Background Scripture: Luke 1:5-23, 57-80
Lesson Context: Luke’s gospel begins by introducing a priest named Zacharias and his wife, Elisabeth. The couple was considered “righteous before God” and “blameless” regarding obedience to God’s commandments (Luke 1:6). At the time of the introduction in the gospel, the couple was without children due to their age and Elisabeth’s barrenness (1:7). During the time of Zacharias’s service, an angel of the Lord named Gabriel visited him and informed him that he would have a son (Luke 1:8-19). Zacharias responded with doubt, questioning the validity of the angel’s prophecy (1:8). The angel proclaimed that because of Zacharias’s doubt, he would be unable to speak until the prophecies regarding the birth of the son were fulfilled. (International Sunday School Lessons KJV 2024-2025)
l. Prologue (Luke 1:67): “And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying.” The prophetic voice of the Lord had been silent for 400 years. Now, God spoke through Gabriel (Luke 1:13, 1:28), through Elisabeth (Luke 1:41-42), through Mary (Luke 1:46-55), and now through Zacharias. When God spoke again, it was all connected to the theme of Jesus and His work. (Enduring Word Bible Commentary)
ll. Celebrating God (Luke 1:68-75):
A. For Promises Kept (vv. 68-70). “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited, and redeemed his people.” It was as if God was present for Israel (has visited) in a way not experienced for a long time. Zacharias’s song has been called the Benedictus, from its first words in the Latin translation. (Enduring Word Bible Commentary) v. 69. “And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.” We know this was truly Spirit-inspired prophecy because the first focus of his prophecy is the unborn Jesus, not Zacharias’ new son John.
- Jesus is the horn of salvation for us (Luke 1:69).
- Jesus is the One who saves us from our enemies (Luke 1:71).
- Jesus is the One to perform the mercy promised to our fathers (Luke 1:72).
- Jesus is the One to remember covenant (Luke 1:72).
- Jesus makes us able to serve Him without fear (Luke 1:74) (Enduring Word Bible Commentary).
v. 70 “As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began.” The theologian, Trapp, on by the mouth of His holy prophets, “Yet they all had one mouth, so sweet in their harmony.” (David Gutz’s Bible Commentary).
lll. Appointing John (Luke 1:76-78a):
A. His Calling (v. 76). v. 76 “And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest. For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways.” After the initial focus on Jesus, the Holy Spirit then led Zacharias to speak of his new-born son and his place in God’s great plan.
- John was a true prophet, the prophet of the Highest (Luke 1:76).
- John had the unique calling to go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways (Luke 1:76).
- John would teach and give knowledge of salvation to God’s people (Luke 1:76).
- John would show people the remission of their sins (Luke 1:77).
- John would give light to those who sit in darkness (Luke 1:79).
- John would guide God’s people into the way of peace (Luke 1:79). (David Gutz’s Bible Commentary)
B. His Talk (vv. 77-78a). v. 77. “To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the emission of their sins.” John would show people the remission/forgiveness of their sins. (David Gutz’s Bible Commentary) v. 78a. “Through the tender mercy of God.” And, goes on Zacharias in his noble hymn, all this tender care for Israel (but really for mankind, though perhaps the speaker of the hymn scarcely guessed it) is owing to the deep love of God. (Pulpit Bible Commentary)
lV. Predicting Result (Luke 1:78b-79): vv. 78b-79. “Whereby the day spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” “Whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us.” The beautiful imagery here is derived from the magnificence of the Eastern sunrise. The thought which pictured the advent of Messiah as a sunrise was a favorite one with the prophets. (Pulpit Bible Commentary)
V. Epilogue (Luke 1:80): “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.” This verse takes us Zacharias’s Song and summarizes John’s formative years. (International Bible Commentary KJV 2024-2025).