Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Ver. 1. _Many have taken in hand_] Or, have attempted, επεχειρησαν, but not effected. Hence some have concluded, that Luke wrote first of the four evangelists. Howbeit t... [ Continue Reading ]
Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; Ver. 2. _Which from the beginning were eyewitnesses_] Therefore it may seem his Gospel was not dictated to him by Paul (who was no eyewitness), as some ancients have affirmed. But if we can b... [ Continue Reading ]
It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, Ver. 3. _Having had perfect understanding_] Or, following them close at heels, and (as we say) hot-foot, παρηκολουθηκοτι . _ From the very first_]... [ Continue Reading ]
That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. Ver. 4. _Wherein thou hast been instructed_] Which thou hast received by hearsay, or by word of mouth; and wherein thou hast been catechised, receiving the mysteries of the faith by the ministry of the voice,... [ Continue Reading ]
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife _was_ of the daughters of Aaron, and her name _was_ Elisabeth. Ver. 5. _In the days of Herod_] Herod a stranger, upon the death of Antigonus, last of the Maccabeans, by Augustus... [ Continue Reading ]
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Ver. 6. _In all the commandments and ordinances_] That is, in all the duties of both the moral and ceremonial law. _ Blameless_] Αμεμπροι, _sine querela, _ saith the Vulgate, "without com... [ Continue Reading ]
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were _now_ well stricken in years. Ver. 7. _And they had no child_] Which was then held a heavy judgment, as that which rendered them suspected of impiety, since godliness had the promise of increase both within doors and witho... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, Ver. 8. _In the order of his course_] He took but his turn, and served but his time. God never purposed to burden any of his creatures with devotion.... [ Continue Reading ]
According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. Ver. 9. _To burn incense_] In the incense of prayer, how many sweet spices are burned together, by the fire of faith, as humility, love, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. Ver. 10. _Praying without at the time of incense_] Song of Solomon 3:6, the Church is said to ascend out of the wilderness of this world with pillars of smoke, _elationibus fumi, _ that is, with affections, thoughts,... [ Continue Reading ]
And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Ver. 11. _Standing on the right side of the altar_] As Satan stood at the right hand of Joshua to molest him, Zechariah 3:1, so stand the angels at our right hand, in the public assemblies especiall... [ Continue Reading ]
And when Zacharias saw _him_, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. Ver. 12. _He was troubled_] But without cause; he should have been comforted rather, for his sins were covered. How will wicked men stand before Christ?... [ Continue Reading ]
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. Ver. 13. _For thy prayer is heard_] Both for a son, and for a Saviour.... [ Continue Reading ]
And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. Ver. 14. _Thou shalt have joy_] This is not every father's happiness. Many fathers are forced through grief for their untoward children to wish to die, as Elijah did when he sat under the juniper, and as Moses did when weari... [ Continue Reading ]
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. Ver. 15. _Great in the sight of the Lord_] _Significatur singularis quaedam praestantia, ut_ Genesis 10:9. He shall be singularly q... [ Continue Reading ]
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. Ver. 16. _Shall he turn to the Lord_] A high honour to have any hand in the conversion of souls. They that wise others shall shine in heaven,Daniel 12:3 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Ver. 17. _In the spirit and power of Elias_] There is a great agreement between the times of E... [ Continue Reading ]
And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. Ver. 18. _For I am an old man_] Thus reason will be encroaching upon the bounds of faith, till she be taken captive by infidelity. Drive, therefore, Hagar out of doors.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. Ver. 19. _That stand in the presence of God_] _Ut apparitor, ab apparendo, _ ready pressed to any service.... [ Continue Reading ]
And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. Ver. 20. _And behold thou shall be dumb_] His tongue that so lately moved through unbelief is now tied up. God w... [ Continue Reading ]
And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. Ver. 21. _The people waited for Zacharias_] They would not away without the blessing prescribed to the priests, Numbers 6:23,27. In the council of Agathon it was decreed that people should not presume to go ou... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. Ver. 22. _He could not speak unto them_] Hereupon a divine thus descants: _Tacuit pater vocis, et cessit in miraculum: Vox si sileat, c... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. Ver. 23. _As soon as the days, &c._] Zacharias, though he ceased to speak, yet he ceased not to minister. Though he were dumb, yet he was not lame, but could do sacrifice, and did it.... [ Continue Reading ]
