#1352 Luke 1 Part 4 Birth of the Baptist

 

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zechariah's Prophecy

67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

for he has visited and redeemed his people

69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us

in the house of his servant David,

70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,

71 that we should be saved from our enemies

and from the hand of all who hate us;

72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers

and to remember his holy covenant,

73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,

might serve him without fear,

75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people

in the forgiveness of their sins,

78 because of the tender mercy of our God,

whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high

79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. Luke 1: 57-80 ESV

Luke 1: 57-80 Birth of a Baptist

The Lord had shown great mercy to her - Like Sarah, she had never had children and was now old, so this was quite an unexpected celebration.

On the eighth day - This was the time of circumcision for infant boys. Circumcision was a sign of putting away the filth of the flesh, a sign of separation from the rule of sin, a covenant commitment to repentance. Outsiders knew of it, but this is a people called to modesty as well, so it was only outward to the circumcised individual. Being a private matter also makes it a sign of obedience to God, one which the wife of Moses did not agree with, and Moses following his wife's lead on this almost died. Circumcision does not save and it was part of that dispensation of the OT, towards Israel and its proselytes then, and people coming in to the new covenant under Christ no longer need to be circumcised.

…11You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner— even those who are not your offspring. 13Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant.… Genesis 17: 11-13

…24Now at a lodging place along the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him. 25But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin, and touched it to Moses’ feet. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. 26So the LORD let him alone. (When she said, “bridegroom of blood,” she was referring to the circumcision.)… Exodus 4: 24-26

Bob Utley on circumcision - This was practiced by all of Israel’s neighbors except the Philistines (Greek Aegean people). For most cultures it was usually a rite of passage into manhood, but not for Israel (it was instead an initiation rite into the covenant People). It was a sign of a special faith relationship with YHWH (Ge. 17:9–14). Each Patriarch circumcised his own sons (i.e. acted as priest for his own family). Robert Girdlestone, Synonyms of the Old Testament, p. 214, says the rite of circumcision connected the rite of blood-shedding with the act of circumcision. Blood was connected to covenant forming (cf. Ge. 15:17), covenant breaking (cf. Gen. 2:17), and covenant redemption (cf. Isa. 53). (Luke 1 ) - Precept Austin

 

…28A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. 29No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God. Romans 2: 28-29

1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery. 2Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.… Galatians 5: 1-3

His name is John - It's funny that they made signs to him for he was only made mute, not deaf. 

And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied - He didn't get to give the benediction which he had before prepared when he had carried the incense, but now his tongue is loosed to praise God and say what the Spirit has for him to tell. 

28And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.… Joel 2: 28-29

Has raised up a horn of salvation for us - This is Messianic in nature. It is about Christ as the Redeemer. A horn back then represented power, rule, and Christ is being born to buy back from the justice of God the remnant or elect of God for His kingdom. He will do this by way of a life that men did not lead, holy and acceptable before God, and by the cross as the only spotless sacrifice, for He was without sin. Kings and rulers are represented by horns, and the antichrist will also be represented by a horn as a sign of power and rule, but Christ will eventually be the only One left standing. All else will be brought into submission to Him. 

John MacArthur agrees commenting on Isaiah 63:4 "The Messiah's future reckoning with the wicked will coincide with His redemption of Israel (Isa 61:2+t)." (MacArthur Study Bible) Now compare Isaiah 61:2 (see commentary) where "To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD" was quoted by Jesus in Lk 4:19+ and stated by Him to be a fulfilled prophecy in Lk 4:20+. Jesus did not say "the day of vengeance of our God" was fulfilled at His first coming, but it will be fulfilled at His Second Coming as Isaiah 63:4+ describes! J Vernon McGee commenting on Isaiah 63:4 says "He (MESSIAH) has come to save forever His redeemed ones from their vicious oppressors. This (Second Coming) is His judgment upon the earth, and it is defined as the day of vengeance." (Thru the Bible) John Martin also agrees writing "Though that day (Second Coming) will bring doom to the Lord's enemies, it will mean deliverance (redemption and salvation, Isa 63:4-5+) for those of His covenant people who turn to Him (ED: 1/3 of Israel = Zech 13:8-9+). (Bible Knowledge Commentary) - Precept Austin

As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old - This, in all of it's language draws upon the promises of Messiah in the OT. God never says anything just to hear Himself; it always comes with action and in the time that He has set.

