adieu to every enjoyment if needful; and, looking up to Jesus, canst truly say, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee!” Oh! my soul! if this be thy portion, then hast thou a Benjamin’s portion indeed! God thy Father hath given thee indeed the mercy promised; and Jesus is, and will be, thy mercy, and the mercy of all mercies, to all eternity. Amen.

Luke 1:73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,

NET the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham. This oath grants

GNT ὅρκον ὃν ὤμοσεν πρὸς Ἀβραὰμ τὸν πατέρα ἡμῶν, τοῦ δοῦναι ἡμῖν

NLT the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham.

KJV The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

ESV the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

NIV the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear

Ge. 22:16, 17; Ge 24:7; Ge 26:3. De. 7:8, 12. Ps. 105:9. Je. 11:5. He. 6:16, 17.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:73 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

GOD'S OATH
TO ABRAHAM

The oath which He swore to Abraham our father - This oath is repeated several times. God will not go back on what he has sworn. In the context that follows the oppression of the Gentiles is on the mind of Zacharias. Israel might be oppressed, but the oath God made will endure! Even when there was no literal nation of Israel for almost 1900 years, God's oath to Abraham the father of the Jews was still valid. God had not forgotten His covenant promises (cf Lk 1:72), including the promise of land to Abraham. And then along comes World War II, the horrible extermination of 6 million Jews which stirred global sympathy and resulted in the establishment of the sovereign nation of Israel in May, 1948. This was in a sense, a partial fulfillment of the oath God swore to Abraham their father, but the best is yet to come at the end of this age, when Messiah returns and fulfills the promises to the nation of Israel (and Gentile believers will be beneficiaries of this fulfillment!).

By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies." (Ge 22:16-17)

Oath (3727) (horkos from herkos = a fence, an enclosure, that which restrains a person) (See more in depth dictionary discussion of Oath) in simple terms is a solemn statement attesting to the truth or inviolability of one’s words. It was used to validate a promise or affirm something said as absolutely true. An oath is a solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future acts or behavior and often included penalties (and stated in the oath) for failure to keep the oath. An oath is a definitive and binding confirmation of the spoken word and invalidates any contradiction of the statement made. Vine adds that Oath refers to "the confirmation of a compact among men, guaranteeing the discharge of liabilities; in their disputes “the oath is final for confirmation.” This is referred to in order to illustrate the greater subject of God’s “oath” to Abraham, confirming His promise."

Louw-Nida - an affirmation the truth of a statement by calling on a divine being to execute sanctions against a person if the statement in question is not true (in the case of a deity taking an oath, his divine being is regarded as validating the statement)

In the OT oath was prescribed that oaths should be taken in Yahweh’s name (Deuteronomy 6:13; 10:20), and lying under oath was condemned as a violation of the Third Commandment (Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11; Zechariah 5:3,4)

Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary defines oath as "A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. The appeal to God in an oath, implies that the person imprecates his vengeance and renounces his favor if the declaration is false, or if the declaration is a promise, the person invokes the vengeance of God if he should fail to fulfill it. A false oath is called perjury."

Horkos in the NT - oath(7), oaths(2), vows(1). Matt. 5:33; Matt. 14:7; Matt. 14:9; Matt. 26:72; Mk. 6:26; Lk. 1:73; Acts 2:30; Heb. 6:16; Heb. 6:17; Jas. 5:12

Horkos in the Septuagint - Gen. 21:14; Gen. 21:32; Gen. 21:33; Gen. 22:19; Gen. 24:8; Gen. 26:3; Gen. 26:23; Gen. 26:33; Gen. 28:10; Gen. 46:1; Gen. 46:5; Exod. 13:19; Exod. 22:11; Lev. 5:4; Num. 5:21; Num. 30:2; Num. 30:10; Num. 30:13; Deut. 7:8; Jos. 2:17; Jos. 2:19; Jos. 9:20; Jdg. 21:5; 1 Sam. 14:26; 2 Sam. 21:7; 1 Ki. 2:43; 1 Chr. 16:16; 2 Chr. 15:15; Neh. 10:29; Ps. 105:9; Prov. 29:24; Eccl. 8:2; Eccl. 9:2; Jer. 11:5; Dan. 9:11; Dan. 11:18; Amos 5:5; Zech. 8:17

Swore (3660) (omnuo) derives from a basic meaning to grasp a sacred object (Friberg). The verb omnuo thus means to swear, confirm or affirm the truth of a statement by calling on a divine being (heaven, altar, temple, throne of God) to execute sanctions against a person if the statement in question is not true. To put one's self under oath. To threaten with an oath as in Heb 3:11,18, 4:3. BDAG phrases it this way "to affirm the veracity of one’s statement by invoking a transcendent entity, freq. w. implied invitation of punishment if one is untruthful." As the writer of Hebrews says "when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.” (Heb 6:13-14+)

Related Resources: If you have never seen this documentary, you need to watch it as you will see the hand of God moving in the background to sovereignly bring about the establishment of the nation of Israel. Your faith in the absolute sovereignty of our Great God will be encouraged!

Luke 1:74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear,

NET the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham. This oath grants 74 that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, may serve him without fear,

GNT ὅρκον ὃν ὤμοσεν πρὸς Ἀβραὰμ τὸν πατέρα ἡμῶν, τοῦ δοῦναι ἡμῖν 74 ἀφόβως ἐκ χειρὸς ἐχθρῶν ῥυσθέντας λατρεύειν αὐτῷ

NLT the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. 74 We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear,

KJV he oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

ESV the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear,

NIV the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear

that we. Luke 1:71. Is. 35:9, 10; Isa 45:17; Isa 54:13, 14; Isa 65:21–25. Eze. 34:25–28; Ezek 39:28, 29. Zep. 3:15–17. Zec. 9:8–10. Ro. 6:22; 8:15. 2 Ti. 1:7. He. 2:15; 9:14. Re. 2:10.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:74 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

DIVINE DELIVERANCE
PROMISED

To grant us that we - To grant is the verb didomi which means to give based on decision of will of giver (in this case God) based on no merit of the recipient (Israel). Note the pronoun we, which refers to Israel. This is a gift of amazing grace and reflects the Deliverer's faithfulness to keep His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Praise God! If He is rebellious to Israel, beloved rest assured He will be faithful to all those who are now of Abraham's seed (Gal 3:29+).

Being rescued - What does this prophecy by Zacharias mean? Keep in mind that "rescued" (rhuomai) conveys the meanings of rescued from danger and thus saved or delivered. In context Zacharias is primarily describing an event which will occur in the future, when Messiah returns and all Israel is saved - see Ro 11:25-27+; Zechariah 12:10-14+, Zech 13:1+ and Zech 13:8-9+). That is the ultimate fulfillment, the final "national rescue" (so to speak) of Israel. But we can apply this truth even now in the church age to any Jewish person (and any Gentile) who becomes a believer in Messiah for they in effect have been "rescued (same verb rhuomai) from the domain of darkness (THE RIGHT AND MIGHT OF GOD'S ENEMY SATAN), and transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son." (Col 1:13+)

Rescued (delivered) (4506)(rhuomai is derived from rhúo = to draw, drag along the ground) means to draw or snatch to oneself and invariably refers to a snatching from danger, evil or an enemy. This basic idea is that of bringing someone out of severe and acute danger, and so to save, rescue, deliver, preserve. Rhuomai emphasizes greatness of peril from which deliverance is given by a mighty act of power. In the NT rhuomai is always associated with Jesus as the Deliverer and with a person (in this context the nation of Israel) as the object of His deliverance. (And for every believer we can claim Jesus as our Deliverer! Play Rich Mullins "My Deliverer") All 15 uses of rhuomai - Mt. 6:13; Mt. 27:43; Lk. 1:74; Ro 7:24; Ro 11:26; Ro 15:31; 2 Co. 1:10; Col. 1:13; 1 Th. 1:10; 2 Th 3:2; 2 Tim. 3:11; 2 Ti 4:17; 2 Ti 4:18; 2 Pe 2:7; 2 Pe 2:9

From the hand of our enemies from the hand of our enemies -To be in someone's hand is to be under their power or rule. In context Zacharias is speaking primarily of national enemies of Israel. And so Zacharias foresees that the nation of Israel will one day in the future be free from the tyrannical rule of her enemies (note the use of the plural - even as I write 70 nations have recently met in Paris to draft an agreement to "force" Israel to accept a two-state solution - 1/19/17). From this oppressive hand Israel will be delivered by the omnipotent Hand of God which knows no equal! Even in the book of Exodus we see a foreshadowing of Jehovah's power and desire to set His people Israel free, Moses recording these words just after the children of God had crossed the Red Sea in which their enemies were annihilated...

Thus the LORD saved (Hebrew = yasha' = root of Joshua = abbreviation of Jehoshua = Jehovah saves. Joshua = Hebrew of Jesus) Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. (Ex 14:30)

Comment: And guess which Greek verb the Septuagint chose to translate "saved"? You guessed it - rhuomai, the same word Zacharias uses to speak of the deliverance/rescue from the hand of Israel's enemies!

Might serve Him without fear - This ideal, idyllic description refers to the future Messianic Kingdom after Messiah has returned to "rescue" Israel and destroy all of her enemies. It is not a coincidence (in my opinion) that the same word for being rescued, rhuomai, is used to describe Jesus as the "DELIVERER" in Paul's prophetic promise that "all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “THE DELIVERER (rhuomai) WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.” (Ro 11:26+). And once rescued or delivered, these born again Jews will be able to serve Him without fear!

And only at that time when Messiah returns to establish His Messianic Kingdom will the nation of Israel be without fear of invasion, terrorist attacks, suicide bombers, etc. Ezekiel prophesies of this day promising that Israel "will no longer be a prey to the (Gentile) nations, and the beasts of the earth will not devour them; but they will live securely, and no one will make them afraid." (Ezekiel 34:28). Beloved, if you do not accept a Messianic Kingdom, verses like this are veritable "theological quicksand!" (assuming they are interpreted literally!)

Might serve (3000)(latreuo from latris = one hired or latron = reward, wages) means to work for reward, for hire or for pay, to be in servitude, render cultic service. Latreuo was used literally for bodily service (e.g., workers on the land, or slaves), and figuratively for “to cherish.” In the NT the idea is to render service to God, to worship, to perform sacred services or to minister to God in a spirit of worship. This is the same verb Luke used in Luke 2:37+ to describe the 84 yo widow Anna (Lk 2:36, 38) who never left the temple, serving (latreuo) night and day with fastings and prayers.

Without fear (870)(aphobos from a = without + phobos = fear) has a positive sense meaning without cause to be afraid, without fear of what might happen (Lk 1:74, Php 1:14+ = "courage to speak the word of God without fear."). In Jude 1:12+ aphobos describes those men who live shamelessly, without a sense of reverence, "men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves." The last use is in 1 Cor 16:10+ "Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am." The idea there is do not intimidate him you Corinthians!

In the one use in the Septuagint Solomon writes "But he who listens to me (ultimately he who listens to God) shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread (Lxx = aphobos) of evil.” (Pr 1:33)

These men failed to heed Paul's warning "But let a man examine (dokimazo) himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly." (1Cor 11:28-29) These apostates also remind us of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10), who pretended to be generous givers but were really secretly selfish, so God exposed their hypocrisy and "took them out." Observe the impact on the Church "great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard of these things." These apostates either had never heard this story or simply chose to ignore it. "Lacking a functioning conscience or sense of conviction, and being adept hypocrites, the apostates were able to feast with believers without fear." (MacArthur)

THOUGHT - O to be like ancient Anna, especially in light of the truth that today His Temple is our body! Lord, by Thy Spirit, work out a "spirit of Anna" in our hearts that we might serve you continuously in these temporal temples. Amen

PROMISES TO BE FULFILLED
IN THE MILLENNIUM

This promise reflects a number of Old Testament passages and it ultimately will be fulfilled to Israel at the end of this age during the Messianic Age also known has the Millennium (See - [1] Millennium 1 - overview of Rev 19:11-21:3, history of interpretation, [2] Millennium 2 - events leading up to and [3] Millennium 3 - description of this glorious time of holiness and righteousness [Lk 1:75] and peace [Lk 1:79]).

