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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:69

Verse 69 69.He hath raised up the horn of salvation That is, saving power: (71) for, when the throne of David was cast down, and the people scattered, the hope of salvation had to all appearance perished. Zacharias alludes to the predictions of the prophets, which hold out that a sudden revival would take place, when the state of affairs should have become melancholy and desperate. This mode of expression is borrowed from the passage, “There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:1-80

After the Ascension and the events of the first Pentecost, which quickly followed their Master's return to heaven, the twelve and a few others who had walked in the company which followed Jesus during the years of his public ministry no doubt often met together and talked over the teaching and the acts of their risen and now glorified Master. As time passed on, a certain number of these acts, a certain number of the public and private discourses in the apostolic company, became adopted as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:57-80

John, afterwards called the Baptist, the son of Zacharias and Elisabeth, is born. The Benedictus . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:57-80

The birth and development of the Baptist. We now pass from the inspirations of the holy women to the birth of the Baptist. We have before us what one has well denominated "a pious family in their good fortune." £ As this preacher observes, we have here "the mother in her joy, the father with his song of praise, and the little child and his development." We cannot do better than allow our thoughts to group themselves round these three persons in this order. I. CONTEMPLATE THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:58-67

Joy and awe at a human birth. When John was born his mother's heart was filled with great joy, and her neighbors rejoiced with her. And when the little child, a week old, was introduced into the Jewish commonwealth, a feeling of awe filled the hearts of those present, and there was much wonderment concerning him. "Fear came on them all," and every one was asking, "What manner of child shall this be?" No doubt the exceptional character of the circumstances attending his birth and his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:59-80

The name-giving, and what followed it. There is a quiet, gentle beauty in the picture of the home life given in Luke 1:58 . The touches of nature in it make us feel our kinship with all the ages. We are told of the flood of congratulations and kind messages which surges towards the happy mother; how the cousins of the priestly families in and around Hebron, and the neighbors scattered over that part of northern Judea, hastened to express their gladness to Zacharias and Elisabeth. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:67

His father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying . The inspired hymn which follows—thought out, no doubt, with the Holy Spirit's help in the course of the long enforced seclusion which his first want of faith had brought upon him—holds a prominent place in all Western liturgics. Like the Magnificat, it is believed to have been first introduced into the public worship of the Church about the middle of the sixth century by St. Csesarius of Aries. It may be briefly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:68-69

He hath visited and redeemed,… and hath raised up. The tenses of the verbs used in these expressions show that in Zacharias's mind, when he uttered the words of his hymn, the Incarnation, and the glorious deliverance commenced in that stupendous act of mercy, belonged to the past. He hath visited; that is, after some four hundred years of silence and absence, the Holy One of Israel had again come to his people. About four centuries had passed since the voice of Malachi, the last of the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:67

Filled with the Holy Ghost - See Luke 1:15.And prophesied - The word “prophesy” means:To foretell future events. To celebrate the praises of God (see 1 Samuel 10:5-6; 1 Kings 18:29); then to, Teach or preach the gospel, etc. See the notes at Romans 12:6. This song of Zechariah partakes of all. It is principally employed in the praises of God, but it also predicts the future character and preaching of John. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:68

Blessed - See the notes at Matthew 5:3.Hath visited - The word here rendered “visited” means properly “to look upon;” then to look upon in order “to know the state of anyone;” then to visit for the purpose of “aiding those who need aid,” or alleviating misery. Compare Matthew 25:43. In this sense it is used here. God “looked upon” the world - he saw it miserable - he came to relieve it, and brought salvation.And redeemed - That is, was “about to redeem,” or had given the pledge that he “would... read more

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