Luke 1:67-79

Luke 1:67-79

[67] And  his  father  Zacharias  was filled  with the Holy  Ghost,  and  prophesied,  saying,  [68] Blessed  be the Lord  God  of Israel;  for  he hath visited  and  redeemed  his  people,  [69] And  hath raised up  an horn  of salvation  in  the house  of his  servant  David;  [70] As  he spake  by  the mouth  of his  holy  prophets,  which  have been since  the world began:  [71] That we should be saved  from  enemies,  and  from  the hand  of all  that hate  [72] To perform  the mercy  promised to  fathers,  and  his  holy  covenant;  [73] The oath  which  he sware  to  father  Abraham,  [74] that we being delivered  out of  the hand  enemies  might serve  him  without fear,  [75] In  holiness  and  righteousness  before  him,  all  the days  [76] And  thou,  child,  shalt be called  the prophet  of the Highest:  for  thou shalt go  of the Lord  to prepare  his  ways;  [77] To give  knowledge  of salvation  unto his  people  by  the remission  of their  sins,  [78] Through  the tender  mercy  God;  whereby  the dayspring  from  on high  hath visited  [79] To give light  to them that sit  in  darkness  and  in the shadow  of death,  to guide  feet  into  the way  of peace. 

What does Luke 1:67-79 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This is the second major song of praise in Luke: the "Benedictus." This title also comes from the first word in the Latin version, translated "blessed" (Gr. eulogetos). The first part of the song praises God for messianic deliverance ( Luke 1:68-75), and the second part rejoices in John"s significant role in this deliverance ( Luke 1:76-79). The chiastic structure of the song emphasizes the words "covenant" and "oath" ( Luke 1:72-73). God"s faithfulness to His covenant is a dominant theme in the Benedictus. There are at least16 Old Testament allusions or quotations in this song. [1] Its style and content are similar to Mary"s Magnificat.