Luke 1

The preface of Luke to his gospel 1 the parentage and life of Zachary and Elizabeth 5 an angel appears to Zachariah in the temple 8 who foretells him the conception and birth of John whose office he describeth 13 Zachary not believing this is therefore punished with dumbness for a season 18 Elizabeth conceiveth 24 the angel Gabriel declares to the virgin Mary that shall conceive and give birth to the son of God 26 afterwards she goeth to Elizabeth who receiveth her with joy and pronounceth her blessed 39 Mary praiseth the Lord with a hymn 40 Elizabeth brings forth her son 57 who is circumcised and called John 59 Zachary recovers his speech again and sings a song of praise to the Lord prophesying of the office of Christ and his fore runner John 64 who goeth up in the wilderness and becomes strong in the spirit 80.

1. Forasmuch as many has taken in hand [many ancient teachers think that by these are understood some persons who of their own motion had undertaken to set down some parts of the evangelical history which were not received of the Christian church or which they have not perfected but others think that Matthew and Mark may be understood hereby forasmuch as Luke seems to put himself among them and sets down many histories and particulars which either are not at all or in few words touched by them]to set in order a relation of things which have perfect certainty amongst us [namely Christians .]

2. According as those have delivered over unto us who from the beginning where themselves beholders [namely the apostles and disciples of Christ see 1 John 1:1]and ministers of the word [that is of the matter that is here described Hebraism although some think that here by Christ himself is understood as he is so called John1.1]

3. So have I also thought good having diligently searched all things [Gr followed after searched after endeavored after that is having gotten a grounded knowledge of all things all which was done of him by a special motion of the holy Ghost Acts 15 verse 25,28, 2 Peter1.21]from before onwards [Gr even from above for he begins from the conception of John the Baptist]accordingly to write unto thee most excellent [Gr most mighty] Theophilus [Gr who is Theophilus was is uncertain yet it appears by this title which here is given to him that he as an honorable and eminent man seeing the same title is also given to the Roman governors Felix and Festus Acts 24:3 Acts 26:25 to the same also Luke dedicated his second book of the Acts of the apostle Acts 1:1]

4. That thou mightiest know the certainty of the things whereof thou art instructed [the Greek word many times signified to instruct with a lively voice but is also sometimes taken for all manner of instructing Acts 18:25 Romans 2:18 1Corinthians 14.19 Galatians 6:6]

5. In the days [that is in the times] of Herod [namely the great see concerning him Matthew 2:1]the king of Judea there was a certain priest by name Zachariah of the daily order [Gr Ephemeria which here signifies a certain order or class which stood under one head and some days of the year their course where to take care of the worship of God in the temple of which the order of Abia was the eight according to the first instruction see 1 Chronicles 24:10]of Abia and his wife as the daughter of Aaron and her name Elizabeth.

6. And they were both righteous before God [that is not only before men as the hypocrites sometimes are but in all uprightness before God]walking in all commandments and rights of the Lord unblameably [namely by men without giving offence for that Zachariah was not without sin appears out of verse 20]

7. And they had no child because Elizabeth was barren and both were gone far onwards in their days.

8. And it came to pass that he administered the priest office of God [namely as his special function together with others for as much as he was common priest and no high priest as some think for he might not lot with any man] in the course of his daily order .

9. According to the custom of priestly administration it was fallen to his lot that he should enter to his temple of the Lord to offer incense.

10. And all the multitude of the people was without [namely in the court of the temple 1 Kings 7:12 2 Chronicles 4:9] praying at the hour of offering incense.

11. And there was seen of him an angel of the Lord standing at the right side of the altar of incense offering [this altar stood in the holy place behind which the holy of holies separated by the vail here incense was to be offered everyday morning and evening Exodus 30:7,8]

12. And Zachariah seeing him was troubled and fear fell upon him.

13. But the angel said unto him fear not Zachariah for thy prayer is heard and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son and thou shalt call his name John [which is to say in the Hebrew the grace of God or graced of God or God hath graciously given]

14. And joy and gladness shall be to thee and many shall rejoice at his birth.

15. For he shall be great [that is excellent in respect of his gifts and office whereby he excelled all other foregoing prophets Matthew 11:9, 11] before the Lord he shall not drink neither wine nor strong drink [like the Nazarites were to abstain from it see Numbers 6:3 Judea 13.4, 7] and he shall be filled with the holy ghost even from his mothers womb.

16. And shall turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

17. And he shall go forth before him in the spirit and power of Elias [see hereof Matthew 11:14] to convert the hearts of the fathers [namely of his ministry] to the children and the disobedient of of the just to make ready a prepared people for the Lord [that is fit and ready to receive the Lord]

18. And Zachariah said unto the angel whereby shall I know that? For I am old and my wife is far gone on her days.

19. And the angel answered and said unto him I am Gabriel which stand before God [that is continually serve God before his throne like as the servant stand before their kings to receive his command see Revelations 8.2] and I am sent forth to speak unto thee and to declare these things unto thee [Gr evangelize that is to bring glad tidings]

20. And behold, thou shalt hold thy peace, and not be able to speak until the day that these things shall be come to pass, because that thou shalt not believed my words, which shall be fulfilled at their season.

