Luke Chapter 1 1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 3 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, 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. - Freed Hardeman Version (McCord s Translation).. Luke 1:1 Since many have undertaken to write a narrative concerning the events that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as the eyewitnesses and ministers of the message from the beginning delivered to us, 3 it seemed good to me, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write to you accurately and orderly, most noble Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. - These first four verses are an introduction to Luke s gospel. o Luke is the only one of the four Gospel writers who states his method and purpose at the beginning of his book. He is not stating what he proposes to do.. but instead he states what he has already done. Coffman says "The tense of the verbs shows that he wrote these verses after he had completed the body of the Gospel." o Many others had written accounts (evidently partial accounts) of the ministry of Jesus. The source of these accounts were from the testimonies of eyewitnesses and from those who heard the preaching of ministers of the word. 1
Eyewitness accounts were related to others who recorded their testimony. Ministers of the word would include the preaching of the apostle s and quite possibly other inspired prophets, ministers and teachers. o Again.. many had drawn up narratives (histories) concerning those matters which had been fulfilled among them. this was done for the benefit of others. There was nothing new or novel in Luke s record. Luke s gospel was already the faith of the whole church at the time he wrote in about 60 A.D. An additional note: The canon of scripture was also determined by the church in general.. not by some council as many people think. They only ratified the churches belief. o Luke then says it seemed good to me, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write to you accurately and orderly, most noble Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. His sources were many. He investigated everything carefully.. from the beginning. And.. he recorded them accurately and orderly. For what purpose? so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught o Luke s Gospel. was composed for the purpose of confirming to Theophilus that the oral instruction that he had received was absolutely correct. 2
- These first four verses say volumes about the topic of inspiration of scripture. - Coffman makes these statements for our consideration: o Here also is a glimpse of the true meaning of the doctrine of the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures. "All scripture is inspired by God" (2 Tim. 3:16 RSV), and "Men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21); but this does not mean that God's inspiration comes to the lazy and inactive mind, but rather to the diligent seeker of truth, as beautifully exemplified by the research of Luke. As Barclay expressed it, "The word of God is given, but it is given to the man who is seeking for it."<2> God guided his inspired authors by guiding their purpose, their research, and by protecting them from error, yet leaving the writer free to express the truth discovered in the terms and vocabulary that he already knew. - W.H. Griffith Thomas makes these comments in his little book How We Got Our Bible & Why We Believe It Is God s Word: - Former considerations have shown that the Bible as a revelation of divine truth occupies a unique position, and that this uniqueness is due to some action of God whereby we are assured of the reality of the divine communication. This action is called Inspiration and in further study of it some important principles emerge. 1.Varieties of Inspiration. It is of supreme importance to realize that Inspiration does not always mean the same thing, and for this reason it is essential to use the term with the greatest care and the strictest possible accuracy. Several vital and important distinctions must be made and kept in view. (1) Sometimes Inspiration means a direct communication from God. When Paul said, I have received from the Lord. he evidently claimed to have had a communication of truth direct from above. This corresponds exactly with the frequent claims made, as already seen, by prophets and others, when they said, The Lord spake to me, etc. And such a direct revelation is obviously necessary, because many truths of the Bible are above and beyond human ken and must be revealed because they could not be discovered by man. (2) Sometimes Inspiration means the inspiration of selection. It is clear that the historical books of the Old Testament give mere fragments of the events out of the complete annals of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, and in view of the emphasis indicated by the substance and arrangement of these books, a selection must be made. In like manner, John selected 3