…9Instead, they will serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them. 10As for you, O Jacob My servant, do not be afraid, declares the LORD, and do not be dismayed, O Israel. For I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their captivity! Jacob will return to quiet and ease, with no one to make him afraid. 11For I am with you to save you, declares the LORD. Though I will completely destroy all the nations to which I have scattered you, I will not completely destroy you. Yet I will discipline you justly, and will by no means leave you unpunished.”… Jeremiah 30: 9-11

The oath that He swore to our father Abraham - People seem to forget that this was a unilateral covenant, God walking between the carcasses as Abraham slept. There is a teaching today where Israel is in forfeit for refusing the Messiah, but this was always known to God and part of His plan. I don't agree with replacement theology; God initiated this covenant with Abraham, and is the One Who carries it out. It is not the blood of bulls and goats, not the blood of the ram that replaced Isaac on Mt. Moriah, but the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, this was promised even before Abraham.  The Lamb comes before the Lion.

This oath is repeated several times. God will not go back on what he has sworn. In the context that follows the oppression of the Gentiles is on the mind of Zacharias. Israel might be oppressed, but the oath God made will endure! Even when there was no literal nation of Israel for almost 1900 years, God's oath to Abraham the father of the Jews was still valid. God had not forgotten His covenant promises (cf Lk 1:72), including the promise of land to Abraham. And then along comes World War II, the horrible extermination of 6 million Jews which stirred global sympathy and resulted in the establishment of the sovereign nation of Israel in May, 1948. This was in a sense, a partial fulfillment of the oath God swore to Abraham their father, but the best is yet to come at the end of this age, when Messiah returns and fulfills the promises to the nation of Israel (and Gentile believers will be beneficiaries of this fulfillment!). - Precept Austin

And you, child - Zechariah has praised God, has spoken of the Christ and now shifts to his son, John. 

Will be called the prophet of the Most High - The Father has called John to go before God the Son and prepare the way, preaching and baptizing unto repentance. 

1“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple— the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight— see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts. 2But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap.… Malachi 3: 1-2

To give knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins - Many are convinced that they have no sin, or that anything they like or can manage to either ignore or acclimate themselves to is not sin. The call to repentance is hard since men do not like to confess their state, no one hardly ever volunteers themselves as guilty, but God came to die for sinners, and so this is the confession of those who want to be saved. Salvation is not for the self righteous, and John is not going to make friends with the powerful with his message. 

…29Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”… Acts 16: 29-31

…8If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.… 1 John 1: 8-10

Because of the tender mercy of our God - The reasons for salvation cannot be found in the saved, but in the mercy and love of the God who saves them. 

…18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do. 20And if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.… Romans 7: 18-20

…15For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”… Romans 9: 15-17

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#1351 Luke 1 Part 3 Betrothed

 

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones

and exalted those of humble estate;

53 he has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

55 as he spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home. Luke 1: 26-56 ESV

Luke 1: 26-56

In the sixth month - The angel explains this for us in verse 36; it is the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy.

Gabriel was sent from God - The name means "God is my strength" or "hero of God". This seems to be the angel God chooses for His most important messages. He first came to Elizabeth to tell of the birth of John the Baptist, and he is also the one who came to bring Daniel understanding.

20While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and that of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the LORD my God concerning His holy mountain— 21while I was still praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22He instructed me and spoke with me, saying: “O Daniel, I have come now to give you insight and understanding.… Daniel 9: 20-22

To a city of Galilee named Nazareth - Galilee is a famous inland sea or lake with a healthy fishing industry.

To a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph - Mary and Joseph were engaged to be married and both are of the kingly line of David. Their culture was a bit different than many, very different than ours today, and so being of a godly persuasion they had not yet known each other intimately. This is as the prophet foretold.

· Engagement (a formal agreement made by the fathers).

· Betrothal (the ceremony where mutual promises were made).

· Marriage (approximately one year later, when the bridegroom came for his bride at an unexpected time).

i. When a couple was betrothed, they were under the obligations of faithfulness, and a divorce was required to break the betrothal. This was not a casual promise. - E Word

…13Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well? 14Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel. 15By the time He knows enough to reject evil and choose good, He will be eating curds and honey.… Isaiah 7: 13-15

Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God - Again, these are no ordinary experiences, and it is more than an encounter of the spirit world, alien or other meetings that we find connected to the superstitious, the "close encounters of the third kind" sort of thing. The fear here is because the messenger has been before God, and he reflects such holiness. We are tarnished beings, shattered images, and such otherliness puts us immediately in a state of fear. We are intrigued by the burning bush, frightened by the angel, but it is an unfathomable amount of grace that prepares us for the face to face, otherwise our souls implode and we melt away.

