luke-1:46-55,-micah-5:2-5-niv

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:54

He hath holpen [supported, αντελαβετο ] his servant Israel - Israel is here represented as falling, and the Lord comes speedily in and props him up. The house of David was now ready to fall and rise no more; Jesus, being born of the very last branch of the regal line, revived the family, and restored the dominion. In remembrance of his mercy - By mercy, the covenant which God made with Abraham, Genesis 15:18 , is intended; which covenant proceeded from God's eternal mercy, as in it... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:46

Verse 46 Now follows a remarkable and interesting song of the holy virgin, which plainly shows how eminent were her attainments in the grace of the Spirit. There are three clauses in this song. First, Mary offers solemn thanksgiving for that mercy of God which she had experienced in her own person. Next, she celebrates in general terms God’s power and judgments. Lastly, she applies these to the matter in hand, treating of the redemption formerly promised, and now granted to the church. 46.My... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:48

Verse 48 48.Because he hath looked She explains the reason why the joy of her heart was founded in God to be, that out of free grace he had looked upon her. By calling herself low she disclaims all merit, and ascribes to the undeserved goodness of God every occasion of boasting. For ταπείνωσις, lowness, does not here denote — as ignorant and uneducated men have foolishly imagined — “submission, or modesty, or a quality of the mind,” but signifies “ a mean and despicable condition.” (48) The... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:49

Verse 49 49.And holy is his name This is the second part of the song, in which the holy virgin celebrates in general terms the power, judgments, and mercy of God. This clause must not be viewed as a part of the preceding one, but must be read separately. Mary had extolled the grace of God, which she had experienced in her own person. Hence she takes occasion to exclaim, that holy is his name, and his mercy endures throughout all generations The name of God is called holy, because it is entitled... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:51

Verse 51 51.He hath done might This means, “he hath wrought powerfully.” The arm of God is contrasted with every other aid: as in Isaiah, “I looked, and there was none to help,” (Isaiah 63:5;) “therefore,” says he elsewhere, “his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him,” (Isaiah 59:16.) Mary therefore means: God rested satisfied with his own power, employed no companions in the work, called none to afford him aid. What immediately follows about the proud may... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:52

Verse 52 52.He hath cast down the nobles This translation has been adopted, for the sake of avoiding ambiguity: for though the Greek word δυνάσται is derived from δύναμις , power, it denotes governors and eminent rulers. (58) Many persons think that δυνάστας is a participle. They are said by Mary to be cast down from their thrones, that obscure and unknown persons may be elevated in their room; and so she ascribes to the providence and judgments of God what ungodly men can the game of Fortune.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:54

Verse 54 54.He hath lifted up his servant Israel In this last clause the general statements are applied by Mary to the present occasion. The meaning is, God has now granted the salvation which he had formerly promised to the holy fathers. And first, the verb ἀντιλαμζάνεσθαι , to lift up, contains an elegant metaphor: (61) for the state of the nation was so fallen, that its entire restoration could not be expected on ordinary principles. And then God is said to have lifted up Israel, because he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:55

Verse 55 55.To Abraham and to his seed If you read these words in close connection with the close of the former verse, there appears to be an improper change of the case. Instead of τῶ ᾿Αβραὰμ καὶ τῶ σπέρματι, it ought to have been ( πρὸς) τὸν ᾿Αβραὰμ καὶ τὸ σπέρμα, , as he spake TO our fathers, TO Abraham and TO his seed (63) But, in my opinion, there is no such close connection. Mary does not merely explain who the Fathers were to whom God spake, but extends the power and result of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:1-80

After the Ascension and the events of the first Pentecost, which quickly followed their Master's return to heaven, the twelve and a few others who had walked in the company which followed Jesus during the years of his public ministry no doubt often met together and talked over the teaching and the acts of their risen and now glorified Master. As time passed on, a certain number of these acts, a certain number of the public and private discourses in the apostolic company, became adopted as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:39-56

The two expectant mothers. I. THE RETIREMENT . Elisabeth ( Luke 1:24 ) had hidden herself when she knew that the promise of the angel would be fulfilled. Why she did so we are not told, but the language of Luke 1:26 suggests a religious motive. She was filled with gratitude, and she desired, perhaps, a season of holy rest and communion with God. "In silence and solitude," says Thomas a Kempis, "the soul advantageth herself, and learneth the mysteries of Holy Scripture." The same... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:54

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:46

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:48

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:49

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:51

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:52

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:54

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:55

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:1-80

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:39-56

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