Luke 1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:15

Great in the sight of the Lord . To the pious old Jewish priest the strange visitant's words would bear a deep signification. Zacharias would quickly catch the angel's thoughts. His son was not to be the Messiah of the people's hope, but was to be like one of those great ones loved of God, of whom the women of Israel sang on their solemn feast-days—one like Samson, only purer, or Samuel, or the yet greater Elijah. Could all this deep joy be true? Shall drink neither wine . The old curse... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:16

And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God . The state of the people at this period was indeed unhappy. The dominant Italian power had introduced into Syria and Palestine the vices and profligate life of Italy and Greece. The great Syrian city Antioch, for instance, in vice and sensuality, had gone far beyond her conqueror, and was perhaps at that time the most wicked city in the world. In the court of Herod, patriotism and true nobility were dead. The priests and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:17

In the spirit and power of Elias . There was a confident hope among the Jews, dating frown the days of the prophecy of Malachi, some four hundred years before the vision of Zacharias, that the days of Messiah would be heralded by an appearance of the Prophet Elijah. The selfsame expectation is still cherished by every pious Jew. To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. The usual explanation of these words of the angel, who uses here... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:18

Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man . There was something evidently blamable in this hesitation on the part of Zacharias to receive the angel's promise. It seems as though the radiant glory of the messenger, as he stood before the curtain of the silent sanctuary in his awful beauty, ought to have convinced the doubting old man of the truth of the strange message. The words of the angel, which follow, seem to imply this. What! do you doubt my message? "I am Gabriel, who stand in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:19

I am Gabriel . The meaning of the name Gabriel is "Hero of God," or "Mighty One of God." In the canonical books only two of the heavenly ones are mentioned by name . Gabriel (here and Daniel 8:16 and Daniel 9:21 ) and Michael , which signifies "Who is like God" (Jud Luke 1:9 ; Revelation 12:7 ; and in Daniel 10:13 , Daniel 10:21 ; Daniel 12:1 ). Of these two blessed spirits whose names are revealed to us in the Word of God, their appointed work seems to be in connection... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:21

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple . The Talmud tells us that even the high priest did not terry long in the holy of holies on the Day of Atonement. The same feeling of holy awe would induce the ministering priest of the day to perform his functions with no unnecessary delay, and to leave as soon as possible the holy place. The people praying in the court without were in the habit of waiting until the priest on duty came out of the sacred... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:22

When he came out, he could not speak unto them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple . Something in the face of the old man, as, unable to speak, he made signs to the congregation, told the awestruck people that the long delay and the loss of speech were owing to no sudden illness which had seized Zacharias. We know that, in the old days of the desert wanderings, the children of Israel could not bear to look on the face of Moses when he came down from the mount after... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:24

And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months . Various reasons have been suggested for this retirement. It seems most probable that, amazed at the angelic announcement, the saintly woman went into perfect retirement and isolation for a considerable period, to prove well the words of the angel, and to consider how she best could do her part in the training of the expected child, who was to play so mighty a part in the history of her people. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:26

And in the sixth month ; that is, after the vision of Zacharias in the temple. Unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth . These explanatory notes make it clear that St. Luke was writing for those who were strangers to Palestine. Such details were no doubt added by St. Luke to the oral or written Hebrew narrative upon which this section is entirely based. Under the Roman domination the land of promise was divided into Judaea, Samaria, Peraea, and Galilee. Galilee was the northern department,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:26-38

The annunciation of the Virgin Mary. The recital contained in this little section is peculiar to this Gospel of St. Luke. It lay outside what may be termed the apostolic tradition. It neither helps nor mars the moral or dogmatic teaching of the men trained in the school of Jesus of Nazareth. It simply answers a question that probably few of the converts of the first quarter of a century which succeeded the Resurrection morning cared to ask: We do not suppose that the true story of the... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:24

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:26

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:26-38

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