Luke 1:69

1:69 For he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,

Luke 1:71

1:71 that we should be saved from our enemies,

and from the hand of all who hate us.

Luke 1:77

1:77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.


tn Grk “and,” but specifying the reason for the praise in the psalm.

sn The phrase raised up means for God to bring someone significant onto the scene of history.

sn The horn of salvation is a figure that refers to the power of Messiah and his ability to protect, as the horn refers to what an animal uses to attack and defend (Ps 75:4-5, 10; 148:14; 2 Sam 22:3). Thus the meaning of the figure is “a powerful savior.”

sn 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 this point.

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.

sn John’s role, to give his people knowledge of salvation, is similar to that of Jesus (Luke 3:1-14; 5:31-32).

sn Forgiveness is another major Lukan theme (Luke 4:18; 24:47; Acts 10:37).