Luke 1:11-12 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:5-25

The inauguration of the dispensation of grace. From the prologue about the historic certainty of the Christian faith, we now proceed to the first stage of the wonderful history in the annunciation of the birth of the Baptist. In this we have Luke mounting higher than either Matthew or Mark. We can understand this since he was writing for a Gentile audience, and the speculative turn of Grecian minds would certainly lead to inquiries as to the origin of the leaders in the dispensation of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:11

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord . Critics have especially found grave fault with this "Hebrew" portion of our Gospel, complaining that it needlessly introduces the marvelous, and brings uselessly into everyday life beings from another sphere. Godet well answers these criticisms by observing "that as Christianity was an entirely new beginning in history, the second and final creation of man, it was natural that an interposition on so grand a scale should be accompanied by a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:12

He was troubled . This was ever the first effect produced by the sight of a spirit-visitant. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:11

An angel - An “angel” is a messenger sent from God. See the notes at Matthew 1:20. It had now been about 400 years since the time of “Malachi,” and since there had been any divine revelation. During that time the nation was looking for the Messiah, but still with nothing more than the ancient prophecies to direct them. Now that he was about to appear, God sent his messenger to announce his coming, to encourage the hearts of his people, and to prepare them to receive him.On the right side ... -... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:12

He was troubled - He was alone, in the presence of God. The appearance of the angel was sudden, unexpected, and therefore fearful. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 1:11-12

Luke 1:11-12. There appeared unto him an angel About four hundred years had passed since God had vouchsafed to his ancient people any supernatural communication, either by prophecy, the ministry of angels, or in any other extraordinary way. But as he was now about to send them the Messiah, and establish through him a new dispensation, by which a new and more spiritual way of intercourse with himself should be opened and settled, he sends an angelic messenger to announce his intentions, and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 1:5-25

2. Birth of John the Baptist foretold (Luke 1:5-25)Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was a priest. Because all male descendants of Aaron were priests, there were, even in Old Testament times, too many priests for the amount of work to be done. David therefore divided them into twenty-four divisions, and each division served for two weeks each year. Zechariah belonged to the division of Abijah (Luke 1:5; cf. 1 Chronicles 24:1-19). (All priests would be required for duty during the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 1:11

appeared. App-106 . an angel. For the frequent references to angels in Luke, see Luke 1:26 ; Luke 2:9 , Luke 2:13 , Luke 2:21 ; Luke 12:8 ; Luke 15:10 ; Luke 16:22 ; Luke 22:43 ; Luke 24:4 , Luke 24:23 . Also frequently in Acts. on = at. Greek ek. App-104 . the right side = the propitious side. Compare Matthew 25:33 .Mark 16:5 .John 21:6 . the altar of incense . See Exodus 30:1-10 ; Exodus 37:25-28 . 1 Kings 7:48 read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 1:12

saw. Greek. eidon. App-138 . upon . Greek. epi. App-104 . As in Luke 1:35 . Not the same word as in Luke 1:58 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 1:11

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right hand side of the altar of incense.An angel of the Lord ... appeared ... Note that the angel did not approach; he just appeared, visibly manifested in an instant of time. The reality of the angelic creation is everywhere assumed and taught in the New Testament. Jesus himself frequently mentioned the angels of God; and those who believe in Jesus find in his holy words full authority for receiving all that the New Testament... read more