Luke Chapter 1, Part 2

Matthew Davis

Luke Bible Study 2021 • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

Luke 1:39–80

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Verses 39-45 – Mary Visits Elisabeth

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. 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: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.[1]

Verse 39

In those days – This phrase is used for nothing more than connecting this line of thought with the previous thought, when Gabriel told Mary about Elisabeth’s pregnancy.

With Haste – The usage of “with haste” has a different underlying tone than earlier in the chapters with the shepherds. Luke’s idea is of Mary preparing to visit Elisabeth with excitement to see what the angel has made known concerning her pregnancy.

Hill country… A City of Judea – The Bible does not make it clear which city of Judea this is. Some commentators have made suggestions based on Old Testament Texts, but Luke either doesn’t seem to know himself, or it isn’t vital information to know, so it was left out. In any case, this could represent that Zacharias and Elisabeth were “country folk”.

Verse 40

Saluted Elisabeth – There is nothing said of what this greeting entailed. The only theological reason for included the aspect that Mary greeted Elisabeth is to lay the foundation for the reaction of the greeting in the following verse.

Verse 41

When Elisabeth heard – The reason for the last verse was to provide the foundation for this verse. When Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, something happened.

The babe leaped in her womb – The skeptic would dismiss this verse as having no theological factor. It is not uncommon for a unborn babe to move. There was something special about this instance. It was a stirring of the Holy Spirit that caused unborn John to leap in Mary’s womb.

Elisabeth was fill with the Holy Ghost – This fulfilled the promise from the Gabriel to Zaharias that John would be filled with the Spirit, even from the womb (verse 15)

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. 16[2]

Verse 42

With a loud voice – In the Old Testament, this type of phrasing indicated that the words to follow were divinely led. The words of which Mary will speak the rest of this verse come from the Holy Spirit.

Blessed are thou among women – In the Old Testament, a women was often determined how blessed she was among women by the importance of the child in her womb. Surely, having God in your womb is unbeatable.

Blessed is the fruit of thy womb – This tells us that Mary has already conceived. Blessed is the fruit that is already there. The focus of Mary’s blessing in this verse is entirely on the Lord. Mary is blessed among women because of who she carries in her.

Verse 43

Whence is this… Should come to me – Some commentators have expressed a sense of envy or jealously in Elisabeth’s underlying tone. Some of expressed this as a joyous statement “I can’t believe you’re here!” In any case, Luke’s theological picture is not on underlying tone in this question, but on Whom is in Mary’s womb.

Mother of my Lord – Elisabeth, being filled with the Holy Ghost, has recognized that Mary is the mother of the God and Savior of the world. Apparently, though filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb, and though this knowledge has been revealed to Elisabeth, John had to find this out on his own. John did not recognize Christ as Lord until His baptism.

Verse 44

The Spirit caused the unborn John to leap with joy at the presence of Christ around him.

Verse 45

Blessed is she that believed – The first blessing was due to the baby that Mary carried. Now, she is blessed because she believed. This can be contrasted to the reaction of Zacharias “By what token shall I know these things are true?”

Faith and belief always carry with them a promise of blessing.

There shall be a performance – Elisabeth foretells that the things revealed unto Mary by Gabriel shall come to pass.

Verses 46-56 – Mary’s Joyful Song

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: For, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him From generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, And exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away.4 He hath holpen his servant Israel, In remembrance of his mercy;55 As he spake to our fathers, To Abraham, and to his seed for ever. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.[3]

Verse 46

Mary Said – Some Bible translations and commentaries have changed this to “And Elisabeth said” and that is not accurate. The entire tone of the text has changed with the transition of speaker here. Mary begins, for the next several verses, to praise God. This song can be compared in many ways to Hannah’s Song.

My soul – We should not read too deeply into “my soul” or “my spirit” in the next verse – Both are used synonymously with I. Mary is magnifying the Lord.

