Luke 1:6 ESV

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:1-80

LUKE'S GOSPEL WRITTEN FOR A GENTILE RULER (vs.1-4) Luke's introduction shows that, though he was concerned about giving exact information in this letter to Theophilus, he had not thought of being an instrument directly inspired by God. Theophilus was evidently a Gentile authority of whom nothing more is said in scripture, except in Acts 1:1, where only his name is mentioned. Many others had been energized to write an orderly history of those things concerning the Lord Jesus, and Luke was... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Luke 1:1-80

THE EARLY YEARS OF JESUS There is a preface to Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:1-4 ). While Matthew and Mark tell us of whom they write (Matthew 1:1 ; Mark 1:1 ), Luke and John tell us why they write (compare John 20:31 ). Luke wrote for the instruction of Theophilus (compare Acts 1-2) whose name indicates that he was a Greek, while “most excellent” suggests that he may have been of high rank. There were many records of our Lord (Luke 1:1 ), received from eyewitnesses (Luke 1:2 ), but Luke “had... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Luke 1:5-25

(5) There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. (6) And they were both righteous before G o d, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (7) And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. (8) And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Luke 1:6

Both just, ... walking ... without blame. [3] Not that in the sight of God they were exempt even from all lesser failings, which are called venial faults; but only from such sins as might make them forfeit the grace and favour of God. (Witham) --- Three things are here to be noticed: 1. that good men do keep all God's commandments, which some moderns declare to be impossible; 2. that men are justified not by imputation only of Christ's justice, nor by faith alone, but by walking in the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:5-25

5-25 The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners as all are, and were justified and saved in the same way as others; but they were eminent for piety and integrity. They had no children, and it could not be expected that Elisabeth should have any in her old age. While Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, the whole multitude of the people were praying without. All the prayers we offer up to God, are acceptable and successful only by Christ's intercession in the temple of God... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Luke 1:1-99

Luke 1 IN THE OPENING verses Luke avows the object before him in writing his Gospel; he wished to bring certainty to the mind of a certain Gentile convert. God had given him a perfect understanding of all things from the outset, so now he wrote them “in order,” or “with method;” and we shall see as we proceed that he sometimes ignores historical order to present things in a method that is moral and spiritual. The understanding of that moral and spiritual order, together with having the facts... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Luke 1:5-7

The Announcement of John the Baptist's Birth. The parents of John: v. 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. v. 6. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. v. 7. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. There was... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Luke 1:5-25

PART FIRSTThe Miraculous Birth and Normal Development of the son of Man_____________FIRST SECTIONEVENTS PREPARATORY TO THE BIRTH OF CHRISTLuke 1:5-80A. Annunciation of the Birth of His Forerunner Luke 1:5-255There was, in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias,13 of the course of Abia: and his wife was [he had a wife]14 of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6And they were both righteous before God, walkingin all the commandments and ordinances of... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - Luke 1:5-14

Luke ELIJAH COME AGAIN Luk_1:5 - Luk_1:17 . The difference between the style of Luke’s preface Luk_1:1 - Luk_1:4 and the subsequent chapters relating to the Nativity suggests that these are drawn from some Hebrew source. They are saturated with Old Testament phraseology and constructions, and are evidently translated by Luke. It is impossible to say whence they came, but no one is more likely to have been their original narrator than Mary herself. Elisabeth or Zacharias must have... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Luke 1:1-12

the Beginning of the Good News Luke 1:1-12 The opening verses are very explicit. They are answer enough to those who question the story of our Lord’s supernatural birth and early years. Luke did not catch up the first legend that floated past him. He made searching inquiry. Doctor Weymouth renders the words in Luke 1:3 , “having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first,” as, “After careful examination of the facts from the commencement.” That our Lord should come into our... read more