39 And Mary having arisen in those days, went to the hill-country, with haste, to a city of Judea, 40 and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe did leap in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and 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 might come unto me? 44 for, lo, when the voice of thy salutation came to my ears, leap in gladness did the babe in my womb; 45 and happy 'is' she who did believe, for there shall be a completion to the things spoken to her from the Lord.' 46 And Mary said, 'My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit was glad on God my Saviour, 48 Because He looked on the lowliness of His maid-servant, For, lo, henceforth call me happy shall all the generations, 49 For He who is mighty did to me great things, And holy 'is' His name, 50 And His kindness 'is' to generations of generations, To those fearing Him, 51 He did powerfully with His arm, He scattered abroad the proud in the thought of their heart, 52 He brought down the mighty from thrones, And He exalted the lowly, 53 The hungry He did fill with good, And the rich He sent away empty, 54 He received again Israel His servant, To remember kindness, 55 As He spake unto our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed—to the age.' 56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and turned back to her house.
57 And to Elisabeth was the time fulfilled for her bringing forth, and she bare a son, 58 and the neighbours and her kindred heard that the Lord was making His kindness great with her, and they were rejoicing with her. 59 And it came to pass, on the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child, and they were calling him by the name of his father, Zacharias, 60 and his mother answering said, 'No, but he shall be called John.' 61 And they said unto her—'There is none among thy kindred who is called by this name,' 62 and they were making signs to his father, what he would wish him to be called, 63 and having asked for a tablet, he wrote, saying, 'John is his name;' and they did all wonder; 64 and his mouth was opened presently, and his tongue, and he was speaking, praising God. 65 And fear came upon all those dwelling around them, and in all the hill-country of Judea were all these sayings spoken of, 66 and all who heard did lay them up in their hearts, saying, 'What then shall this child be?' and the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 And Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and did prophesy, saying, 68 'Blessed 'is' the Lord, the God of Israel, Because He did look upon, And wrought redemption for His people, 69 And did raise an horn of salvation to us, In the house of David His servant, 70 As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, Which have been from the age; 71 Salvation from our enemies, And out of the hand of all hating us, 72 To do kindness with our fathers, And to be mindful of His holy covenant, 73 An oath that He sware to Abraham our father, 74 To give to us, without fear, Out of the hand of our enemies having been delivered, 75 To serve Him, in holiness and righteousness Before Him, all the days of our life. 76 And thou, child, Prophet of the Highest Shalt thou be called; For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, To prepare His ways. 77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people In remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercies of our God, In which the rising from on high did look upon us, 79 To give light to those sitting in darkness and death-shade, To guide our feet to a way of peace.' 80 And the child grew, and was strengthened in spirit, and he was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 1:39-80
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.