The Gospel According to Saint Luke
Luke 1
Chapter I · Vol. IV, pp. 144–148
1 The preface of Luke to his whole Gospel. 5 The conception of John the Baptist, 26 and of Christ. 39 The prophecy of Elisabeth, and of Mary, concerning Christ. 57 The nativity and circumcision of John. 67 The prophecy of Zacharias, both of Christ, 76 and of John.
1 Forasmuch as many1 have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of athose things which are most surely believed among us,
A.M. cir. 4000.
1 See note * below.
a Jn.1.14. 1 Ti.3.16. Ac.1.1-3,21,22; 4.20. 1 Jn.1.1-3. 2 Pe.1.10-18.
A.M. cir. 4000.
* It is evident from this word that many accounts had already been published in Luke's time, of the life and labours of Christ. It seems also to me, from ver. 4, that none of these were satisfactory, and consequently Luke cannot here refer to the canonical Gospels. It is questionable whether he ever saw, or even heard of, any of the other Gospels before writing his own. None of the narratives referred to by Luke have come down to us. The works known as apocryphal, and which profess to give histories of our Lord, are of a much later date.—P.
2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were beye-witnesses, and ministersc of the word;
3 Itd seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first,2 tofwrite unto thee in eorder, gmost excellent Theophilus,Cited in WCF 1.1
d Ac.15.19,25,28. 1 Co.7.40. He.2.3. 1 Th.1.5; 2.13.
2 By this phrase Luke intends not so much divine guidance and inspiration (though these are not necessarily excluded), as personal research, and thorough examination of all trustworthy sources. This is important, for it illustrates a principle in the publication of the divine Word. It is this: that wherever knowledge can be gained by human means, supernatural revelation is not employed.—P.
e Ac.11.4.
4 Thath thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed.Cited in WCF 1.1
h Jn.20.31. 1 Pe.1.10. 2 Pe.1.15,19. 1 Th.1.5; 2.13.
5 There was, iin the days of Herod the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, jof the course of Abia:3 and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
Before the common account called Anno Domini the 4th year.
i Mat.2.1.
j 1 Ch.24.5,10,19. Ne.12.4,17.
3 Zacharias was an ordinary priest, and his class or 'course' was one of the twenty-four instituted by king David for the temple service. Each class performed the duties during a week.—P.
6 Andk they were both righteous before God,4 walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord,5 blameless.6Cited in WLC 76 · WCF 15.2
k Ge.6.9; 5.24; 17.1; 7.1. Job 1.1,8; 1.2. Ps.119.6. 1 Ki.9.4. 2 Ki.20.3. 1 Co.11.2. Phi.3.6. Ac.24.16. 2 Co.1.12.
4 Righteous before God—simply because they were sincere believers in Messiah who was to come—'the Lord their righteousness,' Ro.3.10,20-23,28.—C.
5 In all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord—that led sinners to Christ, 'the end of the law for righteousness to all them that believe.'—C.
6 Blameless—that is, before the church and the world.—C.
7 Andl they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
l Ge.18.11,12; 25.21. Ju.13.3. Jos.13.1. 1 Ki.1.1.
8 And it came to pass, that while nhe executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
n 1 Ch.24.19. He.9.6.
9 Accordingo to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.7
o Ex.30.7,8. 1 Ch.6.49; 28.21. He.9.6.
7 The Greek word here translated 'temple,' signifies not the whole of the sacred inclosure, but the shrine. The burning of incense was the highest office connected with the service, and required the priest to enter the holy place where the altar of incense stood.—P.
11 Andq there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of rthe altar of incense.
12 And when Zacharias saw him, she was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
s ver.29. Ju.13.20,22. Da.10.8. Mar.16.5.
13 But the angel said unto him, tFear not, Zacharias: ufor thy prayer8 is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
15 For he shall be xgreat in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink;1 and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
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 2to the zwisdom of the just;3 to make ready a people prepared for athe Lord.Cited in WSC 87
2 Or, by.
z Ps.111.10.
3 The wisdom of the just. To the knowledge of Jesus Christ, 'the wisdom of God,' upon whom 'the just shall live by faith.'—C.
a Mat.3.2. Is.40.3,9-11; 9.6,7. Jn.1.14,29. Ro.9.5. 1 Ti.3.16. Tit.2.13. 1 Pe.2.9.
