1:71 that we should be saved 1 from our enemies, 2
and from the hand of all who hate us.
1:72 He has done this 3 to show mercy 4 to our ancestors, 5
and to remember his holy covenant 6 –
1 tn Grk “from long ago, salvation.”
2 sn 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 view is Satan and his cohorts, with the grip they have on humanity.
3 tn The words “He has done this” (referring to the raising up of the horn of salvation from David’s house) are not in the Greek text, but are supplied to allow a new sentence to be started in the translation. The Greek sentence is lengthy and complex at this point, while contemporary English uses much shorter sentences.
4 sn Mercy refers to God’s loyal love (steadfast love) by which he completes his promises. See Luke 1:50.
5 tn Or “our forefathers”; Grk “our fathers.” This begins with the promise to Abraham (vv. 55, 73), and thus refers to many generations of ancestors.
6 sn 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).