material out of our Lord s life to form the Fourth Gospel (John 20:31), and Luke s preface points in the same direction. Inspiration here is associated with the selection of materials. (3) Sometimes Inspiration means only the guarantee of an accurate record. In the bible we find the words of the Devil. They are not true, although they are found in the Bible. We find the words of Job s friends. They are not true, but they are in the Bible. We find the words of God s enemies in the Bible. They are not true. The sentiment is wrong, but the record of them is true. The sentiment may be full of imperfection, but the record is always perfect. This is the meaning of the inspiration of accurate record. We have to be very careful, therefore, that if a man preaches from a particular text, he first inquires who said it. An old Welsh preacher once gave out his text this way: Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life : and then said, That is a lie! Of course it was. It is the word of Satan. Although it is in God s Book, it is not true of itself, but the record of it is true. There may be, there often is, imperfection in the sentiment, but there is no imperfection in the account of it. This aspect of the subject calls attention to the distinction between Revelation and Inspiration. Revelation is the substance of God s truth, the what; Inspiration is the expression of that truth, the how. We can see this in 1Corinthians 2:10-13, where we have revelation in verse 10, and inspiration in verse 13. And so, not all the Bible is revealed, because much of it is history and refers to all sorts of men. But all in the bible is inspired, because the record is given at every point in words that are trustworthy. This distinction helps us to understand how it is that the Bible, while fully inspired, is not of the same spiritual value at every point. The revelation of truth is, as we have seen, progressive, but the record is accurate throughout. (pgs. 95-98) In an earlier chapter he talks also about progressiveness of the Bible (Chapter 8). This also sheds light on many things in the bible. Here is one brief statement from chapter 8: And so, God revealed himself, not only at sundry times but also in divers manners, to the fathers. He taught men as they were able to bear it. He led them step by step from the dawn of revelation up to the fullness and splendor of his manifestation in these last days in his Son (Heb. 1:2) 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 4
- Herod here is Herod the Great. o He was a descendent of Esau and reigned from 40B.C. until his death in 4B.C. He was a very treacherous man! o And starting here we see the historical value of Luke s Gospel. We will see this many times in his Gospel. o The great value of a written revelation is that it can be checked, checked and rechecked. The Bible like the anvil has taken many blows but it stands the test of time. - All male descendents of Aaron were automatically priests. o All the priests were divided into twenty-four courses. o Zachariah was of the course of Abuja which was the eighth course (1Chron. 24:10) Zachariah means Jehovah is renowned. o The heads of these twenty-four courses were the chief priests that we so often hear about in the New Testament. o Each course took charge of the temple worship for a week at a time in succession beginning on a Sabbath. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. - Elizabeth was also of the priestly tribe. o A priest could only marry a racially pure Jew combined with other restrictions of the Leviticus law (Lev. Chapter 21) To have a wife of priestly stock was a special blessing for a priest. 5
Elizabeth means God is an oath. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. - They were righteous in God's judgment and not in mere appearance. o Gen. 7:1.. And Jehovah said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. ASV 1901 As H. Leo Boles say s in his concluding comment on this verse.. they were truly and sincerely living in accordance to the Law of Moses; they were blameless according to the imperfect system under which they lived. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. - Our minds automatically think of Abraham and Sarah. o They were well advanced in years. o That is. beyond the normal child bearing years. H. Leo Boles says. Some claim that Zacharias could not have been over 50 years old because the duties of the priest s office could not be performed beyond that age. Tyndale s New Testament Commentary say s: Zechariah may have been very old, for there was no retiring age for priests (as there was for Levites). One thing is certain They were both well beyond the normal child bearing years (advanced or stricken in years).. they had been married many years and remained childless. Normal hope for a child had pass. 6
- The fact that Zechariah and Elizabeth had no children was by the tradition of the day a tragedy to say the least. o To be a wife without bearing children has always been regarded in the East not only as a matter of regret, but as a reproach which could lead to divorce. People believed that God would bless faithful servants by giving them children. o The awfulness of the coming judgment of Jerusalem is emphasized by the incredible statement.. For the days are coming when they will say, Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed. NLT o It frequently happened. that to escape the reproach of barrenness women had their husbands bear children by a handmaiden and the wife regarded such children as her own. (Gen. 16:2, 30:3) o Among the Hebrews. being barren was deplored since every woman cherished the hope she might be the mother of the Messiah. o The Talmud states among many other things.. that a childless person is accounted as dead, since he failed to carry out the principal duty which devolved upon him (the duty of procreation), and his name will perish with him. Intentional childlessness was denounced as a serious sin. 8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. - Each of the 24 courses of priests had about 1000 priests. o Not all of these could serve in the temple. 7
