1Luke's preface. 5An angel appeareth to Zacharias, and promiseth him a son in his old age: 18Zacharias doubting is struck dumb for a sign: 24his wife Elisabeth conceiveth. 26The angel's visit to Mary. 39Elisabeth saluted by Mary prophesieth. 46Mary's song of thanksgiving. 57The birth and circumcision of John the Baptist: 64Zacharias' mouth is opened: 67his prophecy.
1FORASMUCHa as 1many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed 2among us,
*Luke was by practice or profession a physician, Col. 4:14, and a continual companion of the apostle Paul in his travels, even when being taken prisoner he was brought to Rome, as may be gathered out of Acts 20:6, and 21:15 and 27:1 and 28:14, 15. Some are of the opinion also that he is the person of whom the apostle speaks in 2 Cor. 8:18, 19. Mention is made of him likewise in 2 Tim. 4:11 and Philemon verse 24. He wrote two books, namely, this Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles.
a as, since, because, seeing that*
1 Many ancient teachers think that by these are understood some persons, who of their own motion, had undertaken to set down some parts of the evangelical history, which were not received by the christian church, or which they had not accomplished. But others think that Matthew and Mark may be understood hereby, forasmuch as Luke seems to put himself among them, and sets down many histories and particulars, which either are not at all or in few words touched by them.
2 Namely, Christians.
2Even as they delivered them unto us, 3which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers 4of the word;
3 Namely, the apostles and disciples of Christ. See 1 John 1:1.
4 That is, of the matter that is here described. Hebraism. Although some think that hereby Christ Himself is understood, as He is so called, John 1:1.
3It seemed good to me also, having had perfect 5understanding of all things 6from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most 7excellent 8Theophilus,
5 Gr. followed after, searched after, endeavored after, that is, having obtained a thorough knowledge of all things, all which was done of him by a special action of the Holy Ghost, Acts 15:25, 28; 2 Peter 1:21.
6 Gr. from the first. For, he begins from the conception of John the Baptist.
7 Gr. most mighty.
8 It is uncertain who this Theophilus was, yet it appears by this title, which is here given to him, that he was an honorable and eminent man, seeing the same title is also given to the Roman governors Felix and Festus, Acts 24:3 and Acts 26:25. To the above same person Luke has also dedicated his second book of the Acts of the Apostles, Acts 1:1.
4That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been 9instructed.
9 The Greek word signifies many times to instruct with a lively voice, but is also sometimes taken in common for all manner of instruction, Acts 18:25; Rom. 2:18; 1 Cor. 14:19; Gal. 6:6.
5¶THERE was 10in the days of 11Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, ofb the 12course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
10 That is, at the time.
11 Namely, the Great. See concerning him, Mat. 2:1.
b 1 Chron. 24:10.
12 Gr. ephemeria, which here signifies a certain order or class of priests, who stood under one head and some days of the year in their course, were to take care of the worship of God in the temple, of which the order of Abia was the eighth, according to the first institution. See 1 Chron. 24:10.
6And they were both righteous 13before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord 14blameless.
13 That is, not only before men, as the hypocrites sometimes do, but in all uprightness before God.
14 Namely, by men; without giving offense; for, that Zacharias was not without sin, appears out of verse 20.
7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well strickenc in years.
c aged*
8And it came to pass, that while he executed 15the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
15 Namely, as his special function, together with others; forasmuch as he was a common priest, and no high priest, as some think, for, he was not to draw lots with any man.
9According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incensed when he went into the templee of the Lord.
d Exod. 30:7; Lev. 16:17.
e Heb. 9:6.
10And the whole multitude of the people were praying 16without at the time of incense.
16 Namely, outside, in the courts of the temple, 1 Kings 7:12; 2 Chron. 4:9.
11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the 17altar of incense.
17 This altar stood in the holy place, behind which was the holy of Holies, separated by the veil. Incense was here to be offered twice every day, morning and evening, Exod. 30:7, 8.
12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thouf shalt call his name 18John.
f verse 60.
18 Which is to say in the Hebrew, the grace of God, or graced of God, or, God has graciously given.
14And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shallg rejoice at his birth.
g verse 58.
15For he shall be 19great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neitherh20wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
19 That is excellent, in respect to his gifts and office, whereby he excelled all other preceding prophets, Mat. 11:9, 11.
h Judges 13:4.
20 As the nazarites were to abstain from it. See Num. 6:3; Judges 13:4, 7.
16And many of the children of Israel shalli he turn to the Lord their God.
i Mal. 4:6; Mat. 11:14.
17And hej shall go before him 21in the spirit and power of Elias, 22tok turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people 23prepared for the Lord.
j Mat. 3:2; Mark 9:12.