…29And when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was unaware that his face had become radiant from speaking with the LORD. 30Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses, and behold, his face was radiant. And they were afraid to approach him. 31But Moses called out to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke to them.… Exodus 34: 29-31

You shall call His name Jesus - This name was common in Israel, especially considering the Messianic hopes. His name means "deliverer, Savior; to rescue". 

Son of the Most High - This is why the angel comes to a virgin, for Joseph is going to be the father by adoption. Mary is the birth mother, but God is the birth Father. The eternally begotten Son of God is going to be knit into the womb of a young virgin girl, just as Isaiah called for. This is not procreation, but rather a divine work of Creation, taking the eternal and adding humanity to it, God becoming man. It is even more marvelous and beyond my ability to comprehend, much less explain. In Greek and other mythology, gods came down and impregnated women, making demi-gods like Hercules, but this is not the way of the real God. When men, conscious of the eternal, the unexplainable, try to conceive from their opinion and fallen natures, from their depraved state, what God is like; they fashion a god in their own image. God has to make Himself known or else men convince themselves that they are god, that there is no higher, or they make some new god from their imagination. 

…4because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. 6In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight.… Hebrews 10: 4-6

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.… John 1: 1-3

And the Lord will give Him the throne of His father David - He is simultaneously the Son of God and the Son of David, but look at Jesus' words here.

…43Jesus said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord’? For he says: 44‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’ 45So if David calls Him ‘Lord,’ how can He be David’s son?”… Matthew 22: 43-45

He will reign over the house of Jacob forever - This is another name for Israel, Jacob was the father of the twelve tribes. 

How will this be - Now Zacharias asked this same question earlier in the chapter, and he ended up speechless for the duration of his wife's pregnancy. The difference is the heart attitude, his was a question from unbelief, and hers is one from humble awe, like, "how does that work?" She is also a good girl and there is a stigma, especially there among these people, about being pregnant out of wedlock. It is also against God's design, for such a union was to be within the bonds of marriage, and to claim a virgin conception would get a lot of rolling eyes. It would be a disgrace on her, her family and Joseph, who she was betrothed to. She understands the birds and the bees, which is miraculous in its own right, but this is a stumper, a lot to get her head around.

The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you - This sounds like the Creation narrative in Genesis, and above in John 1 we see the Son as the Word of God. We see in Genesis 1, God (Elohim) a plural form, followed by a singular verb, created. This is part of our doctrine of the Trinity, we know that there is only one God, but He is three persons, the Father, Who speaks, "Let there be light", the Son, known as the Word of God, through Whom and for Whom all things were created. And we see the Spirit of God all in the description of Christ's (the Word's) conception. It is the same formula for conversion, the Father calls us by election, the Son makes this possible through justification by atonement, and the Holy Spirit sanctifies us conforming us to the image of the Son.

1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.… Genesis 1: 1-3

…25But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’ 26When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father— the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father— He will testify about Me. 27And you also must testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning.… John 15: 25-27

Therefore the child to be born will be called holy - the Son of God - Man is fallen, the Bible, which I believe to be God's word, tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and that the wages of sin is death. It also calls us dead in our trespasses and sins, that is our present state. One does not wake of their own will from this, but rather you must be born again. God has bypassed this through the virgin birth, forming a new Adam from God the Son, taking to himself a human body. He must become man in order to pay for men, in order to set things straight. He is called holy in that He is fashioned apart from sin, not of Adam's seed but the Seed of the woman. This is one of the most baffling mysteries of history, the God/Man, Christ.  

For nothing will be impossible with God - The angel has told her of Elizabeth's child, a child born from a dead womb.

I am the servant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word - This is humble resolve, and I doubt it is without any reservation. I can't pretend to know her thoughts, but the idea of single motherhood back then must have been terrifying to someone in their early teens. But she has faith, and God is going to work out all the impossible details.

The baby leaped in her womb - The Holy Spirit was with John the Baptist at quite an early age, which shows that salvation is of the Lord. Elizabeth is then filled with the Holy Spirit and understands the baby's reaction. She refers to the infant as her Lord.

My soul magnifies the Lord - This is Mary's song called the Magnificat.

