Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:16
Many of the children of Israel shall he turn - See this prediction fulfilled, Luke 3:10-18 . read more
Luke 1-2
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:17
He shall go before him - Jesus Christ, in the spirit and power of Elijah; he shall resemble Elijah in his retired and austere manner of life, and in his zeal for the truth, reproving even princes for their crimes; compare 1 Kings 21:17-24 , with Matthew 14:4 . It was on these accounts that the Prophet Malachi, Malachi 4:6 , had likened John to this prophet. See also Isaiah 40:3 ; and Malachi 4:5 , Malachi 4:6 . To turn the hearts of the fathers - Gross ignorance had taken... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:18
Whereby shall I know this? - All things are possible to God: no natural impediment can have any power when God has declared he will accomplish his purpose. He has a right to be believed on his own word alone; and it is impious, when we are convinced that it is his word, to demand a sign or pledge for its fulfillment. read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:19
I am Gabriel - This angel is mentioned, Daniel 8:16 ; Daniel 9:21 . The original גבריאל is exceedingly expressive: it is compounded of גבורה geburah , and אל el , the might of the strong God. An angel with such a name was exceedingly proper for the occasion; as it pointed out that all-prevalent power by which the strong God could accomplish every purpose, and subdue all things to himself. That stand in the presence of God - This is in allusion to the case of the prime... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:20
Thou shalt be dumb - Σιωπων silent; this translation is literal; the angel immediately explains it, thou shalt not be able to speak. Dumbness ordinarily proceeds from a natural imperfection or debility of the organs of speech; in this case there was no natural weakness or unfitness in those organs; but, for his rash and unbelieving speech, silence is imposed upon him by the Lord, and he shall not be able to break it, till the power that has silenced him gives him again the permission to... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:21
The people waited - The time spent in burning the incense was probably about half an hour, during which there was a profound silence, as the people stood without engaged in mental prayer. To this there is an allusion in Revelation 8:1-5 . Zacharias had spent not only the time necessary for burning the incense, but also that which the discourse between him and the angel took up. read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:22
They perceived that he had seen a vision - As the sanctuary was separated from the court by a great veil, the people could not see what passed, but they understood this from Zacharias himself, who, ην διανευων , made signs, or nodded unto them to that purpose. Signs are the only means by which a dumb man can convey his ideas to others. read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:23
As soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished - Each family of the priesthood officiated one whole week, 2 Kings 11:17 . There is something very instructive in the conduct of this priest; had he not loved the service he was engaged in, he might have made the loss of his speech a pretext for immediately quitting it. But as he was not thereby disabled from fulfilling the sacerdotal function, so he saw he was bound to continue till his ministry was ended; or till God had given... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:24
Hid herself five months - That she might have the fullest proof of the accomplishment of God's promise before she appeared in public, or spoke of her mercies. When a Hindoo female is pregnant of her first child, she avoids the presence of those with whom she was before familiar, as a point of delicacy. read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:15
He shall be great in the sight of the Lord - That is, before Jesus Christ, whose forerunner he shall be; or he shall be a truly great person, for so this form of speech may imply. Neither wine nor strong drink - Σικερα , i.e. all fermented liquors which have the property of intoxicating, or producing drunkenness. The original word σικερα , sikera , comes from the Hebrew, שכר shakar , to inebriate. "Any inebriating liquor," says St. Jerome, (Epis. ad Nepot)." is called sicera ... read more