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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 1:24

And after those days ,.... The days of his ministration in the temple, quickly after his return home; the Ethiopic version reads, "after two days": his wife Elisabeth conceived ; according to the angels prediction, and notwithstanding her barrenness, and the unbelief of her husband, and hid herself five months . The Arabic and Persic versions render it, "hid her size"; but there could be no occasion to take any methods to hide this, since, if she said nothing of it herself, and there... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:25

Thus hath the Lord dealt with me ,.... In a very gracious and bountiful manner; in giving her strength to conceive a son in her old age, and such an one that was to be great, and so useful in his day; of which her husband had doubtless informed her by writing, though he could not speak: in the days wherein he looked on me ; with a favourable eye, with a look of love and mercy: he took away my reproach from among men; as barrenness was accounted, especially among the Israelites, the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:24

Hid herself five months - That she might have the fullest proof of the accomplishment of God's promise before she appeared in public, or spoke of her mercies. When a Hindoo female is pregnant of her first child, she avoids the presence of those with whom she was before familiar, as a point of delicacy. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:25

To take away my reproach - As fruitfulness was a part of the promise of God to his people, Genesis 17:6 , and children, on this account, being considered as a particular blessing from heaven, Exodus 23:20 ; Leviticus 26:9 ; : Psalm 127:3 ; so barrenness was considered among the Jews as a reproach, and a token of the disapprobation of the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:6 . But see Luke 1:36 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:24

Verse 24 24.And hid herself This appears very strange, as if she had been ashamed of the blessing of God. Some think that she did not, venture to appear in public, so long as the matter was uncertain, for fear of exposing herself to ridicule, if her expectation were disappointed. In my opinion, she was so fully convinced of the promise made to her, that she had no doubt of its accomplishment. When she saw a severe punishment inflicted on her husband for “ speaking unadvisedly with his lips,”... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:25

Verse 25 25.Thus hath the Lord done to me She extols in private the goodness of God, until the time is fully come for making it generally known. There is reason to believe that her husband had informed her by writing of the promised offspring, in consequence of which she affirms with greater certainty and freedom that God was the author of this favor. This is confirmed by the following words, when he looked, that he might take away my reproach; for she assigns it as the cause of her barrenness... 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

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