Luke 1:67-80
Friday, April 10th, 2009The song of Zacharias begins to provide an answer to the question asked by his friends and relatives in verse 66: “What kind of child will this be?” The song of Zacharias, like the song of Mary in verses 46-55, has traditionally been named after the first word in the Latin: Benedictus, which means “Blessed.” [...]
Luke 1:57-66
Wednesday, April 1st, 2009The narrative now shifts back to Elizabeth and the birth of her son and how the birth of John removes shame from both her and Zacharias. Their reversal foreshadows that of Israel under the ministry of John and the Messiah that would follow. However, the unique circumstances of the naming of their child hints that redemption may come in an unexpected manner.
1:57. Just [...]
Luke 1:5-10
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009Luke begins by laying some social, cultural, political, and religious groundwork. The tension in the story becomes palpable as Luke pits the promises of God against both the political aspirations of human rulers and the faith-testing circumstances of life.
King Herod on the Throne
1:5a. Luke masterfully begins his narrative by mentioning Herod, the king of Judea. This not only provides a time period for the following [...]