o The priests who were to serve were consequently chosen by lot. - B.W. Johnson in the People s Commentary gives us this insight: o His lot was to enter into the temple. In the service of the sanctuary nothing was left to accident or to human arrangement. The lot determined who was to perform each separate portion of the sacred service, and especially who was each morning and evening to burn incense before the Lord. To burn incense. Burned on the altar of incense in the Holy Place morning and evening. To burn the incense was an office held so honorable that no one was allowed to perform it twice, since it brought the offering priest nearer the divine presence in the Holy of Holies than any other priestly act, and carried with it the richest blessing from on high, which all ought to have a chance of thus obtaining. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. - A morning and evening sacrifice was made each day to atone for the sins of the nation. o Each division of the priesthood only served at the temple for two weeks out of the year. o It was customary for many outside the Holy place in the Court of the Israelites to wait praying for the return of the priest after he had carried the incense into the Holy Place. It was customary for the priest to come to the railing separating the Court of the Israelites after taking the incense into the Holy Place, and there bless all the people assembled. The incense itself was a symbol of prayer. The Bible Knowledge Commentary.. The incense for which Zechariah was responsible symbolized the prayers of the entire nation. At that particular moment Zechariah was thus the focal point of the entire Jewish nation. o This is the setting of Luke 1:8-10. 8
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. - In an instance of time.. an angel of the Lord appeared visibly to Zacharias. o The statement concerning the angel standing on the right side of the altar of incense points to the detailed research and interviews of Luke concerning these events. o The reality of angels is assumed and taught throughout the New Testament. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. - Fear was the most common response upon seeing an angel suddenly appear. o Just as common was the admonition to fear not or don t be afraid. (Our concept of angel s in general is poor.) - His prayer here, could be understood, as one uttered while serving in the temple. o But some believe that a priest might well have though it unseemly to make his private concern the object of prayer at such a moment. o He undoubtedly, at this time, was praying for the coming Messiah and the redemption of Israel. It s also possible.. that the coming of the Messiah and that the birth of John would be a partial answer to his prayer. - And. It could just as well refer to the petition which he and his wife had often made throughout their lives together. o Realizing - God works in his own ways and in his own time! 9
µ - In any event he is told: o your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. The angel told Zacharias what to name his son. This was also the case when the angel appeared to Mary (1:31). 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. - The angel not only gave the name of the son, but also detailed six aspects of John s character. 1. He will be a joy and delight to you (v. 14). Luke frequently used the word joy in his accounts in Luke and Acts, often linking it closely with salvation. An illustration of this is in Luke 15, 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 (3:3). 2. He will be great in the sight of the Lord. The expression in the sight of ( pion eno) is characteristic of Luke. Though it appears 35 times in Luke and Acts, it is used only one other time in the other Gospels (John 20:30). 3. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink. Later John voluntarily took on himself a Nazirite vow, refusing to drink anything fermented (Num. 6:1-21). Luke did not specifically state that John would fulfill all aspects of the Nazirite vow. Instead, John would avoid taking any wine perhaps to support his contention that his message was urgent. Another way he emphasized the urgency of his message was to dress, act, and eat like Elijah the prophet (cf. Matt. 3:4; 2 Kings 1:8). 10
4. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. From birth is literally from his mother s womb. When Mary visited Elizabeth before John was born, the baby leaped in her womb. The ministry of the Holy Spirit was important to Luke, and he often went to great length to show His empowering and enabling ministry. Both of John s parents were filled with the Spirit (Luke 1:41, 67). 5. Many of the people of Israel would he bring back to... God. Crowds of Israelites did turn to the Lord through John s ministry (Matt. 3:5-6; Mark 1:4-5). 6. He will go on before the Lord. John the Baptist was the Lord s forerunner, announcing His coming in the spirit and power of Elijah. Luke here referred to two passages in Malachi which speak of messengers: a messenger was to be sent to clear the way before the Lord (Mal. 3:1), and Elijah s return was promised before the day of the Lord (Mal. 4:5-6) to restore the hearts of the fathers to their children. Zechariah apparently understood that the angel was identifying John the Baptist with the messenger in Malachi 3:1, for in his song of praise he noted that John would go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him (Luke 1:76; cf. 3:4-6). Jesus affirmed that John was the fulfillment of Malachi 3:1 (Matt. 11:10) and stated that John would have fulfilled Malachi 4:5-6 if the people had accepted his message (Matt. 11:14). The Bible Knowledge Commentary 18 And Zacharias said to the angel, How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years. 19 And the angel answered and said to him, I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time. - Obviously Zechariah had doubts that such a thing could take place because both he and Elizabeth were old. o But the angel. identifying himself as Gabriel, reassured Zechariah that he was sent by the Lord to bring this good news. 11
It seems as though.. Zechariah s inability to speak until the fulfillment of Gabriel s message was, to some degree, a punishment for his unbelief. Believers can disbelieve Jesus said to his disciples many times Oh ye of little faith. o We could all well pray.. the prayer of the father whose son had the mute spirit that only Jesus was able to cast out. Mark 9:23-24.. Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! KJV o But it was also a sign. A sign in the Old Testament was often associated with a confirming observable phenomenon which accompanied a word of prophecy. 1Cor. 1:22.. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, NIV For the next nine months Zechariah s attempts to speak would prove the reality of Gabriel s message. 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. 23 And so it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. - Most likely. the service time required for different aspects of the temple service were very regular and any substantial variation was cause for alarm. 12
o The people were praying outside until the priest who was offering the incense came out and dismissed them with a benediction. (This was the custom) - The Holy place of the temple was a place of holiness. It had no windows it was only lit up by candlesticks. o To be confronted here by an angel was obviously an overwhelming event for Zacharias. The normal time of this service was lengthened because of this confrontation. o When Zacharias finally came out of the temple.. somehow, he was able to make the waiting people realize that he had seen a vision. He then returned home after completing his temple duty. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people. - After Elizabeth became pregnant... she remained in seclusion for five months. o We are not told why. Many possible suggestions have been made: Modesty. Constant devotion. More than usual remarks and notice would likely be given due to her age. - As mentioned earlier.. a barren women suffered greatly in there society. This fact is testified to here by Elizabeth s statement in verse 25.. Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people. 13
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin s name was Mary. - In the sixth month that is, when Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy, God sent Gabriel to Nazareth. o Mary had not yet had sexual contact with a man, for Luke called her a virgin (Note Mary s comment in verse 34) 34 Then Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I do not know a man? o She was pledged to be married to... Joseph (cf. 2:5). In Jewish culture at that time, a man and woman were betrothed or pledged to each other for a period of time (normally a year) before the actual consummation of their marriage. This betrothal.. was much stronger than an engagement period today, for the two were considered husband and wife except that they did not live together till after the wedding. It could only be dissolved by divorce. Should a bride groom die during this time a bride was considered as a widow. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women! 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 14
- The angel said that Mary was highly favored (related to the noun charis, grace. o Mary had found favor (charis, grace ) with God. Obviously.. God had bestowed a special honor on her. She was a special recipient of His grace. - Gabriel s admonition (Luke 1:30-31) was the same as to Zechariah: Do not be afraid, for you will have a Son (cf. v. 13). o As with John (v. 13b), the naming was by the angel. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. - This announcement is a summary of all the prophets predicted concerning the Christ. o Isaiah 9:6-7.. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. KJV 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end. - The angel predicted five things about Mary s Son. 1. He will be great. 2. He will be called the Son of the Most High. Mary could not have missed the significance of that terminology. 15
