Might serve him - Might obey, honor, and worship him. This was regarded as a “favor.” This was what was promised, and for this Zechariah praised God.Without fear - Fear of death, of spiritual enemies, or of external foes. In the sure hope of God’s “eternal” favor beyond the grave. read more
Luke 1:71-75. That we should be saved from our enemies Spiritual as well as temporal, invisible as well as visible; and from the hand of all that hate us From Satan and his angels, and all adverse power, and especially from our sins. This certainly was the mind of the Spirit that now inspired Zacharias, as appears by the whole tenor of Scripture; but whether he fully understood his own words is impossible for us to say. It is certain the older prophets, in some cases, did not fully... read more
5. Birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57-80)Elizabeth’s son was born amid much rejoicing, and eight days later was circumcised in accordance with the law of Israel. Circumcision was a minor surgical operation carried out on all Israelite baby boys, and was the covenant sign that Israel was God’s people. At this ceremony the child was usually given his name (Luke 1:57-60; cf. 2:21; Genesis 17:9-14; Leviticus 12:3). When relatives tried to interfere in the naming of the child, Zechariah proved his... read more
out of = from. Greek. ek. App-104 . hand. The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version reads "hands". serve: or worship. read more
To grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies should serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him all our days.Zacharias here foretold the character of the coming kingdom as one in which Israel would be delivered from enemies and continue in the service of God with holiness and righteousness without fear. That he might have thought, in his own heart, that this had reference to the restoration of the secular kingdom is a possibility; but the fidelity... read more
Luke 1:74. Without fear,— Αφοβως,— without a slavish fear, or that spirit of bondage, mentioned Romans 8:15. For the whole of this promise, both as it was originally made to Abraham, and as it is here applied to the coming of the Messiah, respected a spiritual deliverance; though the Jews generally understood it of a deliverance from their enemies on earth, as possibly Zacharias also did. read more
74, 75. That he would grant us, &c.—How comprehensive is the view here given! (1) The purpose of all redemption—"that we should serve Him"—that is, "the Lord God of Israel" ( :-). The word signifies religious service distinctively—"the priesthood of the New Testament" [BENGEL]. (2) The nature of this service—"in holiness and righteousness before Him" (Luke 1:75) —or, as in His presence (compare Psalms 56:13). (3) Its freedom—"being delivered out of the hand of our enemies." (4) Its... read more
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
2. Zechariah’s song of praise 1:67-79This is the second major song of praise in Luke: the "Benedictus." This title also comes from the first word in the Latin version, translated "blessed" (Gr. eulogetos). The first part of the song praises God for messianic deliverance (Luke 1:68-75), and the second part rejoices in John’s significant role in this deliverance (Luke 1:76-79). The chiastic structure of the song emphasizes the words "covenant" and "oath" (Luke 1:72-73). God’s faithfulness to His... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:74-75
The course of the Christian life. These words of Zacharias will very well indicate the course through which a Christian life passes from its commencement to its close. I. IT BEGINS IN SPIRITUAL EMANCIPATION . "We being delivered out of the hand of our enemies." In order to "walk in newness of life," we must be rescued from the thraldom of sin. And there is a twofold deliverance that we need. One is from the condemnation of our guilt ; for we cannot rest and rejoice in the... read more