Luke 1:74 - Printer Friendly

ESV: that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear,

NIV: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear

NASB: To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Would serve Him without fear,

CSB: having been rescued from the hand of our enemies, would serve him without fear

NLT: We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear,

KJV: That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

NKJV: To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear,

The prior verse mentioned an "oath" which God swore to Israel's patriarchs, starting with Abraham (Genesis 22:16–18). Among the promises delivered by God's prophets was the arrival of a Messiah (Isaiah 9:6–7), who would establish ultimate victory over sin and evil. One result of this Savior's work would be an end to Israel's persecution from the world and its resulting fear. Prophets like Zephaniah looked forward to that day (Zephaniah 3:14–17).

This verse is part of a celebration of God's fulfillment of some of those guarantees. Zechariah, a priest, knows his son (Luke 1:13–17, 57) will be a herald appointed by God (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; 4:6). This child, John the Baptist (Luke 3:2–3), will prepare the world for Jesus Christ (Luke 1:31–33). Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, are aware that Jesus' birth will happen soon (Luke 1:39–45). The prophetic song given by Zechariah (Luke 1:67–68) intertwines references to the Old Testament with confidence that God's promises continue to come true.

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 5/11/2024 1:12:36 PM