LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:1 The Prologue. The prologue to Luke’s Gospel is a single sentence. It is among the finest Greek writing of the first century and demonstrates Luke’s skill as a writer. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:2 The sources for Luke were EYEWITNESSES AND MINISTERS, especially the faithful 11 of the 12 apostles (Luke 6:13). DELIVERED. A technical Greek term for passing on tradition. WORD. Divine revelation. MOST EXCELLENT. An address for officials and people of high social standing (com... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:5 The Infancy Narrative. The opening (Luke 1:8) and conclusion (Luke 2:21) of this section take place in the temple (see Herod’s Temple in the Time of Jesus). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:12 FEAR FELL UPON HIM. A typical reaction to an angelic or divine presence (compare vv. Luke 1:29, Luke 1:65; Luke 2:9). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:13 YOUR PRAYER HAS BEEN HEARD. Zechariah may have been pleading for Israel as a nation. He apparently also asked God for a child, as indicated by v. Luke 1:13 (compare Genesis 25:21; Genesis 30:22; 1 Samuel 1:10). ⇐ ⇔ [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:15 Not using WINE and STRONG DRINK indicates John’s lifestyle was like the Nazirites’ (Numbers 6:1). His being FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT in the WOMB (Luke 1:41) reveals God’s equipping him for ministry. It also indicates that he was a distinct human person before birth. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:16 TURN. Compare Acts 9:35; Acts 11:21. GO BEFORE HIM. Compare “Prepare the way,” Luke 3:4. The terms SPIRIT and POWER are frequently linked (e.g., Luke 4:14; Acts 1:8;... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:19 GABRIEL. See Daniel 9:21. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:22 MUTE may mean both deaf and mute (see note on vv. 62–63). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:24 Why Elizabeth remained in seclusion FIVE MONTHS is unclear. TO TAKE AWAY MY REPROACH. Childlessness was considered a disgrace (compare Genesis 30:23; Isaiah 4:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.l [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:26 SIXTH MONTH. The sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy (v. Luke 1:24). NAZARETH was a small agricultural settlement. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:27 VIRGIN describes Mary’s condition both before the conception and during pregnancy (Matthew 1:25). BETROTHED. A legally binding engagement, breakable only by divorce (Matthew 1:19). Joseph is a descendant of DAVID (see Matthew 1:20; Luke 2:4; Luke 3:23).... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:32 MOST HIGH. This name for the true God comes from Genesis 14:18. Whereas John is the “prophet of the Most High” (Luke 1:76), Jesus is the “Son of the Most High.” THRONE OF HIS FATHER DAVID. See 2 Samuel 7:12, 2 Samuel 7:16. ⇐ [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:35 The HOLY SPIRIT will perform a great miracle, so that Mary will become pregnant without having sexual relations with a man. THEREFORE indicates that Jesus’ holiness comes from his being conceived by the Holy Spirit. He did not inherit a sinful nature from Adam (see 2 Corinthia... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:39 IN THOSE DAYS links the present account with the previous one (compare Luke 6:12; Acts 1:15). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:44 LEAPED FOR JOY. At the sixth month of pregnancy, the unborn child was a distinct person, able to feel joy. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:46 Mary’s song of praise traditionally has been called the “Magnificat,” based on the Latin for the opening word, “magnifies.” The Magnificat is the first of three hymns in chs. Luke 1:1. The other two are the “Benedictus” (Luke 1:68) and the “Nunc Dimittis” (Luke 2:29). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:48 FOR HE HAS LOOKED. This first reason for Mary’s praise recalls Hannah’s hymn (1 Samuel 2:1). HUMBLE ESTATE. See Luke 1:52; 1 Corinthians 1:26. ALL GENERATIONS... BLESSED recalls Luke 1:42. ⇐ [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:50 FEAR. Reverent, humble obedience that seeks to please God. The second reason for Mary’s praise is introduced by HE HAS SHOWN STRENGTH WITH HIS ARM, a tribute to God’s power. TO ABRAHAM AND TO HIS OFFSPRING emphasizes the fulfillment of God’s promises. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = docum... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:58 SHOWN GREAT MERCY. See v. Luke 1:25. REJOICED WITH HER is a partial fulfillment of v. Luke 1:14 (see Luke 2:10). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, l [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:59 Circumcision on the EIGHTH DAY is commanded in Genesis 17:12; Genesis 21:4; Leviticus 12:3. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:60 JOHN 1:1. See v. Luke 1:13. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:62 THEY MADE SIGNS TO HIS FATHER indicates that Zechariah was deaf as well as mute, or else they would simply have spoken to him. This is confirmed by the people’s amazement (v. Luke 1:63) that he chose the same name Elizabeth chose. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagN... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:67 Zechariah, FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT like Elizabeth (v. Luke 1:41), gives a prophecy (vv. Luke 1:68). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:68 Zechariah’s prophecy is a single sentence in Greek. It is often called the “Benedictus,” from its first word in Latin. Like the Magnificat (see note on vv. 46–55), the Benedictus begins with a word of praise: BLESSED BE THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL, FOR HE HAS VISITED AND REDEEMED H... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:69 The HORN, symbolizing strength, refers to Jesus. DAVID. See v. Luke 1:27. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:70 AS HE SPOKE... FROM OF OLD emphasizes the fulfillment and continuity between the old and new covenants (see vv. Luke 1:72). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:76 KNOWLEDGE OF SALVATION. Such knowledge results in a change of heart and behavior (e.g., “repentance”; compare Luke 3:7). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:78 THE SUNRISE SHALL VISIT US... TO GIVE LIGHT. Probably a metaphor referring to the coming of the Messiah (compare Isaiah 60:2; Malachi 4:2; and perhaps Numbers 24:17). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.g [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:80 THE CHILD GREW AND BECAME STRONG IN SPIRIT. Compare Luke 2:40. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]