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Luke Chapter One

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Preparation before the Birth of the Son of Man the Savior

I. The foreword of this book (1-4).

II. The prophecy of birth and conception of the forerunner John the Baptist (5-25).

III. The prophecy of the conception and birth of Jesus by Gabriel the Angel (26-38).

IV. The meeting between Jesus’ mother and John the Baptist’s mother who were both pregnant and their praise (39-56).

V. The birth and growing up of John the Baptist (57-80).

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Luke. 1:1-2 “Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us,

   YLT: “Seeing that many did take in hand to set in order a narration of the matters that have been fully assured among us, as they did deliver to us, who from the beginning became eye-witnesses, and officers of the Word,”

   Meaning of Words: “many”: plenteous; “have taken in hand”: go about, take in hand (upon); “fulfilled”: completely assure, entirely accomplish; “ministers of word”: the minister to deliver the word (message); “delivered”: give, hand over.

   Literal Meaning: “many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative” This sentence shows that Luke was neither the only nor the first one that wrote the Gospel.

  “Those things which have been fulfilled among us” “us” indicates believers of the Lord Jesus; “things which have been fulfilled” indicates the deeds that had been fully fulfilled, according to the prophecies of the Old Testament, including the birth, work, teachings, death and the life story of the Lord Jesus and John the Baptist.

  “Ministers of the word” indicate the disciples who had been called by the Lord, and had been with the Lord and had been sent to work by the Lord.

  “Eyewitnesses” shows that what they are preaching are not the cunningly devised fables but the facts that they have witnessed with their eyes (See 2Pet. 1:16; 1John. 1:1-4). “Eyewitnesses” is a medical term in the original and it is related to “autopsy”, showing that their knowledge about the deeds of the Lord Jesus is not common, but the first-hand and real material of witness through personal and carful check and watch.

  “Delivered them to us” “deliver” in the original is a technical term and it means to deliver the material that could be treated as authority. This also indicates that the author of this book admitted that he himself was not the first-hand witness. 

 

Luke. 1:3 “it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,

   YLT: “it seemed good also to me, having followed from the first after all things exactly, to write to thee in order, most noble Theophilus,”

   Meaning of Words: “the very first”: above; “Theophilus”: friend of God, the one whom God loves, the one whom God treasures;

   Literal Meaning: “most excellent Theophilus”, “most excellent” is the appellation of those who have high social positions (See Acts. 23:26; 24:3; 26:25).

  This verse shows three special points of Luke’s writing:

1) “From the very first” It traces back to the beginning of Jesus as a man instead of the time when He started to preach.

2) “Having had perfect understanding” Details had been researched in many ways and therefore the contents of this book are full and accurate. 

3) “An orderly account” It is arranged according to the order in which things happened and therefore it is in good order.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first” The meaning of “the very first” in the original implies that “the Gospel of Luke” is not merely the study of Luke, but actually the revelation from above.

2) If men do not have had perfect understanding, the Holy Spirit won’t often reveal without foundation. Men should make effort to act in concert with the revelation of the Holy Spirit.

3) All scripture is given by inspiration of God (2Tim. 3:16), and it does not completely exceed men’s thoughts, abilities and effort. God’s revelation must show His will through the thoughts, abilities and effort of men that have been devoted to God. Therefore the individual character of the author is shown vividly in the Bible.

4) God’s will need men’s cooperation with the “determined willingness”; anyone that is weak-minded and inconstant is of little use in God’s hand.

5) God’s guidance is always in “order” and spiritual things are in order too. In the church, let all things be done decently and in order (1Cor. 14:40).

 

Luke. 1:4 “that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

   YLT: “that thou mayest know the certainty of the things wherein thou wast instructed.”

   Meaning of Words: “certainty”: safety, security.

   Literal Meaning: “those things in which you were instructed” This sentence indicates that Theophilus may be a believer.

  “The certainty” shows that the contents of the Gospel that we believe are certainly reliable and they are definitely not unreal, ridiculous, screwy or wrong things, because:

1) What had been written are not suppositions but actual persons and events.

2) These facts have been witnessed personally by ministers of word and their witnesses are reliable. 

3) These have been perfectly understood and written in order.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) It is more accurate to spread message by writings than oral instructions.

2) The foundation of Christians’ faith is built upon the absolutely true facts.

 

Luke. 1:5 “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

   YLT: “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest, by name Zacharias, of the course of Abijah, and his wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elisabeth;”

   Meaning of Words: “Zacharias”: remembrance of God; “Elizabeth”: oath of God.

   The Background: “the division of Ajijah” There were twenty-four divisions of the Priests of the Old Testament and “the division of Ajijah” was the eighth division (See 1Cor. 24:4-16) and priests in every division worked seven days.

   Literal Meaning: “there was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea”, “the king of Judea”, also called “Herod the Great” by historians, was an Edomite and was tetrarch of Judea under the Roman Empire. He ruled from B.C. 37 to A.D. 4. When the Lord Jesus was born, it was he that cruelly killed the male children in the parts of Bethlehem (See Matt. 2:16).

