. The Bible requires that men live a life which is miraculous, a life that is humanly impossible (cf. 16 and he will bring back many of the Israelites to the Lord their God. 66 All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among . 75 to serve him in holiness and uprightness in his presence, all our days. 15 FRom the first word of her hymn of praise in the Vulgate translation, this hymn is known as the Magnificat. From the earliest times it has been used in the praises of the Christian church. Norval Geldenhuys, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, The New International Commentary on the New Testament Series (Grand Rapids: Wm. 13 But the angel said to him, 'Zechariah, do not be afraid, for your prayer has been heard. It not only employs the terminology of the psalms, but the theology. 4 He approached the chief priests and the . 79 to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow dark as death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. This would even be true in the Jewish world of those days when our Lord added humanity to His deity and manifested Himself to men. * [1:5766] The birth and circumcision of John above all emphasize Johns incorporation into the people of Israel by the sign of the covenant (Gn 17:112). This description is applied to God in Ps 18:3 and is here transferred to Jesus. Peter momentarily forgot that the gospel is inseparably linked with certain social obligations, and thus Paul had to rebuke him (cf. 1. Virtually every commentator agrees that Marys praise is dripping with Old Testament allusions and references. If Mary had any such reservations, how quickly they were dispelled! 4 so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received. James 2:1-13; 5:1-12). * [1:4655] Although Mary is praised for being the mother of the Lord and because of her belief, she reacts as the servant in a psalm of praise, the Magnificat. Perhaps a few women, blessed by financial prosperity and social standing, may have been able to enjoy some of the benefits of the male world. Luke does not tell us of any such communication, and the readers impression tends to be that there was no communication prior to her arrival, at least so far as Marys visitation by the angel. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb. 69 and he has established for us a saving power in the House of his servant David. Version. . Here is, They strained the gnats but they swallowed the camels. 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord(D) should come to me? Much, perhaps most, of these things will be fulfilled in the second coming of Messiah, rather than in His first coming. She knows the true mystery beyond His death so she bear it. The book of Revelation speaks much of these themes, and prophesies their fulfillment. The hungry will be fed and the well-fed will be hungry. John the Baptist was born through the actions of Elizabeth and Zacharias, which God supernaturally brought to conception and birth. p. [1:33] Dn 2:44; 7:14; Mi 4:7; Mt 28:18. t. [1:42] 11:2728; Jgs 5:24; Jdt 13:18; Dt 28:4. y. Second, the praise of Elizabeth and Mary provide us with a model for our own worship and praise. We would expect Mary to be taken with the fact that she will have a baby, and that this baby will be the Son of God. Start your free trial today! 28And coming to her, he said, Hail, favored one! Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 64Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.j Ps 18:46; Isa 17:10; 61:10; Hab 3:18; 1Ti 1:1; 2:3; 4:10, Ge 11:8; Ex 18:11; 2Sa 22:28; Jer 13:9; 49:16, NIV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture, NIV, Story of Jesus: Experience the Life of Jesus as One Seamless Story, NIV, The Story, Hardcover, Comfort Print: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow Gods Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture, NIV, The Woman's Study Bible, Full-Color, Red Letter: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation. By alluding to Old Testament themes in Lk 1:17, 19 such as the coming of the day of the Lord and the dawning of the messianic era, Luke is presenting his interpretation of the significance of the births of John and Jesus. 1 Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have reached their fulfilment among us. (6) Mary is a model disciple in her evident reflection and meditation on the things of God. 35 The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. 20But now you will be speechless and unable to talk* until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.j, 21Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. She views this event in terms of the distant past, in terms of the covenant promises of God, in terms of the history of Israel, where Gods mercy was shown on generation after generation, and in terms of the distant future, when at His second coming Messiah will set things straight. When Mary asks a similar question in Lk 1:34, unlike Zechariah who was punished for his doubt, she, in spite of her doubt, is praised and reassured (Lk 1:3537). Thus Mary quickly prepared and left to visit her relative living in an unnamed village17 in the hill country of Judah (v. 39). [1:49] Dt 10:21; Ps 71:19; 111:9; 126:23. 17 The term which is rendered city (a city of Judah, v. 39) is one that is very broad, and does not really indicate the size of the place. ', 18 Zechariah said to the angel, 'How can I know this? 44 Look, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. In both cases, the praise of God spoken before others was done in such a way as to edify and encourage those who heard. Elizabeth is a magnificent woman of God, in Lukes opinion. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. * [1:14] The Gospel according to Luke is the only one of the synoptic gospels to begin with a literary prologue. She would have been separated from Joseph, while at the same time being chaperoned by Elizabeth and Zachariah. Marys Magnificat focuses on much more than just her own blessing in the bearing of Messiah. Some may question how a simple peasant-girl may have such a grasp of the Old Testament. At this time the social order will under a radical and violent reversal. Luke 1:39-56: Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. 29 She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean. . Luke . (4) Mary is a model disciple in grasp of the social implications of the gospel. Before we begin to deal with our text, there are some introductory comments which may prove to be helpful. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. * Copyright 2019 by Zondervan. 5 In the days of King Herod of Judaea there lived a priest called Zechariah who belonged to the Abijah section of the priesthood, and he had a wife, Elizabeth by name, who was a descendant of Aaron. That which she speaks far surpasses what we are told Gabriel said to Zacharias. Mary does not in any way view herself as better or holier than anyone else. Marys role as believer in the infancy narrative should be seen in connection with the explicit mention of her presence among those who believed after the resurrection at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:14). The Wonder Of Christmas. 16 The term young is used with some caution, for it is only tradition that teaches us Mary was a young, girl, a teen. This is not so. Both she and Zacharias were country people, who lived in an unnamed village in the hill country of Judah. 49 for the Almighty has done great things for me. 57When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 56And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home. John will go before the Lord (Lk 1:1617); Jesus will be Lord (Lk 1:43; 2:11). g. [1:15] 7:33; Nm 6:121; Jgs 13:4; 1Sm 1:11 LXX. 3 c Then Satan entered into Judas, * the one surnamed Iscariot, who was counted among the Twelve, d 4 and he went to the chief priests and temple guards to . 31n Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. In His ministry the Lord Jesus would expand on he social themes of Marys Magnificat: And turning His gaze on His disciples, He began to say, Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. 43And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Mary also understood the purposes of God as a plan which He had been carrying out throughout Israels history. One wonders how much that Elizabeth came directly from the Spirit of God, and how much originated from her own grasp of the Scriptures. 25So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.k. Luis A. Zazano May 30, 2021. Mary, too, was a humble peasant girl. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. (L)51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;(M)he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 8 Now it happened that it was the turn of his section to serve, and he was exercising his priestly office before God. (6) Elizabeths praise suggests that she may have possessed a greater depth of spiritual and scriptural insight than her husband. Nevertheless, it is our conviction that the principles of the New Testament church are as relevant and binding today as they were in Pauls day. CHAPTER 22. In His rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus constantly referred to these great themes, and to the fact that legalistic Judaism violated them (cf. There were now two witnesses. 27to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgins name was Mary.l 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. * [1:45] Blessed are you who believed: Luke portrays Mary as a believer whose faith stands in contrast to the disbelief of Zechariah (Lk 1:20). Cancel. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.. Mary Visits Elizabeth. The immediate faith and submission of Mary, a simple and very young peasant girl, to the will of God is contrasted with the hesitant request of Zachariah for a sign, a man who was a priest all his many years of life. Elizabeths words far surpass the revelation which we are told Gabriel gave to Zacharias. Marys praise was addressed to God, but in adoring God she also encouraged and edified Elizabeth, just as Elizabeths praise encouraged her. But he could only make signs to them and remained dumb. Q. (2) Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and her words were a divinely inspired utterance. As we conclude, let me suggest some specific applications of our text. We are led to the conclusion that Marys praise was spoken in the hearing of Elizabeth, just as Elizabeths praise was spoken to God, but for Marys benefit. 1 Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have reached their fulfilment among us, 2 as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, 3 I in my turn, after carefully going over the . By every indication, Luke was a Gentile. Elizabeths words are not as reflective, but seem almost to explode from her lips unexpectedly. 40 She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. 44For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. * [1:78] The daybreak from on high: three times in the LXX (Jer 23:5; Zec 3:8; 6:12), the Greek word used here for daybreak translates the Hebrew word for scion, branch, an Old Testament messianic title. In all of these cases we must remember that Luke purposefully chose, under the guidance and control of the Holy Spirit, either to include or to exclude various details. She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. After the announcement is made (Lk 1:1417, 3133) the parent objects (Lk 1:18, 34) and a sign is given to confirm the announcement (Lk 1:20, 36). Free Reading Plans and Devotionals related to Luke 1:39-56. 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth.
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