1.
Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
Forasmuch as = Since, as is well known indeed. Greek. epeideper. Occurs only here in N.T.
have in hand. Implying previous non = success (Acts 19:13 ). Elsewhere only in Acts 9:29 . A medical word. Compare Colossians 4:14 .
to set forth in order = to draw up.
a declaration = a narrative. Greek. diegesis. Occurs only here in N.T., used by Galen of a medical treatise.
of = concerning. Greek. peri. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 1:5 , Luke 1:27 , Luke 1:35 , Luk 5:61 .
things = matters, or facts.
which are most surely believed = which have been fully accomplished; i.e. in fulfilment of prophetic announcement. among. Greek. en. App-104 . As in verses: Luke 1:25 , Luke 1:28 , Luke 1:42
2.
Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
from . Greek apo. App-104 .
from the beginning . Greek. ap' arches; i.e. from the birth or ministry of the Lord. Compare John 15:27 . Acts 1:1 , Acts 1:21 , Acts 1:22 .
were = became.
eyewitnesses. Greek autoptai. Occurs only here. Not the same word as in 2 Peter 1:16 . A medical word (Colossians 4:14 ). Compare our autopsy.
ministers = attendants. A technical word, often translated "officer".
3.
It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
having had perfect understanding = having followed up accurately.
all. The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version omitted this "all".
from the very first = from above. Greek. anothen. As in Matthew 27:51 (the top, Mark 15:38 ). John 3:3 , John 3:7 (again), John 3:31 (from above); Luke 19:11 , Luke 19:23 .James 1:17 ; James 3:1 , James 3:17 . It may mean from the beginning, as in Acts 26:5 , but there is no need to introduce that meaning here, as it is already in Luke 1:2 . Moreover, havingunderstood them "from above", he necessarily understood them from the very beginning, as well as perfectly, or accurately. The greater includes the less.
in order = with method. most excellent. A title of social degree, not of moral quality. See Acts 23:26 ; Acts 26:25 .
Theophilus. A common Roman name = beloved of God.
4.
That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
That = in order that.
mightest know = get to have full knowledge. Greek. epiginosko.) App-132 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 1:18 , Luke 1:34 .
things = words.
wherein = concerning (Greek. peri. App-104 .) which.
thou hast been instructed = thou wast [orally]
taught. Greek. katecheo. See Acts 18:25 . 1 Corinthians 14:19 . Galatians 1:6 , Galatians 1:6 .
5.
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
There was = There came to be. A Hebraism, Compare Luke 1:8 , and see on Luke 2:1 .
in . Greek en. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 1:15 , Luke 1:20 , Luke 1:44-47 .
in the days . A Hebraism. See Matthew 2:1 . Compare Esther 1:1 .
Herod. See App-109 .
the king. This title had been conferred by the Roman Senate on the recommendation of Antony and Octavius.
of = out of. Greek. ek, App-104 .
Abia is named in 1 Chronicles 24:10 , and Nehemiah 12:17 . Out of the four who returned from Babylon twenty-four courses were formed (by lot) with the original names. See App-179 .
the daughters of Aaron . The female descendants of Aaron always married priests
Elisabeth. Aaron's wife, Elisheba (Exodus 6:23 )is spelled Elizabeth in the Septuagint.
6.
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
before. The Texts read enantion, not enopion (= in the presence of, as Luke 1:19 ). Both are found in the Papyri in this sense.
God . App-98 .
ordinances = legal requirements. Greek. Plural of dlkaioma, which should always be so rendered in its other nine occurrences (Romans 1:32 ; Romans 2:26
; Luke 5:16 , Luke 5:18 ; Luke 8:4 ; Hebrews 9:1 , Hebrews 9:10 ; Revelation 15:4 ; Revelation 19:8 ). Compare Numbers 36:13 . Sometimes rendered "judgments" (Exodus 21:1 ; Exodus 24:3 ), where LXX has dikaioma.
the LORD. Must here and elsewhere be often rendered Jehovah. See App-98 . A. b.
7.
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
no. Greek. ou. App-106 .
child. Greek. teknon. See App-108 .
because that = inasmuch as.
well stricken = advanced.
8.
And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
it came to pass. A Hebraism. See note on Luke 1:5 .
while he executed, &c. = in (Greek. en. App-104 .) executing. Greek. hierateuo, to act as a priest. Not peculiar to Biblical Greek, but found often in the Papyri.
