Forasmuch as [ε π ε ι δ η π ε ρ]. Only ere in New Testament. A compound conjuction : ejpei, since, dh, as is well known, and per, giving the sense of certainty. Have taken in hand [ε π ε χ ε ι ρ η σ α ν]. Used by Luke only. A literal translation. The word carries the sense of a difficult undertakin... [ Continue Reading ]
Even as. Referring to the composition of the narrative. Delivered [π α ρ ε δ ο σ α ν]. Not necessarily excluding written traditions, but referring mainly to oral tradition. Note the distinction between the many who attempted to draw up a narrative and the eye witnesses and ministers who handed down... [ Continue Reading ]
Having had perfect understanding [π α ρ η κ ο λ ο υ θ η κ ο τ ι]. Incorrect. The verb means to follow closely, and hence to trace accurately. See 2 Timothy 3:10, where Rev. reads thou didst follow for thou hast fully known. Rev. renders here having traced the course. The word occurs frequently in me... [ Continue Reading ]
Mightest know [ε π ι γ ν ω ς]. See on Matthew 7:16. With the idea of full knowledge; or, as regards Theophilus, of more accurate knowledge than is possible from the many who have undertaken the narration. Certainty [α σ φ α λ ε ι α ν]. From aj, not, and sfallomai, to fall. Hence steadfastness, stab... [ Continue Reading ]
King. A title decreed to Herod by the Roman Senate on the recommendation of Antony and Octavius. The Greek style now gives place to the Hebraized style. See Introduction. Course [ε φ η μ ε ρ ι α ς]. Lit., daily service. The college of priests was divided into twenty four courses. Each of these did... [ Continue Reading ]
Before God. A Hebrew expression. Compare Genesis 7:1; Acts 8:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
Well stricken [π ρ ο β ε β η κ ο τ ε ς]. Lit., advanced. Wyc., had gone far in their days.... [ Continue Reading ]
His lot was [ε λ α χ ε]. Four lots were drawn to determine the order of the ministry of the day : the first, before daybreak, to designate the priests who were to cleanse the altar and prepare its fires; the second for the priest who was to offer the sacrifice and cleanse the candlestick and the alt... [ Continue Reading ]
Is heard [ε ι σ η κ ο υ σ θ η]. If we render the aorist literally, was heard, we avoid the question as to what prayer is referred to. The reference is to the prayer for offspring, which, owing to his extreme years, Zacharias had probably ceased to offer, and which he certainly would not be preferrin... [ Continue Reading ]
Joy and gladness [χ α ρ α κ α ι α γ α λ λ ι α σ ι ς]. The latter word exprsses exultant joy. See on 1 Peter 1:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
Strong drink [σ ι κ ε ρ α]. A Hebrew word, meaning any kind of intoxicating liquor not made from grapes. Wyc., sydir. Even from his mother's womb. Eti, yet, still, means while yet unborn. Tynd., even in his mother's womb. Compare verse 41.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wisdom [φ ρ ο ν η σ ε ι]. Wyc., prudence. This is a lower word than sofia, wisdom (see on James 3:13). It is an attribute or result of wisdom, and not necessarily in a good sense, though mostly so in the New Testament.. Compare, however, the use of the kindred word fronimov in Romans 11:25; Romans 1... [ Continue Reading ]
Whereby [κ α τ α τ ι]. Lit., according to what? It demands a standard of knowledge, a sign. For. I require a sign, for I am old.... [ Continue Reading ]
Gabriel. Meaning man of God. In Jewish tradition the guardian of the sacred treasury. Michael (see on Jude 1:9) is the destroyer, the champion of God against evil, the minister of wrath. Gabriel is the messenger of peace and restoration. See Daniel 8:16; Daniel 9:21. "The former is the forerunner of... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou shalt be silent [ε σ η σ ι ω π ω ν]. Lit., thou shalt be being silent. The finite verb and participle denote continuance. Not able to speak. Showing that the silence would not be voluntary. My words which [ο ι τ ι ν ε ς]. The pronoun is qualitative, denoting a class. " My words, which, incred... [ Continue Reading ]
Waited [η ν π ρ ο σ δ ο κ ω ν]. The finite verb and participle, denoting protracted waiting. Hence, better as Rev., were waiting. Wyc., was abiding. Marvelled. According to the Talmud, the priests, especially the chief priests, were accustomed to spend only a short time in the sanctuary, otherwise... [ Continue Reading ]