18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, bWhereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19 And the angel, answering, said unto him, cI am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
c Da.9.21-26; 8.16. ver.26. Mat.18.10. He.1.14.
20 And, behold, dthou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, ebecause thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.4Cited in WCF 11.5
e Ge.18.10,12,13. Nu.20.12. Is.7.9. Ro.3.3. Nu.23.19. He.6.18. Tit.1.2.
4 Zacharias asked a sign. The request implied want of faith. To believe the promise doubtless required strong faith, for he was an old man; but the whole scene and circumstances—the angel, the temple, the smoking incense, ought to have been enough for him. The sign he asked was yet given; but it was in itself a punishment.—P.
21 And the people 5waited6 for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
5 For the blessing, Nu.6.23-26.
6 The people waited that they might receive his blessing, Nu.6.23-26.—C.
22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the gdays of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24 And after those days, his wife Elisabeth hconceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
h Ge.21.1,2; 25.21; 30.22,23. 1 Sa.1.19,20. Ju.13.5.
25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me, in the days wherein ihe looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
26 And in the jsixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God, unto ka city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
j ver.24,30.
k Jn.7.41,52; 1.46. Mat.2.23.
27 Tol a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.Cited in WSC 22 · WLC 37 · WCF 8.2
28 And the angel came in unto her, nand said, Hail,7 thou that art highly 8favoured, othe Lord is with thee: pblessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, qshe was troubled9 at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
q See ver.12.
9 Troubled. Perplexed.—C.
30 And the angel said unto her, rFear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
r See ver.13. Is.41.10,14. Re.1.17. ch.2.10; 9.50. Mat.28.5.
31 And,s behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.Cited in WSC 22 · WLC 37, 46 · WCF 8.2
32 Het shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him uthe throne of his father David:1Cited in WSC 23 · HC 35
t Is.9.6,7. Mat.12.42; 28.18. Tit.2.13. Phi.2.9-11. He.1.2-8.
u 2 Sa.7.11,12. Ps.132.11. Is.16.5.
1 From ver. 27 it is clear that Joseph was a descendant of David; and from this verse, whatever may be said of the genealogy in this Gospel, it is clear that Mary also sprung from the same royal house.—P.
33 Andv he shall reign over the house of Jacobx for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.Cited in WSC 23 · WCF 8.1 · HC 31
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, yHow shall this be, seeing I know not a man?2
y Mat.13.36.
2 See note * below.
* This wonderful annunciation—the most wonderful ever made to mortal, was received by Mary with that meek humility and faith which constituted the chief characteristics of her nature. Unlike Zacharias, she never questioned the truth of the announcement. Still it was too mysterious, too profound, for her intellect. It even seemed to be impossible as well as incomprehensible. Hence Mary asked, not in unbelief, but for information, 'How shall this be?' She believes that it will be, because God's angel said it. She only inquires how.—P.
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, zThe Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called athe Son of God.Cited in WSC 22 · WLC 36, 37 · WCF 8.2 · HC 35
36 And,b behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
38 And Mary said, dBehold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.3 And the angel departed from her.
d Ps.116.16; 119.38. 2 Sa.7.25,29. Mar.9.24. 2 Ch.20.20. Je.11.5. Mat.15.28.
3 The glorious truth revealed to Mary, and the unparalleled dignity conferred upon her, gave rise to no feelings of vanity. She seems never to have thought of self. Her meekness and humility were, if possible, greater after than before the annunciation. The honours since heaped upon her memory and her name, and the homage paid at her ten thousand shrines, would have been as repugnant to the humble Virgin of Nazareth, as they are opposed to the revealed will of God.—P.
39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the ehill country with haste, into a city of 4Juda;5
e Jos.15.48-59.
4 Probably Hebron, Jos.15.54; 21.9-11.
5 The words translated 'city of Juda,' may mean 'the city of Juttah,' which was situated in the mountains near Hebron.—P.
40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the gbabe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was hfilled with the Holy Ghost:
42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, iBlessed art thou among women, and blessedj is the fruit of thy womb.Cited in WLC 37
44 For lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 Andn blessed is she that believed: for there6 shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
n ch.11.28. Jn.20.29. 2 Ch.20.20. 1 Pe.1.8.
