Luke 1

Here are a few thoughts on Luke 1:

v2 – Luke wrote his gospel based on research from those people who had first hand account of the cross

v3 – Luke’s research was then confirmed in revelation from above (“from the very first” anothen – from above [John 3:31, 19:11; Jas 1:17]). His gospel was not merely research, but was also inspired.

v9 – Since Zacharias’ lot was to burn incense, we can conclude that he was one of the anointed priests of the time. (Exodus 30:30, 1 Samuel 2:28)

v10 – Seeing Zacharias was in alone, with the rest of the attendees standing outside of the holy place, it may indicate that he was the high priest of the time [In post exile days, the high priest didn’t serve until death, thus his retirement from the office in v23].

v13 – John – “Jehovah is gracious.” His name is given as such for five reasons:

1. The Lord was gracious to answer the prayer of Zacharias. Whenever God answers a prayer, He is showing grace toward us.

2. The Lord was gracious to give Zacharias and Elizabeth a son. It is much the same as Hannah given a son, and more so that of Abraham and Sarah giving birth to a son. Children in this culture were seen as a blessing from God, while those who were barren were not blessed (v25).

3. The Lord was gracious to not only give a son, but also to set him apart from the womb by filling him with the Holy Spirit. This is much the same way Jeremiah: “before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5)

4. The Lord was gracious to give the people of Israel this man John who was chosen by God for a particular purpose, brought the people of Israel baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (3:3) He would turn a people who were caught up in tradition and ritual to actual worship and following of the Lord their God (v16)

5. The Lord was gracious to give John who would “go forth before him in the spirit and power of Elias.” This was the one who was to “prepare the way of the Lord,” and to “make his paths straight.” (3:4) It was necessary for John to come before the Lord Jesus to prepare the people for the Christ.

v17 – This first line of the verse is a quotation from Malachi 4:5-6:

Malachi 4:5-6 - Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Luke 1:17 - And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Perhaps Malachi 4:6 is in three stages:

1. Coming as Man – to turn the heart of the fathers to the children. Those in the Judaic system, which had become complicated with extra rules beyond the Mosaic Law, would have the opportunity to be converted and become as little children so that they might see the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). This work of John was to prepare the people for the Lord, as it says in the end of v17.

2. Coming to Air – to turn the heart of the children to their fathers. The rebellious remnant will eventually turn back to faith as their Father Abraham as they pass “through the fire, and” they will be refined “as silver is refined.” (Zechariah 13:8-9)

3. Coming to Earth – to smite the earth with a curse and final physical destruction (Zechariah 14:12, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, Revelation 19:11-21). All who are opposed to His authority will be under wrath and destruction.

The coming of John was to prepare the way of the Lord who would turn the hearts of the fathers to the children. In Malachi, Israel is viewed as a nation (heart – singular). In Luke Israel is viewed as individuals (hearts – plural) since in the dispensation of grace, each have a personal responsibility to do with Christ what they will. Under the law, Israel was viewed as a grouped nation.

John’s coming in the spirit and power of Elias was for two main purposes:

1. To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, as noted above in “Coming as Man.”

2. To turn the disobedience to the wisdom of the just. Like the first reason there is repentance involved whereby instead of being disobedience to God the people might compare the coming Christ to the one promised by the prophets and see that He is the chosen of God. The idea is that John would make the people ready for the coming of the Lord to earth as the end of v17 says.

v18 – the doubt of Zacharias is a reminder of the doubt of Sarah. Zachariah no doubt remembered well the story of Abraham and Sarah given a son though they were old, but doubted still. Often the Lord wants to give us things that are great, but we still doubt Him and His ability to work in our life above all odds.

v19 – Zacharias is somewhat of a picture of those who hear the gospel message. Gabriel, “man of God,” is sent with glad tidings (gospel) from the presence of God (Holy Scripture), yet the message is doubted though they know of and have witnessed the power of God working in the lives of others.

v36 – Elizabeth was from the tribe of Levi (v5) and Mary traces back to Judah (3:33) meaning that their mothers were sisters.

Luke 1:46-55 1 Samuel 2:1-10

46 And Mary said,	1 And Hannah prayed, and said,
46 My soul doth magnify the Lord,	1 My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD:
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour	1 because I rejoice in thy salvation.
48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.	7 he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.	2 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.	9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
51 He hath shewed strength with his arm;	1 my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; 6 The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
51 he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.	3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.	4 The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. 8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.
53 He hath filled the hungry with good things;	5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
53 and the rich he hath sent empty away.	7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich:
54 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.	10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.