5 In the days of Herod , king of Judea , there was a priest named [1]Zacharias , of the division of [2]Abijah ; and he had a wife [3]from the daughters of Aaron , and her name was Elizabeth . 6 They were both righteous in the sight of God , walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord . 7 But they had no child , because Elizabeth was barren , and they were both advanced in [4]years . 8 Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division , 9 according to the custom of the priestly office , he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense . 10 And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. 11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense . 12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear [5]gripped him. 13 But the angel said to him, " Do not be afraid , Zacharias , for your petition has been heard , and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son , and you will [6]give him the name John . 14 "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 he will drink no e wine or liquor , and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit [7]while yet in his mother's womb . 16 "And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God . 17 "It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah , TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN , and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous , so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord ." 18 Zacharias said to the angel , "How e will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in [8]years ." 19 The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel , who [9] stands in the presence of God , and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news . 20 "And behold , you shall be silent and unable e to speak until the day when these things take place , because e you did not believe my words , which will be fulfilled in their proper time ." 21 The people were waiting for Zacharias , and were wondering at his delay in the temple . 22 But when he came out, he was unable e to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple ; and he kept [10]making signs to them, and remained mute . 23 When the days of his priestly service were ended , he went back home . 24 After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant , and she [11]kept herself in seclusion for five months , saying , 25 "This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men ."
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth , 27 to a virgin [12]engaged to a man whose name was Joseph , of the [13]descendants of David ; and the virgin's name was [14]Mary . 28 And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings , [15]favored one! The Lord [16]is with you." 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement , and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 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 bear a son , and you shall name Him Jesus . 32 "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High ; 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 His kingdom will have no end ." 34 Mary said to the angel , "How [17]can this be, since I [18]am a virgin e e ?" 35 The angel answered and said to her, " The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the [19]holy Child shall be called the Son of God . 36 "And behold , even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age ; and [20]she who was called barren is now in her sixth month . 37 "For [21] nothing e e will be impossible with God ." 38 And Mary said , "Behold , the [22]bondslave of the Lord ; may it be done to me according to your word ." And the angel departed from her.
39 Now [23]at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country , to a city of Judah , 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth . 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting , the baby leaped in her womb ; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit . 42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said , "Blessed are you among women , and blessed is the fruit of your womb ! 43 "And [24]how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44 "For behold , when the sound of your greeting reached my ears , the baby leaped in my womb for joy . 45 "And blessed is she who [25]believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her [26]by the Lord ." 46 And Mary said : " My soul [27] exalts the Lord , 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior . 48 "For He has had regard for the humble state of His [28]bondslave ; For behold , from this time on all generations will count me blessed . 49 "For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name . 50 " AND HIS MERCY IS [29]UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. 51 " He has done [30]mighty deeds with His arm ; He has scattered those who were proud in the [31]thoughts of their heart . 52 "He has brought down rulers from their thrones , And has exalted those who were humble . 53 " HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS ; And sent away the rich empty-handed . 54 "He has given help to Israel His servant , [32]In remembrance of His mercy , 55 As He spoke to our fathers , To Abraham and his [33]descendants forever ." 56 And Mary stayed with her about three months , and then returned to her home .
57 Now the time [34]had come for Elizabeth to give birth , and she gave birth to a son . 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had [35] displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her. 59 And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child , and they were going to call him Zacharias , [36]after his father . 60 But his mother answered and said , "No indeed ; but he shall be called John ." 61 And they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name ." 62 And they made signs to his father , as to what e he wanted him called . 63 And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows , " His name is John ." And they were all astonished . 64 And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God . 65 Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea . 66 All who heard them kept them in mind , saying , "What then will this child turn out to be?" For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.
67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit , and prophesied , saying : 68 " Blessed be the Lord God of Israel , For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people , 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant - 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old - 71 [37] Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES , And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; 72 To show mercy toward our fathers , And to remember His holy covenant , 73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father , 74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies , Might serve Him without fear , 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days . 76 "And you, child , will be called the prophet of the Most High ; For you will go on BEFORE THE Lord TO PREPARE HIS WAYS ; 77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation [38]By the forgiveness of their sins , 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God , With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, 79 TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH , To guide our feet into the way of peace ." 80 And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit , and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 1:5-80
Commentary on Luke 1:5-25
(Read Luke 1:5-25)
The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners as all are, and were justified and saved in the same way as others; but they were eminent for piety and integrity. They had no children, and it could not be expected that Elisabeth should have any in her old age. While Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, the whole multitude of the people were praying without. All the prayers we offer up to God, are acceptable and successful only by Christ's intercession in the temple of God above. We cannot expect an interest therein if we do not pray, and pray with our spirits, and are not earnest in prayer. Nor can we expect that the best of our prayers should gain acceptance, and bring an answer of peace, but through the mediation of Christ, who ever lives, making intercession. The prayers Zacharias often made, received an answer of peace. Prayers of faith are filed in heaven, and are not forgotten. Prayers made when we were young and entering into the world, may be answered when we are old and going out of the world. Mercies are doubly sweet that are given in answer to prayer. Zacharias shall have a son in his old age, who shall be instrumental in the conversion of many souls to God, and preparing them to receive the gospel of Christ. He shall go before Him with courage, zeal, holiness, and a mind dead to earthly interests and pleasures. The disobedient and rebellious would be brought back to the wisdom of their righteous forefathers, or rather, brought to attend to the wisdom of that Just One who was coming among them. Zacharias heard all that the angel said; but his unbelief spake. In striking him dumb, God dealt justly with him, because he had objected against God's word. We may admire the patience of God towards us. God dealt kindly with him, for thus he prevented his speaking any more distrustful, unbelieving words. Thus also God confirmed his faith. If by the rebukes we are under for our sin, we are brought to give the more credit to the word of God, we have no reason to complain. Even real believers are apt to dishonour God by unbelief; and their mouths are stopped in silence and confusion, when otherwise they would have been praising God with joy and gratitude. In God's gracious dealings with us we ought to observe his gracious regards to us. He has looked on us with compassion and favour, and therefore has thus dealt with us.