Isaiah 35:9; 10+ No lion will be there, Nor will any vicious beast go up on it; These will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there, And the ransomed of the LORD will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, With everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Isaiah 45:17 Israel has been saved by the LORD With an everlasting salvation; You will not be put to shame or humiliated To all eternity.

Isaiah 54:13; 14 “All your sons will be taught of the LORD; And the well-being of your sons will be great. “In righteousness you will be established; You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear; And from terror, for it will not come near you.

Isaiah 65:21-25 They will build houses and inhabit them; They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22“They will not build and another inhabit, They will not plant and another eat; For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, And My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands. 23“They will not labor in vain, Or bear children for calamity; For they are the offspring of those blessed by the LORD, And their descendants with them. 24“It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. 25“The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain,” says the LORD.

Ezekiel 34:25-28+ “I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate harmful beasts from the land so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. 26“I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing. And I will cause showers to come down in their season; they will be showers of blessing. 27“Also the tree of the field will yield its fruit and the earth will yield its increase, and they will be secure on their land. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bars of their yoke and have delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. 28“They will no longer be a prey to the nations, and the beasts of the earth will not devour them; but they will live securely, and no one will make them afraid.

Ezekiel 39:28; 29+ “Then (When? read Ezek 39:25-27) they will know that I am the LORD their God because I made them go into exile among the nations, and then gathered them again to their own land; and I will leave none of them there any longer. 29 “I will not hide My face from them any longer, for I will have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,” declares the Lord GOD.

SERVING HIM WITHOUT FEAR - Years ago a Salvation Army officer, Captain Shaw, went to India as a medical missionary to a leper colony. His eyes welled with tears as he saw three lepers who were prisoners, their hands and feet bound by chains that cut into their diseased flesh. Shaw turned to the guard and said, “Please unfasten these chains.” “But it isn’t safe,” the guard replied. “These men are not just lepers; they’re dangerous criminals.” “I’ll be responsible; they’re suffering enough,” Shaw said, as he took the keys, and tenderly removed the shackles and treated their bleeding ankles and wrists.

About two weeks later Captain Shaw had his first misgivings about freeing these criminals. He had to make an overnight trip and feared leaving his wife and child alone. His wife insisted that she wasn’t afraid; God would protect her. So the doctor left. The next morning when Mrs. Shaw went to her door, she was startled to see the three criminals lying on her steps. One explained, “We know the doctor go. We stay here all night so no harm come to you.” That was their response to the doctor’s act of love for them—to serve him freely out of gratitude. That should be our response to God’s freeing us from bondage to sin—to give our lives in holy service to Him.

J C Philpot - LUKE 1:74 Holiness consists mainly of two points:

1. being made a partaker of the spirit of holiness whereby, as born of God, we are made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; set our affections on things above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God; have our conversation in heaven; put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him which created him; live a life of faith in the Son of God, and beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. To be thus spiritually-minded, to be thus brought near unto God through His dear Son, to walk before Him in the light of His countenance, and to know something of spiritual communion with the Lord of life and glory as sitting on His mercy-seat in the fulness of His risen power, and in the heights, depths, lengths, and breadths of His dying love—this to taste, to handle, to experience, and to enjoy is to be made a partaker of true holiness, and to enjoy is to be made a partaker of true holiness, and to be sanctified by the Spirit of God as an indwelling Teacher, Guide, Advocate, and Comforter. And if we know nothing of these things, at least in some small measure, or are not looking after and longing for them to be brought into our heart by divine power, we give but little evidence that the grace of God has reached our heart and renewed us in the spirit of our mind.

2. The second branch of holiness is a life, conduct, and conversation agreeable to the precepts of the gospel; and the one springs out of the other. “Make the tree good,” said our blessed Lord, “and his fruit good, for the tree is known by his fruit.” Gospel fruit must grow upon a gospel tree, and thus the fruits of a holy and godly life must spring out of those divine operations of the Holy Ghost upon the heart of which we have just spoken. Thus to speak, live, and act is to be “holy in all manner of conversation,” that is in our daily walk; and is a fulfilling of the precept which God gave of old to His typical Israel, and quoted in the New Testament to shew that it is spiritually fulfilled in that peculiar people whom He calls by His distinguishing grace under the gospel. (Ears from harvested Sheaves)

James Smith- DELIVERED TO SERVE Luke 1:74, 75

“Lord, keep alive my sense of wonder,
Cent’ring in the living Christ,
Oft placing me, His great throne under,
To hold with Him a gracious tryst;
The ‘old, old story’ every new,
And ever proving itself true.”

It is a great and cruel fallacy toward God and man to believe that we are saved merely to be satisfied. Such a debased thought is not worthy of the grace of God. The man who eats only to be satisfied is a selfish glutton and a worshipper of his stomach. We eat to live, and love, and labour. The provision of God made for us in Christ is to enable us to live before God, to love our fellowmen, and labour for Christ and His cause.

1. The great deliverance. “We being delivered out of the hand of our enemies.” We are here reminded that this deliverance is—

1. ALL OF GRACE. “That He would grant us.” It is in reality a Divine grant. It is because of His mercy that we are not consumed. When any board or society allows a grant to any one, the idea of merit and desert is often present, but with God’s grants there can be no plea of merit, else grace is not grace.

2. FROM THE ENEMY, SIN. Sin is one of the enemies out of whose hand we need deliverance. In giving us His Son, God has also given us a grant of freedom from sin (Rom. 6:18). “Sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under law, but under grace” (Rom. 6:14). Claim this grant.

3. FROM THE ENEMY, SELF. If sin is not to be allowed to lord it over us, the self-seeking I must be put in the place of death. As long as the carnal I lives it will be the servant of sin. By the atoning Blood the victory is won.

4. FROM THE ENEMY, SATAN. The great ACCUSER is always ready to bring some railing accusation against the Lord, against His Gospel, or against ourselves. We are not ignorant of His devices. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand” (Eph. 6:11).

2. The purpose of it. “He hath delivered us that we might serve Him.” We are saved to serve. We have been freed from sin that we might become servants to God (Rom. 6:18). It is good to be able to say “Thank God, I am saved,” but it is better to be able to say “Thank God, I am the bondslave of Jesus Christ.” That we might—

1. SERVE HIM. One is your Master, even Christ. Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth. Serve Him, God first, not the Church, not a cause, not the good principle, but the living Christ, our ever present gracious Lord, whose we are.

2. SERVE HIM WITHOUT FEAR. If we love the Lord with all our heart this will be the character of our service, for there is no fear in love; perfect love casteth out fear. Having received the Spirit of adoption we are saved from slavish fear and serve in the love of a son (Rom. 8:15).

3. SERVE HIM IN HOLINESS. As saved ones we are “called with a holy calling” (2 Tim. 1:9). Called into the holy priesthood, having been washed and clothed with holy robes that we might minister in holy things as we eat the holy meat. They must be clean who bear the vessels of the Lord. He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy (1 Peter 1:15).

4. SERVE HIM IN RIGHTEOUSNESS. Our new man is created after God in righteousness and true holiness (Eph. 4:24). So the new man is expected to serve God in righteousness as well as in holiness. “In holiness” may refer to the nature of God within us; “in righteousness,” to the Word of God before us. His holy nature imparted to us gives us fitness for service. His Holy Word gives us righteous principles for guidance in service.

5. SERVE BEFORE HIM. Sweet is the service that is rendered in the consciousness of His presence and done as standing before Him. Elijah could speak of “the Lord God of Israel before whom I stand” (1 Kings 17:1). Abraham walked before God. Serving before Him is the remedy for the fear of man, and the secret of deliverance from dishonouring God by presenting eloquent prayers to great audiences.

6. SERVE HIM ALL THE DAYS OF OUR LIFE. There is no discharge in this holy war. The Levite might retire after a limited number of years’ service, but those delivered from sin and wrath by the agony and blood of God’s beloved Son are to serve Him all the days of their life. All the days of that life which is Divine and eternal. In the days of bodily infirmity and weakness, when we can do nothing but look, may that look be the look of blessed submission and holy trust. Yes, Lord, all the days of my life and of Thy life.

Luke 1:75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.

De. 6:2. Ps. 105:44, 45. Je. 31:33, 34; 32:39, 40. Eze. 36:24–27. Mat. 1:21. Ep. 1:4; 2:10; 4:24. 1 Th. 4:1, 7. 2 Th. 2:13. 2 Ti. 1:9. Titus 2:11–14. 1 Pe. 1:14–16. 2 Pe. 1:4–8.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:75 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

SERVING GOD IN HOLINESS
AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

In holiness (hosiotes) and righteousness (dikaiosune) before (enopion) Him all our days - This verse continues the description Luke 1:74 of how the Jews who are rescued from the hand of their enemies might serve Him without fear. As noted in Luke 1:75 this passage will ultimately be fulfilled for Israel in the Millennial Age because all the Jews who enter the Messianic Kingdom are "saved" and will have the inner power (the Holy Spirit) to truly walk in holiness and righteousness. Earle suggests in Luke 1:75 "that holiness may relate more to the inner life and righteousness to our outward walk." NET Note applies this truth not just to rescued (redeemed, regnerated) Israel but to all people who have been rescued from bondage to sin writing that "The phrases that we…might serve him…in holiness and righteousness from Luke 1:74–75 well summarize a basic goal for a believer in the eyes of Luke. Salvation frees us up to serve God without fear through a life full of ethical integrity." I like that last phrase "a life full of ethical integrity" (but I might change it slightly to a "heart full of integrity") for the word for holiness (hosiotes) is used in God's declaration to Solomon (actually a condition for God blessing him) to walk "before (Him) as your father David walked, in integrity (hosiotes) of heart and uprightness." Notice from this last verse that holiness is a heart issue. We can know what constitutes "holiness" in our head but if we do not have it governing our heart, our holiness is questionable at best and a "spiritual charade" at the worst (aka "hypocritical holiness" so to speak!)

Before Him - before the face and thus the idea of face to face or Coram Deo!

Practically speaking when sinners are rescued from sin and death by the coming of Christ into their life the ideal result should be that it brings about an attitude of renewed faith and obedience before God in the lives of the people of God.

Holiness (3742)(hosiotes from hósios = devout, used for the careful discharge of one’s duties to God) is a noun that describes holiness of life, "a disposition that acts out of regard for the moral law of God" (Friberg), the "state of proper attitude toward God as exhibited in action" (BDAG), "piety toward God, fidelity in observing the obligations of piety." (Thayer), "Holiness manifesting itself in the discharge of pious duties in religious and social life. Hosiótēs is related more to the keeping of the ordinances than the character of life." (Zodhiates)

Ralph Earle on hosiotes - Olshausen writes: "Dikaiosune denotes the right relation inwardly between the powers of the soul, outwardly to men and circumstances." He further states: "On the other hand, hosiotes denotes ... integrity of the spiritual life, and the piety towards God which it sup-poses" (5:118-19). The word hosiotes occurs in only one other passage in the NT, Luke 1:75. There it is also connected with dikaiosune, only in the opposite order. The basic meaning of the word is "piety." (Word Meanings in the NT) Cremer describes hosiotes as "holiness manifesting itself in the discharge of pious duties...it denotes the spirit and conduct of one who is joined in fellowship with God."