21 See hereof Mat. 11:14.
22 Namely, by his ministry.
k Mal. 4:6.
23 That is, capable and ready to receive the Lord.
18And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for Il am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
l Gen. 17:17.
19And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that 24stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to 25shew thee these glad tidings.
24 That is, continually serve God before His throne, as the servants stand before their king to receive his commands. See Rev. 8:2.
25 Gr. evangelize, that is, to bring glad tidings.
20And, 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.
21And the people 26waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
26 Namely, that he would come forth to give them the usual blessing. See Num. 6:23.
22And 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.
23And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were 27accomplished, he departed to his own house.
27 That is, were come to an end; which time was about half a month in the year, 1 Chron. 24:7, 18, at each time from the one sabbath to the other, 1 Chron. 9:25 and 2 Chron. 23:8, during which time they remained in the temple, in certain dwellings in the courts of the temple erected for this purpose. See Jer. 35:4.
24And after those days his wife Elisabeth 28conceived, and hid herself 29five months, saying,
28 Or, became with child.
29 Namely, until it might fully appear that she was with child.
25Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away mym30reproach among men.
m Gen. 30:23; Isa. 4:1.
30 That is, barrenness, which was reproachful with the Jews.
26And in the 31sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
31 Namely, after Elisabeth was with child and had conceived John the Baptist, as appears from verse 36.
27Ton a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the 32house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
n Mat. 1:18.
32 That is, lineage. See Luke 2:4.
28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly 33favoured, the Lord is with thee: 34blessed art thou among women.
33 That is, who has found grace with the Lord, as the angel expounds it afterwards in verse 30.
34 Namely, because by God’s grace thou shalt have the honor and blessing, that thou shalt be the mother who shall bring the Messiah into the world. See verses 42, 43.
29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31And,o behold, thou shalt 35conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his namep36JESUS.
o Isa. 7:14.
35 Or, shalt be with child.
p Mat. 1:21.
36 That is, Savior, as the angel expounds it in Mat. 1:21.
32Heq shall be great, and shall be 37called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord Godr shall give unto him 38the throne of his 39father David:
q Isa. 54:5.
37 That is, shall be indeed, and be so acknowledged by all believers, as afterwards also in verse 35.
r 2 Sam. 7:12; Psalm 132:11; Isa. 9:7.
38 That is, the Royal authority, whereby here is understood the spiritual Kingdom of Christ, of which David’s kingdom was a type.
39 Namely, according to the flesh. See Mat. 1:1.
33Ands40he shall reign over 41the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
s 1 Chron. 22:10; Psalm 45:6; 89:36; Jer. 23:5; Dan. 7:14, 27; Micah 4:7; Heb. 1:8.
40 Namely, a spiritual King. See John 18:36.
41 That is, the church of God, which is the spiritual house of Jacob and the Israel of God, Gal. 6:16.
34Then said Mary unto the angel, 42How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
42 This she asks, forasmuch as the angel had told her this, being a virgin, without making mention of her future husband; and she understood by the angel’s word that this would immediately come to pass, so that this question of Mary did not proceed from any unbelief, as the question of Zacharias, verse 18, but only out of a desire to be further instructed herein.
35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come 43upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that 44holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the 45Son of God.
43 Namely, to work by His power in thee in such a manner that thou shalt conceive without the help of man.
44 That is, that holy Person.
45 Hereby it is not said that Christ would be the Son of God because He was conceived by the Holy Ghost; for, He would be thus the Son of the Holy Ghost; but because His conception by the Holy Ghost is a certain argument that the eternal Son of God has assumed the true nature of the flesh and blood of Mary by the operation of the Holy Ghost into the unity of His Person, Philip. 2:7; Heb. 2:14, according as Isaiah prophesied of both, Isa. 7:14.
36And, behold, thy 46cousint Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
46 Hereby appears that Elisabeth, by her mother’s side, was of the tribe of Judah, though her father was of the stock of Aaron or Levi, verse 5. For, the priests indeed married women out of other tribes, because they had no inheritance.
t kinswoman
37Foru with God 47nothing shall be impossible.
u Job 42:2; Jer. 32:17; Zech. 8:6; Mat. 19:26; Luke 18:27.
47 Gr. no word.
38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
39And Mary 48arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into 49a city of Juda;
48 Namely, after that she was become with child, as appears from that which follows.
49 That is, situated among the tribe of Judah. This city seems to have been the city Hebron, first called Kirjath-arba, which, being situated in the tribe of Judah, was fallen to the part of the Levites and priests, and was situated in the hill country southwards from Jerusalem. See Joshua 21:9, 10, 11.
40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe 50leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
50 This came to pass by a supernatural and extraordinary action by the Holy Ghost.
42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45Andv blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her 51from the Lord.
v Luke 11:28.