6 Or, which believed that there.
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.7
7 If 'God our Saviour' be 'God manifest in the flesh,' as certainly he is—then is the Popish figment of the 'immaculate conception,' or total absence of original sin in Mary, no longer tenable; for if her spirit did rejoice in 'God her Saviour,' she must have been a sinner in order to be saved.—C.
48 Forp he hath regarded the low estate8 of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations qshall call me blessed.
49 Forr he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
r Ge.17.1. Ps.71.19,21; 111.9; 126.2,3. Ep.3.20.
51 Het hath showed strength with his arm; he hath uscattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 Hev hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
v ch.18.14. Job 12.19,21. 1 Sa.2.6-8. Job 5.11. Ps.113.6,7. Is.66.2.
54 Hey hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
y Is.41.8,10; 46.4; 30.18; 63.7. Je.31.3,20. Ps.98.3. Mi.7.18-20.
56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
57 Now Elisabeth's full time came, that she should be delivered; and ashe brought forth a son.
a ver.13. Nu.23.19.
58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had showed bgreat mercy upon her; and cthey rejoiced with her.
59 And it came to pass, that don the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
d Ge.17.9-14. Le.12.3. Phi.3.5. Col.2.11. Jn.7.22.
60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; ebut he shall be called John.
e ver.13. Ge.21.3. Mat.1.21,25. Ge.17.21. Le.12.3. ch.2.21. Ge.18.19. Is.8.3. Ho.1.4-9. 2 Sa.12.25.
61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
63 And he asked for a writing-table, and wrote, saying, His name gis John.9 And they marvelled all.
A.M. cir. 4000.
g ver.13.
9 John, 'gracious,' because he introduced 'the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.'—C.
65 Andi fear came on all1 that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings2 were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea:
66 And all they that heard them jlaid them up in their hearts, saying, kWhat manner of child shall this be! lAnd the hand of the Lord was with him.
j ch.2.19,51; 9.44.
k ch.2.25-38. Ge.21.6.
l ver.80. Ps.80.17. 1 Ki.18.46. Ju.13.24,25. Je.1.5. Is.41.10.
67 And his father Zacharias was nfilled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
n Nu.11.25. 2 Sa.23.2. 2 Ch.20.14. Re.1.10. 2 Pe.1.21.
68 Blessedo be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath pvisited and redeemed his people,Cited in WLC 38, 97 · HC 122
o Ge.9.27. 1 Ch.29.10. Ps.72.17-19; 106.48; cvii.
p Ex.3.16,17; 4.31. ch.7.16. Mat.1.21. Ep.1.7.
69 Andq hath raised up an horn of salvation for us; in the house of his servant David;Cited in WLC 38, 97
q Ps.111.19; 132.17,18. Je.23.5,6. Eze.17.22,23; 34.23,29. Ac.2.30. 1 Sa.2.10.
70 Asr he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
r Je.23.5,6; 33.15,16; 30.9,21. Ge.3.15; 49.10. Is.7.13,14; 11.1-5. Ps.72.1-9. Da.9.24,26. Zec.9.9.
71 Thats we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;Cited in WLC 38
s Ps.106.10,47. Is.45.17,22; 49.24-26; 53.10,11; 54.7-17; 55.7. Je.30.10,11. Mat.1.21. Ga.1.4. 1 Jn.3.8.
72 Tot perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and uto remember his holy covenant;
t Ex.20.6. Le.26.42. Mi.7.18-20. Mat.10.6; 15.24. ver.54. Ac.3.25,26. Ro.11.28.
u Ge.12.3; 17.4,7; 22.16-18. Ps.105.8-10. Eze.16.60. Je.31.3. He.6.13-18.
73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
74 That he would grant unto us, vthat we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear,Cited in WSC 44 · WLC 38, 97, 101 · WCF 20.3
v Ge.22.17,18. Le.25.18. De.12.10,18. Is.45.17. Je.23.6. Ro.6.18,22; 8.15. He.2.15; 9.14; 12.28,29.
75 Inx holiness3 and righteousness4 before him, all the days of our life.Cited in WSC 44 · WLC 93, 97, 101 · WCF 20.3
x Je.32.39,40. Ep.4.24. 1 Pe.1.14,15. Tit.2.11,12.
3 In holiness. An entire separation, not from the world, but the love of the world, and an entire dedication of all our body and spirit to God's service and glory.—C.