This song (often called the Magnificat, after the Latin translation of the first few words) resembles Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10, but it also has at least 12 other allusions to the Old Testament. This means that Mary was a woman who studied and knew God’s Word. The Scriptures were on her heart, and came out through her song.

i. “It appears by the whole frame of this holy song, that the blessed Virgin was well versed in the Scripture, which she here makes so much use of in sundry passages…She had by her much reading made her bosom Bibliothecam Christi, Christ’s library, as a Father saith; and may seem to have been exercised in the good word of God from her infancy.” (Trapp)

ii. Mary was great gifted, highly privileged. She did exactly what such greatly blessed people should do: Mary magnified the Lord. This remedies pride and self-congratulation and is something every blessed believer should do. - E Word

My spirit rejoices in God my Savior - Unlike the Roman Catholic Mary, this Mary of Scripture needed God to save her, which salvation He provides through His Son, so Mary needs Jesus as much as we all do. She cannot save people, but she was a vessel for the Savior. 

“Mary answered the Roman Catholic dogma of the immaculate conception, which holds that from the moment of her conception Mary was by God’s grace ‘kept free from all taint of Original Sin.’ Only sinners need a Savior.” (Liefeld)

ii. “Mary was a member of the sinning race…but the honour conferred on her was of the highest, and our thoughts of her, our language concerning her, should at least not lack the dignity and respect manifested in the word of Gabriel. Hers was the crown and glory of all Motherhood, and we should ever think and speak of her reverently.” (Morgan)

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#1350 Luke 1 Part 2 Speechless

 

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” Luke 1: 5-25 ESV

Luke 1: 5-25 Zechariah and Elizabeth

…7And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps. 8When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn the incense perpetually before the LORD for the generations to come. 9On this altar you must not offer unauthorized incense or a burnt offering or grain offering; nor are you to pour a drink offering on it.… Exodus 30: 7-9

…17Then Azariah the priest, along with eighty brave priests of the LORD, went in after him. 18They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.” 19Uzziah, with a censer in his hand to offer incense, was enraged. But while he raged against the priests in their presence in the house of the LORD before the altar of incense, leprosy broke out on his forehead.… 2 Chronicles 26: 17-19

In the days of Herod - This would be the historical figure Herod the Great, an Edomite from the line of Esau. He was a paranoid tyrant who even killed members of his own family. It was a dynasty marked by fornication, adultery, murder and incest. At the hearing of the Magi regarding the birth of Jesus Herod will send out his soldiers on a mission of genocide, trying to eradicate the Son of David. His son will later have John the Baptist killed for speaking out against his immoral and incestuous relationship with Herodius, his brother Philip's wife. 

More on Herod from Matthew 2

There was a priest named Zechariah - His name means "God remembers".

He had a wife from the daughters of Aaron - This means she was of the same tribe of Levi, the tribe from where the priests came. I'm probably the only one that finds this notable, but it is interesting to me that both of John the Baptist's parents are from the priestly tribe, and both of Jesus' earthly parents are from the kingly tribe of Judah. 

Her name was Elizabeth, and they were both righteous before God - We will soon find out that she was barren, and there is a stigma with this, but those who would believe that it is a judgment against a sinful life would be wrong here. Job's friends thought much the same way, and were certain that all he suffered was for some hidden and most heinous sin. Many people back then believed that of the poor, and many even still today think that wealth and prosperity is a sign of strength and holiness, that God is blessing them because they deserve it. Some don't believe there even is a God, but they hold themselves up to be little gods, and think that their riches are a wall of power against all else, yet how quickly kingdoms can crumble. Elizabeth is actually a humble servant of the Lord.

Both were advanced in years - This was the state of Abraham and his wife Sarah, yet God willed so to open up the barren womb, the womb of Sarah, a woman who was passed the time of menstruating. God likes to deal with the impossible, so that men are not so confused as to Who did it. This is a beautiful illustration of what it is to be born again as well, so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. The Spirit breathes life into the barren place, it raises those who are dead in trespasses and sins, brings the spiritually still born to life. 

…11And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” 13And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’… Genesis 18: 11-13

He was chosen by lot to enter the temple and burn incense - The tribe of Levi was broken up into divisions and each did service in it's turn. Since everyone born to this tribe was apportioned to the Lord there were a lot of priest and so they chose their positions by lot. This was one of the greatest honors and the incense represented the prayers of the people. The people prayed outside the tent, but our communion with God is dependent upon the offering, which is ultimately filled by our great High Priest, Jesus Christ, whom these Levites foreshadow. God accepts the prayers on behalf of His Son, and we can come before the Father because Christ once came before Him as us, and He now sits at the right hand of God as our advocate. 