Commentary on Luke 1:26-38
(Read Luke 1:26-38)
We have here an account of the mother of our Lord; though we are not to pray to her, yet we ought to praise God for her. Christ must be born miraculously. The angel's address means only, Hail, thou that art the especially chosen and favoured of the Most High, to attain the honour Jewish mothers have so long desired. This wondrous salutation and appearance troubled Mary. The angel then assured her that she had found favour with God, and would become the mother of a son whose name she should call Jesus, the Son of the Highest, one in a nature and perfection with the Lord God. JESUS! the name that refreshes the fainting spirits of humbled sinners; sweet to speak and sweet to hear, Jesus, a Saviour! We know not his riches and our own poverty, therefore we run not to him; we perceive not that we are lost and perishing, therefore a Saviour is a word of little relish. Were we convinced of the huge mass of guilt that lies upon us, and the wrath that hangs over us for it, ready to fall upon us, it would be our continual thought, Is the Saviour mine? And that we might find him so, we should trample on all that hinders our way to him. Mary's reply to the angel was the language of faith and humble admiration, and she asked no sign for the confirming her faith. Without controversy, great was the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh, 1 Timothy 3:16. Christ's human nature must be produced so, as it was fit that should be which was to be taken into union with the Divine nature. And we must, as Mary here, guide our desires by the word of God. In all conflicts, let us remember that with God nothing is impossible; and as we read and hear his promises, let us turn them into prayers, Behold the willing servant of the Lord; let it be unto me according to thy word.
Commentary on Luke 1:39-56
(Read Luke 1:39-56)
It is very good for those who have the work of grace begun in their souls, to communicate one to another. On Mary's arrival, Elisabeth was conscious of the approach of her who was to be the mother of the great Redeemer. At the same time she was filled with the Holy Ghost, and under his influence declared that Mary and her expected child were most blessed and happy, as peculiarly honoured of and dear to the Most High God. Mary, animated by Elisabeth's address, and being also under the influence of the Holy Ghost, broke out into joy, admiration, and gratitude. She knew herself to be a sinner who needed a Saviour, and that she could no otherwise rejoice in God than as interested in his salvation through the promised Messiah. Those who see their need of Christ, and are desirous of righteousness and life in him, he fills with good things, with the best things; and they are abundantly satisfied with the blessings he gives. He will satisfy the desires of the poor in spirit who long for spiritual blessings, while the self-sufficient shall be sent empty away.
Commentary on Luke 1:57-66
(Read Luke 1:57-66)
In these verses we have an account of the birth of John the Baptist, and the great joy among all the relations of the family. He shall be called Johanan, or "Gracious," because he shall bring in the gospel of Christ, wherein God's grace shines most bright. Zacharias recovered his speech. Unbelief closed his mouth, and believing opened it again: he believers, therefore he speaks. When God opens our lips, our mouths must show forth his praise; and better be without speech, than not use it in praising God. It is said, The hand of the Lord was working with John. God has ways of working on children in their infancy, which we cannot account for. We should observe the dealings of God, and wait the event.
Commentary on Luke 1:67-80
(Read Luke 1:67-80)
Zacharias uttered a prophecy concerning the kingdom and salvation of the Messiah. The gospel brings light with it; in it the day dawns. In John the Baptist it began to break, and increased apace to the perfect day. The gospel is discovering; it shows that about which we were utterly in the dark; it is to give light to those that sit in darkness, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. It is reviving; it brings light to those that sit in the shadow of death, as condemned prisoners in the dungeon. It is directing; it is to guide our feet in the way of peace, into that way which will bring us to peace at last, Romans 3:17. John gave proofs of strong faith, vigorous and holy affections, and of being above the fear and love of the world. Thus he ripened for usefulness; but he lived a retired life, till he came forward openly as the forerunner of the Messiah. Let us follow peace with all men, as well as seek peace with God and our own consciences. And if it be the will of God that we live unknown to the world, still let us diligently seek to grow strong in the grace of Jesus Christ.