A. The announcement of John the Baptist’s birth 1:5-25There are striking parallels to this account in the Old Testament. Zechariah and Elizabeth were similar to Abraham and Sarah, to Jacob and Rachel, to Elkanah and Hannah, and to Samson’s parents. In each case there was a divine announcement of the birth of an unusual child. read more
II. THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF JESUS 1:5-2:52This section contains material unique in Luke. The only repeated statement occurs in Luke 2:39 and Matthew 2:23. Other unique features are the way Luke alternated the reader’s attention between John and Jesus, and the joy that several individuals expressed (Luke 1:46-55; Luke 1:68-79; Luke 2:14; Luke 2:29-32). [Note: For studies of the structure of this passage, see Robert C. Tannehill, The Narrative Unity of Luke-Acts , 1:15-20; R. E. Brown, The... read more
This verse shows that Elizabeth’s childless condition was not the result of her sin. In the Old Testament, God normally blessed the godly with children (cf. Genesis 1:28; Psalms 127; Psalms 128). She and her husband were right with God and followed Him faithfully. "Blameless" (Gr. amemptos) means that they dealt with sin in their lives quickly and as God required, not that they were sinless (cf. Philippians 2:15; Philippians 3:6; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Hebrews 8:7). This Greek word is the... read more
Elizabeth’s condition was identical to Sarah’s (Genesis 17:16-17; cf. 1 Samuel 1:5-11). Her childless state embarrassed her (cf. Luke 1:25), and her advanced age removed the hope of bearing children from her. Whenever the Old Testament said a woman had no child it also recorded that God gave her one later. [Note: Marshall, The Gospel . . ., p. 53.] Therefore this statement prepares the reader for a miracle.Priests were not disqualified from serving in the temple by age, but only by infirmity.... read more
Zechariah was serving God faithfully by discharging some temple function as a member of his priestly division. There were so many priests then that the great privilege of offering incense on the golden incense altar in the temple fell to a priest only once in his lifetime. [Note: Mishnah, Tamid 5:2; Emil Schurer, A History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ, 2:284-97.] The priests decided who would offer incense at the daily sacrifice, morning and evening, by casting lots.... read more
2. The angel’s announcement to Zechariah 1:8-23"It seems indeed most fitting that the Evangelic story should have taken its beginning within the Sanctuary, and at the time of sacrifice." [Note: Ibid., 1:144.] read more
Many godly people (Gr. laos, an important word in this Gospel) assembled in the temple courtyards for this daily offering, as was customary. Laos occurs 36 times in Luke, but only 14 times in Matthew and two times in Mark. Luke used this word as a virtual synonym for ochlos, "crowd" or "multitude." This was probably the evening incense offering (3:00 p.m., cf. Daniel 9:21; Acts 3:1). This verse heightens the suspense and prepares the reader for Luke 1:21-22. Incense symbolized the ascending... read more
This is also Luke’s first reference to an angel appearing. He evidently "materialized" beside the altar as Zechariah performed his duty of presenting incense on the altar and then prostrating himself in prayer. [Note: Mishnah Tamid 6:3.] Obviously God took the initiative at the time He chose to reveal what He was about to do. This was an angel from the Lord rather than the Angel of the Lord (cf. Luke 1:19). The right side of the altar may indicate the side of favor and honor, implying that the... read more
The angel appeared to announce God’s answer to Zechariah’s prayer. He told Zechariah not to fear, a fairly common statement in Luke’s Gospel (cf. Luke 1:30; Luke 2:10; Luke 5:10; Luke 8:50; Luke 12:7; Luke 12:32). Zechariah’s prayer may have been a petition (Gr. deesis) for a son that the priest and his barren wife probably offered many times in previous years. However it was probably the petition that Zechariah had just offered as he presented the incense, presumably as he prayed for Israel’s... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 1:5-7
1. The introduction of John’s parents 1:5-7 read more