1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 3By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.… 1 John 2: 1-3

According to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense: Only priests from a particular lineage could serve in the temple. Over the years the number of priests multiplied, (there were said to be as many as 20,000 priests in the time of Jesus) so they used the lot to determine which priests would serve when. The lot to serve might fall to a priest only once in his life.

i. To a godly man like Zacharias, this was probably the biggest event of his life, a tremendous privilege, a-once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Surely he wondered what it would be like to enter the holy place, and if God had something special to speak to him in this special event of his life. - E Word

Do not be afraid - Again, pay attention, people's encounters with holy beings are overwhelming. 

Your prayer has been heard - These were God fearing people who had long prayed for the childless condition of their home. They longed for children. Children are a blessing from the Lord.

You shall call his name John - The Lord picked his name and sent it by His messenger. His name means "Yahweh has been gracious".

He must not drink wine or strong drink - This is similar to the Nazarite vow, but with no mention of not cutting the locks of his hair like the direction given to Samson's parents.

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord, 3 he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar made from wine or strong drink and shall not drink any juice of grapes or eat grapes, fresh or dried. 4 All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, not even the seeds or the skins.

5 “All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. Until the time is completed for which he separates himself to the Lord, he shall be holy. He shall let the locks of hair of his head grow long.

6 “All the days that he separates himself to the Lord he shall not go near a dead body. 7 Not even for his father or for his mother, for brother or sister, if they die, shall he make himself unclean, because his separation to God is on his head. 8 All the days of his separation he is holy to the Lord. Numbers 6: 1-8

He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb - This speaks much about salvation and God's sovereignty in it. John will walk in the Spirit from a young age, even recognizing the Savior while both are in their respective wombs.

Most of the uses of this verb are by Luke (22/24) and most are used with in a figurative sense. Most describe persons filled with something (Spirit or an emotion) and are wholly affected, controlled or influenced by what fills them.

One of my favorite uses of this verb (other than being filled with the Spirit) is found in the prophecy in Habakkuk 2:14+ "For the earth will be filled (Hebrew = male= to be full; Lxx = pimplemi) with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea." And another verse that speaks of the glorious hope we have at Messiah's Second Coming and establishment of His Millennium (Messianic) Kingdom. "I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house (Millennial Temple - read Ezek 43:2-4, 5) with glory,' says the LORD of hosts." (Haggai 2:7) And all God's children shout "Hallelujah-Praise the Lord!" - Precept Austin

Turn many children of Israel to the Lord their God - He comes preaching repentance and to point people to Christ. To turn to God is to acknowledge one's state, that they are a sinner in need of mercy, that is the change of mind, and to start to hate that which is called sin and walk away from it, that is the fruit of a changed heart. This is repentance. 

…25asked him, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands One you do not know. 27He is the One who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”… John 1: 25-27

And he will go before Him in the spirit of Elijah - Before Who? Before Christ, Who is the Lord their God. Elijah was an Old Testament prophet who stood before kings and challenged them. He mocked the rule of men and God allowed Him to call down fire to reveal Who the true God is. Elijah killed 400 prophets of Baal, and had a student named Elisha, who asked a double portion of Elijah's spirit before Elijah was taken up into heaven on a fiery chariot. 

More on John the Baptist from Matthew 3

More from Matthew 11

Part of the Ministry of Elijah

To make ready for the Lord a people prepared - John had an amazing ministry as a preacher of righteousness, and many came in repentance, but in the end he was confused as to his own understanding of when the kingdom would begin. He even sends his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the Messiah or do we look for another. Most of Israel ends up rejecting the Messiah as the prophet Isaiah foretold. Jesus will become the Lamb that was slain, the Ram in the thicket that allows Isaac to go free. At the end of the age there will be two prophets very similar in ministry to Elijah, who we learn about in Revelation 11. They will in that same spirit stand up to the present rulers of that darkness, to the antichrist and his false prophets. These two will be killed by the antichrist and this is in no way figurative, for it is marked by a future historical celebration, where the people on the earth look on the deaths of these prophets as a great defeat, a point of victory, a new holiday. It says they will send each other gifts while they, the whole earth, watches and celebrates their demise. But in three days God will call them up. We are also told that in the end all Israel will be saved, so this will be the remnant that believes the preaching of the prophet and the angel. This will be for the Lord, Jesus Christ, a people prepared for His second coming.  

