Luke 1:66 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

NIV: Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, 'What then is this child going to be?' For the Lord's hand was with him.

NASB: All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, 'What then will this child turn out to be?' For indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.

CSB: All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, "What then will this child become? " For, indeed, the Lord's hand was with him.

NLT: Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, 'What will this child turn out to be?' For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.

KJV: And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

NKJV: And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Elizabeth and Zechariah (Luke 1:5–7) have finally obtained a son, as predicted by an angelic messenger (Luke 1:13–17). Zechariah was temporarily prevented from speaking by that encounter (Luke 1:18–20), and worshippers in the temple could tell he had seen an angel (Luke 1:21–22). Elizabeth's pregnancy and delivery were cause for celebration (Luke 1:57–58). The controversial name she chose, John, was confirmed in writing by Zechariah (Luke 1:59–63). This resulted in Zechariah regaining his ability to speak (Luke 1:64). This combination of events deeply affected those in the region (Luke 1:65).

The phrase "laid them up in their hearts" can also be understood as "kept them in mind." As John grows, it's clear he's meant to play an important role in fulfilling prophecy (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; 4:6). The miraculous circumstances of his birth likely made people more interested in coming to hear him preach (Luke 3:2–3).

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 5/14/2024 1:03:21 AM