4 In righteousness—in that righteousness which is of God by faith of Jesus Christ, whom the church of old possessed in types and promises, but now in the body and fulfilment.—C.
y Re.2.10.
76 And thou, child, shalt zbe called the Prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
z ver.15-17. Is.40.3. Mal.3.1; 4.5,6. Mat.11.9-14.
79 Toc give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
80 Andd the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was ein the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel.8
A.M. cir. 4000.
* 'The deserts,' or 'wilderness of Judea,' was a mountainous region extending from the western shore of the Dead Sea to Bethlehem, Tekoah, and Juttah. It was a parched district, with only a very few patches of cultivation, but having pasturage for sheep and goats. It was here John dwelt, perhaps, like king David in his youth, acting as a shepherd.—P.
d ch.2.40,52. Ju.13.25. 1 Sa.3.19,20.
8 See note * in first column.
Notes
Ver. 16, 17. By his doctrine and example he shall be a happy instrument, in the hand of the Spirit, of turning many from their iniquities and false opinions to the Messiah. In his coarse and severe manner of life, and by his plentiful endowment with the Holy Spirit, he shall resemble the ancient Elijah; and shall be the means of reconciling men one to another, even Jews to Gentiles; yea, he shall make the most stubborn sinners wise unto salvation, and, by conviction of sin, prepare them to receive the divine Saviour. 51-53. He hath marvellously exerted his power in helping and showing mercy to all people, in casting down self-righteous and self-sufficient sinners, and in putting high honours upon the poor and debased. He has granted the desire of such as were earnestly inquiring after a Saviour, and enriched them with his favour; but has denied the blessings of his kingdom to such as are rich in this world, or abound in self-confidence and self-conceit. 68. Let all praise, honour, and blessing be ascribed to that God who, after a long apparent neglect of his people, is now, in infinite kindness, sending his Son to save and redeem them, and who is now raising up his long-promised Messiah to exalt and protect his pious ones, and to cast down their enemies, spiritual or temporal; 74, 75, that being, by his love, power, and grace, redeemed from sin, Satan, and the world, we may, while we live, constantly serve God, without slavish fear of him, or tormenting fear of our enemies, in all the duties of piety, righteousness, and sobriety, as in his sight, and depending on him for assistance and gracious reward. 76-79. Thou shalt be the prophetic forerunner of the incarnate God the Messiah, to publish his appearance, and to direct and excite men to receive him; to show them that they must be saved, not by their own legal righteousness, but by the remission of their sins through Jesus' blood, according to the loving, tender and compassionate kindness of God, by which Christ, the heavenly Sun of Righteousness, comes into our world, to enlighten, revive, and save, not only us Jews, but also the Gentiles, who have been long destitute of the means of grace, and enveloped with ignorance, error, and wickedness; and to direct us to the true methods of enjoying peace with God, with our own consciences, and our neighbours, till we arrive at perfect and everlasting happiness.
Ver. 3. Theophilus. Who this person was does not appear; and historic celebrity is neither essential nor important to the children of God. That he was a real and not a fictitious personage is, however, apparent; because no man 'speaking by the Spirit of God' could call an imaginary character to receive or patronize, as it were, a real history. C.
Ver. 15. And he shall be filled, &c. A beautiful and blessed example of the work of the Spirit being contemporaneous with the moment, not merely of birth, but of living existence, as the original signifies. We once knew a philosopher to say, 'That he had known but one who had led him to question the doctrine of original sin.' The observation was striking and candid, but not just. The beauty of a personal holiness, that he could not deny, should have led him not to doubt original sin, but to admire the early, and wonderful, and effectual working of the Spirit of God. C.
Ver. 19. That stand in the presence of God. This is not a description borrowed, as Bloomfield imagines, 'from the custom of oriental courts,' but a declaration of the fact that where Gabriel stands there is 'the presence (the manifestation) of the LORD.' C.
Ver. 24. Hid herself. Not to avoid, as Bloomfield supposes, 'the raileries and gazings of the vulgar'—for such conduct the Jewish feelings and manners would never have tolerated (see ver. 58); but to give herself to meditation and prayer, upon an announcement and occasion so extraordinary.—Note, 'Children are God's heritage;' and blessed is that wife who, if the Lord deny her children, bows submissively to his holy will; and who, if the Lord grant her children, receives the gift as a subject and excitement to thanksgiving and prayer. C.