They perceived [ε π ε γ ν ω σ α ν]. Clearly perceived. See on Matthew 7:16, and verse 4. He beckoned [η ν δ ι α ν ε υ ω ν]. Better Rev., continued making signs. Again the participle with the finite verb, denoting frequent repetition of the same signs. Wyc., was beckoning.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ministration [λ ε ι τ ο υ ρ γ ι α ς]. From leitov, belonging to the people, public, and ergon, a work. Hence service of the state in a public office. Trench observes that "when the Christian Church was forming its terminology, which it did partly by shaping new words, and partly by elevating old one... [ Continue Reading ]
Conceived [σ υ ν ε λ α β ε ν]. Mr. Hobart (" Medical Language of Luke ") says that the number of words referring to pregnancy, barrenness, etc., used by Luke, is almost as large as that used by Hippocrates. Compare Luke 1:31; Luke 1:24; Luke 2:5; Luke 1:7; Luke 20:28. All of these, except Luke 1:24,... [ Continue Reading ]
Neither A. V. nor Rev. render oti; taking it, as frequently, merely as recitative or equivalent to quotation marks. But it means because. Elizabeth assigns the reason for her peculiar seclusion. Her pregnancy was God's work, and she would leave it to him also to announce it and openly to take away h... [ Continue Reading ]
Gabriel. The annunciation and the angel Gabriel are favorite themes with Dante, and he pictures them with exquisite beauty. Thus both appear on the sculptured wall which flanks the inner side of the purgatorial ascent. "The angel who came down to earth with tidings Of peace that had been wept for m... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou that art highly favored [κ ε χ α ρ ι τ ω μ ε ν η]. Lit., as Rev. in margin, endued with grace. Only here and Ephesians 1:6. The rendering full of grace, Vulgate, Wyc., and Tynd., is therefore wrong. All the best texts omit blessed art thou among women. Cast in her mind [δ ι ε λ ο γ ι ζ ε τ ο]... [ Continue Reading ]
Grace [χ α ρ ι ν]. From the same root as cairw, to rejoice. 1. Primarily that which gives joy or pleasure; and hence outward beauty, loveliness, something which delights the beholder. Thus Homer, of Ulysses going to the assembly : "Athene shed down manly grace or beauty upon him" (Odyssey, "2 12);... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou shalt conceive. See on verse 24. Jesus. See on Matthew 1:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall overshadow. "Denoting the mildest and most gentle operation of divine power, that the divine fire should not consume Mary, but make her fruitful" (Bengel). Compare Exodus 33:22; Mark 9:7. Compare the classical legend of Semele, who, being beloved of Jove, besought him to appear to her as he ap... [ Continue Reading ]
Cousin [σ υ γ γ ε ν η ς]. The nature of the relationship, however, is unknown. The word is a general term, meaning of the same family. The best texts substitute for it a feminine form, suggeniv, which is condemned by the grammarians as unclassical, but rightly rendered by Rev., kinswoman. Wyc., cosy... [ Continue Reading ]
With God nothing shall be impossible [ο υ κ α δ υ ν α τ η σ ε ι π α ρ α τ ο υ θ ε ο υ π α ν ρ η μ α]. JRhma, word, as distinguished from logov, word, in classical Greek, signifies a constituent part of a speech or writing, as distinguished from the contents as a whole. Thus it may be either a word o... [ Continue Reading ]
Entered into the house. "This detail," says Godet, "serves to put the reader in sympathy with the emotion of Mary at the moment of her arrival. With her first glance at Elizabeth she recognized the truth of the sign that had been given her by the angel, and at this sight the promise she had herself... [ Continue Reading ]
The babe [τ ο β ρ ε φ ο ς]. See on 1 Peter 2:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
She spake out with a loud voice [α ν ε φ ω ν η σ ε φ ω ν η μ ε γ α λ η]. For fwnh, voice, read kraugh, cry : inarticulate, though fwnh may also be used of inarticulate utterance. Rev., rightly, She lifted up her voice with a loud cry; thus rendering in the verb the force of ajna, up, besides picturi... [ Continue Reading ]
For joy [ε ν α γ α λ λ ι α σ ε ι]. Lit., in joy. See on verse 14.... [ Continue Reading ]
For [ο τ ι]. Many, however, prefer that, referring to the substance of her belief : "She believed that there shall be a fulfilment," etc. It is urged that the conception, which was the principal point of faith, had already taken place, so that the fulfilment was no longer future. On the other hand,... [ Continue Reading ]
Said [ε ι π ε ν]. Simply. Compare verse 42. "Elizabeth's salutation was full of excitement, but Mary's hymn breathes a sentiment of deep inward repose" (Godet). Compare the song of Hannah (1 Samual 2). Hannah's song differs from Mary's in its sense of indignation and personal triumph compared with M... [ Continue Reading ]