And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Ver. 24. _And hid herself_] _Obscurum qua id fecerit ex causa._ It is hard to say why she did this, saith a learned interpreter, but likely out of modesty; and that she may make no show till she was sure, as als... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on _me_, to take away my reproach among men. Ver. 25. _Thus hath the Lord_] She saw that all her prayers that she had haply forgotten, were not lost, but laid up with God, who now sends in the blessing that she had despaired of. The Lor... [ Continue Reading ]
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, Ver. 26. _Unto a city of Galilee_] God and his angels can find out his hidden ones, Psalms 83:3, in what corner of the country soever.... [ Continue Reading ]
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name _was_ Mary. Ver. 27. _Espoused to a man_] 1. The better to free her from suspicion of fornication. 2. That she might have one to provide for her when she was with child. 3. That the mystery of God mani... [ Continue Reading ]
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, _thou that art_ highly favoured, the Lord _is_ with thee: blessed _art_ thou among women. Ver. 28. _Hail, thou that art highly favoured_] κεχαριτωμενη. A salutation and not a prayer, as Papists pervert and abuse it. And when the Ave Maria bell rings,... [ Continue Reading ]
And when she saw _him_, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. Ver. 29. _She was troubled at his saying_] Affect not the vain praises of men, saith one. The blessed Virgin was troubled when truly praised by an angel. They shall be praised by a... [ Continue Reading ]
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. Ver. 30. _Fear not, Mary_] We are not fit to hear till quit of carnal affections and passions. The ear which tastes words as the mouth doth meat, when killed with choler or other ill humours, can relish no comfort.... [ Continue Reading ]
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. Ver. 31. _Shalt call his name Jesus_] _See Trapp on "_ Mat 1:21 _"_ If it were such a mercy to Israel that God raised up their sons for prophets, and their young men for Nazarites, Amos 2:11, what wa... [ Continue Reading ]
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: Ver. 32. _Son of the Highest_] Answerable to the Hebrew _Elion, _ whence ηλιος for the sun, _cuius antiquissima veneratio, _ saith Beza, whom the ancients deify.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Ver. 33. _And of his kingdom there shall be no end_] St Paul saith indeed that he shall at the end of the world deliver up the kingdom to God the Father; not that his kingdom shall then cease, but that fo... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? Ver. 34. _How shall this be?_] This is a speech not of unbelief, but of wonderment, as desiring also to be better informed.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Ver. 35. _The power of the Highest shall overshadow thee_] As once he did the... [ Continue Reading ]
And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. Ver. 36. _Who was called barren_] It is observed that the barren women (so called in both Testaments) had the best children, as Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Elisa... [ Continue Reading ]
For with God nothing shall be impossible. Ver. 37. _For with God, &c._] We never doubt God's will, but we do in some measure doubt his power. See them both running parallel,Job 42:2 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Ver. 38. _Behold the handmaid of the Lord_] Not Mall God's maid, as a black mouthed Blatero hath blasphemed in print, that the Puritans rudely called her. (Stafford's Female Glory.)... [ Continue Reading ]
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; Ver. 39. _Into the hill country_] Of Judea, southward of Jerusalem, into the city of Hebron, Joshua 21:9 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. Ver. 40. _Saluted Elisabeth_] To whom she could not rest till she had imparted the good news, and both given and received some spiritual gift for mutual confirmation and comfort, Romans 1:11,12. Grief grows greater by concealing, joy b... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: Ver. 41. _The babe leaped in her womb_] Such comfort there is in the presence of Christ (though but in the womb) as it made John to spring. What then sh... [ Continue Reading ]
And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed _art_ thou among women, and blessed _is_ the fruit of thy womb. Ver. 42. _Blessed art thou among women_] So is Jael, the wife of Heber, said to be, Judges 5:24. Who yet perhaps was hardly so good a woman as Deborah, that called her so. But it w... [ Continue Reading ]
