Luke 1-2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:48

He hath regarded - Looked favorably, etc., επεβλεψεν . In the most tender and compassionate manner he has visited me in my humiliation, drawing the reasons of his conduct, not from any excellence in me, but from his own eternal kindness and love. All generations shall call me blessed - This was the character by which alone she wished to be known; viz. The blessed or happy virgin. What dishonor do those do to this holy woman, who give her names and characters which her pure soul would... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:49

He that is mighty hath done to me great things - Or, miracles, μεγαλεια . As God fills her with his goodness, she empties herself to him in praises; and, sinking into her own nothingness, she ever confesses that God alone is all in all. Holy is his name - Probably the word which Mary used was חסד chesed , which though we sometimes translate holy, see Psalm 86:2 ; Psalm 145:17 , yet the proper meaning is abundant goodness, exuberant kindness; and this well agrees with the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:50

His mercy is on them that fear him - His exuberant kindness manifests itself in acts of mercy to all those who fear or reverence his name; and this is continued from generation to generation, because he is abundant in goodness, and because he delighteth in mercy. This is a noble, becoming, and just character of the God of the Christians; a being who delights in the salvation and happiness of all his creatures, because his name is mercy, and his nature love. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:51

He hath showed strength - Or, He hath gained the victory, εποιησε κρατος . The word κρατος is used for victory, by Homer, Hesiod, Sophocles, Euripides, and others. With his arm - Grotius has well observed, that God's efficacy is represented by his finger, his great power by his hand, and his omnipotence by his arm. The plague of lice was the finger of God, Exodus 7:18 . The plagues in general were wrought by his hand, Exodus 3:20 , And the destruction of Pharaoh's host in the Red... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:52

He hath put down the mighty from their seats - Or, He hath taken down potentates from their thrones. This probably alludes to the removal of Saul from the throne of Israel, and the establishment of the kingdom in the person and family of David. And as Mary spoke prophetically, this saying may also allude to the destruction of the kingdom of Satan and his allies, and the final prevalence of the kingdom of Christ. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:53

Filled the hungry - the rich he hath sent empty away - God is here represented under the notion of a person of unbounded benevolence, who is daily feeding multitudes at his gates. The poor and the rich are equally dependent upon him; to the one he gives his affluence for a season, and to the other his daily bread. The poor man comes through a sense of his want to get his daily support, and God feeds him; the rich man comes through the lust of gain, to get more added to his abundance, and,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:54

He hath holpen [supported, αντελαβετο ] his servant Israel - Israel is here represented as falling, and the Lord comes speedily in and props him up. The house of David was now ready to fall and rise no more; Jesus, being born of the very last branch of the regal line, revived the family, and restored the dominion. In remembrance of his mercy - By mercy, the covenant which God made with Abraham, Genesis 15:18 , is intended; which covenant proceeded from God's eternal mercy, as in it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:56

And Mary abode with her about three months - According to some, the departure of Mary from Hebron must have been but a few days before the birth of John; as nine months had now elapsed since Elisabeth's conception; see Luke 1:36 . Hence it immediately follows: - read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:57

Now Elisabeth's full time came, etc. - But, according to others, we are to understand the three months of Mary's visit as preceding the birth of John, which would complete the time of Elisabeth's pregnancy, according to Luke 1:36 , and the only difficulty is to ascertain whether Mary went immediately to Hebron after her salutation, or whether she tarried nearly three months before she took the journey. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:58

And her neighbors and her cousins - rejoiced with her. - Because sterility was a reproach; and they now rejoiced with their relative, from whom that reproach was now rolled away. To rejoice with those whom God has favored, and to congratulate them on the advantages which he has granted to them, is a duty which humanity, charity, and religion call upon us to fulfill. It is a duty of humanity, which should be punctually performed. We are all members of each other, and should rejoice in the... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:48

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:49

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:50

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:51

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:52

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:53

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:54

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:56

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:57

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:58

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