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John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Luke 1:6

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.Walking in all the moral commandments, and ceremonial ordinances, blameless — How admirable a character! May our behaviour be thus unblamable, and our obedience thus sincere and universal! read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Luke 1:10

And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.The people were praying without, at the time of the incense — So the pious Jews constantly did. And this was the foundation of that elegant figure, by which prayer is in Scripture so often compared to incense. Perhaps one reason of ordaining incense might be, to intimate the acceptableness of the prayer that accompanied it; as well as to remind the worshippers of that sacrifice of a sweet - smelling savour, which... read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Luke 1:12

And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.Zacharias was troubled — Although he was accustomed to converse with God, yet we see he was thrown into a great consternation, at the appearance of his angelical messenger, nature not being able to sustain the sight. Is it not then an instance of the goodness is well as of the wisdom of God, that the services, which these heavenly spirits render us, are generally invisible? read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Luke 1:13

But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.Thy prayer is heard — Let us observe with pleasure, that the prayers of pious worshippers come up with acceptance before God; to whom no costly perfume is so sweet, as the fragrancy of an upright heart. An answer of peace was here returned, when the case seemed to be most helpless. Let us wait patiently for the Lord, and leave to his own... read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Luke 1:15

For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.He shall be great before the Lord — God the Father: of the Holy Ghost and the Son of God mention is made immediately after.And shall drink neither wine nor strong drink — Shall be exemplary for abstemiousness and self-denial; and so much the more filled with the Holy Ghost. read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Luke 1:16

And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.And many of the children of Israel shall he turn — None therefore need be ashamed of "preaching like John the Baptist".To the Lord their God — To Christ. read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Luke 1:17

And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.He shall go before him, Christ, in the power and spirit of Elijah — With the same integrity, courage, austerity, and fervour, and the same power attending his word: to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children - To reconcile those that are at variance, to put an end to the most bitter... read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Luke 1:18

And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.Zacharias said, Whereby shall I know this? — In how different a spirit did he blessed virgin say, How shall this be? Zacharias disbelieved the fact: Mary had no doubt of the thing; but only inquired concerning the manner of it. read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Luke 1:19

And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God — Seven angels thus stand before God, Revelation 7:2; who seem the highest of all. There seems to be a remarkable gradation in the words, enhancing the guilt of Zacharias's unbelief. As if he had said, I am Gabriel, a holy angel of God: yea, one of the highest order. Not only so, but am now... read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Luke 1:20

And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.Thou shalt be dumb — The Greek word signifies deaf, as well as dumb: and it seems plain, that he was as unable to hear, as he was to speak; for his friends were obliged to make signs to him, that he might understand them, Luke 1:62. read more

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