Luke 1:64 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.

NIV: Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.

NASB: And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began speaking in praise of God.

CSB: Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.

NLT: Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.

KJV: And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

NKJV: Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.

When the angel Gabriel told Zechariah he would become a father (Luke 1:13), the elderly priest reacted with doubt (Luke 1:18). As a result, he was rendered "silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place" (Luke 1:19–20). That day has finally come. Zechariah's wife, Elizabeth, has given birth (Luke 1:57), and she has insisted on the name "John" (Luke 1:60). Zechariah confirmed this in writing (Luke 1:63), much to the amazement of others.

That moment completes the angel's prophecy about the birth of this child. Zechariah is enabled to speak—as one would expect, his first words celebrate God's blessing. There would have been great publicity around this pregnancy, given its unusual circumstances (Luke 1:37). Most likely, there are more people than usual present for the baby's circumcision and naming ceremony (Luke 1:59; Leviticus 12:3). This will enhance the reputation around John the Baptist (Luke 3:2–3) even while he is still an infant (Luke 1:65–66).

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 5/10/2024 12:23:00 AM