Luke 1

Luke 1:1-4

L 1-4. ] [the apostles were ministers, and not ecclesiastical dignitaries] [and being therefore thoroughly fitted to write the gospel] [not in chronological, but in topical order] [Luke also dedicated the Book of Acts to this man. Nothing is known of Theophilus, but he is supposed to have been a Greek of high official rank] [might have a [1] fixed written record, and not trust to a floating, variable tradition or a treacherous memory] [the gospel facts]

[FFG 1-2]

Luke 1:5-25

(At Jerusalem. Probably B. C. 6.) L 5-25.       [a Jewish proselyte, an Idumæan or Edomite by birth, founder of the Herodian family, king of Judæa from B. C. 40 to A. D. 4, made such by the Roman Senate on the recommendation of Mark Antony and Octavius Cæsar] [David divided the priests into twenty-four bodies or courses, each course serving in rotation one week in the temple . Of these courses that of Abijah was the eighth] [The Baptist was of the priestly race by both parents, a family distinction much esteemed among the Jews. He who was thus doubly a priest proclaimed Him who changed the priesthood] [She was named after her ancestress Elisheba, the wife of Aaron.] [that is, truly righteous, or righteous in God’s judgment, and not in mere appearance– ] [Strictly construed, commandments would refer to moral, and ordinances to ceremonial laws. The two words include all the positive and negative precepts] [this fact was a reproach and shame to her, barrenness being considered even a punishment for sin by many] [the births of Isaac, Samson, Samuel and the Baptist were all contrary to nature, and were faint foreshadowings of the greater miracle which took place in the birth of our Lord] [9] [that is, when it came the turn of his course to minister in the temple] [there were many duties in the temple service, and the priests in each course daily drew lots for these duties] [not that group of buildings, courts, and enclosures which was all called the temple; but the real sanctuary itself, the small but holy building which took the place of the tabernacle of the wilderness] [Made of a mixture of sweet spices.

The temple incense was made of stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, in equal parts, beaten very small– , , .] [the presence of the multitude indicates that it was a sabbath or a feast day] [Incense is a symbol of prayer . Each of the multitude prayed in silence] [outside the sanctuary, in the temple courts, particularly the court of the women] [Incense was offered evening and morning .

Probably at 9 and at 3 Compare . The text favors the idea that Zacharias’ vision came in the morning.] [one of God’s invisible messengers who came visibly– , ] [Luke frequently tells of the ministration of angels . They are also often mentioned in the Book of Acts. There had been no appearance of an angel for about four hundred years] [the place of honor and dignity– ] [The altar on which Zacharias was burning incense. It stood in the Holy Place in front of the veil which hung between the holy and the most holy places. It was a small table twenty-two inches in breadth and length and forty-four inches in height.

It was made of acacia wood, and overlaid with gold– .] [as men always are at the sight of heavenly beings [10] – , , , , ] [These are the first words of the gospel which began at that hour to unfold itself] [This name means “the Lord is gracious,” or “the Lord is merciful.”] [thou shalt feel as Abraham did when he named his new-born son Isaac; that is, “Laughter”] [but not all] [compare ] [Strong drink is any other fermented liquor. Wycliffe’s version calls it “syder,” and the Anglo-Saxon version calls it “beor,” of which palm wine was the most common kind.

As to the temperance of the Baptist, compare the history of Samson and the law of the Nazarite– ] [the stimulation of the Spirit is elsewhere thus contrasted with alcoholic stimulants– , ] [See .] [These words were quoted from , and resumed the thread of prophecy which had been broken nearly four centuries before. Roman rule had brought in the vices and profligacy of Italy and Greece, and the nation needed to turn back to its former godly life.] [the face of Messiah, who is also the Lord God– ] [And thus in fulfillment of the prophecy that Elijah should come again . The Jews still expect Elijah as the forerunner of Messiah. John showed the spirit of Elijah in his ascetic dress and life and in his message of repentance– ] [“These are the last words of the Old [11] Testament, there used by a prophet; here expounded by an angel; there concluding the law; here beginning the gospel.” The phrase may mean: 1. John will restore unity to the families of Israel, now divided into political factions, as Herodians or friends of Rome, and zealots or patriots; and into religious factions, as Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, etc.; or more likely it may mean, 2. That John would restore the broken relationship between the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their degenerate descendants– , , , ] [As in the East the “friend,” or go-between, prepares the bride to understand and appreciate her bridegroom– , .] [In asking for a sign Zacharias showed his unbelief .

His question in the original is in four words. Four faithless words cost him forty weeks of silence.] [So said Abraham .

