Commentary
Old Testament : Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
The Song of Songs
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
![](images/minus.gif)
Text -- Luke 1:25-80 (NET)
![](images/arrow_open.gif)
Strongs On/Off
Context
1:25 “This is what the Lord has done for me at the time when he has been gracious to me, to take away my disgrace among people .”
Birth Announcement of Jesus the Messiah
1:26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth ,
1:27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph , a descendant descendant of David , and the virgin’s name was Mary .
1:28 The angel came to her and said , “Greetings , favored one, the Lord is with you !”
1:29 But she was greatly troubled by his words and began to wonder about the meaning of this greeting .
1:30 So the angel said to her , “Do not be afraid , Mary , for you have found favor with God !
1:31 Listen : You will become pregnant and give birth to a son , and you will name him Jesus .
1:32 He will be great , and will be called the Son of the Most High , and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David .
1:33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever , and his kingdom will never end .”
1:34 Mary said to the angel , “How will this be , since I have not had sexual relations with a man ?”
1:35 The angel replied , “The Holy Spirit will come upon you , and the power of the Most High will overshadow you . Therefore the child to be born will be holy ; he will be called the Son of God .
1:36 “And look , your relative Elizabeth has also become pregnant with a son in her old age – although she was called barren , she is now in her sixth month !
1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God .”
1:38 So Mary said , “Yes, I am a servant of the Lord ; let this happen to me according to your word .” Then the angel departed from her .
Mary and Elizabeth
1:39 In those days Mary got up and went hurriedly into the hill country , to a town of Judah ,
1:40 and entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth .
1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting , the baby leaped in her womb , and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit .
1:42 She exclaimed with a loud voice , “Blessed are you among women , and blessed is the child in your womb !
1:43 And who am I that the mother of my Lord should come and visit me ?
1:44 For the instant the sound of your greeting reached my ears , the baby in my womb leaped for joy .
1:45 And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled .”
Mary’s Hymn of Praise
1:46 And Mary said , “My soul exalts the Lord ,
1:47 and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior ,
1:48 because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant . For from now on all generations will call me blessed ,
1:49 because he who is mighty has done great things for me , and holy is his name ;
1:50 from generation to generation he is merciful to those who fear him .
1:51 He has demonstrated power with his arm ; he has scattered those whose pride wells up from the sheer arrogance of their hearts .
1:52 He has brought down the mighty from their thrones , and has lifted up those of lowly position ;
1:53 he has filled the hungry with good things , and has sent the rich away empty .
1:54 He has helped his servant Israel , remembering his mercy ,
1:55 as he promised to our ancestors , to Abraham and to his descendants forever .”
1:56 So Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home .
The Birth of John
1:57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to have her baby , and she gave birth to a son .
1:58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her , and they rejoiced with her .
1:59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child , and they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father .
1:60 But his mother replied , “No ! He must be named John .”
1:61 They said to her , “But none of your relatives bears this name .”
1:62 So they made signs to the baby’s father , inquiring what he wanted to name his son .
1:63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote , “His name is John .” And they were all amazed .
1:64 Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue released, and he spoke , blessing God .
1:65 All their neighbors were filled with fear , and throughout the entire hill country of Judea all these things were talked about.
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 .
Zechariah’s Praise and Prediction
1:67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied ,
1:68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel , because he has come to help and has redeemed his people .
1:69 For he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David ,
1:70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from long ago ,
1:71 that we should be saved from our enemies , and from the hand of all who hate us .
1:72 He has done this to show mercy to our ancestors , and to remember his holy covenant –
1:73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham . This oath grants
1:74 that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies , may serve him without fear ,
1:75 in holiness and righteousness before him for as long as we live .
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 ,
1:77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins .
1:78 Because of our God’s tender mercy the dawn will break upon us from on high
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 .”
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 .
