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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 1:18

And Zacharias said unto the angel, whereby shall I know this ?.... Notwithstanding such an appearance of an angel to him, which in those times was not so usual, and this in the holy place; and the things themselves which were told him, and these as the return of prayer; yet he distrusted, and wanted a sign, whereby he might know the truth of them, as the Jews were generally desirous of, and as the father of them was; who expressed himself in much such language, on a certain occasion, as this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:19

And the angel answering, said unto him, I am Gabriel ,.... The name of an angel well known to Zacharias from Daniel's prophecies, Daniel 8:16 and is the first time we read of the name of an angel: the Jews say F1 T. Hicros. Rosh Hashana, fol. 56. 4. , the names of angels came out of Babylon, by the means of the Israelites; and it was there that Daniel became acquainted with this name of Gabriel, and also of Michael. Frequent mention is made of Gabriel in the Jewish writings F2 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:20

And behold, thou shalt be dumb , &c.; Or "silent; and not able to speak", if he would. Silence is sometimes voluntary; but this was what he could not help; until the day that these thing shall be performed; which he had said concerning the conception and birth of a son, and the imposition of a name on him; for this dumbness remained upon Zachariah, not only until his wife had conceived, and the child was born, but until the eighth day after, when he was circumcised, and his name was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:21

And the people waited for Zacharias ,.... That were without, in the court of the Israelites, praying there, while he was offering incense: these were waiting for his coming out, in order to be blessed by him, according to Numbers 6:23 and be dismissed: and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple; beyond the usual time of burning incense; which might be occasioned either by a longer discourse of the angel with him than what is here related; or being struck with amazement at the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:22

And when he came out, he could not speak unto them ,.... Or deliver the benediction they were waiting for: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple : which he made them to understand, by the gestures he used: for he beckoned unto them; nodding his head, or by some motions of his hands the Ethiopic version adds, "with his hand": or of his lips; for the signs of a dumb man are distinguished into רמיזה , and קפיצה F17 Bartenora in Misa. Gittin, c. 5. sect. 7. ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:23

And it came to pass, that as soon as the days of his ministration ,.... In the order of the course, which might be three, four, five, or six days, according to the number of the heads of the house of their fathers in the course; See Gill on Luke 1:5 . were accomplished : for though he was deaf and dumb, he was not hereby disqualified for service. Deafness and dumbness excused persons from various duties F19 Misn. Trumot, c. 1. sect. 1, 2. Chagiga, c. 1. sect. 1. but did not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:18

Whereby shall I know this? - All things are possible to God: no natural impediment can have any power when God has declared he will accomplish his purpose. He has a right to be believed on his own word alone; and it is impious, when we are convinced that it is his word, to demand a sign or pledge for its fulfillment. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:19

I am Gabriel - This angel is mentioned, Daniel 8:16 ; Daniel 9:21 . The original גבריאל is exceedingly expressive: it is compounded of גבורה geburah , and אל el , the might of the strong God. An angel with such a name was exceedingly proper for the occasion; as it pointed out that all-prevalent power by which the strong God could accomplish every purpose, and subdue all things to himself. That stand in the presence of God - This is in allusion to the case of the prime... read more

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