Verse 47

In God my Savior – Many religion’s, notable the Catholic faith, believe Mary to have been perfect and without sin. However, Mary has recognized that she is a sinner, who needs a Savior.

Verse 48

For He hath regarded my the low estate – The background for the text is an echo from Hannah’s song ins 1 Samuel. In the coming of the Lord to earth, the low and humble, the downtrodden and poor will receive salvation.

Low estate may also be translated humble state. This may refer to the low estate Mary was viewed in context of the social world around her.

Handmaiden – Or, servant. Mary obediently and faithfully submits herself into the will of God.

Shall call me blessed – This has nothing to do with Mary or her piety, but she shall be called blessed for all generations to come for the child in which she carried forth into the world.

Verse 49

For He that is mighty – Other translations have translated this as “The mighty one” and this is a reference to an Old Testament name of God. It speaks not only of His strength, but of His power. This may draw from remembrance of the God who split the red sea, rained manna from Heaven, and delivered Israel through the judges. God has frequently been applied with the name “Mighty One”.

Hath done great things – This is referring to the virgin conception.

Holy is His name – God is not only mighty, but He is holy. He is a God or righteousness, and He is sin free. This speaks not only of His character pre-conception, but He would live out a Holy and sinless life prior to taking the cross.

Verse 50

His mercy is on those that fear him – Those that fear God and obey Him obtain forgiveness and salvation, the gift of eternal life.

Fear as used in this context is the Greek word Phobeo, having both the definition of “frightened, to be alarmed” and “To be in awe, revere, reverence”

When used contextually, our verse tells us those who respect God will be extended mercy. There are two more times the word fear will be used in this chapter, in verses 65 and 74. In each case, they will all use a different word.

Verse 51

Scattered the proud…Imagination of their hearts – Those who did not fear God, who had no reverence, who were powerful, rich, thought they had it all. The imagination of their hearts refers to what drives them. The core of who they are, where their very being and thoughts begin.

In verse 52, these people are connected with the mighty ones.

Verse 52

Exalted them of low degree – Contrasted with the proud and mighty, those of a low degree He exalted. Luke does not have a social standing in mind here, but a standing of the condition in the heart. Surely, there have been poor, in belonging, and yet proud in heart. And the opposite may be true of a rich man, who was poor and humble in spirit. While these opposites do exist, we find it typically that it is the rich, the rulers, the well off who are proud, while it is those who are poor socially that also have a poor and contrite spirit.

Verse 53

The hungry he filled – Those who truly desire Christ will be filled. He says “I am the bread of life” and “I am the living water”. This is also a foreshadow of other teachings, such as found in Luke 6:21, and 11:10.

The proud he sent away empty – The proud and arrogant would be turned away. Christ warns of that day when many will say “Lord, Lord” and He will say “depart from Me, you workers of iniquity, I never new you.”

Verse 55

Abraham – This shows that Christ is not a threat to what God began with Abraham, but a continuance of the mercy God started with Abraham.

Verse 56

Three Months – Luke does not state why they stayed together this long, or why Mary left. It is unclear as to why Luke included this where he has. It is further indicated by the inclusion of this before the birth of John that Mary left immediately prior to Johns birth and was not present. This is further indicated by the absent of mentions regarding Mary in the birth account.

Went home – It is unclear if this was to her parents home or to Josephs home. I would suggest, based on Matthew 1, which says Joseph took her, but knew her not, and for the context of not arousing suspicion regarding her pregnancy, that she returned to Josephs home in Nazareth.

Verses 57-66 – John Is Born

Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 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. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. 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. 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.[4]

Verse 57

Just as Gabriel had promised, Elisabeth hath born a son.

Verse 58

Her neighbors and cousins heard – Although Luke expressly states earlier that she hid for the first five months of her pregnancy, is seems almost as if her neighbors and relatives had not known much of her pregnancy. Another reading of this could be interpreted that they heard she delivered. This latter interpretation is unlikely based on the rest of the verse.

