Luke 1:71-73

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


tn Grk “from long ago, salvation.”

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.

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.

sn Mercy refers to God’s loyal love (steadfast love) by which he completes his promises. See Luke 1:50.

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.

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).

tn This is linked back grammatically by apposition to “covenant” in v. 72, specifying which covenant is meant.

tn Or “forefather”; Grk “father.”

tn Again for reasons of English style, the infinitival clause “to grant us” has been translated “This oath grants” and made the beginning of a new sentence in the translation.