![](images/advanced.gif)
![](images/advanced.gif)
![](images/advanced.gif)
Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics
![](images/arrow_open.gif)
Names, People and Places:
Dictionary Themes and Topics:
Elisabeth |
Zacharias |
Miracles |
JESUS CHRIST, 4A |
Jonah, Book of |
Mary |
Joy |
Jesus, The Christ |
JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY |
Women |
Psalms |
Angel |
Poetry |
Readings, Select |
Songs |
Magnificat |
Praise |
ZACHARIAS (2) |
God |
John |
more
![](images/cmt_minus_head.gif)
expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes -> Luk 1:25; Luk 1:25; Luk 1:25; Luk 1:25; Luk 1:25; Luk 1:26; Luk 1:26; Luk 1:26; Luk 1:26; Luk 1:26; Luk 1:27; Luk 1:27; Luk 1:27; Luk 1:28; Luk 1:28; Luk 1:28; Luk 1:28; Luk 1:28; Luk 1:29; Luk 1:29; Luk 1:29; Luk 1:30; Luk 1:30; Luk 1:30; Luk 1:30; Luk 1:31; Luk 1:31; Luk 1:31; Luk 1:31; Luk 1:31; Luk 1:31; Luk 1:32; Luk 1:32; Luk 1:32; Luk 1:32; Luk 1:33; Luk 1:33; Luk 1:33; Luk 1:34; Luk 1:34; Luk 1:35; Luk 1:35; Luk 1:35; Luk 1:35; Luk 1:35; Luk 1:36; Luk 1:36; Luk 1:36; Luk 1:36; Luk 1:37; Luk 1:38; Luk 1:38; Luk 1:38; Luk 1:38; Luk 1:38; Luk 1:38; Luk 1:39; Luk 1:39; Luk 1:41; Luk 1:41; Luk 1:41; Luk 1:41; Luk 1:42; Luk 1:42; Luk 1:42; Luk 1:42; Luk 1:43; Luk 1:44; Luk 1:44; Luk 1:44; Luk 1:45; Luk 1:45; Luk 1:45; Luk 1:45; Luk 1:45; Luk 1:46; Luk 1:46; Luk 1:46; Luk 1:46; Luk 1:47; Luk 1:48; Luk 1:48; Luk 1:48; Luk 1:48; Luk 1:49; Luk 1:50; Luk 1:50; Luk 1:50; Luk 1:51; Luk 1:51; Luk 1:52; Luk 1:52; Luk 1:52; Luk 1:53; Luk 1:53; Luk 1:54; Luk 1:54; Luk 1:55; Luk 1:55; Luk 1:55; Luk 1:56; Luk 1:56; Luk 1:56; Luk 1:57; Luk 1:57; Luk 1:58; Luk 1:58; Luk 1:58; Luk 1:59; Luk 1:59; Luk 1:59; Luk 1:60; Luk 1:60; Luk 1:60; Luk 1:60; Luk 1:61; Luk 1:61; Luk 1:61; Luk 1:62; Luk 1:62; Luk 1:62; Luk 1:62; Luk 1:63; Luk 1:63; Luk 1:63; Luk 1:63; Luk 1:64; Luk 1:64; Luk 1:64; Luk 1:64; Luk 1:65; Luk 1:65; Luk 1:66; Luk 1:66; Luk 1:66; Luk 1:66; Luk 1:66; Luk 1:67; Luk 1:67; Luk 1:67; Luk 1:68; Luk 1:68; Luk 1:68; Luk 1:68; Luk 1:69; Luk 1:69; Luk 1:69; Luk 1:69; Luk 1:70; Luk 1:71; Luk 1:71; Luk 1:72; Luk 1:72; Luk 1:72; Luk 1:72; Luk 1:73; Luk 1:73; Luk 1:73; Luk 1:74; Luk 1:74; Luk 1:75; Luk 1:75; Luk 1:76; Luk 1:76; Luk 1:76; Luk 1:76; Luk 1:76; Luk 1:76; Luk 1:77; Luk 1:77; Luk 1:78; Luk 1:78; Luk 1:78; Luk 1:78; Luk 1:79; Luk 1:79; Luk 1:80; Luk 1:80; Luk 1:80; Luk 1:80
NET Notes: Luk 1:25 Grk “among men”; but the context clearly indicates a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") here...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:27 The Greek word order here favors connecting Davidic descent to Joseph, not Mary, in this remark.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:29 Grk “to wonder what kind of greeting this might be.” Luke often uses the optative this way to reveal a figure’s thinking (3:15; 8:9;...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:30 The expression found favor is a Semitism, common in the OT (Gen 6:8; 18:3; 43:14; 2 Sam 15:25). God has chosen to act on this person’s behalf.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:31 You will name him Jesus. This verse reflects the birth announcement of a major figure; see 1:13; Gen 16:7; Judg 13:5; Isa 7:14. The Greek form of the ...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:33 The expression house of Jacob refers to Israel. This points to the Messiah’s relationship to the people of Israel.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:34 Grk “have not known.” The expression in the Greek text is a euphemism for sexual relations. Mary seems to have sensed that the declaration...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:35 Or “Therefore the holy child to be born will be called the Son of God.” There are two ways to understand the Greek phrase τὸ ...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:36 Grk “and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren.” Yet another note on Elizabeth’s loss of reproach also becomes a sig...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:37 In Greek, the phrase πᾶν ῥῆμα (pan rJhma, “nothing”) has an emphatic position, giving it emphasis as...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:38 Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:39 The author does not say exactly where Elizabeth stayed. The location is given generally as a town of Judah. Judah is about a three day trip south of N...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:41 The passage makes clear that Elizabeth spoke her commentary with prophetic enablement, filled with the Holy Spirit.