And whence _is_ this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Ver. 43. _That the mother of my Lord, &c._] That the Lord himself should come among us, as he did in the flesh, and doth still by his Spirit. Oh, what a mercy!... [ Continue Reading ]
For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Ver. 44. _Leaped in my womb_] More like a suckling at the breast (as the word signifieth) than an embryo in the womb (βρεφος, _puer recens natus_ the boy newly formed, 1Pe 2:2). The Spirit then... [ Continue Reading ]
And blessed _is_ she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. Ver. 45. _Blessed is she, &c._] Mary believed, so did not Zacharias, though a man, a priest, aged, learned, eminent, and the message to him of more appearing possibility. This, El... [ Continue Reading ]
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, Ver. 46. _And Mary said_] See the benefit of good society, and how one Christian kindleth another. "As iron sharpeneth iron, so doth the face of a man his friend," Proverbs 27:17 . _ Doth magnify the Lord_] Μεγαλυνει. Makes room for him, enlargeth her... [ Continue Reading ]
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Ver. 47. _My spirit rejoiceth_] _Tripudiat, _ danceth a galliard (which seemeth to come from the Greek word here used, ηγαλλιασε επι τω θεω, _super Deo_), danceth Levaltoes in God, or for God my Saviour, as the matter and ground of my joy.... [ Continue Reading ]
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Ver. 48. _The low estate_] _Vilitatem, _ the vile and abject condition. _Contra Mariae merita, quae praedicant Papicolae._ Here is no mention of merit. See Beza Annot. in loc.... [ Continue Reading ]
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy _is_ his name. Ver. 49. _He that is mighty_] האל The mighty strong God, οο δυνατος .. _ Hath done great things for me_] No small things can fall from so great a hand. He gives like himself. _ And holy is his name_] God that is holy, is... [ Continue Reading ]
And his mercy _is_ on them that fear him from generation to generation. Ver. 50. _From generation to generation_] Personal goodness is profitable to posterity.... [ Continue Reading ]
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. Ver. 51. _He hath showed strength, &c._] It appears by the whole frame of this holy song, that the blessed Virgin was well versed in the Scripture, which she here makes so much use of in sundry pas... [ Continue Reading ]
He hath put down the mighty from _their_ seats, and exalted them of low degree. Ver. 52. _He hath put down the mighty_] As he did Bajazet, the proud Turk, and set up Tamerlane, a Scythian shepherd; who said that he was sent from heaven to punish Bajazet's rashness, and to teach him that the proud a... [ Continue Reading ]
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. Ver. 53. _He hath filled the hungry_] _See Trapp on "_ Mat 5:6 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of _his_ mercy; Ver. 54. _He hath holpen his servant_] He hath put under his hand, and raised him prostrate, taken him up at his feet, αντελαβετο. This he will not do for an evil doer: he taketh not the ungodly by the hand, Job 8:20 .... [ Continue Reading ]
As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. Ver. 55. _As he spake to our fathers_] Who lived upon reversions, and died upon the promises, accounting them good freehold. God keeps promise with nights and days,Jeremiah 33:20; Jeremiah 33:25. How much more will he with Abraham, a... [ Continue Reading ]
And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. Ver. 56. _And returned to her own house_] An honest heart is found where its calling is. Such a one, when he is abroad, is like a fish in the air; whereinto if it leap for recreation or necessity, yet it soon returns to its... [ Continue Reading ]
Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. Ver. 57. _And she brought forth a son_] The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, Psalms 29:9, though of all other brute creatures they bring forth with greatest trouble, bowing themselves bruising thei... [ Continue Reading ]
And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. Ver. 58. _The Lord had showed great mercy_] And the greater, because in her old age. Births, with those that are much older, are with greater danger; so is the new birth in old sinners... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. Ver. 59. _To circumcise the child_] Infants are no innocents, they are conceived in sin, and the first sheet or blanket wherewith they are covered is woven of... [ Continue Reading ]
And his mother answered and said, Not _so_; but he shall be called John. Ver. 60. _He shall be called John_] Bucer here observeth that he that was high priest when Solomon built the temple was called John, and that there was herein a sweet suitableness. _Pulchre vero convenit, _ saith he, _ut quo n... [ Continue Reading ]
And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. Ver. 61. _There is none of thy kindred_] There is an inbred desire in us all of immortality; we would eternize our names, and do therefore call our children, cities, lands, &c., after them, Psalms 49:11. But they do b... [ Continue Reading ]