The only other NT use of hosiotes is by Paul in Ephesians 4:24+ "and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." This passage describes the new nature of all believers in Christ who have been re-created in righteousness and holiness for the same purpose - that they might walk daily (enabled by the Spirit) in a manner which is in keeping with holiness and righteousness. Stated another way, what we have be created to be on the inside (new character) should show itself on the outside (new conduct), something that is only possible as we are daily filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Hosiotes is used 4x in the Septuagint - Dt 9:5 ("uprightness of your heart), 1 Sa 14:41, 1 Ki 9:4 (describing Solomon - " if you will walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity [Lxx = hosiotes] of heart and uprightness")

Righteousness (1343)(dikaiosune from díkaios = just, righteous = root idea of conforming to a standard or norm) is derived from a root word that means “straightness.” It refers to a state that conforms to an authoritative standard or norm and so is in keeping with what God is in His holy character. In other words, God’s character is the definition and source of all righteousness. God is totally righteous because He is totally as He should be. The righteousness of human beings is defined in terms of God’s. . In short, the righteousness of God is all that God is, all that He commands, all that He demands, all that He approves and all that He provides (through faith iin the gospel of Jesus Christ, the perfectly Righteous One.). This is the only use of dikaiosune in Luke.

Luke 1:76 "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS;

Will be called. Luke 7:28. Mat. 14:5; 21:26. Mark 11:32.
Most High. Luke 1:32, 35; Luke 6:35. Ps. 87:5. Ac. 16:17.
You will go on. Luke 1:16, 17; Luke 3:4–6. Is. 40:3–5. Mal. 3:1; 4:5. Mat. 3:3, 11; 11:10. Mark 1:2, 3. John 1:23, 27; 3:28. Ac. 13:24, 25.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:76 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

JOHN THE BAPTIST
TO PREPARE THE WAY

See map of ministry of John the Baptist

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High - The Most High stresses God’s absolute sovereignty. Zacharias now shifts his attention from exultation of Jesus to an explanation of his son John. The order of Zacharias speech is in keeping with his son's later declaration "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30+). John's life was not his own but belonged to his Master Christ Jesus. The same is true of all believers. The question is does my life show in my daily walk?

MacArthur - He was “the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness, “make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!” ’ ” (Matt. 3:3). John’s mission was to prepare the people for Messiah’s arrival. To that end he “preach[ed] a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3), and his uncompromising message was that the people should “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2). John also challenged the legitimacy of some of his hearers’ repentance (Mt 3:7-10+). John’s message ran counter to the popular conception of the Messiah. The people were looking for a conquering hero, who would defeat their enemies, establish his throne, and usher in the promised blessings of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. That is why the crowd wanted to make Jesus king after He miraculously fed the five thousand (John 6:14–15). But before realizing the blessings of those covenants they needed to face the reality of their sin, repent, and seek the forgiveness provided only in the New covenant, already in operation, though ratified by our Lord on the cross. In God’s timeless, eternal view He applied the death of the Savior through all redemptive history to those who repented and sought His salvation by grace. (Ibid)

John Phillips - How thrilling it was for the old man to gaze into the cradle where lay the child who would call the nation back to God. We can see the priest as he stooped down to the cradle to raise the precious bundle in his arms. He spoke directly to the infant. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest" (Luke 1:76a). A prophet! Not a priest! Israel had too many priests. Although John had been born into the tribe of Levi and the family of Aaron, his destiny lay elsewhere than the priesthood. It had already been written in heaven that he would be a prophet-"and more than a prophet" (Matt. 11:9).

For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS - Earlier the angel had explained to Zacharias that John would "turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Lk 1:16-17+) This explanation is a fulfillment of God’s promise through Malachi, “Behold, I am going to send My messenger (JOHN THE BAPTIST), and he will clear the way before Me (MESSIAH). And the Lord, Whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant (MESSIAH), in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts.....4:5 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD." (Malachi 3:1+, Malachi 4:5+) cf Mt 11:14 = "“And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come."

Comment - ELIJAH THE PROPHET: John the Baptist was a type of Elijah at Christ’s first advent (cf. Lu 1:17 "in the spirit and power of Elijah"). Moses and Elijah appeared together at the Mt. of Transfiguration (cf. Mt 17:14). Elijah was taken into heaven without dying (2Ki 2:11) and is apparently one of "the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth" (Zec 4:14), who will return to the earth as one of God's two witnesses in the first half of the seven-year tribulation period of the end-times (Rev 11:3,4+). However, while he freely admitted that he was the one who prepared the way for the Lord (Isa 40:3; Mal 3:1), John expressly denied that he was Elijah (Jn 1:21-23). Even when Jesus called John ”the Elijah who was to come,“ He conditioned that designation with the phrase, ”if you are willing to accept it“ (Mt 11:14). A solution to the problem seems to be offered in Mt 17. After Elijah appeared with Christ in His transfiguration, the disciples asked about Elijah’s future coming. Jesus, speaking apparently after John’s death (cf. Matt. 14:1-2), affirmed that ”Elijah comes and will restore all things“ (Matt. 17:11). This future expectation indicates that Malachi 4:5-6 was not fulfilled in the ministry of John (nor in Elijah's appearance at Mt of Transfiguration). Israel did not accept John the Baptist as the Elijah-like restorer of all things, so another Elijah-like forerunner is yet to come before the day of the Lord.

Prophet (4396)(prophetes) describes John who functions in a sense as one who foretells Jesus but primarily is one who forth tells (proclaims the truth) about Jesus (Mt 3:11, 12+, Mark 1:7+, Lk 3:16, 17+). Jesus described John as prophet declaring "But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10 “This is the one about whom it is written, ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’ 11 “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Mt 11:9-11)

The Most High - see above for discussion of Most High (Luke 1:32)

Luke 1:77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins,

give. Luke 3:3, 6. Mark 1:3, 4. John 1:7–9, 15–17, 29, 34; 3:27–36. Ac. 19:4.
by the. Luke 7:47–50. Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43; 13:38, 39. Ro. 3:25; 4:6–8. Ep. 1:7.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:77 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

JOHN'S PRIMARY
PROCLAMATION

To give His people - His People refers to God's Chosen People, the Jews. In Exodus God refers to them as "My people" prior to His saving them out of Egypt (Ex 3:7, 10, cp Ex 6:7, read especially Dt 7:6, 7, 14:2). God in His sovereignty will give them not what they deserve but as He explains in Luke 1:78 what His tender mercy dictates - the knowledge of salvation. This promise in a sense is partially fulfilled every time a Jewish person believes in the Messiah for salvation, but the complete fulfillment awaits the Second Coming of the Messiah when the Deliverer will bring about a national repentance by one-third of the Jews at that time (see Romans 11:26,27+ where "all Israel" = all who believe = 1/3 will believe after suffering through the 3.5 year Great Tribulation which will "refine" [cf Da 12:10+] this believing remnant of Israel - see Zech 12:10-14+, Zech 13:1+, Zech 13:8-9+ = "I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them as silver is refined...they will call on My Name..."). They will receive the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, and by faith will enter into the New Covenant (described below).

Knowledge (gnosis) of salvation - Knowledge of Jesus the Savior Who makes possible forgiveness of sins. In His last Passover with His apostles, Jesus gave them the cup after giving thanks saying "Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the (new) covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins." (Mt 26:27, 28)

Forgiveness of their sins (remission of their sins) - This is the knowledge every person born needs to hear and receive! There is no salvation apart from forgiveness of our sins. This is the message proclaimed by John the Baptist, the Savior's forerunner - "And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." (Lk 3:3+) Notice the terms associated with forgiveness - salvation, redemption, repentance. Paul writes of this forgiveness in his letter to the Ephesians "In Him (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7+)

As Warren Wiersbe said "All of us are spiritually bankrupt, unable to pay our debt. But Jesus came and paid the debt for us (Ps. 103:12; John 1:29)." .(Bible Exposition Commentary)

We owed a debt we could never repay.
Jesus paid a debt He did not owe!

"But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
'Tis all that I can do! "
-Isaac Watts

God gave this promise of forgiveness of sins to the literal nation of Israel in the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31 and amplified this promise in Ezekiel 36. Note that both of these prophets were in exile in Babylon and the nation of Israel seemed to be finished as an entity. In the context of this darkness, God inspired two prophets to encourage the downcast Jews with Jehovah's words "I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." (Jer 29:11).

“Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah (NOTE ISRAEL AND JUDAH!) not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt (THE OLD COVENANT - THE LAW), My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them (GOD IS ISRAEL'S HUSBAND EVEN AS CHRIST IS THE CHURCH'S BRIDEGROOM),” declares the LORD. “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days (TIME PHRASE - NOT TO BE FULFILLED UNTIL AFTER THE DAYS OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION!),” declares the LORD, “I will (NOTE THE "I WILL" STATEMENTS - THIS IS GOD'S DOING BY GRACE!) put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people (NOTE THE ONENESS OF COVENANT). “They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the LORD, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” (cf Ezek 36:25+) (Jeremiah 31:31-34+)

Moreover, I will (AGAIN NOTE THAT GOD INITIATES THIS UNCONDITIONAL COVENANT - THE ONLY "CONDITION" IS THAT IT BE BELIEVED!) give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you (PROMISE OF THE NEW COVENANT); and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 “I will put My Spirit within you (THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF THE NEW COVENANT) and cause you to walk in My statutes (GOD'S PART), and you will be careful to observe My ordinances (OUR RESPONSIBILITY - ENABLED BY GOD'S GIFT THE SPIRIT).(Ezekiel 36:26-27+)

Related Resources:

Knowledge (1108)(gnosis root word gnos - see below) in simple terms is the possession of information of what is known. Gnosis describes the comprehension or intellectual grasp of something. Gnosis refers to knowledge gained by experience in contrast to intuitive knowledge. Gnosis is an “experiential knowledge,” and not a mere passing acquaintance. Certainly the Messiah being born a Jew in Israel would have or should have given them "experiential" knowledge. But sadly for the majority, they did not have ears to hear or eyes to recognize Jesus as their Messiah. This spiritual deafness and blindness persists to this very day -- I just heard a Rabbi from Jerusalem speaking today (1/18/17) about their expectation of the Messiah's coming (but tragically they are looking for the first not the Second Coming!)

Salvation - see note Luke 1:69. Notice that in context Luke gives us a beautiful "descriptive definition" of salvation as "the forgiveness of their sins." Redemption linked to forgiveness of sins Paul writing that in Christ "we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Col 1:14+)

Forgiveness (859)(aphesis from aphiemi = action which causes separation and is in turn derived from apo = from + hiemi = send) literally means to send away, to dismiss (as a debt). Aphesis is most often translated remission as when one remits (pardons, cancels) a debt (see definition of English word below). To release from captivity (contrast Ro 6:20 and Ro 6:22). It includes the act of releasing someone from an obligation (we owed a debt but received a gift- Ro 6:23). Remission of sins means once and for all taking them away, removing the guilt, punishment and power of sin. And so to release one’s sins, is not just release from the ("legal" or forensic) charge and the just penalty of sin but also release from the power and dominion of sin (and when we arrive in Heaven the final release from even the presence of sin and the pleasure of sin). And so we see that Wuest translates forgiveness in Col 1:14 as "the putting away of our sins" (Wuest) Aphesis - 9/16 uses of aphesis are by Luke, clearly a major theme of his writings - Matt. 26:28; Mk. 1:4; Mk. 3:29; Lk. 1:77; Lk. 3:3; Lk. 4:18; Lk. 24:47; Acts 2:38; Acts 5:31; Acts 10:43; Acts 13:38; Acts 26:18; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:22; Heb. 10:18

At the "Last Supper" Jesus explained to His disciples as they drank from the cup that this is My blood of the (new) covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness (aphesis) of sins. (Mt 26:28)

Mark used aphesis in his description of John's opening message "John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness (aphesis) of sins. (Mark 1:4+, Luke 3:3+)

In Jesus' opening words in the synagogue He declared “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE (aphesis) TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, (Luke 4:18+)

Have you personally experienced the tender mercy of God by receiving the forgiveness of sins He offers in the Lord Jesus Christ? Has the Holy Spirit opened your eyes to your desperate situation outside of Christ? You sit in darkness and the shadow of death (Isa 9:1-3), awaiting God’s awful judgment (2 Th 1:8-9, Mt 8:12+, Mt 25:41, 46, contrast 1 Th 1:10+). You can do nothing to save yourself. But God has done it all. In His tender mercy, He offers you a full pardon if you will receive Jesus Christ.

