Verse 77
‘To give knowledge of salvation to his people in the remission of their sins,’
God’s purpose for John was for him to be a revealer of the way of salvation that men might become aware of their sins and find forgiveness from them. That is why his baptism will be called ‘a baptism of repentance (change of mind and heart) for the forgiveness of sins’ (Luke 3:3). He is to make ready the way of the Lord by turning men’s hearts to God in repentance and faith (compare Luke 1:16-17) so that they will come within God’s offered sphere of salvation.
For the giving of the knowledge of salvation see Psalms 98:2. The giving of knowledge of salvation in the forgiveness of sins reflects Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18; Isaiah 43:25; Isaiah 44:22. It was the prayer for Israel of the scion of the Davidic house (1 Kings 8:36; 1 Kings 8:50).
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