9.
According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
According to . Greek. kata. App-104 .
his lot was = it fell to him by lot.
to burn incense. Greek. thumiao. Occurs only here in N.T. incense. The first recorded use of incense by man began in disobedience (Numbers 16:6 ), and the last ended in unbelief (Luke 1:20 ),
when he went = going.
into. Greek eis. App-104 .
the Temple = The Naos, or Shrine; i.e. "the Holy Place". Not
hieron (the Temple courts). See note on Matthew 23:1 , Matthew 23:8 .
10.
And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
praying. See App-134 .
at the time = at the hour. This was the signal.
11.
And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
appeared. App-106 . an angel. For the frequent references to angels in Luke, see Luke 1:26 ; Luke 2:9 , Luke 2:13 , Luke 2:21 ; Luke 12:8 ; Luke 15:10 ; Luke 16:22 ; Luke 22:43 ; Luke 24:4 , Luke 24:23 . Also frequently in Acts.
on = at. Greek ek. App-104 .
the right side = the propitious side. Compare Matthew 25:33 .Mark 16:5 .John 21:6 .
the altar of incense . See Exodus 30:1-10 ; Exodus 37:25-28 . 1 Kings 7:48
12.
And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13.
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
unto = to. Greek. pros. App-104 . Not the same word as in Luke 1:26 .
not. Greek. me. App-105 . As in verses: Luke 1:20 , Luke 1:30 , not as in verses: Luke 1:20 , Luke 1:22 , Luke 1:34 .
for = because.
prayer = a definite petition.
is heard = was heard: i.e. not now, or recently. Evidently the prayer for offspring, which was now no longer offered.
bear thee = bring forth to thee.
John = Jehovah sheweth favour.
14.
And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
joy and gladness. Figure of speech Hendiadys ( App-6 ) = joy, yea exultant joy.
at = upon[the occasion of]. Greek. epi. App-104 ., as in Luke 1:29 .
birth = bringing forth. Greek gennao, used of the mother. See note on Matthew 1:2 .
15.
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
in the sight of = before.
See note on "before", Luke 1:6 .
shall drink neither = shallin no wise (Greek. ou me. App-105 .) drink,
strong drink . Greek. sikera, any intoxicating drink not from grapes.
shall be filled. Verbs of filling take the Genitive of what the person or vessel is filled with. See App-101 . note. Here pneuma hagion is in the Genitive case.
the Holy Ghost = holy spirit. Greek pneuma hagion, or "power from on high". See App-101 .
from. Greek ek. App-104 . i.e. before birth. Compare Luke 1:44 .
16.
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
children = sons. See App-108 .
to = towards. Greek. epi. App-104 .
Lord . Greek. kurios. App-98 .
17.
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, 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.
go = goforth.
the spirit and power. Figure of speech Hendiadys ( App-6 ) = the
spirit = yea, the powerful spirit (Malachi 4:5 ).
Elias = Elijah.
to turn, &c. Reference to Malachi 3:1 with Malachi 4:5 , Malachi 4:6 .
See App-107 .
disobedient = unbelieving. to = in. Greek. en. App-104 .
wisdom . Greek. phronesis (not sophia) = understanding. Occurs only here, and Ephesians 1:8 = the product of Sophia. See notes on Job 28:28 ; Job 40:4 .
18.
And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19.
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
answering said. See note on Deuteronomy 1:41 .
Gabriel = the mighty man of God. The messanger of the restoration (Luke 1:26 ; Daniel 8:16 ; Daniel 9:21 ), as Michael is the messanger of Israel's delieverance from judgement (Daniel 10:13 , Daniel 10:21 ; Daniel 12:1 .Jude 1:9 ; and Revelation 12:7 ). Probably two of the seven angels of Revelation 1:4 ; Revelation 3:1 ; Revelation 4:5 ; Revelation 5:6 ; Revelation 8:2 , Revelation 8:6 ; Revelation 15:1 , Revelation 15:6 , Revelation 15:7 , Revelation 15:8 ; Revelation 16:1 ; Revelation 17:1 ; Revelation 21:9 .
in the presence. Same as "before", Luke 1:6 .
am = was
shew = announce.
20.