The fact that her Baby was to be called the Son of the Most High pointed to His equality with Yahweh. 3. He will be given the throne of His father David. 4. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. Jesus reign over the nation Israel as her King forever. 5. His kingdom will never end. These promises must have immediately reminded Mary of the promise of Yahweh to David (2 Sam. 7:13-16). David understood the prophecy as referring not only to his immediate son (Solomon) who would build the temple, but also to the future Son who would rule forever. David stated that Yahweh had spoken of the distant future (2 Sam. 7:19). Mary would have understood that the angel was speaking to her of the Messiah who had been promised for so long. 34 Then Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I do not know a man? 35 And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible. 38 Then Mary said, Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her. 16
- Mary did not seem to doubt what she was being told nor surprised that the Messiah was to come. o But she did not understand.. how this could be since she was a virgin (lit., since I do not know a man ). - The angel did not rebuke Mary.. as he had rebuked Zacharias (v. 20). o Mary did not doubt the angel s words... but merely wanted to know how such an event would be accomplished. - The answer was that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her and bring about the physical conception of Jesus (v. 35). This miraculous conception and Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ was necessary because of His deity and preexistence (cf. Isa. 7:14) o Isa. 7:14. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. KJV o H. Leo Boles makes this comment: It is emphatically declared here that Jesus was called the Son of God because in his human nature he was begotten of God, and sustained a relation to God such as no one else has ever borne. The holy thing, the neuter gender is here used in accordance with general usage, which withholds the idea of sex from an infant, until it is indicated by name or otherwise. It simply means in the original Greek thy holy offspring. Christ is the Son of God only in his relation to the redemption of man; he is his Son only in that he was born of a women. He existed with God in eternity and was not the Son of God before he came in the flesh; he was in the beginning a member of the Godhead ; but since he came in the flesh, suffered, died, and was raised from the dead, he is spoken of as the Son of God. His divinity and deity are from eternity. - Like Zacharias, Mary was given a sign: o Elizabeth... is going to have a child. 17
Mary affirmed her part in her Son s subsequent birth. by assenting to the plan of God. May it be to me as You have said. She willingly submitted to God s plan, calling herself the Lord s servant (Gr. doule female slave ; cf. Luke 1:48). o Luke 1:48.. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. KJV 39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord. - After learning of the sign Mary hurried to see Elizabeth. o Elizabeth and Zacharias. lived in a town in the hill country, which probably referred to the hilly region surrounding Jerusalem. - As Mary arrived.. Elizabeth s baby leaped in her womb for joy, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. o Zacharias also was later filled with the Holy Spirit (v. 67). 18
Being filled with the Holy Spirit always indicated God s approval and carried with it the means to carrying our specific tasks. (Prophecy, etc.) - Elizabeth s loudly spoken words Blessed (, µmeneµ euloge, lit. well spoken of ) are you among women. carries the idea that Mary is the most honored of all women. - Elizabeth called her the mother of my Lord. o In Luke the term Lord (kyrios) often describes Jesus. o It has a double meaning Lord would be more important for a Greek reader than would the term Christ (meaning Messiah ), for the Gentiles had not been anxiously awaiting the Messiah. On the other hand the Septuagint often used the word Lord (kyrios) to translate Yahweh. Again. (v. 45) Elizabeth said Mary was blessed (makaria, happy ) because she believed what God had told her. - This suggests that Mary visited Elizabeth.. not with a skeptical attitude but rather joyously, to confirm what had been announced to her. 46 And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, 19
