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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 1:57-66

In these verses, we have, I. The birth of John Baptist, Luke 1:57. Though he was conceived in the womb by miracle, he continued in the womb according to the ordinary course of nature (so did our Saviour): Elisabeth's full time came, that she should be delivered, and then she brought forth a son. Promised mercies are to be expected when the full time for them is come, and not before. II. The great joy that was among all the relations of the family, upon this extraordinary occasion (Luke 1:58):... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 1:57-66

1:57-66 When Elizabeth's time to bear the child was completed she brought forth a son. When her neighbours and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they went to circumcise the child and it was their intention to call him Zacharias after his father. But his mother said, "No; he must be called John." They said to her, "There is no one in your connection who is called by this name." They asked his father by signs by what name he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:62

And they made signs to his father ,.... Who was deaf, as well as dumb; otherwise there would have been no occasion to have signs made to him: and so the word used, in Luke 1:20 signifies both deaf and dumb. These signs were made by hands or head; for such used to be made to a dumb man. According to the canon F17 Misn. Gittin, c. 5. sect 7. , a dumb man nods, and ונרמז "and is nodded", or "beckoned to": and which beckoning one of the commentators F18 Bartenora in ib. says, is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:63

And he asked for a writing table ,.... That is, he made signs for one, for as yet he could not speak. The Persic version renders it "ink", and the Ethiopic, a book, and the Vulgate Latin, a notebook. The word signifies "a little table", such as they used to write not only "upon", but "in"; and was sometimes of brass F20 Haryocration. Lex. p. 244. , sometimes of wood, and sometimes of wax F21 Alex. ab Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 2. c. 30. , on which they wrote with a style or pen, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:64

And his mouth was opened immediately ,.... As soon as ever the child was named, and so all things accomplished which the angel had foretold, and his tongue loosed ; the impediments of speech were removed, and the use of his tongue and lips was restored unto him: and he spake and praised God ; for the safe delivery of his wife; for the birth of his son, the forerunner of Christ; for the conception of the Messiah; for God's gracious regards to his church and people, in these instances;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:65

And fear came on all that dwelt round about them ,.... That is, the fear of God, an awful reverence of the divine majesty; they perceived the hand of God was in these things, and that these were effects of divine power; and which made very serious impressions upon their minds, and they thought, and spoke of them with great solemnity; see Acts 2:43 . and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea : the several things relating to the appearance of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:66

And all they that heard them ,.... The above things, laid them up in their hearts; treasured them up in their memories, and often thought of them in their minds, what should be the meaning, and what would be the issue of them: saying, what manner of child shall this be? what will he be, or come to? and what is it that he shall do? surely he must be designed in providence to be put into some high station, and some eminent work and service; since so many, and such great things, have gone... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:62

They made signs to his father - Who, it appears from this, was deaf as well as dumb; otherwise they might have asked him, and obtained his answer in this way. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:63

A writing table - Πινακιδιον , a tablet, a diminutive of πιναξ , a table. "The boys in Barbary are taught to write upon a smooth thin board, slightly daubed over with whiting, which may be rubbed off or renewed at pleasure. Such probably (for the Jewish children use the same) was the little board, or writing table, as we render it Luke 1:63 , that was called for by Zacharias." Shaw's Travels, p. 194. My old MS. considers the word as meaning the instrument of writing, rather than the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:64

The latter clause of the preceding verse should be joined with the beginning of this, as follows: And they marveled all, for his mouth was opened, etc. Every person must see the propriety of putting this clause, And they marveled all, to the beginning of the 64th verse, instead of leaving it at the end of the 63rd, as in the common version. The people did not wonder because Zacharias said, He shall be called John; but because he himself was that instant restored to the use of his speech. ... read more

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