Luke 1:67 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

NIV: His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

NASB: And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying:

CSB: Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

NLT: Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

KJV: And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

NKJV: Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

John the Baptist (Luke 3:2–3) is the child of an elderly couple (Luke 1:5–7). These two were given a miraculous promise of a son (Luke 1:13), which came true (Luke 1:57–58). The combination of these supernatural events made a deep impression on those living in the region around Jerusalem (Luke 1:65). The fact that John quickly attracts many people to hear his early preaching (Matthew 3:5) might be influenced by this early reputation (Luke 1:66).

At some point after John's birth, his father, Zechariah, will declare a prophecy (Luke 1:68–79). This will combine references to the Old Testament with a celebration of how the Messiah will accomplish salvation. As with many psalms and prophecies, this will apply a present-tense view of God's work. Since the Lord's promises are guaranteed, that which He says is "as good as done." Zechariah's praise will declare things God has "done," in faithful anticipation that they are about to be fulfilled.

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.

Luke was a travelling companion of the apostle Paul (Acts 16:10); his book of Acts is a direct "sequel" to the gospel of Luke (Acts 1:1–3). Those two books make up more than a quarter of the New Testament. Luke begins by explaining how his orderly approach is meant to inspire confidence in Christian faith. His work is based on eyewitness interviews and other evidence. The first chapter details the miraculous conceptions of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Chapter 2 continues with Jesus' birth.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.

Accessed 11/21/2024 12:38:59 PM