ILLUSTRATION - Years ago, a man named Dr. Barnardo, who ran a London orphanage, was approached by a dirty, ragged little boy who asked for admission. The doctor looked at him and said, “But my boy, I don’t know you. What do you have to recommend you?” The boy was both needy and bright. He quickly held up before Dr. Barnardo his ragged coat and with a confident voice said, “If you please, sir, I thought these here would be all I needed to recommend me.” Dr. Barnardo caught him up in his arms and took him in, because that truly was all he needed to recommend him—his rags. Do you need forgiveness? Then bring all your sins and apply to Jesus. Because of His tender mercy, God will pardon all who seek His forgiveness. Salvation means the forgiveness of our sins by God’s mercy. There’s no such thing as sin that is greater than the tender mercy of our God!

Spurgeon - OBSERVE how Zacharias, in this his joyful song, extolled the remission of sins (Luke 1:77), as one of the most extraordinary proofs of the tender mercy of our God (Luke 1:78). He had been dumb for a season, as a chastisement for his unbelief; and therefore he used his recovered speech to sing of pardoning mercy. No salvation is possible without forgiveness, and so Zacharias says, “To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins.” The Lord could not forgive them on the ground of justice, and therefore he did so because of his tender mercy—the tender mercy of our God, Who has made Himself “our God “by the covenant of grace. He passes by the transgression of his people because he delighteth in mercy." (Micah 7:18-note) At the very outset, I want any soul here that is burdened with sin to believe in the forgiveness of sins, and to believe in it because God is love, and has a great tenderness towards the work of His hands. He is, so merciful that He loves not to condemn the guilty, but looks with anxious care upon them to see how He can turn away his wrath and restore them to favor. For this reason alone there is remission of sins. Forgiveness comes not to us through any merit of ours, present or foreseen; but only through the tender mercy of our God, and the marvelous visit of love which came of it. If He be gracious enough to forgive our sins, it can be done; for every arrangement is already made to accomplish it. The Lord is gracious enough for this—for anything. Behold Him in Christ Jesus, and there we see Him as full of compassion. We sang just now, and sang most truly—

“His heart is made of tenderness,
His bowels melt with love.”

The main point of this morning’s sermon will be to bring out into prominence those few words, “the tender mercy of our God.” To me they gleam with kindly light: I see in them a soft radiance, as of those matchless pearls whereof the gates of heaven are made. There is an exceeding melody to my ear as well as to my heart in that word “tender.” “Mercy” is music, and “tender mercy” is the most exquisite form of it, especially to a broken heart. To one who is despondent and despairing, this word is life from the dead. A great sinner, much bruised by the lashes of conscience, will bend his ear this way, and cry, “Let me hear again the dulcet sound of these words, tender mercy.” If you think of this tenderness in connection with God, it will strike you with wonder, for an instant, that one so great should be so tender; for we are apt to impute to Omnipotence a crushing energy, which can scarcely take account of little, and feeble, and suffering things. Yet if we think again, the surprise will disappear, and we shall see, with a new wonder of admiration, that it must be so. He that is truly great among men is tender because He is great in heart as well as in brain and hand. The truly great spirit is always gentle; and because God is so infinitely great, he is, therefore, tender. We read of His gentleness and of His tenderness towards the children of men; and we see them displayed to their full in the Gospel of our salvation. Very conspicuous is this “tender mercy of our God.”

Now, the original word is, “The mercy of the heart of our God.” The evangelists, though they wrote in Greek, carried with them into that language the idioms of the Hebrew tongue; so that they do not use an adjective, as it would seem from our translation—“tender mercy”; but they say, mercy of the bowels, or of the inwards, or of the heart of God. “The mercy of the heart of God “is to be seen in the remission of sin, and in the visitation of His love when he comes to us as “the Dayspring from on high.” Great is the tenderness of divine mercy.

But I call your attention to the original reading because it seems to me not only to mean tenderness, but much more. The mercy of the heart of God is, of course, the mercy of his great tenderness, the mercy of his infinite gentleness and consideration; but other thoughts also come forth from the expression, like bees from a hive. It means the mercy of God’s very soul. The heart is the seat and centre of life, and mercy is to God as his own life. “I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 18:32) God is love: not only is He loving, but He is love itself. Mercy is of the divine essence: there is no God apart from His heart, and mercy lies in the heart of God. He has bound up his mercy with his existence: as surely as God lives, he will grant remission of sins to those who turn unto him.

Nor is this all—the mercy of God’s heart means His hearty mercy, His cordial delight in mercy. Remission of sins is a business into which the Lord throws His heart. He forgives with an intensity of will, and readiness of soul. God made heaven and earth with His fingers, but He gave His Son with His heart in order that He might save sinners. The Eternal God has thrown his whole soul into the business of redeeming men. If you desire to see God most Godlike, it is in the pardon of sin, and the saving of men. If you desire to read the character of God written out in capital letters, you must study the visitation of his love in the person of his dear Son, and all the wonderful works of infinite grace which spring therefrom. It is a grand sight to behold God in earnest when he says, “Now will I arise.” With awe we watch him as he lays bare his arm: but this full energy of power is best seen when his work is grace. When he stirs up his strength to come and save us, and brings the essence of his being into intense action to bless us, we are favoured indeed. It is this watching to do us good, this eagerness to bless us, which is meant by the mercy of his heart. It is not only tenderness, but intensity, heartiness, eagerness, delight, and concentration of power. All this is to be seen in the dealing of God with guilty men when he visits them to grant them the remission of their sins. (Read full sermon The Tender Mercy of Our God.)

Luke 1:78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,

CSB Because of our God's merciful compassion, the Dawn from on high will visit us

ESV because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high

KJV Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us,

NET Because of our God's tender mercy the dawn will break upon us from on high

NIV because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

NLT Because of God's tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,

YLT Through the tender mercies of our God, In which the rising from on high did look upon us,

NAB Luke 1:78 because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us

tender mercy of our God. Ps. 25:6. Is. 63:7, 15. John 3:16. Ep. 2:4, 5. Phi. 1:8; 2:1. Col. 3:12. 1 John 3:17; 4:9, 10.
Sunrise from on high will visit us. Nu. 24:17. Is. 11:1. Zec. 3:8; 6:12. Mal. 4:2. Re. 22:16.
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:78 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

DIVINE DOUBLE
COMPASSION

Because of - Don't miss this term of explanation pausing to ask what the writer is explaining. He is explaining that the forgiveness offered by John the Baptist (Luke 1:77) when "came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;" (Lk 3:3+) was based on the tender mercy of God, "God's merciful compassion." (HCSB). God's forgiveness is always "gratis" (albeit it cost God the life of His only Son), always motivated by His tender mercy and always based on the finished work of His Son on the Cross (Jn 19:30).

Steven Cole observes that "the theme of God’s great mercy that permeates Luke 1 (see Lk 1:50, 54, 58, 72, 78)...God’s mercy and His grace are somewhat synonymous, meaning His undeserved favor, but His mercy has the added connotation of His compassion on those who are in great misery. God’s mercy is an overwhelming concept, but when the Holy Spirit speaking through Zacharias adds, “the tender mercy of our God” (Lk 1:78), it sounds almost too good to be true! We’ve just seen that His salvation is not for people who have it pretty much together. They are in bondage to sin, oppressed by Satan, sitting in darkness and the shadow of death. It would seem reasonable for God to say, “Make some efforts at self-improvement, and maybe then we can talk about salvation.” But, no, the tender mercy of our God means, as Paul puts it, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly…. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Ro 5:6, 8). This runs counter to the commonly held notion that we can save ourselves by our own effort or ability. It goes against the idea that we are worthy to be saved. No! Salvation is from God, apart from human merit, that no one can boast. If you think you can do something to save yourself or to provide for your own salvation, you have too high a view of yourself. Salvation is for those who know that they are in desperate straits. It is God’s doing, not ours. (The Tender Mercy of Our God Luke 1:57-80)

The tender (splagchnon) mercy (eleos) of our God - This is God's compassion to lost, helpless, even God hating sinners! Amazing mercy indeed! Zacharias uses two similar but not identical Greek words (splagchnon and eleos) that both speak of God's great compassion. Zacharias had used eleos earlier in his praise of God raising up "a horn of salvation" (Lk 1:69+) "To show mercy toward our fathers" (Lk 1:72+). This "divine double" description is a powerful way to verbally depict the deep degree of God’s compassionate concern for sinners. It is as if words almost fail Zacharias as he attempts to describe the depth and greatness of God's mercy for us otherwise hopeless sinners! The God of hope demonstrates "maximum mercy" to those in greatest need for mercy (which is all of us)! This profound thought should cause us who have been redeemd by the blood of the Lamb to pause and "offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name." (Heb 13:15+). Take a moment to praise Him in song (watch on full screen)....

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me!

Underneath me, all around me,
Is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward
To Thy glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth,
Changeth never, nevermore!

How He watches oer His loved ones,
Died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth,
Watcheth oer them from the throne!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Love of every love the best!
Tis an ocean vast of blessing,
Tis a haven sweet of rest!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory,
For it lifts me up to Thee!

With which the Sunrise (anatole) from on high will visit us (episkeptomai) - KJV - "Dayspring from on high." Sunrise is literally the rising and in context refers to the first light of dawn. As alluded to above, Mary was familiar with the OT passages that predicted the coming of the Messiah (Greek - Christos; see also article on Messiah - Anointed One) from the line of David (cf Mt 1:1+ "The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.") See also her allusion of OT Messianic prophecies in Luke 1:78-79. See related discussion of Messianic Prophecy Sunrise on high is more literally "out of" or "from the height" and in context clearly refers to heaven. Thus the Sunrise on high refers to Jesus sent from heaven as a great Light to shine in the sin darkened world and bringing spiritual light which ends the dark night of the soul in many people, those who believe in Him. NET Note adds that "The Greek term translated dawn (anatole) can be a reference to the morning star or to the sun. The Messiah is pictured as a saving Light who shows the way out of the spiritual darkness of this world. The Greek term was also used to translate the Hebrew word for "branch" or "sprout," so some see a double entendre here with Messianic overtones (see Isa 11:1–10; Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zech 3:8; 6:12).

Will visit us - "Us" is the people of Israel. This prophecy would soon be fulfilled in Jesus first "visit" to earth as the God-Man! "Visit Number Two" will be fulfilled at His Second Coming.

Malachi describes Messiah with a similar beautiful metaphor

But for you who fear My name (TANTAMOUNT TO BELIEVING IN HIM), the SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS will rise with healing in His wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.(Malachi 4:2+)

In the Revelation Jesus described Himself with a similar metaphor

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the BRIGHT MORNING STAR.” (Rev 22:16+)

In the hour of gloom it shines before us,
Like that welcome star that gilds the mom;
Vanish'd hope and joy it will restore us,
Till their sudden rays our soul adorn..

Some writers see the Sunrise on high as a fulfillment of Balaam's Prophecy in Numbers 24:17+

"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth. (Nu 24:17+)

Comment - "A Star shall come forth" in the Septuagint uses the verb anatello which is the verb from which Sunrise (anatole) is derived.