µ And holy is His name. 50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. 54 He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever. - The Bible Knowledge Commentary In response to the situation at hand Mary recited a song which praised God s favor on her and her people. The Magnificat, as the song is called, consists almost entirely of Old Testament allusions and quotations. The same is true of the songs of Zechariah and Simeon (vv. 1:68-79; 2:29-32). Mary s song has similarities to Hannah s song (1 Sam. 2:1-10). First, Mary praised God for His special favor on her (Luke 1:46-50). Mary saw herself as part of the godly remnant that had served Yahweh. She called God my Savior ( ri mou teµ so) showing an intimate acquaintance with Him. She spoke of His faithfulness (v. 48), power (v. 49), holiness (v. 49), and mercy (v. 50). Second, Mary praised God for His special favor on Israel (vv. 51-55). Through the Child that she was to bear, God was being merciful to Abraham and his descendants. Mary was aware that the birth of her Child was a fulfillment of the covenant promises to Abraham and his people. - God scatters the proud in the plans of their hearts. - God casts down the mighty He exalts the humble. - God fills those who are hungry those who are rich he sends empty away. 20
56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house. 57 Now Elizabeth s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. 59 So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60 His mother answered and said, No; he shall be called John. 61 But they said to her, There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name. 62 So they made signs to his father what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, What kind of child will this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him. - The record of John s birth is given in a single verse (v. 57), with friends sharing in the joy. - Several verses then focus on, and emphasize, the obedience of Zacharias and Elizabeth. - The old couple was careful to follow the Law in the circumcision of the boy. - Though others objected. Elizabeth said that he was to be named John. which Zacharias confirmed in writing. - The fact that Zechariah immediately was able to speak amazed the crowd. As was true of each person in the account, Zacharias was praising (v.42) God. 21
- Word then spread through the whole hill country (in the Jerusalem area) that this was an unusual child. o The people.. continued to note that the Lord s hand was with him. o Years later when John began his preaching ministry, many went out from this district who no doubt remembered the amazing events surrounding his birth (Matt. 3:5-6). Matt. 3:5-6.. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. KJV 67 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68 Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, 71 That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: 74 To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; 22
For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, 77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; 79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace. - This hymn, known as the Benedictus, is filled with Old Testament quotations and allusions. o Zacharias. filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied and praised God (v. 67 & 68a). o Zacharias. noted the reason God should be praised He has again visited His people and redeemed his people by sending the coming Messiah (v. 68b &69). o Zacharias. described the deliverance for Israel through the Messiah (vv. 69-75). The Messiah was to be Israel s horn of salvation (v. 69). The horns of an animal symbolized its power. The Messiah would be strong and would deliver the nations from her enemies (v. 74). However, the enemies will not be those that most Jews have in mind, and the restoration will not be of political Israel but of spiritual Israel. o Of special interest in these verses. is the mention of His holy covenant.. the oath God swore to our father Abraham (vv. 72-73) 23
Gen. 22:15-18. 15 Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, 16 and said: By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son 17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice. NKJV Zacharias. prophetically described the ministry John would have. (Luke 1:76-79). He foretold that John would be the one to go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him. This echoed Isaiah and Malachi: o Isaiah 40:3. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. NKJV o Malachi 4:5-6. 4 Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, Which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, With the statutes and judgments. 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. 6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse. NKJV 80 So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel. - Coffman says.. The deserts refers to the desolate and forbidding wastelands south of Jericho and along by the Dead Sea. The occasion of his dwelling in such places could have come about through the death of his parents, who were in their old age when he was born; but this is not stated. This region was not inhabited. 24
- John grew. He became strong in spirit. o His personal fortitude and vitality. became synonymous with the name of John the Baptist. o To live in the desolate desert until the time of his public ministry was not a normal thing for a young man.. but not all young men are called to be the forerunner of the Messiah. He seemingly knew his special mission from an early age..and the desolate area of his upbringing helped to prepare him for the mission of a prophet unlike any other mission ever carried out by any other man who has ever lived. Jesus said.. John 7:28. 28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. NKJV 25