21. And the people were waiting for Zacharias, [Namely, that he should come forth to give them the usual blessing. See Numb. 6. 23, & c.] and marveled that he tarried so long in the Temple.

22. And when he came forth, he could not speak unto them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the Temple. And he beckoned to them, and remained dumb.

23. And it came to pass when the days of his ministration were fulfilled. [That is, were come to an end: which time was about half a month in the year, 1 Chro. 24. 7, 18.] at each time from the one Sabbath to the other, 1 Chronicles 9:25. and 2 Chro. 23. 8. during which time they they remained in the Temple, in certain dwellings in the Courts of the Temple erected for this purpose: See Jerem. 35. 4] that he went to his house.

24. And after those days his wife Elizabeth became with child, [Gr. Conceived] and she hid her self five months, [namely; until it might fully appear that she was with child] Saying:

25. Thus hath the Lord done to me, in the days in which he hath looked upon [me] to take away my reproach amongst men. [That is, barrenness, which was reproachful with the Jews.]

26. And in the sixth month, [Namely after that Elizabeth was with the child, and had conceived John the Baptist, as appears out of v. 36.] the Angel Gabriel was sent by God unto a City in Galilee called Nazareth.

27. To a Virgin in which was betrothed to a man, whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: [That is, linage. See Luke 2:4.] and the name of the virgin was Mary.

28. And the Angel being come in unto her, said, hail, thou that art much graced [That is hast found grace with the Lord, as the Angel expounds it afterwards, v. 30.] the Lord (is) with thee, thou (art) blessed among women [namely, because by Gods grace thou shalt have the honour and blessing, that thou shalt be the mother which shall bring the Messiah into the world. See v. 42. 43.]

29. And when she saw (him) she was so troubled at this his word, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.

30. And the Angel said unto her, fear not Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.

31. And behold thou shalt be with child [Or conceive in the womb] and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. [That is Saviour, as the Angel expounds it Matth. 1. 21]

32. He shall be great, and he called the son of the most high, [That is: shall be indeed, and be so acknowledged by all believers; as afterwards also v. 35.] And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne [that is, the royal authority; whereby here is understood the spiritual Kingdoms of Christ, whereof David’s wordly Kingdom was a type] of his Father David. [Namely: according to the flesh. See Matthew 1:1]

33. And he shall be King [Namely a spiritual King See John 18; 36.] over the house of Jacob [that is the Church of God, which is the spiritual house of Jacob and the Israel of God, Galatians 6:16.] For ever, and of his Kingdom there shall be none end.

34. And Mary said unto the Angel, how shall that bee? [This she asks, forasmuch as the Angel had told her this she being a Virgin, without making mention of her future husband: and she understood by the Angels words that this should really come to pass, so that this question of Mary proceeded not from any unbelief as the question of Zacharias, v. 18. but only out of a desire to be further instructed herein] seeing I know no man.

35. And the Angel answering said unto her, the holy Ghost shall come upon thee, [Namely, so to work by his power in thee, that thou shalt conceive without the help of man] and the power of the most high shall overshadow thee. Therefore also that holy (thing) [that is, that holy person] which shall be born of thee, shall be called the son of God. [Hereby it is not said, that Christ should be the son of God, because he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, for so she should be the son of the Holy Ghost, but because his conception by the Holy Ghost is a certain argument, that the eternal son of God hath assumed the true human nature of the flesh and blood of Mary by the operation of the Holy Ghost into the unity of his person, Philippians 2:7. Hebrews 2:14. according as Esay prophesied of both, Isaiah 7:14.]

36. And behold Elizabeth thy cousin [Hereby appears that Elizabeth by her Mothers side was of the tribe of Judah, howsoever her father was of the shock of Aaron or Levi, v. 5. For the Priests indeed married wives out of other Tribes, because they had no inheritance] is also her self with child of a son in her old age; and this month is the sixth with her that was called barren.

37. For nothing [Gr. Word] shall be impossible with God.

38. And Mary said; behold the hand-maid of the Lord: Be it unto me according to thy word. And the Angel departed from her.

39. And Mary being risen up in those days [Namely, after that she was become with, as appears from that which followeth] travelled with hast into the hill-country into a City of Juda [that is, lying in the Tribe of Juda. This City seems to have been the City Hebron, first called Kiriath-arba, which being situate in the Tribe of Judah, was fallen to the part of the Levites and Priests, and lay in the hill-country south-wards from Jerusalem. See Josh. 21. v. 9, 10, 11.]

40. And came into the house of Zacharias and Saluteth Elizabeth.

41. And it came to pass when Elizabeth heard the Salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb: [This came to pass by a supernatural and extraordinary motion of the holy Ghost.