And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
thou shalt be dumb . The finite Verb and Participle denote continuous silence.
be performed = come to pass.
believest not = didst not believe. App-150 . Note the Negative.
not . Greek. ou. App-105 .
which = which are of a kind which. Greek. hoitines, denoting a class, or kind of words.
in = up to. Greek eis. App-104 . Marking the process continuing up to the end.
21.
And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
waited for = were looking for. The finite Verb and Participle denoting protracted waiting.
marvelled . Because such waiting was usually short.
22.
And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
speak : i.e. pronounce the usual blessing (Numbers 6:24 ).
perceived = clearly perceived, or recognised. Greek. epiginosko. App-132 .
had seen. Greek. horao. App-133 .
beckoned = kept making signs.
23.
And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
days = week.
ministration = public service. Greek leitourgia. Hence Eng. "liturgy".
to = unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .
24.
And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
after . Greek. meta. App-104 .
conceived . Greek. sullambano. A medical word, used in this sense in Luke and in James 1:15 . See App-179 .
hid = completely secluded. Probably to avoid all possibility of uncleanness, as in Judges 13:4 , Judges 13:5 , Judges 13:7 , = Jdg 13:1214 . Occurs only here in N.T.
saying = saying that (Greek. hoti); giving the words.
25.
Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
looked on . Greek. epeidon. App-133 . Occurs only in Luke here, and Acts 4:29 .
to take away my reproach. Compare Genesis 30:23 . 1 Samuel 1:6-10 . Hosea 9:14 . Contrast Luke 23:29 .
26.
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
the sixth month . After the vision of Zachariah.
This (Compare Luke 1:36 ) is the passage which gives John's age as six months older than the Lord's. See App-179 .
from . Greek. hupo. App-104 .
unto . Greek. eis. App-104 . Galilee. One of the four Roman divisions of Palestine, comprising Zebulun, Naphtali, and Asher. Compare Matthew 4:13 .
Nazareth. Now enNazirah.
Aram . See App-94 . See on Matthew 2:23 .
27.
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
To . Greek. pros. App-104 .
virgin. This settles the meaning of the Hebrew `almah in Isaiah 7:14 . There is no question about the Greek parthenos.
espoused = betrothed. A year before marriage. See Matthew 1:18 .
man = husband. Greek. aner. App-123 .
Mary = the Hebrew Miriam. Exodus 15:20 . See App-100 .
28.
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.
Hail. See note on Matthew 26:49
thou that art highly favoured = [thou] having been graced [by God] = endued with grace. Occurs only here, and Ephesians 1:6 = accepted through grace. "Grace" does not occur in Matthew or Mark.
with = in association with. Greek. meta. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Luk 30:37 , Luk 30:51 , Luk 30:56 .
blessed . . . women. Omitted by T [Tr. ] A WH R. Probably brought here from Luke 1:42 , where it is unquestioned.
29.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
when she saw him. Omitted by all
the texts. cast in her mind = beganto reason, or was reasoning. Imperfect Tense.
30.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
found. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6 , for "received".
favour = grace: which is favourthe unworthy, as patience is favour to the obstinate, as mercy is favour to the miserable, as pity is favour to the poor, &c.
with = from. Greek. para. App-104 .
31.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
thou shalt conceive : i.e. forthwith conceive. The Tense marks a future action, the beginning of which in relation to future time is past, but the consequences of which still continue.
and . Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton in verses: Luk 31:32 , emphasizing each detail. Note the four statements of the angel, combining the four key = texts of the four Gospels shown in the Inter-relation of the Four Gospels:
Thou shalt . . . bring forth a Son: "Behold the Man".
Thou shalt call His name Jesus: " Behold My Servant".
He shall be great . . . the Son of the Highest (Luke 1:32 )
: " Behold your God".
He shall reign, &c. (Luke 1:33 )
: " Behold thy King".
JESUS. See note on Matthew 1:21 and App-48 and App-98 . X.
32.
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:
He shall be great , &c. Marks the break in the Dispensations, verses: Luke 1:32 , Luke 1:33 being yet future.
the Highest = the Most High. Greek hupsiatos. Occurs seven times in Luke (Luke 1:32 , Luke 1:35 , Luke 1:76 ; Luke 2:14 (plural); Luke 6:35 ; Luke 8:28 ; Luke 19:38 (plural); and twice in Acts (Luke 7:48 ; Luke 16:17 ). Else. where, only four times (Matthew 21:9 (plural) Mark 5:7 ; Mark 11:10 (plural); and Hebrews 7:1 ).