The law which retired Levites from service at the age of fifty years did not apply to priests. They served to extreme old age] [This name means “hero, or mighty one, of God.” Gabriel announced to Daniel the time of Christ’s birth and death, and the overthrow and final restoration of the Jewish nation ( .). He also announced the birth of Jesus to Mary . The Bible gives the name of but one other angel; viz.: Michael, meaning “Who is like God?” Since Gabriel was the messenger who announced God’s merciful and gracious purposes, and Michael the one who executed his decrees and punishments, the Jews had a beautiful saying that “Gabriel flew with two wings, and Michael with only one.” The very ancient book of Enoch gives us the name of two other archangels; viz.: Uriel, meaning “God is light”; and Raphael, meaning “healer of God”] [Seven angels are [12] spoken of as standing in the presence of God and may probably be called angels of the presence . But to see the face of God is no doubt accorded to all angels . One who stands in the presence of God should be believed by men without approving signs] [Our word “gospel” means good tidings.] [it was a sign; and also a punishment for having sought a sign] [The Jews considered slow service as irreverent and displeasing to God.

The punishment attached to displeasing service made them fearful– ] [Could not dismiss them with the usual blessing . Disbelief is always powerless to bless] [probably by his excited manner] [the most vivid and objective of all spiritual phenomena– , , , ] [They are said to have lasted from the evening of one Sabbath (Friday at sundown) to the morning of the next.

Though doubtless chagrined at the punishment which had come upon him, the old priest remained at his post, and dwelt in the temple until his week was finished] [Some guess that he lived at Hebron, others at Jutta, five miles south of Hebron, others at Ain Karim, four miles west of Jerusalem, but no one knows.] [probably through mingled feelings of modesty, humility, devotion, and joy] [at the end of which time her seclusion was interrupted by the visit [13] of Mary] [graciously and mercifully] [the reproach of being childless– ] [FFG 9-14]

Luke 1:26-38

(At Nazareth, B. C. 5.) L 26-38.       [this is the passage from which we learn that John was six months older than Jesus] [Luke alone tells us where Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. That Nazareth was an unimportant town is shown by the fact that it is mentioned nowhere in the Old Testament, nor in the Talmud, nor in Josephus, who mentions two hundred four towns and cities of Galilee. The way in which Luke introduces Galilee and Nazareth shows that he wrote to those unfamiliar with Palestine. Compare the conversation at , . Galilee comprised the lands of Zebulun, Naphtali, Issachar and Asher. It was rich in trees and pastures.

Its people were hardy and warlike] [In the East, the betrothal or engagement was entered into with much ceremony, and usually took place a year before the marriage. It was so sacred that the parties entering into it could not be separated save by a bill of divorcement– ] [that is, Joseph was of the house of David] [The same as Miriam– .] [Whether it meant a present sorrow or joy, for God’s salutations all [14] mean joy, but usually is in the distant future– , , .] [the gospel is full of “Fear nots”; it teaches us that perfect love which casts out fear– ] [The same as Hoshea , Joshua, and Jeshua .

It means the “salvation of Jehovah.” It was one of the most common Jewish names, but was given to Jesus by divine direction because of its fitness– .] [A common Hebrew way of saying “He shall be.” Even the evil spirits called Jesus by this name– ] [he shall not receive his kingdom as a bribe from Satan , nor win it by force of arms , but as the gift of God– , , ] [see ] [this must refer to Mary’s descent from David, for she is expressly told in that her son would have no earthly father] [That is, over the family or descendants of Jacob; but the expression includes his spiritual, rather than his carnal, descendants . This name therefore includes the Gentiles as the name of a river includes the rivers which flow into it] [ , , , , , , , ] [ . Christ shall resign his mediatorial kingdom to the Father at the close of this dispensation ; but as being one with his Father he shall rule forever.] [Her question indicates surprise, not disbelief. Unlike Zacharias, she asked no sign. The youthful village maiden, amid her humble daily duties, shows a more ready faith in the far more startling message than the aged priest in the holy place of the temple in the atmosphere [15] of the sacred incense] [the Spirit of God is thus spoken of as “brooding over” or overshadowing creation to develop it– ] [This indicates that the Holy Spirit himself created the body of Christ . The spirit, or divine nature, of Christ was from the beginning, and was unbegotten–that is, in the sense of being created] [the body of Jesus– , ] [ ] [As the Evangelist is here talking about the bodily and human nature of Jesus, it is possible that he may here speak of Jesus as the Son of God in the same sense in which he called Adam the son of God ; that is, his body and human nature were the direct and miraculous production of the divine power.

If so, we find Jesus called the Son of God in three several senses: 1. Here, because he was born into the world in a supernatural manner. 2.

