What does Luke 1:70 mean?
In the Old Testament, God made many promises about the Savior, Jesus Christ, including details about His birth. These included the fact that He would be virgin-born (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:34–35). The prophecies noted that He would be from the lineage of David (2 Samuel 7:12–16; Jeremiah 23:5) and noted the power He would wield (Isaiah 9:6–7). Other prophecies mentioned a herald to prepare the world for Jesus' message (Malachi 3:1; 4:6; Isaiah 40:3).Zechariah, the man speaking the words of this passage, is the father of that herald (Luke 1:13, 57). His song of praise emphasizes how God's promises, as given through His prophets, have always come true. That the world has seen the fulfillment of prophecy and will soon see more (Luke 1:39–45), is reason to worship. That also comes with joy, as the role of this Messiah will be that of Savior (Luke 1:71).
Luke 1:57–80 describes the first of two births predicted by the angel Gabriel in this chapter (Luke 1:13, 31). Despite their old age, Elizabeth and Zechariah have had a son, who now needs to be named. Zechariah has been stricken mute for months, after doubting the angel's message. Elizabeth surprises her family by naming the child "John." When asked, Zechariah writes down the same name and is immediately able to speak again. Amid the awestruck reaction of family and neighbors, the legendary reputation of John the Baptist has begun. Zechariah then prophesies about the powerful ministry of his son.
The angel Gabriel predicts two miraculous births. The first is a son born to Zechariah and Elizabeth: an older, childless priest and his wife. Because Zechariah initially doubts this message, he is temporarily made unable to speak. Their child will be known as John the Baptist, a powerful herald of the Messiah. The Promised One whom John will proclaim is the second birth predicted by Gabriel. He tells an engaged virgin, Mary, that God will miraculously conceive His Son in her. The two women meet and rejoice over their blessings. John's arrival sets the stage for Luke's familiar account of the birth of Jesus Christ.