The Lord shewed great mercy upon her – Many readers will try and liken this to the meaning of Johns name, which is Yahweh has given grace, but there is no connection. Luke knew his Greek audience would likely not know of the play on words from the Hebrew meaning. However, this verse is pointing at the childbirth in Elisabeth’s old age and is an echo from verse 25.

Rejoiced with her - A fulfilment from verse 14 – The people were happy and there was a genuine excitement at John’s birth.

Verse 59

The eight day – Jewish law and the covenant demanded that a male child be circumcised on the eight day. Zacharias and Elisabeth kept with the covenant. Luke includes this to show and teach of John’s Jewish heritage, where circumcision is the mark of the covenant. As Robert Stein put it, it is unthinkable for a saved gentile to be anti-Jew, seeing as the hero’s and Lord of the Bible were Jewish.

They called him – The people who were gathered around called the child Zacharias. Notice the text, they didn’t desire to call him, nor suggest. They were calling him.

There is no connection with the naming of a child at circumcision in the Old Testament. Usually, children were named at birth. There is a parallelism here, whereas Christ also received His name at the circumcision as well.

The naming of the child Zacharias would have made no sense. It was very uncommon to name a child after a father in those days. Rather than surnames, people were known as “Son of Father”. John would have been known as “John, son of Zacharias”. To name him “Zacharias, son of Zacharias” would make little sense.

Verse 60

Elisabeth answers and says “No! His name is John”. Luke does not tell us how Elisabeth knew what the child’s name should be. Some have suggested Elisabeth too, received the angelic visit. It is likely, however, that Zacharias has written his account down for Elisabeth to know.

Verse 62

They made signs – The crowd did not approve of Elisabeth’s choice, for there were none in the family by that name. Frustrated, they did not have the right to name the child, they made signs to Zacharias. Many have suggested that Zacharias was deaf, but the text does not explicitly state that case. If he were deaf, it would go a great way to explain their reaction in the next verse. If he were not deaf, he must have become increasingly frustrated at their treatment of him.

Verse 63

Writing tablet – This would have been a wooden slate that was covered in wax. I personally find it amazing, the things we take for granted such as white boards, they have come up with alternatives for reusable surfaces.

His Name is John – Zacharias states plainly that the child’s name will be John. Until now, he has been unable to speak, but this act of obedience to the angels command will loose his mouth and tongue.

They marveled – If Zacharias were deaf, this could be one explanation for their marvel. If he were deaf, he would have been unable to hear the commotion going on between the crowd and his wife. If he were not deaf, they could simply be amazed that they would select a name from outside the family.

Verse 64

Praised God – Finally, Zacharias may speak. His first words are to praise God. This should be the proper and first response of any Christian, even coming out of chastisement.

Verse 65

Fear – Many have commented on fear used in this verse as a “Awe” or “Reverence” but the Greek word used in this verse does not contain that definition. Unlike our last verse, which used the word Phobeo, the Greek word in this verse is Phobos, which, while closely related to Phobeo, strictly means “to be put in fear, alarm or fright, exceedingly afraid, terror”. Luke tells us that those around become, literally, afraid at the loosening of Zacharias’ tongue.

Went abroad throughout the hill country of Judaea – Word of all that has happened began to spread about the area. Likely of both the naming and the sudden ability Zacharias has to speak again.

Verse 66

What manner of child should this be? – Not what manner is this, but what shall he be. Luke is foreshadowing and pointing to the greater nature and importance that John will play in preparing the way for Christ.

The hand of the Lord was with him – Many commentators have added this part in the quote from those asking what manner of child this should be. That is not correct. The tense has changed, and this is a statement from Luke, more like a editorial statement, that a statement from those who were around.

This statement shows that the powerful presence of God was around John.