13Behold, My Servant will prosper; He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. 14Just as many were appalled at Him— His appearance was disfigured beyond that of any man, and His form was marred beyond human likeness — 15so He will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For they will see what they have not been told, and they will understand what they have not heard.… Isaiah 52: 13-15

1Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him. 3He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.… Isaiah 53: 1-3

25I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. 27And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.”… Romans 11: 25-27

How shall I know this - This is doubt asking for a sign, as if Scripture and an angelic being weren't enough. He is a priest, and so he would be familiar with God's workings in such cases like that of Sarah. 

I am Gabriel - This is the angel (messenger) that stands before the Lord. He is the first sign.

20While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and that of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the LORD my God concerning His holy mountain— 21while I was still praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22He instructed me and spoke with me, saying: “O Daniel, I have come now to give you insight and understanding.… Daniel 9: 20-22

Silent and unable to speak - This is the sign given to him for his unbelief, and what a harsh one considering where Zechariah is at the moment.

And they were wondering at his delay in the temple - Zechariah was supposed to come out and bring the Lord's blessing to the people. It's a scary thing too because priests had made mistakes in the past and died by God's hand. 

After the incense priest finished, he came out of the holy place through the great doors of the temple and met the other two priests right outside the doors. Then the incense priest raised his hands and blessed the people with the blessing from Numbers 6:24-26. The hundreds of gathered worshippers knew what to do; they responded by saying, “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.” - E Word

1Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. 2So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD. 3Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’ ” But Aaron remained silent.… Leviticus 10: 1-3

He was unable to speak to them - This is like the Benediction prayer at the end of worship service. "May the Lord bless you and keep you." But there is no voice, as though the lead in the play has forgot his lines, but he is motioning to them so they realize he is unable to speak. He has probably rehearsed this his whole life, and this is his one chance to do this, but nothing comes out. I'm sure this was a scenario that had never before played out in his practice for this day. 

To take away my reproach among people - Now what can they say. It is foolish to see others lack or suffering as always self inflicted. For those that come to love God they always find it a blessing that has instead brought them to the sanity of humility. Let the proud mock and revel in their riches and health. It will all come to not.

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#1349 Luke 1 Part 1 Most Excellent Theophilus

 

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. Luke 1: 1-4

Luke 1: 1-4 Intro to Luke's Gospel

The gospel of Luke bears the Author's name. We know that Luke was a doctor and at times the Physician and assistant of Paul. 

…13For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings. 15Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.… Colossians 4: 13-15

…10because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me in the ministry. 12Tychicus, however, I have sent to Ephesus.… 2 Timothy 4: 10-12

We can see from the verses above that not only was he a doctor but also a faithful friend when others deserted. It is beautiful to see in 2 Timothy that while Demas was drawn away to the world, yet Luke was still with Paul, and quite wonderfully, Mark, who had departed in weakness for a time, was now a useful ally. 

More on Luke from GTY Intro

Luke has been identified as the writer of both this gospel and the book of Acts, which would come together under one set as the history of Christ and the beginnings of the early church. He is thought to be from Antioch based on early church tradition. His writing style and ability with Greek lend to a very beautiful investigative approach, not as an eye witness of all these things, but as one who is looking into and interviewing those close to Jesus. He obviously spent a great deal of time with Paul, who was the Apostle to the gentiles, and Luke is thought to be the only gentile writer of a gospel. Luke's gospel really underscores Jesus as the Savior of sinners, the One fixed upon the cross. 

Inasmuch as we have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things - Luke is setting out to give an account, a record, and investigation into the matters concerning the person and life of Christ, His mission and followers. It is like investigative journalism, and he is a doctor, very keen on precision. 

To compile ("taken in hand" = ASV; "to set forth in order" = KJV; "draw up" = NIV; "to set down" = NRSV)(392)(anatassomai from anti = + tasso = to put in order, to arrange) literally means to arrange in a row (or proper order), to draw up again in order, “to arrange in due order once more,” to compose, to arrange in a series "a narrative that the sequence of events may be evident." It is used by Plutarch in classic Greek to denote going regularly through a thing again and so to rehearse it. Here Luke uses it to to arrange in proper order, that is, to arrange afresh so as to show the sequence of events. See related note below on consecutive order (Lk 1:3). Anatassomai is used only used by Dr Luke in the NT - Lk 1:1, Acts 9:29, Acts 19:13.