33.
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
over. Greek. epi. App-104 .
Jacob. Put for all the natural seed of the twelve tribes.
for = unto. Greek eis. App-104 .
for ever = unto the ages. See App-151 . More Reading, see Psalms 45:6 . Daniel 7:13 , Daniel 7:14 , Daniel 7:27 . Mic 4:7 . 1 Corinthians 15:24-26 . Hebrews 1:8 . Revelation 11:16 .
34.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
seeing , &c. = since, &c. Mary's answer shows how she understood the angel's promise. She does not question the fact, as Zacharias did (Luke 1:18 ), but only inquires as to the mode. To Mary the promise seems too early, to Zacharias too late.
know = come to know. Greek. ginosko. App-132 .
35.
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.
shall overshadow. Compare Exodus 33:22 .Mark 9:7 .
therefore = wherefore.
that holy Thing. See Heb 7:26 . 1 Peter 2:22 , and note on Matthew 27:4 .
the Son of God = God's Son. App-98 .
36.
And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
cousin = kinswoman.
she hath also conceived = she also hath conceived.
37.
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
nothing = not (Greek. ou. App-105 ) any word. Greek. rhema. See note on Mark 9:32 .
38.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Behold . Greek idou. App-133 .
handmaid = bondmaid.
word. See note on Luke 1:37 . Same word.
39.
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
40.
And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
entered. A detail, to emphasize the fact, by which she recognized the truth of the sign of Luke 1:36 .
41.
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
leaped. Greek. skirtao. Only used in N.T. here, Luke 1:44 , and Luke 6:23 . Compare Genesis 25:22 . Septuagint has the same word.
42.
And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
spake out = cried out. Greek. anaphoneo . Occurs only here. A medical word. See Colossians 4:14 .
43.
And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
to. Greek. pros. App-104 .
44.
For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
lo. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
sounded in = came into.
for joy = in (Greek. en. App-104 .) exultation.
45.
And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
blessed = happy. Not the same word as in Luke 1:42 .
performance = fulfilment. from. Greek para. App-104 .
46.
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Mary. From a common practice of transcribers in replacing a pronoun by the corresponding proper noun, or name, some have thought that this hymn is a continuation of Elisabeth's words. And the Structure favours this idea. But there is no MS. evidence for it.
My soul = Imyself. For emphasis. See App-110 .
47.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
my spirit. See App-101 .
rejoiced = exulted.
in. Greek. epi. App-104 .
God my Saviour. Note the Article = the God [Who is] the Saviour [of me]. See Septuagint Deu 82:15 .Psalms 24:6; Psalms 24:6
; Luk 25:5 ; Luk 95:1 .
48.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
regarded = looked (Greek. epiblepo. App-133 .)
upon (Greek. epi. App-104 .) See James 2:3 , and compare 1 Samuel 1:11 .Psalms 33:14 ; Psalms 119:132 (Septuagint).
49.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
He That is mighty = the Mighty One.
His name. See note on Psalms 20:1 .
50.
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
with. Greek. en. App-104 .
His arm. Figure of speech Anthrapopatheia. App-6 . Compare Isaiah 52:10 ; Isaiah 59:1 , Isaiah 59:16 .
52.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
put down the mighty. Amaziah (2 Kings 14:10 ); Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16 ); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 5:20 ); Belshazzar (Daniel 5:23 ; Daniel 5:30 ).
seats = thrones.
them of low degree = the lowly.
53.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54.
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
holpen = laid hold of [for help], or taken by the hand. Compare Isaiah 41:8 , Isaiah 41:9 .
in remembrance = [in order] to remember.
55.
As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
As = according as.
our fathers. Compare Micah 7:20 . Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:16 . Acts 2:39 .
for ever = unto the age. See App-151 . a.
56.
And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
with = in fellowship with. Greek. sun. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 1:28 , Luke 1:30 , Luke 1:37 , Luk 28:39 , Luk 28:61 , Luk 28:66 .
returned = returned back. Greek hupostrepho. Almost peculiar to Luke. Oct:. only in Mark 14:40 . Galatians 1:1 , Galatians 1:17 . Hebrews 7:1 . outside Luke and Acts.
57.
Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
full time = fulfilled time.
and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) throughout the passage verses: Luke 1:57-67 , eighteen "ands".
brought forth. Greek gennao. Correctly rendered here, of the mother. Used of the father it = beget. See note on Matthew 1:2 .
