C. The birth and early life of John the Baptist 1:57-80As in the first part of this major section of the Gospel (Luke 1:5-56), Luke arranged his material in this one to compare and contrast John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1:57 to Luke 2:52). In that section there was prediction, but in this one there is fulfillment. Luke’s emphasis in his record of John’s birth was his naming and his father’s prediction of his future ministry. read more
As godly Israelites, Zechariah and Elizabeth were careful to circumcise John eight days after his birth (Genesis 17:9-14; cf. Luke 2:21). Normally the head of the household performed this operation. [Note: Marshall, The Gospel . . ., p. 88.] Both parents also faithfully followed Gabriel’s instructions and named their son as God had directed despite opposition from well-meaning friends who attended the special occasion (cf. Ruth 4:17). The Jews usually named their children at birth, but the... read more
Birth of John. The Annunciation1-4. Preface. To write a preface to a history is not a Jewish, but a classical custom, and by following it St. Luke shows himself a true Gentile, trained in Greek culture and imitating classical models. Here he affects classical elegance and correctness of expression, but in the course of his Gospel he generally imitates the simpler synoptic style.This Preface contains all that is really known as distinguished from what is guessed about the sources of the Synoptic... read more
(59) They came to circumcise the child.—The day of circumcision, as the admission of the child into God’s covenant with his people, was, like the day of the baptism of infants among Christians, one on which relatives were invited to be present as witnesses, and was commonly followed by a feast. It was also, as baptism has come to be, the time on which the child received the name which was to bear its witness of the prayers of his parents for him, and of his personal relation to the God of his... read more
(60) Not so; but he shall be called John.—It is obvious from what follows that the writing-tablet had been in frequent use, and in this way the husband must have told the wife of the name which had been given by the angel. read more
(61) There is none of thy kindred . . .—The fact is not without interest, as probably showing that Zacharias did not come within the circle of those related to the Sadducean high priests, among whom (some thirty years later, it is true) we find that name (Acts 4:6; Acts 5:17). read more
St. Luke's Gospel Luke 1:3-4 Our information concerning St. Luke is scanty. It is conjectured by some that he was one of the seventy disciples sent forth by our Lord, in addition to the twelve Apostles (Luke 10:1 ). There seems no reason to doubt that he was the companion of St. Paul in his travels, and that he was a 'physician' (Colossians 4:14 ). Some have thought that his profession as a physician may be traced in his manner of describing our Lord's miraculous cures of diseases, and his... read more
Chapter 2THE MUTE PRIEST. Luke 1:5-25; Luke 1:57-80.AFTER his personal prelude, our Evangelist goes on to give in detail the pre-Advent revelations, so connecting the thread of his narrative with the broken-off thread of the Old Testament. His language, however, suddenly changes its character and accent; and its frequent Hebraisms show plainly that he is no longer giving his own words, but that he is simply recording the narratives as they were told him, possibly by some member of the Holy... read more
THE GOSPEL OF LUKE Analysis and Annotations I. The Birth and Childhood -- Chapter 1-2:52 CHAPTER 1 1. The Introduction. (Luke 1:1-4 ) 2. Zacharias and Elizabeth; the Vision. (Luke 1:5-12 ) 3. John the Baptist, his birth and ministry announced. (Luke 1:13-17 ) 4. Zacharias’ Unbelief and Punishment. (Luke 1:18-26 ) 5. The Angel’s Announcement to the Virgin Mary. (Luke 1:27-33 ) 6. Mary’s Question and the Answer. (Luke 1:34-38 ) 7. Mary Visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45 ) 8. The Virgin... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 1:57-66
1. The naming of John 1:57-66 read more