W A Criswell - The "Star" (kokav, Heb.; astron, Gk., also used of constellations, meteors, and comets) and "Scepter" both refer to the coming Messiah and His reign. It was common among the star-gazing people of Mesopotamia to use "star" as a reference to a king (Lit. Day Star, cf. Isa. 14:12; Matt. 2:2). One type of scepter used by kings in the Near East was like a mace and could bash the skull of an enemy. The word "destroy" (qarqar, Heb.) is taken by some to be a scribal error for an original "skull" (qodqod, Heb.; cf. Isa. 3:17; Jer. 48:45). The term "tumult" may be the name "Sheth" (alt. for batter the brow (NKJV) = Shatter the forehead, Heb. for tumult = Sheth, Jer 48:45). Since the Shutu people are known from ancient tablets to have inhabited Syro-Palestine, "Sheth" may be a parallel name for the land or people of Moab, like "Edom" and "Seir" in v. 18. (The Believer's Study Bible)

Warren Wiersbe - The vision is brief and to the point; it focuses on the coming Messiah of Israel and His conquests “in the latter days” (Nu 24:14). The images of the star and scepter speak of Messiah’s kingship and reign (Gen. 49:10; Rev. 22:16), and “out of Jacob shall he come who shall have dominion” certainly refers to Messiah (Num. 24:19; Ps. 72:8; Zech. 9:10; Rev. 1:6). While a part of this vision may have been fulfilled in a lesser way in the conquests of David, Jesus the Son of David will fulfill them completely when He returns to conquer His enemies and establish His kingdom on the earth (Rev. 19:11–20:6). (See context in The Wiersbe Bible Commentary - OT)

C H Spurgeon - This prophecy may have some reference to David; but we feel persuaded that the true design of the Holy Spirit is to set forth an emblem of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John Newton - It is Christ called a Star—not a conducting star as Matthew 2, but the bright morning star whose approach brings on the day. The Day Star, the Sun, the Light of the Gentiles, the Glory of Israel—He shall arise and shine. Jesus is the Sun, the source of life, light and comfort, the light and life of the world.

Matthew records

“THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED (anatello - verb form of "Sunrise").” (Mt 4:16+, quoting from Isaiah 9:1+)

Comment: Matthew interprets the coming of Jesus to Galilee as the fulfillment of Isaiah 9:1, 2, identifying the Galileans (who were a mixture of Jews and Gentiles) as the people sitting in (spiritual) darkness upon whom the light (Jesus the "Light of the world" Jn 8:12) shines

In the OT God repeatedly speaks of God's great mercy on His rebellious chosen people:

In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence (Angel of the LORD) saved them; in His love and in His mercy He redeemed them” (Isa. 63:9).

Just before Babylon defeated Judah and sacked Jerusalem and the Temple God gave a prophetic promise “I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them” (Jeremiah 33:26+) (This describes Future Mercy conusmmated at the Return of Messiah)

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name. (Ezekiel 39:25+). (This describes Future Mercy consumated at the Return of Messiah)

Tender (4698)(splagchnon) in the NT is only plural form (tá splágchna), the viscera (this literal use by Luke in Acts 1:18) which is the oriental metaphor for what we speak of as the heart, the seat of the tender affections, the seat of human emotions (2 Cor. 6:12; 7:15; Phil. 1:8; 2:1; Col. 3:12; Philemon 1:7, 12, 20; 1 John 3:17). Splagchnon is the strongest word in Greek for the feeling of compassion and serves to intensify the next word mercy!

Mercy (1656)(eleos) is the outward manifestation of pity and assumes need (our countless sins against God) on the part of those who are recipients of the mercy (believers in Jesus) and sufficient resources (the precious blood of Christ - 1 Pe 1:18-19+) to meet the need. Eleos is God's attitude and emotion roused by the affliction of sinful men and His of gracious action demonstrating His boundless compassion. Wuest says "Grace meets man’s need in respect to his guilt and lost condition; mercy, with reference to his suffering as a result of that sin." Vincent adds that eleos is God’s “kindness and goodwill toward the miserable and afflicted, joined with a desire to relieve them." One could almost call Luke 1 the "Mercy Filled Chapter" for eleos is found 26 times in the NT and is used five times in this chapter (and only one other time in all of Luke's writings!) - Lk. 1:50; Lk. 1:54; Lk. 1:58; Lk. 1:72; Lk. 1:78.

God’s “mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who fear Him” (Luke 1:50+)

“He has given help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy” (Lk 1:54+).

Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her. (Lk. 1:58+)

To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant, (Lk. 1:72+)

Related Resources:

God's great attribute - Mercy
Tender mercy of our God - Spurgeon's note
Mercy - notes by C H Spurgeon
The Mercy of God by A. W. Tozer
The Mercy of God by Thomas Watson (scroll down)
Rich In Mercy by Richard L. Strauss
The Unfailing Mercy of God - notes by D. H. Kuiper
The Lord, a God Merciful and Gracious (Ex 34:1-10) by John Piper
Thank God for the Mercies of Christ by John Piper
I Will Be Gracious to Whom I Will Be Gracious (Ex 33:12-19) by John Piper
The Mercy of God by A. W. Pink
Mercy of God by Barry Horner
The Mercy Of God by David Legge
Girdlestone's Synonyms of the Old Testament Mercy; Pity

Sunrise (Dayspring, Dawn)(395)(anatole from ana = up, again + tello = to make to rise) means rising (as of a star or the sun). In some context anatole refest to the rising of the sun or "breaking of the dawn" which means East or Orient (used with this meaning especially in the Lxx - Ge 2:8, 10:30, 11:2, 12:8; used of the Magi from the east who saw the star in the east - Mt 2:1, 2, 9+, those who come into God's kingdom will be from "east and west" = Mt 8:11, Lk 13:29+, "lightning comes from the east" = Mt 24:27). Here Luke is using anatole to refer to the coming of Christ. John uses anatole to describe the "angel ascending from the rising of the sun." (Rev 7:2+), to describe "kings from the east" as they assemble at Armageddon (Rev 16:12+), and lastly to describe the "three gates on the east" of the holy city of Jerusalem that will come down out of heaven from God (Rev 21:13+).

Anatole - 11x in 11v - Mt. 2:1; Mt. 2:2; Mt. 2:9; Mt. 8:11; Mt. 24:27; Mk. 16:8; Lk. 1:78; Lk. 13:29; Rev. 7:2; Rev. 16:12; Rev. 21:13

Anatole - 170x in 156v in the Septuagint - Ge 2:8; Ge 10:30; Ge 11:2; Ge 12:8; Ge 13:11; Ge 13:14; Ge 25:6; Ge 28:14; Ge 29:1; Exod. 38:13; Lev. 1:16; Lev. 16:14; Nu 2:3; Nu 3:38; Nu 10:5; Nu 21:11; Nu 23:7; Nu 32:19; Nu 34:3; Nu 34:10; Nu 34:11; Nu 34:15; Nu 35:5; Deut. 3:17; Deut. 3:27; Deut. 4:41; Deut. 4:47; Deut. 4:49; Jos. 1:15; Jos. 4:19; Jos. 8:11; Jos. 11:3; Jos. 11:8; Jos. 12:1; Jos. 12:3; Jos. 13:5; Jos. 13:8; Jos. 13:27; Jos. 13:32; Jos. 15:5; Jos. 16:1; Jos. 16:5; Jos. 16:6; Jos. 17:10; Jos. 18:7; Jos. 18:20; Jos. 19:12; Jos. 19:13; Jos. 19:27; Jos. 19:34; Jdg. 5:31; Jdg. 6:3; Jdg. 6:33; Jdg. 7:12; Jdg. 8:10; Jdg. 8:11; Jdg. 11:18; Jdg. 20:43; Jdg. 21:19; 1 Ki. 7:25; 1 Ki. 7:39; 1 Ki. 17:3; 2 Ki. 10:33; 2 Ki. 13:17; 1 Chr. 4:39; 1 Chr. 5:9; 1 Chr. 5:10; 1 Chr. 7:28; 1 Chr. 9:18; 1 Chr. 9:24; 1 Chr. 12:15; 1 Chr. 26:14; 1 Chr. 26:17; 2 Chr. 4:4; 2 Chr. 4:10; 2 Chr. 29:4; 2 Chr. 31:14; Neh. 3:26; Neh. 3:29; Neh. 12:37; Job 1:3; Ps. 50:1; Ps. 68:33; Ps. 103:12; Ps. 107:3; Ps. 113:3; Isa. 9:12; Isa. 11:11; Isa. 11:14; Isa. 41:2; Isa. 41:25; Isa. 43:5; Isa. 45:6; Isa. 46:11; Isa. 59:19; Isa. 60:19; Jer. 23:5; Jer. 31:40; Ezek. 8:5; Ezek. 11:1; Ezek. 16:7; Ezek. 17:10; Ezek. 40:6; Ezek. 40:19; Ezek. 40:21; Ezek. 40:22; Ezek. 40:23; Ezek. 40:32; Ezek. 40:40; Ezek. 42:1; Ezek. 42:9; Ezek. 42:12; Ezek. 42:15; Ezek. 42:16; Ezek. 42:20; Ezek. 43:1; Ezek. 43:2; Ezek. 43:4; Ezek. 43:17; Ezek. 44:1; Ezek. 45:7; Ezek. 46:1; Ezek. 46:12; Ezek. 47:1; Ezek. 47:2; Ezek. 47:8; Ezek. 47:18; Ezek. 48:1; Ezek. 48:2; Ezek. 48:3; Ezek. 48:4; Ezek. 48:5; Ezek. 48:6; Ezek. 48:7; Ezek. 48:8; Ezek. 48:10; Ezek. 48:16; Ezek. 48:17; Ezek. 48:18; Ezek. 48:21; Ezek. 48:23; Ezek. 48:24; Ezek. 48:25; Ezek. 48:26; Ezek. 48:27; Ezek. 48:32; Dan. 4:31; Dan. 8:4; Dan. 8:9; Dan. 11:44; Amos 8:12; Zech. 3:8; Zech. 6:12; Zech. 8:7; Zech. 14:4; Mal. 1:11

Mattoon on anatole writes that "Jesus Christ is the breaking of the dawn, the Sunrise for mankind. He is the Rising One that brought light into the world. The world has never been the same since the birth of the Dayspring in Bethlehem two-thousand years ago....The eclipse in men's hearts tried to cap and conceal His radiance by mutilating His body and draining Him of crimson drops of blood that puddled at the foot of the cross, but to no avail. His glory could not be nailed, jailed, derailed or curtailed. The Son of God, the Dayspring, arose from the grave and His glory was not concealed, cloaked, covered, curtained, camouflaged, or contained at all in any way, not in the least one bit. The brilliance of His power was not veiled, but magnified by the atrocities of a mob. They could not hinder or hamper the rising Son. The worst that was in men brought out the best that was in Him for all of us to see. Jesus is the Dayspring of the believer. Like golden beams of the morning light that cause the blackness of night to scatter, Christ's message and life shatter the shadows in the hearts of sinners who have put their faith and trust in Him for Heaven. The ebony of evil no longer reigns in the life of those who have been touched by the radiance of our righteous Redeemer and are yielded to Him....Beloved, when Jesus Christ, the Dayspring, enters the heart of a man who puts his faith in Him, the Son-rise in His heart will shatter the darkness of depravity. He will no longer walk in darkness, but have the light of life to live for God." (Names of Jesus)

Will visit (will be concerned about) (1980)(episkeptomai) means to visit with a desire to help. As stated earlier the purpose of His visit was to bring salvation to Israel (and ultimately to the entire world). See more discussion of the eschatological implications of this visit in notes on Luke 1:68 under episkeptomai). All uses of episkeptomai - Matt. 25:36; Matt. 25:43; Lk. 1:68; Lk. 1:78; Lk. 7:16; Acts 6:3; Acts 7:23; Acts 15:14; Acts 15:36; Heb. 2:6; Jas. 1:27. As discussed in previous notes on Luke 1:68 Jesus uses the related noun episkope in Luke 19:44+ to describe His visitation and the consequences to Israel for having failed to recognize His visitation, His first coming!

The Dayspring from on High Luke 1:78

When Zacharias after months of silence received again the gift of speech, he immediately praised the Lord in a glorious song of praise, that witnessed of a deep and clear insight in the redemption by Jesus Christ, before whose countenance his own child would proceed as the forerunner and the preparer of the way. That redemption would not consist of the breaking of the Roman dominion over the world, as men then almost universally taught, but in the forgiveness of sin, that would be given to mankind, oh, not because they could lay claim to it, but solely and only through the tender mercy of our God. He only could grant her this mercy. However, from this bursting vein of mercy she would surely proceed. It was because of this mercy, that the Lord had visited them in Jesus with, that Zacharias called Him here the Dayspring from on high.