51 That is, in the Lord’s manner by the angel, see verses 31, 32, 33.
46And Mary said, My soul doth 52magnify the Lord,
52 That is, glorifies and praises Him in the highest degree.
47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48For he hath regarded 53the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
53 That is, the low and simple condition. For, it is repugnant to the virtue of humility to boast thereof.
49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50Andw his mercy is on them that fear him 54from generation to generation.
w Exod. 20:6.
54 Gr. to generations of generations.
51Hex hath shewed 55strength 56with his arm; hey hath 57scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
x Isa. 51:9; 52:10.
55 Gr. might.
56 That is, by His power.
y Psalm 33:10; 1 Peter 5:5.
57 Namely, as the chaff is scattered by the wind, Psalm 1:4.
52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of lowz degree.
z 1 Sam. 2:8; Psalm 113:6.
53Heaa hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
aa Psalm 34:10.
54Heab hath 58holpenac his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
ab Isa. 30:18; 41:9; 54:5; Jer. 31:3, 20.
58 The Greek word signifies to reach forth a helping hand to him who is fallen or forsaken.
ac helped*
55As he spake to our fathers, toad Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
ad Gen. 17:19; 22:18; Psalm 132:11.
56And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
57Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
58And her neighbours and her cousinsae heard how the Lord had shewed 59great mercy upon her; and they rejoicedaf with her.
ae kinsman, kinswoman
59 Gr. magnified.
af verse 14.
59And it came to pass, that on the eighthag day they came to circumcise the child; and they 60called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
ag Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3.
60 Namely, according to the custom of the Jews, who gave the children their names when they were circumcised, Gen. 21:3; Isa. 8:1; Luke 2:21, as therefore it is also similarly done with us in baptism.
60And his mother answered and said, Not so; but heah shall be called John.
ah verse 13.
61And they said unto her, There is none of thy 61kindred that is called by this name.
61 Or, lineage.
62And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
63And he asked for 62a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
62 These were little tables or plates done over with wax, whereon men wrote with pins or slate-pencils.
64And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and 63praised God.
63 Gr. blessed.
65And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these 64sayings were noised abroadai throughout all the hill country of Judaea.
64 Gr. words.
ai widely reported*
66And all they that heard them 65laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And 66the hand of the Lord was with him.
65 Or, took it to heart, that is, retained and considered of these things carefully.
66 That is, a special power and grace of the Lord.
67And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
6867Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath 68visited and redeemed his people,
67 Or, Praised.
68 Namely, in mercy.
69Andaj hath raised up 69an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
aj Psalm 132:17.
69 That is, a strong Redeemer, namely, Christ, as Psalm 132:17. A similitude taken from animals which have horns wherewith they put forth great force.
70Asak he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since 70the world began:
ak Psalm 72:12; Isa. 40:10; Jer. 23:6; 30:10; Dan. 9:27.
70 Gr. from the age, that is, since the age or world that was.
71That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to 71remember his holy covenant;
71 That is, He proved in fact that He was mindful.
7372The oathal which he sware to our father Abraham,
72 Or, of the oath, which some interpret: according to the oath, or, for the oath.
al Gen. 22:16; Psalm 105:9; Jer. 31:33; Heb. 6:13, 17.
74That he would grant unto us, thatam we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
am Heb. 9:14.
75Inan holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
an 1 Peter 1:15.
76Andao thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face 73of the Lord to prepare his ways;
ao verse 17; Mal. 4:5.
73 Namely, of the Messiah Jesus Christ. See Mat. 3:3.
77Toap give knowledge of salvation unto his people 74by the remission of their sins,
ap Luke 3:3.
74 Or, to, in.
78Through the 75tender mercy of our God; whereby the 76dayspringaq from on high hath visited us,
75 Gr. bowels of mercy, a similitude taken from men, whose bowels are moved and yearned when the heart is strongly affected with mercy. Gen. 43:30; 1 Kings 3:26.
76 Hereby is signified the Messiah, because He is called a Star coming up out of Jacob, Num. 24:17, and the Sun of righteousness, Mal. 4:2. Otherwise the Greek word signifies also a rising shoot or sprout, as the Messiah is also called. Jer. 23:5; Zech. 3:8 and 6:12, but the following verse shows that here it is more suitably taken in the first signification.
aq Mal. 4:2.
79Toar77give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
ar Isa. 9:2; 42:7; 43:8; 49:9; 60:1.
77 Or, to enlighten.
80Andas the child grew, and waxed strong 78in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of 79his shewing unto Israel.
as Luke 2:40.
78 Or, by the Spirit, that is, by the operation of the Holy Ghost.
79 That is, that he came forth to administer and execute his office amongst the Israelites. See the annotations at Mat. 3 on verse 1.