Prophets of Old

Holy prophets of old

LUKE 1 COMMENTARY ◄
Luke 1:67-69 Horn of Salvation

Luke 1:70-79 Prophets of Old

LUKE 1:70-75 70 “as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets of old, 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, 72 to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, 73 the oath which He swore to our father Abraham, 74 to grant us that we, having been delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness in His sight all the days of our life.

Through which “prophets of old” (Luke 1:70) did God speak about His “horn of salvation” (Luke 1:69)?
Prophets pretty much throughout the Old Testament, including even some who may not have understood the full extent of what God made them say (see Psalm 22 commentary and Isaiah 53 commentary).

What “oath” did God swear to “Abraham” (Luke 1:73)?
See Genesis 15 commentary.

What is remarkable about what Zacharias doesn't mention while praising God above?
Being able to speak for the first time in nine month and just after his son John is born, Zacharias' words of praise mention neither the miracle of his mouth and tongue being “unlocked” (Luke 1:64) nor the birth of his son.

Why not?
“Filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:67), Zacharias was speaking as a priest of Israel that he was (see Division of Abijah)

What is meant by “serve Him” (Luke 1:74)?
λατρευειν (latreuein), the original Greek word translated “serve,” can also or more specifically mean “worship” or “conduct religious service.” Under the yoke of their occupying Roman “enemies” (Luke 1:74), the Jews couldn't worship God in the temple “without fear” (Luke 1:74).

But didn't the Romans destroy Jerusalem and its temple a few decades after this prophecy?
Zacharias may have thought he was prophesying about Israel being freed from the political yoke of Rome, but the prophecy was about the Messiah freeing His people from the yoke of sin, so that they can worship God “in holiness and righteousness” (Luke 1:75).

LUKE 1:76-79 76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, 77 to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, in which the Sunrise from on high has come to us, 79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Who is the “child,” and who is the “Lord” (Luke 1:76)?
The “Lord” is Jesus, who was still in Mary's womb at this time (see Son of God), and the “child” is Zacharias' newborn son John (see John the Baptist) who “will go before” Jesus to “prepare His ways” (Luke 1:77).

How will John prepare Jesus' ways?
By telling people to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus, the Lamb of God who will grant them “salvation by the forgiveness of their sins” (Luke 1:77).

What is “mercy” (Luke 1:78)?
Not executing the punishment due.

What is the punishment due for sin?
Death and hell.

How did God grant mercy?
He died on the cross to pay the death penalty due sinners and grant them heaven instead of hell (see John 3:16).

Who is the “Sunrise” (Luke 1:78)?
Jesus.

Why is He described as “Sunrise from on high” who “has come to us” (Luke 1:78)?
The imagery is of a dark night sky getting lighter just before dawn. Jesus had come and was already in Mary's womb. When He is born, the sun will rise over the horizon and “shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79). Also see “Light” in John 1:5.