And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. Ver. 62. _And they made signs to his father_] Who, therefore, seems to have been deaf (as well as dumb) because he had not hearkened to the angel's speech, but gainsaid it.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. Ver. 63. _And he asked for a writing table_] _Tabellam, sc._ _ceratam, in qua olim stil scribebatur, _ saith Sa. He had an excellent faculty of whom Martial reporteth, " _Currant verba licet, manus est v... [ Continue Reading ]
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue _loosed_, and he spake, and praised God. Ver. 64. _And he spake and praised God_] And had he had as many tongues as he had hairs upon his head, he could never have sufficiently praised God for his son, but especially for his Saviour. See 1 Timoth... [ Continue Reading ]
And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. Ver. 65. _And fear came on all_] This was either the fear of admiration at the many strange accidents about the birth of the Baptist; or the fear of punishment, seei... [ Continue Reading ]
And all they that heard _them_ laid _them_ up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. Ver. 66. _And the hand of the Lord_] That is, his grace and blessing. He had the honour to be _Legis et gratiae fibula, _ as Chrysologus hath it; the buc... [ Continue Reading ]
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Ver. 67. _Was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied_] This was a plentiful amends for the late loss of his speech. See here the goodness of God to all his. _Quibus non solum ablata restituit, sed insperata concedi... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed _be_ the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, Ver. 68. _Blessed be the Lord God of Israel_] This is _Hymnus Evangelicissimus, _ say both Bucer and Pellican. A most evangelical canticle. _ Redeemed his people_] From the wrath of God over them; the guilt and power... [ Continue Reading ]
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; Ver. 69. _An horn of salvation_] A cornucopia, or a mighty Saviour, _qui instar bovis cornupetae inimicos populi Dei prosternat atque deieciat_ (Piscater), that can bestir him much better than that he-goat, Alexander... [ Continue Reading ]
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: Ver. 70. _By the mouth_] There were many prophets, yet they had all but one mouth, so sweet is their harmony.... [ Continue Reading ]
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; Ver. 71. _That we should be saved_] Gr. Salvation from our enemies. This properly importeth the privative part of man's happiness, but includes the positive too.... [ Continue Reading ]
To perform the mercy _promised_ to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; Ver. 72. _To perform the mercy_] God's love moves him to promise, his truth binds him to perform. See both these, 2 Samuel 7:18; 2 Samuel 7:21 "For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart (that is, _ex mero... [ Continue Reading ]
The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, Ver. 73. _The oath which he sware_] ορκος _quasi_ ερκος, a hedge, which a man may not break; much less will God.... [ Continue Reading ]
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, Ver. 74. _Might serve him_] _Servati sumus ut serviamus._ Christ hath therefore broke the devil's yoke from off our necks, that we may take upon us this sweet yoke, and not carry oursel... [ Continue Reading ]
In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. Ver. 75. _Before him_] The sense of God's presence makes men conscientiously obedient to both tables of the law. _Cave spectat Cato, _ was a watchword among the Romans. _Noli peccare, Deus videt, Angeli astant, &c._ Take heed what... [ Continue Reading ]
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; Ver. 76. _And thou, child_] _scil._ _qui nunc tantillus es, in virum magnum evades:_ Though little, thou shalt prove great. _ Thou shalt go before the face of the Lord_]... [ Continue Reading ]
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Ver. 77. _To give knowledge_] Not by infusion, Daniel 1:17, but by instruction. See the dignity and duty of ministers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, Ver. 78. _Whereby the day spring_] Or as Beza rendereth it, the branch (ανατολη) from on high, not from beneath, as other plants or branches. So the anchor of hope entereth not into the deep, but into that with... [ Continue Reading ]
To give light to them that sit in darkness and _in_ the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Ver. 79. _That sit in darkness_] This imports, 1. continuance; 2. content. _ To guide our feet_] The superstitious pagans thought that their goddess Vibilia kept them in their right wa... [ Continue Reading ]
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel. Ver. 80. _And the child grew_] Though his meat was but coarse, and not so nourishing. The blessing of God is the staff of bread: bread would no more nourish without it, than a piece of ea... [ Continue Reading ]