42. And cried out with a great voice, and said, blessed (art) thou among women; and blessed (is) the fruit of thy womb.

43. And whence (happeneth) this to me, that the mother of my Lord cometh to me.

44. For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation came into mine ears the babe leapt for joy in my womb.

45. And blessed is (she) that believed: For the things which were told her from the Lord [That is, in the Lords name by the Angel; see v. 31. 32. 33.] Shall be accomplished.

46. And Mary said, my soul doth magnify the Lord: [That is, glorifies and praiseth him in the highest degree.]

47. And my spirit rejoiceth in God my Saviour.

48. Because he hath regarded the lowness of his handmaid, [that is, the low and mean estate; for it is repugnant to the virtue of humility to boast thereof] for behold from henceforth, all the generations shall pronounce me blessed.

49. For he that is mighty hath done great things unto me, and holy [is] his name.

50. And his mercy is from generation to generation, [Gr. To generations of generations.] Upon them that fear him.

51. He hath done a mighty work [Gr. Might] by his arm: that is, by his power] he hath scattered the high-minded [namely, as the chasse is scattered by the wind, Psalms 1:4.] in the cogitations of their heart.

52. Mighty (ones) hath he plucked down from the thrones, and lowly ones hath be exalted.

53. Hungry ones hath be filled with good things and rich ones he hath sent away empty.

54. He hath taken up [The Greek word signifies to reach forth a helping hand to him that is fallen or forsaken] Israel his servant, that he might be mindful of his mercy.

55. (As he spake to our Fathers [namely] to Abraham and his seed) for ever.

56. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her house.

57. And the time of Elizabeth was fulfilled, that she should bring forth, and she brought forth a son.

58. And those that dwelt there round about, and her kinsfolk heard that the Lord had greatly showed [Gr. Magnified] his mercy to her, and rejoiced with her.

59. And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and called it Zacharias, [Namely, according to the custom of the Jews, who gave the children their names when they were circumcised, Genesis 21:3. Isa. 8. v. 1. 2. Luke 2:21. as therefore the like is also done with us in baptism] after the name of his father.

60. And his mother answered and said, not [so:] but he shall be called John.

61. And they said unto her, there is no man in thy kindred [or linage] who is called by this name.

62. And they beckoned to his Father, how he would that he should be called.

63. And when he had asked for a writing-table, [There were little tables or boards done over with wax, whereon men wrote with pins, or gravers.] he wrote, saying, John is his name. And they marveled all.

64. And straightway his month was opened, and his tongue [made loose] and he spake praising God. [Gr. Blessing]

65. And there came fear upon all, that dwelt round about them; and in the whole hill-country of Judea, there was much spoken of all these things. [Gr. Words.]

66. And all that beard it took it to heart, [Gr. Laid it in their hearts. i.e. retained and considered of these things carefully] saying, what shall this child be pray. And the hand of the Lord was with him. [That is, a special power and grace of the Lord.]

67. And Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied saying,

68. Praised [Gr. Blessed.] [Be] be the Lord the God of Israel, for he hath visited [namely in mercy] and brought to pass redemption for his people.

69. And hath created a horn of Salvation [That is, a strong Redeemer, namely Christ, as Psal 132. 17.A similitude taken from beasts that have horns, wherewith they put forth great force] for us in the house of David his servant.

70. As he spoke by the mouth of his holy Prophets, which [were] from the beginning of the world [Gr. From the age i.e. since that the age or world was.]

71. [Namely, deliverance from our enemies, and from the hand of all those that hate us.

72. That he might show mercy to our fathers, and might remember his holy covenant: [That is, might really show that he was mindful of it.]

73. [And] of the Oath, [Gr. The oath; which some interpret, according to the oath, or of the oath.] Which he swore to our father Abraham to give unto us.

74. That we being delivered out of the band of our enemies, might serve him without fear,

75. In holiness and righteousness before him, all his days of our life.

76. And thou child shalt be called a prophet of the most high: for thou shalt go fourth before the face of the Lord, [Namely, of the Messiah Jesus Christ. See Matth. 3. 3.] To prepare his ways.

77. To give his people knowledge of Salvation, in [Or to, by.] the forgiveness of their sins.

78. Through the inwards moving of the mercy of our God, [Gr. Bowels of mercy, a similitude taken from men, whose bowels are moved and yern when the heart is strongly affected with mercy] wherewith the (Sun) rising out of the height, [Hereby is signified the Messiah, because he is called, A star out of Jacob, Numb. 24.17. and the sun of righteousness. Malachi 4:2. Otherwise the Greek word signifies also, a rising shoot or sprout, as the Messiah is so called. Jeremiah 23:5. Zach. 3. 8. and 6. 12. but the following verse showeth that here it is more sitly taken in the first signification] hath visited us.

79. To appear [Or to enlighten] to those that are set in darkness, and the shadow of death : to direct our feet on the way of peace.

80. And the child grew up, and was strengthened in the spirit, [Or, by the spirit i.e. by the operation of the holy Ghost] and was in the wilderness, [See the Annotations, Matth. 3. 1.] until the day of his showing (exhibition) to Israel. [that is, that he came forth, to administer and execute his office amongst the Israelites.]