The Dayspring from on high,—behold the comforting name, by which he indicated Jesus Christ, as if he wanted to say that in Him a new day would break forth, a day, of which this grey-headed man greeted the morning rays, but that would become more and more clear till the very noon time; behold the name by which Christ was already mentioned by Malachi, when he prophesied: “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;” it is the name, that more than any other speaks to the sinner’s heart, the heart of them, who know that they sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

It be admitted that the appearance of the Son of God in the flesh does not make upon the unannointed eye the impression of a sunrise, that breaks gloriously out in creation. Everything is humble and insignificant in the beginning and it remains humble and insignificant in the progression. When He languished on the cursed tree of the cross, this resembled so little the triumphant light of the sun! However, whoever knows and has experienced, that this way of suffering opened the way of peace for the sinner, that the curse, which was upon Him, assures us the blessing of eternal life,—yes, for such He is the Dayspring from on high, who makes the night of sin to recede before the day of grace.

From on high came that marvellous light. It must also come from on high in our heart. At first it shall be little more than a glimmer, but that is not the dusk of the evening that predicts the coming night, but the dawn that predicts the arrival of the full day. Soon the full light of grace shall shine forth in the life of our soul, and the song of praise shall arise spontaneously from our innermost: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people!” - The Loins Girded - Ds. J.J. Knap, De Lendenen Omgord.

Henry Morris - The Dayspring From On High
"Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the day spring from on high hath visited us" (Luke 1:78).

This is an unusual but beautiful name for the coming Savior given Him by Zacharias when he was "filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied" (Luke 1:67). In that same prophecy, Zacharias also called that coming one "the Highest" and "the Lord" who would "give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins" (verses 76-77). Just six months later, Jesus was born.

The Greek word here translated "dayspring" is so translated only this one time. It refers to the metaphorical spring from which the sun springs forth each day, and so is usually translated simply as "the east." It is interesting that it is used three times in connection with the story of the wise men "from the east" who saw "his star in the east" and then, when they reached Bethlehem once again, "the star, which they saw in the east," led them to the one who was himself "the dayspring" (Matt. 2:1, 2, 9).

There is one other sunrise appropriately presaged here. Many years later, the women who had tearfully watched the Lord being crucified and buried came to His sepulcher to anoint Him with sweet spices "at the rising of the sun" (Mark 16:2) immediately after He had risen from the dead. Here a closely related word is the word translated "rising."

There is another great sunrise coming, as promised in the last chapter of the Old Testament. "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings" (Mal. 4:2). He who is himself "the light of the world" (John 8:12) will someday even replace the sun in the new Jerusalem. There will never be another sunrise after that, for "there shall be no night there... neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light" (Rev. 22:5). (Days to Remember)

J C Philpot - By “day-spring” is meant the day-dawn, the herald of the rising sun, the change from darkness to light, the first approach of morn, in a word, the spring of the day. But what is this “day-spring” spiritually? It is the intimation of the rising of the Sun of righteousness. It is not the same thing as the Sun of righteousness; but it is the herald of His approach; the beams which the rising sun casts upon the benighted world, announcing the coming of Jesus, “the King in His beauty.” This expression was singularly applicable in the mouth of Zacharias. The Lord of life and glory had not then appeared; He was still in the womb of the Virgin Mary. But His forerunner, John, had appeared as the precursor, the herald of His approach, and was sent to announce that the Sun of righteousness was about to arise. “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” All nations at that time lay in darkness. “Darkness covered the earth, and gross darkness the people.” But when the Lord of life and glory was about to appear upon earth, when He had already taken the body which was prepared for Him, the very flesh and blood of the children, which He was to offer as a propitiation for sin, “the day-spring from on high” had begun to dawn. God’s mercy, in the face of His dear Son, was just visiting the benighted world.

But there is another, an experimental meaning, connected with these words. “The day-spring from on high” is not to be confined to the appraoch of the Son of God in the flesh; but it may be extended to signify the appearance of the Son of God in the heart. I cannot be benefitted by the appearing of Jesus in the flesh eighteen hundred years ago, unless He come and dwell in my soul. “The day-spring from on high” which visited the benighted Jewish Church will not profit us except that same day-spring visits our benighted heart. “The day-spring from on high” is the manifestation of God’s mercy in the face of the Saviour. And when this “day-spring from on high” visits the soul, it is the first intimation, the dawning rays of the Sun of righteousness in the heart. (Ears from Harvested Sheaves)

Malachi 4:2 Songbird In The Dark (Luke 1:78-79)

Just before the sunrise, we often hear songbirds welcoming the dawn. Despite the darkness, we know that the radiant light of the sun will soon appear.

Fanny Crosby has been called “The Songbird in the Dark.” Though blinded in infancy, she wrote hymns that inspirationally envision our future reunion with Christ. Early in her life, Fanny had a dream in which she saw the panorama of a glorious heaven, and many of her songs reflect that theme. By the time of her death, she had penned at least 8,000 hymns. Songs such as “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” and “To God Be the Glory” are still popular today.

When Zacharias praised God in anticipation of the Messiah, he also looked forward to a spiritual sunrise. Citing Malachi 4:2, he proclaimed: “The Dayspring [sunrise] from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness” (Luke 1:78-79). That Messiah came to earth, died for our sins, rose again, ascended, and promised to return for us.

Do you feel surrounded by dark and confusing circumstances? You can still lift your praise to God for the bright future you will share with His Son. The words of Fanny Crosby’s beloved hymn “Blessed Assurance” encourage us as we anticipate this glorious reunion with Christ. — by Dennis Fisher (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
—Crosby

For the Christian, the dark sorrows of earth will one day be changed into the bright songs of heaven.

The Gift and the Giver

Read: Luke 1:67–79

Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us. Luke 1:78 nlt

It's only a keychain. Five little blocks held together by a shoelace. My daughter gave it to me years ago when she was seven. Today the lace is frayed and the blocks are chipped, but they spell a message that never grows old: “I ♥ DAD.”

The most precious gifts are determined not by what went into them, but by who they are from. Ask any parent who ever received a bouquet of dandelions from a chubby hand. The best gifts are valued not in money but in love.

Jesus, thank You for Your gift of forgiveness and life through You.

Zechariah understood that. We hear it in his prophetic song as he praised God for giving him and his wife Elizabeth their son John when they were well past their childbearing years (Luke 1:67–79). Zechariah rejoiced because John was to be a prophet who would proclaim God’s greatest gift to all people—the coming Messiah: “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us” (Luke 1:78 nlt). Those words point to a gift given with so much love that it will even “shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death” (1:79).

The sweetest gift we can receive is God's tender mercy—the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus. That gift cost Him dearly at the cross, but He offers it freely out of His deep love for us.

Jesus, thank You for Your gift of forgiveness and life through You. I receive Your gift with joy.

Jesus is both the Gift and the Giver.

Luke 1:79 TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet into the way of peace."

ESV to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

KJV To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

NET to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

NIV to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."

NLT to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace."

YLT To give light to those sitting in darkness and death-shade, To guide our feet to a way of peace.'

to shine (give light) - Luke 2:32. Is. 9:2; 42:7, 16; 49:6, 9; 60:1–3. Mt 4:16. John 1:9; 8:12; 9:5; 12:46. Ac. 26:18. Ep. 5:8. 1 Th. 5:4, 5. 1 John 1:5–7.
and the shadow of death. Job 3:5; 10:22. Ps. 23:4; 44:19; 107:10, 14. Je. 2:6.
to guide. Ps. 25:8–10, 12; 85:10–13. Pr. 3:17; 8:20. Is. 48:17, 22; 57:19–21; 59:8. Je. 6:16. Mat. 11:28, 29. Ro. 3:17.
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

MESSIAH'S EPIPHANY
BRINGS SALVATION

Continuing from the previous verse "the Sunrise from on high will visit us" is now said to shine." So this passage refers not to John the Baptist but to the Sunrise, the Messiah. As Spurgeon says "Delightful is the object of the Savior’s coming; no longer need any believer be in bondage through fear of death. Light has sprung up in the vale of death shade, and peace smooths our pathway even there."(Luke 1)

To shine upon (epiphaino) those who sit in darkness (skotos) and the shadow (skia) of death - Jesus is depicted metaphorically as the Sunrise or Dayspring in Lk 1:78 and in Luke 1:79 his purpose is to shine. Matthew gives a similar prophecy declaring "THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED.” (Mt 4:16+)

William Hendriksen on sit in darkness (skotos) - Sitting in darkness and death’s shadow indicates a condition of danger, fear, and hopelessness, a pining away, with no human help in sight. In Scripture the designation darkness, when used figuratively, refers to one or more of the following features: delusion (blindness of mind and heart; cf. 2 Cor. 4:4, 6; Eph. 4:18); depravity (Acts 26:18); and despondency (Isa. 9:2; see its context, verse 3). Though all three qualities are probably in the picture here, yet the emphasis may well be on the last of the three (despondency, hopelessness). (Luke Baker Exegetical Commentary)

This metaphorical description of Jesus as LIGHT is used several times in both the OT and the NT.

Isaiah 9:2+ (cp Ps 107:10, 14) The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.

MacArthur - The coming of the Messiah is synonymous with the coming of light to remove the darkness of captivity (Isa 42:16; 49:6; 58:8; 60:1, 19, 20). (See context The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

Isaiah 42:6 "I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you, And I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, 7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon, And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.

MacArthur on light to the nations - Simeon saw the beginning of this fulfillment at Christ’s first coming (Lk 2:32-note). He came as the Messiah of Israel, yet the Savior of the world, who revealed Himself to a non-Jewish immoral woman by the well in Samaria (cf. Jn 4:25, 26) and commanded His followers to preach the gospel of salvation to everyone in the world (Mt 28:19, 20). Certainly the church, made up mostly of Gentiles grafted into the trunk of blessing (cf. Ro 9:24–30; 11:11–24), fulfills this promise, as does the future kingdom on earth when the Servant will use Israel to shine and enlighten all the nations of the earth (Isa 49:6; cf. Isa 19:24). (See context in MacArthur Study Bible)

Isaiah 49:6 He says, "It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations (Gentiles) So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth."

MacArthur has an interesting note - The Servant’s goal is the salvation and restoration of Israel for the fulfillment of the covenant promise. But not limited to Israel, He is to function as a light bringing salvation to the Gentiles. Israel’s mission had always been to bring the nations to God (19:24; 42:6). This she will finally do very effectively in the tribulation after the conversion of the 144,000 witnesses (Rev 7:1–10; 14:1–5) and when she is restored to her Land at the Servant’s return to earth. Cf. 9:2; 11:10; 42:6; 45:22; Lk 2:32. Paul applied this verse to his ministry to the Gentiles on his first missionary journey (Ac 13:47). (See context in MacArthur Study Bible)

Isaiah 60:2 “For behold, darkness will cover the earth And deep darkness the peoples; But the LORD will rise upon you And His glory will appear upon you.

Hosea 6:3 "So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth."

Malachi 4:2+ “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.

Mt 24:27 “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

John 3:19+ "And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil.

John 9:5 "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John 12:35 Jesus therefore said to them, "For a little while longer the light is among you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness may not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.36 While you have the light, believe in the light, in order that you may become sons of light."

2 Pe 1:19+ So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.

Rev 22:16+ “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin
(piano version)

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin;
The light of the world is Jesus;
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in,
The light of the world is Jesus.

Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see;
The light of the world is Jesus.

No darkness have we who in Jesus abide,
The light of the world is Jesus;
We walk in the light when we follow our Guide,
The light of the world is Jesus.

