Luke 1:5-13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:13

But the angel said unto him, fear not, Zacharias ,.... He calls him by his name; for holy men are known to angels in person, and by name; to whom they are ministering spirits, and for whose good they are concerned; and bid him not be afraid, as the angel also said to the women at Christ's sepulchre, Matthew 28:5 for he saw by his countenance and gestures, that he was greatly surprised and terrified at the sight of him: for thy prayer is heard ; which he had many years ago put up for a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:5

In the days of Herod, the king - This was Herod, surnamed the Great, the son of Antipater, an Idumean by birth, who had professed himself a proselyte to the Jewish religion, but regarded no religion, farther than it promoted his secular interests and ambition. Thus, for the first time, the throne of Judah was filled by a person not of Jewish extraction, who had been forced upon the people by the Roman government. Hence it appears plain that the prophecy of Jacob, Genesis 49:10 , was now... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:6

They were both righteous - Upright and holy in all their outward conduct in civil life. Before God - Possessing the spirit of the religion they professed; exercising themselves constantly in the presence of their Maker, whose eye, they knew, was upon all their conduct, and who examined all their motives. Walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless - None being able to lay any evil to their charge. They were as exemplary and conscientious in the discharge of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:7

Both were now well stricken in years - By the order of God, sterility and old age both met in the person of Elisabeth, to render the birth of a son (humanly speaking) impossible. This was an exact parallel to the case of Sarah and Abraham, Genesis 11:30 ; Genesis 17:17 . Christ must (by the miraculous power of God) be born of a virgin: whatever was connected with, or referred to, his incarnation must be miraculous and impressive. Isaac was his grand type, and therefore must be born... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:8

Before God - In the temple, where God used to manifest his presence, though long before this time he had forsaken it; yet, on this important occasion, the angel of his presence had visited it. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:9

His lot was, etc. - We are informed in the Talmud, that it was the custom of the priests to divide the different functions of the sacerdotal office among themselves by lot: and, in this case, the decision of the lot was, that Zacharias should at that time burn the incense before the Lord, in the holy place. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:10

The whole multitude - were praying - The incense was itself an emblem of the prayers and praises of the people of God: see Psalm 141:2 ; Revelation 8:1 . While, therefore, the rite is performing by the priest, the people are employed in the thing signified. Happy the people who attend to the spirit as well as the letter of every divine institution! Incense was burnt twice a day in the temple, in the morning and in the evening, Exodus 30:7 , Exodus 30:8 ; but the evangelist does not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:11

There appeared - an angel of the Lord - There had been neither prophecy nor angelic ministry vouchsafed to this people for about 400 years. But now, as the Sun of righteousness is about to arise upon them, the day-spring from on high visits them, that they may be prepared for that kingdom of God which was at hand. Every circumstance here is worthy of remark: That an angel should now appear, as such a favor had not been granted for 400 years. The person to whom this angel was sent - one... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:12

Zacharias - was troubled - Or, confounded at his sudden and unexpected appearance; and fear fell upon him, lest this heavenly messenger were come to denounce the judgments of God against a faithless and disobedient people, who had too long and too well merited them. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:13

Thy prayer is heard - This probably refers, 1st, to the frequent prayers which he had offered to God for a son; and read more

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