Ver. 32. Surely when a demand is made for a single verse that combines the divine and human nature of Christ, this might suffice, in which he is called the 'Son of the Highest,' yet exalted by promise to 'the throne of his father David!' C.
Ver. 35. The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, is one act representing the preparation of the body of Jesus, ver. 31.—And the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, is another, representing the personal act of the Word, uniting himself with the humanity which was 'born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God'—even of God the Holy Spirit.—The conclusion in the word therefore, clearly demonstrates that Jesus was called 'the Son of God,' because, according to his humanity, he was conceived of the Holy Ghost. But his being named 'the Son of God' upon this account does not preclude his being also named 'the Son of God' upon another account—namely, upon account of his being 'that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested to us,' 1 Jn. 1. 1. For surely if he was 'eternal life with the Father,' he must have been the Son; for the Father could not have been the Father unless the Word had been his Son! C.
Ver. 39. A city of Juda. The particular city is unnamed, and conjecture is useless. But it is worth remark, that from Nazareth to the nearest city in the 'hill country of Judea' (ver. 6) could not be less than several score miles, through mountains intersected with ravines and rivers; and that the undertaking of such a journey is a striking mark of the devotedness and decision of the personal character of Mary. C.
Ver. 42-55. It is impossible to read these pious effusions of Elisabeth and Mary without admiring the rich treasury of prayer and praise which the Scriptures furnish for all occasions. To them the Spirit leads4 the memories of these two godly women, and gives their feelings utterance in language doubly affecting, because uniting the recollection of the past with the possession of the present mercies; see ver. 54. C.
Ver. 60. It is evident Zacharias had communicated to his wife the name the angel had prescribed for the child—a lesson of that confidence that 'those whom God hath bound together' should ever reciprocate. It is equally evident that while perfectly confidential with one another, they were as perfectly silent towards their neighbours and relatives—another most valuable lesson for all relations and conditions of life; for while cunning concealment of our purposes is foolish and vain, a prudent silence, and even secrecy, is always a proof of wisdom, and generally essential to success. C.
Ver. 77. 'The knowledge of salvation,' and the knowledge of the 'remission of sins,' are inseparably connected in the purpose of God; and he that lays hold upon the one cannot possibly be ignorant of the other. Even as he that is delivered from shipwreck or disease cannot possibly, if in his right mind, be ignorant of his escape from danger, or of his restored health. C.
Reflections.—The wonderful things of the gospel are declared with the greatest care and certainty, that we may clearly understand and firmly believe them. And for the same purpose a train of miracles introduced our Immanuel into our world, by which the ancient predictions concerning him and his forerunner were exactly accomplished. Delightful, distinguished, and unexpected mercies will come at last to those who, in a distinguished manner, fear God. Those that are humble and honour him he will honour; nothing is too hard for him to effect. And saints' unbelief of his promises must meet with sharp rebukes. The revival of miracles and prophecies pleasingly opened the way for the gospel dispensation. And with what reverence ought we always to think of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, as the Lord our God; and of the Holy Ghost, who exerts the whole power of the Godhead!—But how sweetly astonishing is it to behold God's eternal Son made of a woman!—To behold the infinite Jehovah personally united to the likeness of sinful flesh in order to save his enemies of mankind. Permanent and glorious is his spiritual kingdom. From the riches of divine mercy all the blessings of it originally proceed, and are bestowed on us by almighty love, notwithstanding all our unwillingness and unworthiness. It is this which lays the surest ground for the firmest faith, the deepest humility, the profoundest admiration, the most ravishing joy, and exalted praise. Thrice blessed is it to rejoice in a Saviour born for us, and received into our heart, and in that great salvation which he brings near to all men. Thrice happy are true believers in the pardon of their sins, the acceptance of their prayers, and their deliverance from their enemies. And in the highest praise and filial service of God should they improve these benefits. Never does God send any upon important work without proper qualifications. And rarely do men addicted to carnal company make an agreeable figure in the church.—Let me in every state learn to be fervent in my devotions. Let me offer all my services through Jesus' mediation. Let me acquaint myself with God and his Word, and always credit whatever he says. Let me vie with angels in readiness to speak of my Redeemer. And if God honour me, let me humble myself, and rejoice in his mercy.