Ye dwellers in darkness with sin-blinded eyes,
The light of the world is Jesus;
Go, wash, at His bidding, and light will arise;
The light of the world is Jesus.
(Story behind this hymn by Philip Bliss)

THE PRINCE OF PEACE
MAKES THE WAY OF PEACE

To guide (kateuthuno) our feet into the way of peace (eirene) - The sitters in the previous section are now standing! He is speaking metaphorically of course, speaking of spiritually guiding the people of Israel ("our feet" = Israel, although by application He has guided the feet of every sinner who believers to the Light Who brings peace or we never would have arrived there!). Lost sinners, stumble around in the spiritual darkness, and sadly know nothing of God's peace. And we all were blind and could not see where we were going, for we were "like sheep (who had) gone astray, each of of (having) turned to his own way" (Isa 53:6+) and we did "not know the way of peace" (Isa 59:8, 9), but praise God He sent us someone who had shod their FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE (Eph 6:15+) and on declaring the Gospel to us the Spirit birthed the bright rays of the rising of the Sun (Son) on our path and guided our wandering feet onto the way of salvation and the path of eternal peace with God! Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus! This is partially fulfilled for Israel any time a Jewish person's spiritually blinded eyes are opened by the Gospel to the Messiah, the Light of the World (cp 2 Cor 4:6+), but the complete fulfillment will not occur until Messiah returns the Second Time as their Deliverer and "all Israel will be saved" (Ro 11:26+)

To reiterate, the problem with mankind according to Paul was "THE PATH (way) OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN." (Ro 3:17+, cp Isa 59:8). Sinful mankind is at enmity with God, an enemy of God (Ro 5:10+), "alienated and hostile in mind" (Col 1:21+). Paul explains that God through Jesus could now reconcile "all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven." (Col 1:20+) Jesus the Prince of peace (Isa 9:6+) as a result of His first coming shined light in the form of the Gospel of peace (2 Cor 4:6+, Eph 6:15+) and thereby made possible peace between God and men who were justified by grace through faith (Ro 5:1+)

John MacArthur adds that "peace is one of the elements of the New covenant. In Isaiah 54:10, God said, “‘For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,’ says the Lord who has compassion on you.” “Peace I leave with you;” Jesus promised, “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27). Peace, Paul wrote, begins with salvation: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ro 5:1+ Ed: This is the peace with God - the war is over! Positional Peace). The kingdom of God is characterized by “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Ro 14:17+). Peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22+), and the “peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard [believers’] hearts and [their] minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7+ - Ed: This is the peace of God daily. Experiential Peace)." (See context in The MacArthur Commentary)

In Isaiah God says

I will lead the (spiritually) blind by a way they do not know, In paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. (Isaiah 42:16, cf Eph 5:8+)

They (Israel) will not hunger or thirst, Nor will the scorching heat or sun strike them down; For He who has compassion on them will lead them And will guide them to springs of water. (Isa 49:10)

MacArthur writes "At the Messiah’s second advent, Israel’s condition will change from captivity and oppression to contentment and prosperity such as that enjoyed by a well-fed, protected, and watered flock of sheep. These ideal conditions will be enjoyed by the faithful remnant returning for their kingdom in Israel. John reveals that this condition is a foretaste of heaven (Rev 7:16, 17). (See The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

To shine (appeared) (2014)(epiphaino from epí = over, upon + phaíno = to shine) literally means to shine upon and is used literally in Acts 27:20+. The essential meaning of epiphaino is to appear suddenly upon the scene and as such is used especially of divine interposition, especially to aid. Here Luke refers to the dawning of light of Jesus upon the spiritual darkness of the world. Here it is used figuratively meaning to become clearly known or to show oneself as did God's kindness and His love for mankind in Titus 3:4+. God our Savior's kindness and love "has shined upon" us in the incarnation of the Messiah, Christ Jesus. Paul used epiphaino in a similar way writing that "the grace of God has appeared (which is another way to describe Jesus' first coming), bringing salvation to all men." (Titus 2:11+) In a similar use Paul said "when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared" and "He saved us." (Titus 3:4-5)

Darkness (4655)(skotos from skia = shadow thrown by an object) is literally that sphere in which light is absent and here is used figuratively to describe the sphere of those alienated from God.

Skotos in Luke and Acts - Lk. 1:79; Lk. 11:35; Lk. 22:53; Lk. 23:44; Acts 2:20; Acts 13:11; Acts 26:18;

Shadow (4639) skia refers to a pale shadow, as contrasted with a sharp, distinct one. Skia is used of a literal shadow (the shape cast by an object as it blocks rays of light) in Acts 5:15 and of literal shade in Mark 4:32 (Here skia refers to the shelter from light and any heat associated with it), but the other 5 NT uses are figurative. Two uses describe the "shadow" of death, that sphere of existence which of men in which they are alienated from God (Mt 4:16, Lk 1:79) and into which Messiah comes as the Light of the world. Poetically the OT Septuagint (see below) speaks of the sheltering shadow of God's wings. Other OT uses speak of human transitoriness (see examples below from Job and the Psalms). The Jewish historian Josephus uses skia to in his description of a besieged city in Jewish War 6.194 where only the shadow of food seemed to be available.

Skia - 5v - Matt. 4:16; Mk. 4:32; Lk. 1:79; Acts 5:15; Col. 2:17; Heb. 8:5; Heb. 10:1

Guide (2720)(kateuthuno from kata = down, intensifies meaning + euthunô = straighten from euthus = straight) means to make straight, to straighten fully, to guide or lead directly straight towards or upon something, to guide one's way or journey to a place. The idea is that of conducting one straight to a place, and not by a round-about course. Kateuthuno gives a picture of opening up the way by removal of obstacles so that the desired goal may be reached. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father but through Him. (John 14:6). It is interesting that even in the OT it was God (probably the pre-incarnate Christ) Who inhabited the pillar of cloud (Ex 13:21) which serve to guide Israel - "Thou, in Thy great compassion, Didst not forsake them in the wilderness; The pillar of cloud did not leave them by day, To guide them on their way, Nor the pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they were to go." (Neh 9:19)

Peace (1515)(eirene from verb eiro = to join or bind together that which has been separated) literally pictures the binding or joining together again of that which had been separated or divided and thus setting at one again, a meaning convey by the common expression of one “having it all together”. It follows that peace is the opposite of division or dissension. Peace as a state of concord and harmony is the opposite of war. Peace was used as a greeting or farewell corresponding to the Hebrew word shalom - "peace to you".

Eirene can convey the sense of an inner rest, well being and harmony. The ultimate peace is the state of reconciliation with God, effected by placing one's faith in the gospel. In eschatology, peace is prophesied to be an essential characteristic of the Messianic kingdom (Acts 10:36).

Peace is a condition of freedom from disturbance, whether outwardly, as of a nation from war or enemies or inwardly, as in the current context, within the soul. Peace implies health, well-being, and prosperity.

Rod Mattoon - Have you ever walked in a dark house or cave? You don't know where you are going or what is around you. It is not a very peaceful, restful circumstance, is it? This is a perfect description of a person before he is saved. He is walking in darkness, and thus, has no peace.

T W Hunt - The Light Names of Jesus - John says that Jesus is the True Light (John 1:9). Jesus Himself claimed to be the Light of the World (John 8:12). The Bible talks about the people of this world as Jews and Gentiles. For the Jews, Jesus is the Star out of Jacob (Num. 24:17 KJV); for the Gentiles, He is the Light of Revelation to the Gentiles (Luke 2:32). Small wonder then that John says He is the Light of Men (John 1:4). But He is also the Light of Heaven. Zechariah's song called Him the Sunrise from on High, or the Dawn who will "shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death" (Luke 1:79). Significantly, in Jesus' last word in the New Testament, He called Himself the Bright Morning Star (Rev. 22:16). This name—His last word to us—signifies hope. In the Day of the Lord, He will be the Sun of Righteousness (Mal. 4:2). In the New Jerusalem, "the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb" (Rev. 21:23). Note that you have to look up in the sky to see all these manifestations of light. These are celestial, or heavenly, light names. Paul wrote Timothy that God dwells in "unapproachable light" (1 Tim. 6:16). Yet Jesus Himself is the Radiance of God's Glory (Heb. 1:3), and He is our access to God. Whether we need enlightenment or illumination for our path, Jesus is the True Light. (The Mind of Christ)

James Smith - God's Way. "Expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly" (Acts 18:26), was the mission of Aquila and Priscilla, so far as Apollos was concerned.

1. IT IS THE WAY OF SALVATION (Acts 16:17).
2. IT IS THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (Matt. 21:32). "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness" (Psa. 23).
3. IT IS THE WAY OF PEACE (Luke 1:79). "My foot hath held his steps."

Guided by the Light - Bob Mumford, in Take Another Look at Guidance, compares discovering God's will with a sea captain's docking procedure: A certain harbor in Italy can be reached only by sailing up a narrow channel between dangerous rocks and shoals. Over the years, many ships have been wrecked, and navigation is hazardous. To guide the ships safely into port, three lights have been mounted on three huge poles in the harbor. When the three lights are perfectly lined up and seen as one, the ship can safely proceed up the narrow channel. If the pilot sees two or three lights, he knows he's off course and in danger.

God has also provided three beacons to guide us. The same rules of navigation apply—the three lights must be lined up before it is safe for us to proceed. The three harbor lights of guidance are: 1. The Word of God (objective standard) 2. The Holy Spirit (subjective witness) 3. Circumstances (divine providence). Together they assure us that the directions we've received are from God and will lead us safely along his way. —Gregory Asimakoupoulos, Concord, California. Leadership, Vol. 6, no. 4. See: Psalms 73:24; Psalms 119:105; Luke 1:79 (Today's Best Devotionals)

Mark Water - A mini Bible study on guidance. Have this promise from the prophet Isaiah in the forefront of your mind: "The Lord will guide you always" Isaiah 58:11.

1. How does God guide us?
a. with his voice: John 10:27
b. with his eye: Psalm 32:8
c. with his counsel: Psalm 73:24
d. by his presence: John 10:4.

2. In which direction does God guide us?
a. along paths of peace: Luke 1:79
b. into all truth: John 16:13.

3. For how long will God guide us?
a. all the time: Isaiah 58:11
b. until we die: Psalm 48:14.

4. What conditions need to be fulfilled if I am to be guided?
a. Acknowledge God in all you do: Proverbs 3:5, 6.
b. Commit your way to the Lord: Psalm 37:5.

One footnote concerning guidance. After you have been guided by God, don't forget to be grateful, as the psalmist was: "You guide me with your counsel" Psalm 73:24 (Christian Living)

James Smith on The Way of Peace

God's Way. "Expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly" (Acts 18:26), was the mission of Aquila and Priscilla, so far as Apollos was concerned.

1. IT IS THE WAY OF SALVATION (Acts 16:17).
2. IT IS THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (Matt. 21:32). "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness" (Psa. 23).
3. IT IS THE WAY OF PEACE (Luke 1:79). "My foot hath held his steps."

Application. Can you say with Job, "His way have I kept and not declined" (Job 23:11)? If not, will you say Isaiah 2:3: "Come. . . and He will teach us of His ways." To walk in "His way" we must "Come to Him." The reason they "went their ways" was because they left Him. Cling to Him at all costs.

J.C. Philpot - What was it that moved the divine Father to send His own Son into the world? Was it not the free mercy of God flowing forth from His bosom to His family? Then, what merit, what claim can His family ever have? Their misery is their claim. Their worthlessness, their sunken state, the depth of their fall—these things call forth God’s compassion. It is not what I have done for the glory of God; not what I am doing, or trying to do; not my wisdom, my strength, my resolutions, my piety, my holiness. No; my misery, my helplessness, my worthlessness, my deeply sunken state, my fallen condition; which I feel only because of interest in the blood and love of the Lamb—this it is that makes me need God’s mercy; and this it is that qualifies me to go to God through Jesus to receive mercy: for “He is able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by Him.” Are you sitting in darkness and the shadow of death—far from the way of peace, troubled, perplexed, confused? You are the very characters for whom Jesus came. Are not unutterable mercies locked up in the bosom of God for you? What is to exclude you? Your sins? No; God has pardoned them. Your worthlessness? No; there is a robe of righteousness prepared for you. You demerits? No; the merits of Jesus are upon your side. Your unholinesss? No; “He of God is made to you sanctification.” Your ignorance? No; “He of God is made to you wisdom.” These are no barriers. I will tell you what is a barrier—self-righteousness, self-esteem, self-exaltation, pride, hypocrisy, presumption; a name to live, a form of godliness, being settled upon your lees, and at ease in Zion—these are barriers. But helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness, misery—these are not barriers; they are qualifications; they shew, when felt, that your name is in the book of life, that the Lord of life and glory appeared in this world for you; and sooner or later, you will have the sweet enjoyment of it in your heart; and then be enabled to adore Him for His grace, and admire and bless His name for glorifying His love and mercy in your free and full salvation. (Ears from Harvested Sheaves)

James Smith - In Darkness.