God my Savior [τ ω θ ε ω τ ω σ ω τ η ρ ι μ ο υ]. Note the two articles. "The God who is the or my Savior." The title Savior is often applied to God in the Old Testament. See Septuagint, Deuteronomy 32:15; Psalms 24:5; Psalms 25:5; Psalms 95:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Regarded [ε π ε β λ ε ψ ε ν]. See on James 2:3. Compare 1 Samuel 1:11; Psalms 31:7; Psalms 119:132, Sept.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mercy [ε λ ε ο ς]. The word emphasizes the misery with which grace (see on verse 30) deals; hence, peculiarly the sense of human wretchedness coupled with the impulse to relieve it, which issues in gracious ministry. Bengel remarks, "Grace takes away the fault, mercy the misery." From generation to... [ Continue Reading ]
Shewed strength [ε π ο ι η σ ε ν κ ρ α τ ο ς]. Lit., made strength. So Wyc., made might. A Hebrew form of expression. Compare Psalms 118:15, Sept. : "The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly" (ejpoihse dunamin, made strength). In the imagination [δ ι α ν ο ι α]. The faculty of thought, understand... [ Continue Reading ]
Hath holpen [α ν τ ε λ α β ε τ ο]. The verb means to lay hold on : thence to grasp helpfully or to help. To lay hold in the sense of partaking (1 Timothy 6:2), carries us back to the primitive meaning of the word according to its composition : to receive instead of, or in return [α ν τ ι], and sugge... [ Continue Reading ]
Had shewed great mercy upon her [ε μ ε γ α λ υ ν ε ν τ ο ε λ ε ο ς α υ τ ο υ μ ε τ α υ τ η ς]. Lit., magnified his mercy with her. So Wyc. A Hebrew expression. See 1 Samuel 12:24, Sept.... [ Continue Reading ]
They called [ε κ α λ ο υ ν]. The imperfect ense signifies, as Rev., they would have called : they were about to call : or, as Bishop Lightfoot has happily suggested, they were for calling.... [ Continue Reading ]
They made signs [ε ν ε ν ε υ ο ν]. Imperfect tense. While the colloquy between Elizabeth and her friends was going on, they were consulting Zacharias by signs.... [ Continue Reading ]
Writing table [π ι ν α κ ι δ ι ο ν]. Table was formerly used in the sense of tablet. Thus Shakspeare : "Yea, from the table of my memory, I'll wipe away all trivial fond records." Hamlet, 1, 5. Tynd., writing tables. The meaning is a little writing tablet, probably covered with wax. Only here in t... [ Continue Reading ]
Immediately [π α ρ α χ ρ η μ α]. Occurring nineteen times in the New Testament, and seventeen of these in Luke. Thirteen of the seventeen are in connection with miracles of healing, or the infliction of disease or death. Used in a similar way by medical writers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Were noised abroad [δ ι α λ ε λ ε ι τ ο]. Were mutually [δ ι α] talked of.... [ Continue Reading ]
Horn. Compare Psalms 132:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
That have been since the world began [α π α ι ω ν ο ς]. A needlessly verbose rendering, retained by Rev. The American Rev. insists on of old.... [ Continue Reading ]
Serve [λ α τ ρ ε υ ε ι ν]. Originally to serve for hire, from latron, hire. Plato uses it of the service of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Holiness and righteousness [ο σ ι ο τ η τ ι κ α ι δ ι κ α ι ο σ υ ν η]. The adjective osiov, holy, is properly what is confirmed by ancient sanction and precept. Osia, is used in classical Greek to denote the everlasting principles of right, not constituted by the laws or customs of men, but anteda... [ Continue Reading ]
Knowledge of salvation. Wyc. has the science of health.... [ Continue Reading ]
mercy [σ π λ α γ χ ν α ε λ ε ο υ ς]. Lit., bowels of mercy. See on 1 Peter 3:8; James 5:11. Rev. gives heart of mercy in margin. Wyc., frightfully, entrails of mercy. The day - spring from on high [α ν α τ ο λ η ε ξ υ ψ ο υ ς]. Lit., the rising. The word occurs in the Septuagint as a rendering of br... [ Continue Reading ]
To guide [κ α τ ε υ θ υ ν α ι]. From eujquv, straight. Wyc. has dress, which is formed through the old French dresser, to arrange, from the Latin dirigere, to set in a straight line, draw up. Hence the military term dress for arranging a line.... [ Continue Reading ]
The deserts [τ α ι ς ε ρ η μ ο ι ς]. The article indicating a well known place. Shewing [α α δ ε ι ξ ε ω ς]. The word was used of the public announcement of an official nomination; hence of the public inauguration of John's ministry. p... [ Continue Reading ]