Elsewhere, because by his resurrection he was begotten from the dead . 3. Also elsewhere, because of the eternal, immutable, and unparalleled relationship which he sustains to the Father– , , .] [The angel tells of Elisabeth’s condition, that it may encourage the faith of Mary, and lead her to trust in Him with whom nothing is impossible– , , , .] [ .] [Literally, “slave” or “bondservant.” It is the feminine form of the word which Paul so often applies to himself . Mary uses it to indicate her submissive and obedient spirit] [In great faith she not only believes the promise, but prays for its fulfillment. She bowed to the will of God like [16] Eli , and became the mother of Him who prayed, “Not my will, but thine, be done”– .] [FFG 14-17]

Luke 1:39-56

(In the Hill Country of Judæa, B. C. 5.) L 39-56.       [within a week or two after the angel appeared to her] [the district of Judah lying south of Jerusalem, of which the city of Hebron was the center] [she fled to those whom God had inspired, so that they could understand her condition and know her innocence–to those who were as Joseph needed to be inspired, that he might understand– ] [where Zacharias dwelt–see ] [sufficiently to have a supernatural knowledge of things and to utter prophecy] [Indicating intense, ecstatic joy. What joy must have filled the hearts of these two women as they realized that one was to be the mother of the long-expected Messiah, and the other of his Elijah-like forerunner!] [see ] [why am I thus honored?– , ] [This word imported sometimes divinity, and sometimes mere superiority. The Jews employed this term in connection with the Messiah; but in which sense can not [17] now be determined. Inspired writers employ it in the higher sense when applying it to Jesus , and in that sense it is no doubt used here] [Elisabeth may have here remembered how her own husband failed to believe] [She speaks in poetic strain. Her song closely resembles that of Hannah– ] [Mary’s song is called “The Magnificat” from this word] [this refers to the contrast between her present condition and that of the former glories of David’s house, from which she sprang] [Here ends the first section of her song. In it she speaks of herself, and her adoration toward God for his condescending blessing.

Mary was blessed in her motherhood, Abraham in his covenant and promises, Paul in his apostleship, etc., but none of these human beings are to be worshiped because of the blessings which they received. Rather should we bestow the more worship on God, from whom these their blessings flow– .] [ .] [that is, it is unceasing– ] [Here ends the second division of her song. In it Mary glorifies God for his power, holiness and mercy.] [“God’s efficacy is represented by his finger ; his great power by his hand ; and his omnipotence by his arm– “] [18] [These expressions are hyperboles for the disappointment of the proud, the princely, and the rich, in whose families the Messiah was expected. God has passed these by, and exalted a lowly one. Here ends the third section or verse of the hymn. It speaks of the changes which the Messiah should work as if he had already worked them.] [ , ] [The hymn closes with an expression of gratitude to God for his faithfulness in keeping his covenants.] [or until John was born] [a favorite word with Luke, used twenty-one times in his Gospel] [FFG 17-19]

Luke 1:57-80

(Hill Country of Judæa, B. C. 5.) L 57-80.       [mercy in granting a child; great mercy in granting so illustrious a child] [See , , . Male children were named at their circumcision, probably because at that time the names of Abram and Sarai had been changed . Females were named when they were weaned] [Zacharias had [19] evidently written, and thus communicated to his wife all that the angel had told him, and how the child was to be named John] [Family names were even more thought of, and honored, among the Jews than among us. They had no taste for romantic and eccentric names] [this seems to indicate that Zacharias was deaf as well as dumb] [tablets were sometimes made of lead, but were usually small wooden boards, either smeared with wax, or having sand sprinkled over them, on which words were written with an iron stylus or pencil] [Being surprised that both parents should thus unite upon an unexpected name.] [See . The angel’s words were now completely fulfilled, therefore the punishment for disbelief was removed] [Probably the words recorded in .] [The miraculous phenomena attending the birth of John made the people so conscious of the presence of God as to fill them with awe. The influence of this fear spread far and wide until the chills and tremors of expected changes and revolutions were felt even by the citizens of Rome, as their poets and historians testify] [We probably find an echo of this question thirty years later when John entered upon his ministry– .] [This his prophecy is the last of the old dispensation, and the first of the new, or Christian, era.

It also is poetry, and is a hymn of thanksgiving for the time of Messiah’s [20] advent] [the hymn gets its name from this word, and is called the Benedictus] [Come back, in the person of his Spirit, to his people. After some four hundred years of absence the Holy Spirit, as the spirit of prophecy, had again returned to God’s people.

Malachi, the last of the prophets, had been dead about four centuries] [the horn is a symbol of power– , , ] [this also indicates that Mary was of the house of David] [ , , , , , ] [not only Rome, the enemy of Israelitish prosperity, but also those evil agencies which wage ceaseless warfare against the souls of men– ] [contract or agreement] [see , , , ] [holiness is good conduct toward God, righteousness is good conduct toward men] [the rest of the psalm is addressed to the infant John] [see , ] [the Lord Jesus Christ] [ , ] [Israel had a false idea that the Messiah’s salvation would be from political evil. John was needed to tell them that it was from sin that God proposed to deliver them. Perdition does not consist in political wrongs, but in divine condemnation] [through Christ’s work– ] [21] [One of the many names for Jesus or his kingdom. The prophets loved to picture Messiah’s advent as a sunrise . Christ’s coming was the dawn of a new day for Israel and for mankind] [Travelers in the Judæan mountains often waited patiently for the morning light, lest they should lose their lives by a false step taken in the darkness– .] [ , , ] [The thinly settled region west of the Dead Sea. In it is called Jeshimon, or “the Horror”] [The day when he commenced his ministry and declared his commission as Messiah’s forerunner.] [FFG 19-22]