58.
And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
shewed great mercy = magnified His mercy. A Hebraism. Compare Genesis 19:19 . 2 Samuel 22:51 , Septuagint.
upon = with. Greek meta. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 1:12 , Luke 1:35 .
59.
And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
on = in. Greek. en. App-104 . Not the same word as in Luke 1:65 .
on the eighth day. Genesis 17:12 .Leviticus 12:3 .Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:5 .
child . Greek. paidion. App-108 .
they called . Imperf. Tense = were for calling,
after . Greek. epi. App-104 . Not the same word as in Luke 1:24 .
60.
And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
Not so = No. Greek. ouchi. App-105 .
61.
And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
There is = That there is.
of = among. Greek en. App-104 .
that is = who is.
62.
And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
made signs. Imperf. Tense = were consulting him by signs; i.e. while the colloquy was going on,
would = wished to. Greek. thelo. App-102 .
63.
And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
writing table = writing tablet Table was used for tablet in 1611. Used by medical writers in Luke's day.
wrote, saying. A Hebraism. Compare 2 Kings 10:6 .
"John" = the grace of Jehovah, was thus the first written word of that dispensation.
64.
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
immediately = at once. Greek parachrema. Occurs nineteen times. All in Luke or Acts, except Matthew 21:19 , Matthew 21:20 . A medical word (see Colossians 4:14 ), used thirteen times in connection with disease or healing. Rendered "straightway "in Luke 8:55 .Acts 5:10 .
spake = began to speak. Imperf. Tense.
65.
And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.
on = upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .
sayings. Greek. Plural of rhema. See note on Mark 9:32 .
were noised abroad = were talked of.
throughout all = in (Greek. en. App-104 .) the whole.
66.
And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
that heard. The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version reads "that had heard".
67.
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
68.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Blessed . Hence the name "Benedictus" given to Zacharias's prophecy.
God = the God.
visited = lookedon. Not the same word as in Luke 1:48 . See App-133 .
redeemed = wrought a ransom for. Compare Titus 2:14 .
69.
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
an horn of salvation. A Hebraism. See Psalms 132:17 . 1 Samuel 2:1 , 1 Samuel 2:10 . Ezekiel 29:21 .
His servant David. See Psalms 132:10 .
70.
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
by = through.
Greek. dia. App-104 .Luke 1:1 .
since the world began = from [the] age i.e. of old. See App-151 .
71.
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72.
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
to = with. Greek meta. App-104 .
73.
The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
The oath, &c. See Genesis 12:3 ; Genesis 17:4 ; Genesis 22:16 , Genesis 22:17 .
74.
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
out of = from. Greek. ek. App-104 .
hand. The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version reads "hands". serve: or worship.
75.
In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
holiness. Toward God. righteousness. Toward men. Compare 1 Thessalonians 2:10 . Ephesians 4:24 .
76.
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
before . Greek. pro. App-104 .
77.
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
knowledge. Greek. gnosis. App-132 .
by = for. Greek. en. App-104 .
78.
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
Through = On account of. Greek dia. App-104 .Luke 1:2 .
tender mercy = bowels of compassion. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia ( App-6 ).
whereby = in (Greek. en. App-104 .) which.
dayspring . Greek. anatole. Hebrew. zemach = branch (see page 1304), is rendered anatole in Jeremiah 23:6 and Zechariah 3:8 , because of its springing up. Both meanings (branch and light) are here combined. Compare Ezekiel 16:7 ; Ezekiel 17:10 .
on high. Greek. hupsos. Occurs five more times: Luke 24:49 . Ephesians 3:18 ; Ephesians 4:8 . James 1:9 . Revelation 21:16 .
79.
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
give light to = shine upon.
the shadow of death. A Hebraism. Zalmaveth. Job 10:21 ; Job 38:17 . Psalms 23:4 ; Psalms 107:10 . Isaiah 9:2 .Matthew 4:16 , &c.
guide = direct. Wycliffe has "dress", through the O. French dresser = to arrange, still preserved as an English military term.
80.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
waxed strong = grew and was strengthened. spirit. Greek. pneuma. See App-101 .
the deserts. The article. indicating a well-known part.
shewing = public or official inauguration. Greek. anadeixis. Only occurs here. The verb anadeiknumi occurs Luke 10:1 . See note there.