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:43 Grk “From where this to me?” The translation suggests the note of humility and surprise that Elizabeth feels in being a part of these even...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:44 On the statement the baby in my womb leaped for joy see both 1:14 and 1:47. This notes a fulfillment of God’s promised word.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:46 This psalm (vv. 46-55) is one of the few praise psalms in the NT. Mary praises God and then tells why both in terms of his care for her (vv. 46-49) an...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:47 Or “rejoices.” The translation renders this aorist, which stands in contrast to the previous line’s present tense, as ingressive, wh...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:48 Mary is seen here as an example of an object of God’s grace (blessed) for all generations.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:50 That is, “who revere.” This refers to those who show God a reverential respect for his sovereignty.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:51 Grk “in the imaginations of their hearts.” The psalm rebukes the arrogance of the proud, who think that power is their sovereign right. He...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:52 The contrast between the mighty and those of lowly position is fundamental for Luke. God cares for those that the powerful ignore (Luke 4:18-19).
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:53 Another fundamental contrast of Luke’s is between the hungry and the rich (Luke 6:20-26).
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:56 As is typical with Luke the timing is approximate (about three months), not specific.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:57 The words “her baby” are not in the Greek text, but have been supplied for clarity.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:58 The verb συνέχαιρον (sunecairon) is an imperfect and could be translated as an ingressive force, ...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:59 This could be understood as a conative imperfect, expressing an unrealized desire (“they were trying to name him”). It has been given more...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:60 “No! He must be named John.” By insisting on the name specified by the angel, Elizabeth (v. 60) and Zechariah (v. 63) have learned to obey...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:63 The response, they were all amazed, expresses a mixture of surprise and reflection in this setting where they were so certain of what the child’...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:64 “Released” is implied; in the Greek text both στόμα (stoma) and γλῶσσα (glwssa) ar...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:65 Fear is the emotion that comes when one recognizes something unusual, even supernatural, has taken place.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:66 The reference to the Lord’s hand indicates that the presence, direction, and favor of God was with him (Acts 7:9b).
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:67 Prophesied. The reference to prophecy reflects that Zechariah is enabled by the Spirit to speak God’s will. He does so in this case through a pr...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:68 Has redeemed is a reference to redemption, but it anticipates the total release into salvation that the full work of Messiah will bring for Israel. Th...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:69 In the house of his servant David is a reference to Messiah’s Davidic descent. Zechariah is more interested in Jesus than his own son John at th...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:71 The theme of being saved from our enemies is like the release Jesus preached in Luke 4:18-19. Luke’s narrative shows that one of the enemies in ...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:72 The promises of God can be summarized as being found in the one promise (the oath that he swore) to Abraham (Gen 12:1-3).
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:73 Again for reasons of English style, the infinitival clause “to grant us” has been translated “This oath grants” and made the b...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Luk 1:74 This phrase in Greek is actually thrown forward to the front of the verse to give it emphasis.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)