Sitting in Darkness, Luke 1:78-79
Hanging in Darkness, Matt. 27:45-46
Called Out of Darkness, 1 Peter 2:9
Turned from Darkness, Acts 26:18

Four Scriptures which have a close connection with each other, as we shall see in the course of our meditation.

I. Sitting in Darkness (Luke 1:78, 79).

With glee some Bible critics have pointed out here a supposed inaccuracy. "See," say they, "how Zacharias, filled with the Holy Ghost, misquotes Scripture!" This they say on the supposition that he was quoting Isaiah 9:2. But Zacharias did not say so. He was so saturated with Scripture that, on examining his utterance, we find that he was quoting from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Malachi. As a matter of fact there are in Isaiah two special Scriptures on darkness—1st, one on Walking in Darkness (9:2). But 29 years later, the prophet spake on Sitting in Darkness (42:7).
It is a picture of deterioration and degeneration, and in our Lord's day it had come true. Once, though in darkness, they exercised an element of freedom and unsettlement and dissatisfaction, for they walked in darkness; now, in fast and fatal bondage, they sit in a dark and loathsome dungeon.
Allow this picture language to grip you. The late Dr. Jowett has so graphically drawn attention to it. "Sitting in darkness!" Try to realise it. You sit by the fireside on a winter's night, with a bright fire making the room genial and warm. You sit on, until the fire burns low, and eventually dies out, and the warmth gives place to a searching chill. Then the lamp goes out, and darkness is added to coldness. But you still sit on, and terrible bondage becomes yours. And there are people whose soul-life is just like that. There is no fire in the grate, and their light is gone out, and they abide in cold and dreary desolation, and hard bondage.
It was not ever thus. Once there was a fire in the grate, and a bright light showing and shining. The soul of man was lighted by the presence of the Holy Spirit, and wanned by the fact and presence of Divine love.
But sin changed all this. Sometimes a darkened room helps an invalid to recover health, but a darkened soul is the result of a spiritual catastrophe, and betokens the presence of a dead spirit, a lifeless soul. Job speaks of "a land where the light is as darkness."

SITTING IN DARKNESS. This is either a picture of enjoyment, contentment, or enslavement and despondency, or all.

II. Hanging in Darkness (Matt. 27:45, 46).

Have you ever connected Sitting in Darkness with Hanging in Darkness? There is a very close connection. If we had never walked or sat in the darkness of sin, He would never had found it necessary to have hung in darkness. He hung in darkness to atone for our sin, and to make it possible for us to sit in light—the light of His presence and love. The solar darkness He experienced, was an emblem of soul-darkness He endured on our account.

III. Called Out of Darkness (1 Peter 2:9).

This declares that for those sitting in darkness God has a tender regard. That, for them, "a Day-spring from on High hath visited us." That also a voice is heard, calling out of the darkness.

IV. Turned from Darkness (Acts 26:18).

Do you say: "I hear the voice calling me out of darkness, but I am chained fast, and cannot respond." Well, for you there is hope, for there is One Who will turn you out of darkness, for He can liberate you from the fetters of sin, and lead you right out into liberty.

Sing A New Song

Read: Luke 1:67-80

[Jesus will] give light to those who sit in darkness . . . , to guide our feet into the way of peace. —Luke 1:79

Two passages in Luke related to the birth of Jesus are often called “songs” because of their similarity to Hebrew psalms of the Old Testament. The early church set them to music and used them in worship. One of them, the Magnificat of Mary (1:46-55), is well known. But the second “song” is a less familiar poem of praise, which was spoken by Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist (vv.67-79).

After 9 months of divinely imposed silence, Zacharias was finally able to speak. He announced that the miracle baby born to him and Elizabeth would be named John. Then, filled with the Holy Spirit, Zacharias spoke of God’s faithfulness and the salvation He would bring through Messiah.

Zacharias said Jesus, “through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us,” would come “to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (vv.78-79).

For a fresh look at the birth of Jesus this Christmas, consider Zacharias’ words of prophecy and exultation. Read them aloud. Ponder their meaning. Let God use them to write a new song of praise deep in your heart.

This Christmas sing a new song
That comes from deep within;
A song that honors Christ the Lord,
Who saves us from our sin.
—Hess

Seeing God's work in our life puts a new song in our heart.

Luke 1:80 And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

NET And the child kept growing and becoming strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he was revealed to Israel.

GNT Τὸ δὲ παιδίον ηὔξανεν καὶ ἐκραταιοῦτο πνεύματι, καὶ ἦν ἐν ταῖς ἐρήμοις ἕως ἡμέρας ἀναδείξεως αὐτοῦ πρὸς τὸν Ἰσραήλ.

NLT John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.

KJV And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

ESV And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

NIV And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.

the child: Lu 1:15 Luke 2:40,52 Judges 13:24,25 1Sa 3:19,20
he lived in the deserts: Mt 3:1+ Mt 11:7 Mk 1:3,4
his public appearance to Israel.: John 1:31
Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:80 Commentaries
Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

SUMMARY OF THE LIFE OF
JOHN THE BAPTIST

And the child (paidion) continued to grow (auxano) and to become strong (krataioo) in spirit, and he lived in the deserts (eremos) until the day of his public appearance to Israel - Luke summarizes the childhood of John the Baptist in one sentence.

In spirit picks up on Luke's earlier description of John (means "Grace of God") "It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Lk 1:17+, cf Mal 4:5, 6+)

Henry Morris - Despite his priestly station, John (like Elijah) stayed in the desert in preparation for his brief, but fruitful, ministry just before Christ was to begin His.

Spurgeon - Great minds are reared in solitude. Lone places are fit nurses for God’s heroes. We should be all the better if we were oftener alone; in the solemn silence of nature sanctified spirits find a congenial atmosphere. (Luke 1)

And he lived in the deserts (eremos) until the day of his public appearance to Israel - God had been silent to Israel for 400 years, but the day of John's public appearance would dramatically, radically break God's silence! Public appearance is anadeixis (only NT use) which literally means a "showing forth" which in essence describes a public and formal entry into a position, in this case marking John's "installation" or commissioning (if you will) as the "Forerunner" of the Messiah, the work for which he had been consecrated (Lk 1:17+).

Mark describes this appearance -"John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness (see map of Judean Wilderness) preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." (Mk 1:4+) Matthew adds " Now in those days John the Baptist came^, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mt 3:1-2+)

Beitzel observes that "It is difficult to describe adequately the foreboding desolation and howling barrenness along the shores of the Dead Sea...If there could be fixed in one’s mind the image of the almost-painful sterility of the Sahara or of Death Valley, and then multiply that by a factor of four or more, one might come close to capturing the geographical reality to which he is exposed along the shores of the Dead Sea." (The Moody Atlas of Bible Lands)

THOUGHT - Do you feel like you are in the wilderness beloved? Then take heart for God can still speak to you even though you feel like you are in a wilderness (see Lk 3:2+)! Today of course He does not speak to us exactly as He did to John, but He still speaks to us through His Word of Truth. So when you are in the wilderness don't throw up your hands but "throw yourself" into His hands and His Book and beseech Him to speak by His Spirit (see Illumination). He is ready and willing to speak to you through His Word and prayer. Make sure you first confess (1 Jn 1:9, Pr 28:13) any known sins in order to clear the "static" from the "Heavenly walkie talkie!"

Several groups of ascetics inhabited the wilderness regions east of Jerusalem. One was the famous Qumran community, source of the Dead Sea Scrolls. John’s parents, already old when he was born, might have given him over to the care of someone with ties to such a community. In a similar way, Hannah consecrated Samuel to the Lord by entrusting him to Eli (1 Sa 1:22-28). However, there is nothing concrete in Scripture to suggest that John was part of any such group. On the contrary, he is painted as a solitary figure, in the spirit of Elijah as described in Luke 1:17.

Child (3813)(paidion diminutive of pais = child) is a little child of either sex, ranging from an infant (Mt 19:13, 14; Mk 10:13-15; Lk 18:16, 17, etc) to children who are older (Mt 11:16; Mt 14:21; 15:38; 18:2-5, etc) Paidion is used repeatedly of Jesus in Matthew (Mt 2:8-9, 11, 13-14, 20-21+).

The child continued to grow and to become strong - A similar description is given of Jesus " The Child continued to grow and become strong (same verb used for John - krataioo - see below), increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him." (Luke 2:40+)

Another child in the OT named Samson had a similar beginning but a radically different finish "Then the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson; and the child grew up and the LORD blessed him. (Judges 13:24+)

Continued to grow (837)(auxano means to cause to grow or cause to become greater in extent, size, state, or quality. The imperfect tense pictures his continual growth (kept growing).

Become strong (imperfect tense = kept growing strong) (2901)(krataioo from krataios = strong <> see root kratos) means to be empowered, to be increased in vigor, to strengthen or in the passive voice (as in this verse) to be strengthened. From where was He strengthened? While it is difficult to fully comprehend, this strengthening is surely the effect of the Holy Spirit. And of course this strength was not primarily physical as spiritual strength. Luke again uses the imperfect tense thus saying the child kept growing in strength of body and spirit. Believers now in Christ and enabled by His Spirit are commanded to "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong (krataioo)." (1 Cor 16:13 - all four commands in the present imperative and all four call for reliance on the Holy Spirit to obey) Krataioo is used in a good prayer to pray for one another is (Eph 3:16+) asking God to "grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened (krataioo) with power (dunamis) through His Spirit in the inner man."

Deserts (wilderness)(2048)(eremos) when used as an adjective, normally describes places which are abandoned, desolate, or unpopulated. Eremos "is an adjectival form used primarily in the nominal sense of "wilderness," "desert"' (Renn) A desolate place (Mt 14:15, Mk 6:35). Eremos is used several times by Luke - Lk. 1:80; Lk. 3:2 = " the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness"; Lk. 3:4 = " “THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT"; Lk. 4:1 = "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness"; Lk. 4:42; Lk. 5:16; Lk. 7:24; Lk. 8:29; Lk. 9:12; Lk. 15:4. In a way eremos as related to John's ministry is a double entendre because while John was himself in a literal wilderness crying, he was telling Israel of the way out (THE WAY - Jn 14:6) of the spiritual wilderness and darkness which had enshrouded the nation of Israel for centuries.

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From Jensen's Survey of the NT by permission John MacArthur's Introduction to the Gospel of Luke Charles Swindoll's Introduction to Luke Luke Overview Chart by Charles Swindoll

Click chart to enlarge LIFE OF CHRIST IN GOSPEL OF LUKE (See Shaded Areas) Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission

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Source: ESV Study Bible (online) - Asterisk (*) denotes approximation (see note on Jesus' birth date)

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From Nazareth to Hill Country of Judea

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From Jensen's Survey of the NT by permission
John MacArthur's Introduction to the Gospel of Luke
Charles Swindoll's Introduction to Luke
Luke Overview Chart by Charles Swindoll

Click chart to enlarge LIFE OF CHRIST IN GOSPEL OF LUKE (See Shaded Areas)
Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission

Click to Enlarge
(Source: Lorgos.com)

CLICK TO ENLARGE
NOTE: lampstand is on south side as entrance faced to the east.

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