  “His wife was of the daughters of Aaron” means that she was the daughter of the priest because the offspring of Aaron is the priest and therefore Aaron is the synonym of the priest.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Believers should not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers (2Cor. 6:14); believers should not only chose believers to get married and it would be best that two parties love the Lord.

2) Young believers should not merely choose their spouses by appearance and they should observe the condition of the family of the other (especially one’s parents) before God.

 

Luke. 1:6 “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

   YLT: “and they were both righteous before God, going on in all the commands and righteousnesses of the Lord blameless,”

  Meaning of Words: “righteous”: just; “commandments”: commands; “ordinances”: judgment, regulation, determination.

   Literal Meaning: “they were both righteous before God.” It does not mean that they were perfect and sinless so that they could be justified before God (See Rom. 3:10). It means that they obeyed the commandments and ceremonies of the Law (See Pill. 3:6).

  “Ordinances of the Lord” “ordinance” should be translated as “judgment” according to the original. The Law of the Old Testament could be divided into three parts: commandments, statutes and judgments. “Commandments” are the basic commands and there are Ten Commandments (See Exod. 20:2-17); “statutes” could also be translated as regulations and ordinances. They are the explanations in detail and complementary details of commandments (See Exod. 20:22-26); “judgments” are fundamentally same with ordinances, however, judges are added besides the explanations in detail and complementary details of commandments (See Exod. 21:1-23:19).

  “Blameless” indicates that they were blameless in the ceremonies of the Law rather than that they were perfect and blameless in all aspects.

 

Luke. 1:7 “But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

   YLT: “and they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and both were advanced in their days.”

   The Background: the Jews behold that it is one’s greatest regret that he could not have a son to carry on the family name and it is shameful for a women who could not have a child (See v.25; Gen. 30:23; 2Sam. 6:23).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Though Zacharias and Elizabeth were pious and served God in the order (See v.6, 8), they had “no child” and Elizabeth “was barren”. This shows that works of the Law could not give one life (Gal. 3:2, 11) because the Law and life are totally different two things.

2) In the church one should not merely care about one’s own spiritual growth, one should care about the spiritual “bearing”------bearing spiritual offspring through spreading the glad tidings.

 

Luke. 1:8 “So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division,

   YLT: “And it came to pass, in his acting as priest, in the order of his course before God,”

   Literal Meaning: “division” indicates the order for priests to serve in turn in the Holy Temple.

 

Luke. 1:9 “according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

   YLT: “according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot was to make perfume, having gone into the sanctuary of the Lord,”

   The Background: there was a golden altar of incense between the holy and the holies of all in the Holy Temple and one of the duties of priests was to make sure that the incense in the alter burn day and night and change the new incense before the sacrifice of morning and after the sacrifice of evening (See Exod. 30:6-8; 1Sam. 2:28; 1Cor. 23:13; 2Cor. 29:11). There were several priests in one division and not everyone was allowed to enter in to carry out this duty and therefore they gave forth their lots and the one who got the lot was allowed to enter in. At that time, there were more than ten thousand priests and therefore one may have one chance at most to enter the Temple to burn incense in his life. It shows that this is a unique and glorious right.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Priests should always burn incense in the holy and it is full of sweet odour. We, serving God in the church, should always pray and deliver our thanks, praise and supplications to God.

2) It is the easiest for men to have revelation of God in their prayers (See v.11).

 

Luke. 1:10 “And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.

   YLT: “and all the multitude of the people were praying without, at the hour of the perfume.”

   Literal Meaning: “the whole multitude of the people was praying outside” “outside” indicates the courtyard that is outside of the holy and inside of the wall of the temple.

   Spiritual Meaning: “incense” symbolizes the reality of prayer (See Rev. 5:8).

 

Luke. 1:11 “Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

   YLT: “And there appeared to him a messenger of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of the perfume,”

   The Background: “the altar of incense” is inside of the holy and common ones are not allowed to enter in. 

   Spiritual Meaning: “standing on the right side of the altar of incense” “the altar of incense” is the place of praying; “right side” is the place to be blessed. This verse symbolizes that their prayers are acceptable to God.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Praying is to draw near to God and have communion with God; only those who always pray to God could often see heavenly visions.

2) No prayer, no answer. Fewer prayers, fewer answers. More prayers, more answers.

 

Luke. 1:12 “And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

   YLT: “and Zacharias, having seen, was troubled, and fear fell on him;”

   Meaning of Words: “fell upon”: fall down, light on; “was troubled”: worried, stir; “fear”: be afraid, reverence.

   Enlightenment in the Word: heavenly visions are incomprehensible to men in their natural concepts (See 2:9) and therefore unavoidably “he was troubled and fear fell upon him.” 

 

Luke. 1:13 “But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

   YLT: “and the messenger said unto him, `Fear not, Zacharias, for thy supplication was heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear a son to thee, and thou shalt call his name John,”

   Meaning of Words: “Zacharias”: remembrance of God; “Elizabeth”: God is my oath, God who keeps covenant, God’s oath; “John”: Jehovah is merciful, the Lord is good, God’s grace.