Account (1335)(diegesis from diegeomai = to set out in detail from diá = through or an intensifier + hegeomai = to lead) is a narrative or message that tells the details of an act or course of events in an orderly sequence. BDAG says diegesis is "an orderly description of facts, events, actions, or words." It is used of a historical report in classic Greek. It is a discourse consisting of an orderly exposition or narration. It indicates a narration of a verified and well-witnessed report. This is the only NT use of diegesis. There are 2 uses in the non-apocryphal Septuagint - Judges 5:14, Hab 2:6. - Precept Austin

Just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us - This is not Luke's eyewitness account of these things, this is his Spirit filled and guided delivery of the accounts given to him by those that were closest to Jesus. When I was a child my mother delivered to me the gospel which she had heard preached to her and then investigated for herself. When I was older I wanted to disprove the Bible, and so I approached it for a different reason; she - to know more about her Savior, me - to try to disprove such a need. 

John MacArthur makes an important point regarding inspiration of the Bible in light of Luke's not having been a personal eyewitness of Jesus or the events of Jesus' ministry - Luke’s acknowledgement of his use of source material must not be misconstrued as a disclaimer of divine inspiration for his gospel. The process of inspiration never bypassed or overrode the personalities, life experiences, vocabularies, or writing styles of the Bible’s human authors; their unique traits are indelibly stamped on all the books of Scripture. The Spirit used Luke’s knowledge, gave him additional information, guided his selection of material, and controlled every word so that he wrote exactly what God wanted written (cf. 1 Cor. 2:12–13; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21). (SEE BOCK'S RELATED COMMENT) Therefore, his original account is infallibly and inerrantly true. (Bold added. See context in Luke Commentary) - Precept Austin

…12We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.… 1 Corinthians 2: 12-14

…20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. 21For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1: 20-21

…2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,… 1 Corinthians 15: 2-4

To write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus - Theophilus means "friend of God"  from Theos (God) Philos (beloved). 

it seemed fitting (dokeo) for me as well, having investigated (parakoloutheo) everything carefully (akribos) from the beginning (anothen), to write (grapho) it out for you in consecutive order (kathexes), most excellent (kratistos)Theophilus - NET = "So it seemed good to me as well, because I have followed all things carefully from the beginning." In Luke 1:1-2 he had referred to writers and witnesses, but now he begins to describe his own writing by saying it seemed fitting (dokeo) which means that it was proper for him to write his account. The NET adds "because" which explains the reason that it seemed fitting to Dr Luke. Why was it fitting to now begin to write? Because he had investigated everything carefully. - Precept Austin

A T Robertson on most excellent Theophilus - He may have been a believer already. He was probably a Gentile (ED: BUT THIS IS CONJECTURE). Ramsay holds that “most excellent” was a title like “Your Excellency” and shows that he held office, perhaps a Knight. So of Felix (Acts 23:26) and Festus (Acts 26:25). The adjective does not occur in the dedication in Acts 1:1+.

John MacArthur in his introduction to Luke - Luke dedicated his works to “most excellent Theophilus” (lit. “lover of God”—1:3; cf. Acts 1:1). This designation, which may be a nickname or a pseudonym, is accompanied by a formal address (“most excellent”)—possibly signifying that “Theophilus” was a well known Roman dignitary, perhaps one of those who had turned to Christ in “Caesar’s household” (Phil. 4:22). - Precept Austin

That you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught - There are many voices out there, and there are many people who claim to be Christian but snub doctrine and will give a gospel according to the itching ear. What a kind teacher is Luke, and it is uncertain whether this Theophilus had commissioned him in this, or that these were solely from Luke's own investigation and which he is now sharing unsolicited. It would seem that this is something the man wanted though for "certainty concerning the things you have been taught." I must say, looking back, I was too readily and easily given to think that people spoke of such sacred things from a good place. When I was young and around my charismatic friends it seemed exciting, and I only reluctantly at times stopped to verify what they said. The same later when I wanted to be an atheist, everything that anyone said against Scripture was as if  already proven in my eyes. I didn't want the Bible to be true so every antagonist was in my eyes a plausible expert. Luke has investigated these things for some time and is now sharing them with his friend, and us, his brothers and sisters in Christ.

…15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.… 2 Timothy 3: 15-17

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