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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 1:5-25

The two preceding evangelists had agreed to begin the gospel with the baptism of John and his ministry, which commenced about six months before our Saviour's public ministry (and now, things being near a crisis, six months was a deal of time, which before was but a little), and therefore this evangelist, designing to give a more particular account than had been given of our Saviour's conception and birth, determines to do so of John Baptist, who in both was his harbinger and forerunner, the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 1:5-25

1:5-25 In the time of Herod, the king of Judaea, there was a priest called Zacharias, who belonged to the section of Abia. His wife was also a direct descendant of Aaron and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were good people before God, for they walked blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. They had no child because Elizabeth was barren and both of them were far advanced in years. When he was acting as priest before God, when his section was on duty, in accordance... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:11

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord ,.... Gabriel, as seem's manifest from Luke 1:19 the same angel that had appeared to Daniel, about the time of the evening oblation, near five hundred years before, and gave him an account of the time of the Messiah's coming, Daniel 9:21 . The Jews sometimes speak of divine and wonderful appearances to their priests, at such times, and in such places: "it is a tradition that R. Ishmael ben Elishah should say, one time I went in, להקטיר ... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:1-80

After the Ascension and the events of the first Pentecost, which quickly followed their Master's return to heaven, the twelve and a few others who had walked in the company which followed Jesus during the years of his public ministry no doubt often met together and talked over the teaching and the acts of their risen and now glorified Master. As time passed on, a certain number of these acts, a certain number of the public and private discourses in the apostolic company, became adopted as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:5-23

Zacharias and his vision. Notice some features in the sketch that is given of the priest and of that which happened at the altar of incense. I. IT IS A PICTURE OF THE SOUL WAITING FOR GOD . That waiting which is emphasized in the Old Testament Scriptures as one of the essentials of piety. How beautifully are the words—"More than they that watch for the morning, my soul waiteth for the Lord;" "It is good that a man should beth hope and quietly wait for the salvation of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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

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