Verses 67-79 – Zacharias Praises

And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; For he hath visited and redeemed his people, hath raised up an horn of salvation for us In the house of his servant David;70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, Which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, And from the hand of all that hate us;To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, And to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies Might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, All the days of our life. 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; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; Whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.[5]

Verse 67

Filled with the Holy Spirit – As Elisabeth, Zacharias is filled with the Spirit. This is the first time, beginning here in chapter 1, that we have seen the Spirit active in 400 years.

Verse 68

Blessed Be the Lord God of Israel – At first thought, you would expect this song to be about his newborn son, but the primary focus is on praising God.

For He hath visited and redeemed his people – We have seen throughout the chapter, beginning in verse five, that the Lord has already been visiting His people, and even presently, is awaiting His birth. The first part of the sentence has been fulfilled, the second part is a prophecy regarding the purpose for the birth of Christ. Today we stand in fulfillment of the redemption that Christ offers, as His work on the cross as been completed.

Zacharias also shadows that God has fulfilled prophecy and shown favor to Israel by once again raising up the line of David.

Verse 69

Horn of salvation – A horn is symbolic of power, as the horn of the bull. The prophecy is about the mighty salvation that Christ will bring about.

Verse 70

Luke writes that the coming of Christ wasn’t about establishing a entirely new religion, but that it fulfilled the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament.

Verse 71

That we should be saved from our enemies… Them that hate us – This has it’s roots in the Old Testament, but Luke and Zacharias properly understand this to be saved from a common enemy between us all – Christ comes to bring us salvation from sin.

Verse 72

See notes for verse 70

Verse 73

See Gen 22:18-18

And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. [6]

Verse 74

Being delivered from the hand of our enemies – Zacharias see’s this Old Testament reference, again, metaphorically as delivering us from the enemy of sin. This is the same salvation we read of throughout the rest of Luke and Acts.

Without Fear – This is the last and third occurrence of the word fear in tonight’s study. As with the other two occurrences, this one uses an entirely unique word, which is not closely related to the other two at all. The occurrence here is the Greek word Aphobos, and means “fearlessly”.

We shall serve our God without fear.

Verse 75

Verse seventy-five ends the portion of praising and thanking God and transitions to prophecy about Christ and John.

Verse 76

Shall be called – The prophecy is less about what he will be called and more about what he will be. He will be a prophet of the highest.

Thou shalt go and prepare the way – Johns purpose for being called a prophet of the highest is to prepare and make the way for the Lord. Johns purpose is to call hearts to repentance and make the people Israel ready for the receiving of the Messiah.

A Messenger to prepare the way has been prophecied in Isaiah 40:3

“ The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord,

Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.[7]”

And in Malachi 3:1

“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me:

And the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple,

Even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in:

Behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.[8]”

Verse 77

To give knowledge of salvation – This is how John will prepare and make the way for the Lord. He will give people the knowledge of their coming salvation. This verse also gives us the context of the verses prior, the deliverance from our enemy is deliverance from sin.

Remission of their sins – The redemption of which God will visit His people is not political redemption, but spiritual. This is the overall message of John the Baptist and of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – The remission of our sins.

Verse 78

Tender Mercy – This is the reason our salvation is possible – Our God, while a God of righteousness, is also a God of mercy.

Rising Sun – The exact meaning of rising sun, or “whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us” is not clearly known. It seems to be that Luke is referring to the coming of the Messiah, the Son of God, and it is best to leave it at that.

Verse 79

To guide our feet – John prepared the way for the Messiah, guiding people to look to Him. Our Messiah is the way of peace. We should see the stark difference in light and darkness, and the Lord is described as the light of men. The Lord has shown His light upon us, and guides us into everlasting life.

Verse 80 – John Grows Strong

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.[9]

Why in the desert? Many commentators have suggested John went forth from the desert because God has raised up many of His prophets of old in the desert.

[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 1:39–45). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 1:15–16). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[3] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 1:46–56). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[4] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 1:57–66). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[5] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 1:67–79). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[6] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ge 22:16–18). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[7] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Is 40:3). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[8] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Mal 3:1). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[9] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 1:80). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

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