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The Gospel of Luke Chapter 1:26-56 The Birth of John the Baptist 1:57-58 Now the time came for Elizabeth to have her baby, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. When the time came, Elizabeth gave birth to a son just as the angel Gabriel had said; and all her neighbours and relatives heard God had been merciful in healing her barrenness, and they gathered to share her joy. 1:59-61 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother replied, "No! He must be named John." They said to her, "But none of your relatives bears this name." According to the Law of Moses, when the boy was eight days old they took him to the synagogue to be circumcised (Genesis 17:10-14). They were about to call him Zacharias after his father, but Elizabeth stopped them, insisting that his name was John. The people could not understand why she would choose a name other than that of her husband or another respected relative. 1:62-63 So they made signs to the baby's father, inquiring what he wanted to name his son. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they were all amazed. It is strange to think that they made signs to Zechariah to ask what name he wanted to give his son, for he was not, so far as we know, deaf, only dumb. Another translation puts they asked him. In reply, he motioned for them to give him a writing tablet and he wrote on it that the child’s name was John. 1:64 Immediately Zechariah's mouth was opened and his tongue released, and he spoke, blessing God. As soon as Zechariah had done this, as the angel had previously commanded him, his speech was restored and he began praising God.
1:65 All their neighbours were filled with fear, and throughout the entire hill country of Judea all these things were talked about. Great awe fell on all those who were present and on all throughout the Judean hills who heard the news of what had happened. 1:66 All who heard these things kept them in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the Lord's hand was indeed with him. Clearly, the people thought that the manner of John’s birth and naming, involving Zechariah’s vision, dumbness and subsequent healing foreshowed that God would be involved in this child’s life – and they wondered for what purpose God would raise him up. The only other children since the patriarchs whose birth was spoken of in such terms in the Scriptures were Moses, Samson and Samuel, all great judges and prophets. And indeed throughout his life from childhood, God’s hand was with him.
Zacharias’ Prophecy 1:67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied concerning his son in terms of his God given mission of preparing the way for the long awaited Messiah, Jesus; and so he begins by praising God for the coming Messianic kingdom. 1:68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he has come to help and has redeemed his people. Zechariah first praises God for visiting His people. The birth of John announced that the coming near of Go din the person of the Messiah was imminent. Zechariah further reveals the purpose of this coming; he (God, through the Messiah) has come to redeem His people and Zechariah’s new-born child would grow to announce this coming to Israel. 1:69-71 For he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from long ago. That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us. A ‘horn’ is a figure for a mighty deliverer; a king from the lineage of David (Psa. 18:2). In Zechariah’s eyes he would save the people of Israel from their enemies, just as God had made known through His prophets since the world began (Acts 3:21-24). Perhaps Zechariah especially has in mind the first prophecy in the Bible (verse 70 can read ‘since the world began’), where the enemy who brought sin, death and estrangement from God into the world is depicted as being defeated by the Messiah, and the effects of his work are undone (Gen. 3:15; 1 John 3:8). 1:72 He has done this to show mercy to our ancestors, and to remember his holy covenant. He is fulfilling His promise of mercy that He made to Israel’s forefathers (especially Abraham) and has remembered the covenant He had made with them; a covenant which Paul explains was to be made with all people through one of Abraham’s descendants -the Messiah (Gal. 3:15-17).
1:73-75 The oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham. This oath grants that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, may serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him for as long as we live. Indeed, Zechariah elaborates on what he has said already. This is the covenant which He made with Abraham after he offered up his son Isaac (Gen. 22:16-17), granting Israel deliverance from sin so that they could serve Him in holiness, consecration and righteousness (Eph. 4:24) without any fear (Isa. 45:17). 1:76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High. For you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways. Zechariah’s prophesy now turns to John, who would be called the prophet of the Most High for he will go before the Lord Jesus Christ preparing the way for Him (Mal. 3:1 and Mal. 4:5). 1:77 To give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. John was to make known the way of salvation to the people, firstly through preaching that they should repent in order to be ready for the Messiah; and then by pointing him out to them, the one who would forgive their sins (Luke 3:3). 1:78 Because of our God's tender mercy the dawn will break upon us from on high. Thus the mission of John and that of Christ would be accomplished by God's tender love, mercy and grace. What is more, the time is imminent for Messiah’s appearing; the sun is about to rise for a new day of grace. 1:79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Through the Messiah’s coming, God will cause his light to shine into the hearts of those who are lost in the darkness of sin and held captive by the fear of death (Eph. 5:8 and Heb. 2:15); leading sinners into the way of peace (Eph. 2:14). 1:80 And the child kept growing and becoming strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he was revealed to Israel. John grew up and become spiritually strong, that is mature his knowledge, understanding and strength of the Lord. He lived in isolation in the desert until the time came for him make himself known to Israel. © Derek Williams & Mathew Bartlett 2013 Bible Studies Online UK www.biblestudiesonline.org.uk You may copy, print or distribute our studies freely in any form, just so long as you make no charges. Sign up today for our FREE monthly Bible study magazine “Living Word” Scriptures taken from the NET Bible www.bible.org