   Literal Meaning: “for your prayer is heard” “prayer” in the original means the special appeal to God instead of common “prayer” (See v.10).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God’s grace (the meaning of “John”) is the result that He remembers (the meaning of “Zacharias”) His oath (the meaning of “Elizabeth”).

2) The prayers of believers are to let God “hear”; only the prayers that God “hears” could be answered by God. Unfortunately, our many prayers are only to let men hear.

 

Luke. 1:14 “And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

   YLT: “and there shall be joy to thee, and gladness, and many at his birth shall joy,”

   Literal Meaning: “you will have joy and gladness” “joy” is one of the special points of this book and it is the main tone of the first several chapters.

 

Luke. 1:15 “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.

   YLT: “for he shall be great before the Lord, and wine and strong drink he may not drink, and of the Holy Spirit he shall be full, even from his mother`s womb;”

   The Background: Nazarites were separated to Jehovah in the Jews and they vowed the vow that they would not drink wine all their life (See Num. 6:1-4).

   Literal Meaning: “he will be great in the sight of the Lord.” It means that he will be a useful man before God.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) It is of no value to be great before men and it is of true value to be great before God. 

2) “Being full of wine” seems to be similar to “being full of the Holy Spirit” in appearance (See Acts. 2:13-18). Actually, the former enables men to debauch (Eph. 5:18) and the latter enables men to be controlled by God.

3) It is hopeless for those who are full of wine to be full of the Holy Spirit. We must purge ourselves from things of dishonor (what the wine symbolizes) and then we will be sanctified and meet for the master’s use (2Tim. 2:21).

 

Luke. 1:16 “And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

   YLT: “and many of the sons of Israel he shall turn to the Lord their God,”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) In order to make men turn from the wrong ways, what’s the most important is to make them turn to God; unfortunately, many Christians turn to reasons, doctrines and good behaviors but put God aside.

2) The turn that one has not turned to God is not the true turn.

 

Luke. 1:17 “He will also 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 a people prepared for the Lord.’”

   YLT: “and he shall go before Him, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn hearts of fathers unto children, and disobedient ones to the wisdom of righteous ones, to make ready for the Lord, a people prepared.’”

   Meaning of Words: “turn”: convert, return; “wisdom”: intellectual insight, intelligence, prudence.

   The Background: “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah” “Elijah” was the most famous prophet in the Old Testament. He fought against several hundreds of Baal’s prophets and killed all of them (See 1Kings. 18:19-40) and changed the age of Israel from worshipping Baal to worshipping Jehovah.

  “To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just” This sentence is quoted from the book of Malachi in which it was predicted that Elijah the prophet would be sent to retrieve men’s hearts, lest Jehovah comes and smites the earth with a curse (Mal. 4:5-6). However, Luke had changed “to turn the heart of the children to their fathers” into “the disobedient to the wisdom of the just”.

   Literal Meaning: “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah” John the Baptist did not come with the flesh of Elijah (See John. 1:21), however, he was in “the spirit and power” of Elijah and made the Jews who were with him in that age repent and turn to God.

  “To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,” has two meanings:

1) The last half sentence was changed from “to turn the heart of the children to their fathers” (Mal. 4:6) and therefore according to paired comparison, this sentence indicates that, “the righteous fathers care about rebellious children and the rebellious children turn to the wisdom of the righteous fathers”. It means that the rebellious people (children) of this age who do not fear God turn to the right way, like the pious ancestors (fathers) of Israel.

2) If we explain “the heart of fathers” as “the hard hearts” of the ancestors of Israel and “the children” as “humbleness and gentleness” of children. This sentence means that, “turn the hard hearts to be gentle and the rebellious and unrighteous ones to the wisdom of the just.”

“To make ready a people prepared for the Lord” “a people prepared for the Lord” indicate those who turn to the wisdom of the just, i.e. those who turn to the Lord and are willing to be sent and used by Him.

 

Luke. 1:18 “And Zacharias said to the angel, How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.’”

   YLT: “And Zacharias said unto the messenger, ‘Whereby shall I know this? for I am aged, and my wife is advanced in her days?’”

   Literal Meaning: “How shall I know this?” Since one already has the appearing of the angel, his unbelief is shown by asking evidence again (See v.20).

 

Luke. 1:19 “And the angel answered and said to him, I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.

   YLT: “And the messenger answering said to him, `I am Gabriel, who have been standing near before God, and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to proclaim these good news to thee,”

   Meaning of Words: “Gabriel”: man of God, God my hero, God the mighty warrior. 

   The Background: “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God.” “Gabriel” may be one of the archangels who once was sent by God to explain to Daniel the vision that Daniel saw and revealed him things of the Messiah (See Dan. 8:15-26; 9:21-27).

 

Luke. 1:20 “But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.’”

   YLT: “and lo, thou shalt be silent, and not able to speak, till the day that these things shall come to pass, because thou didst not believe my words, that shall be fulfilled in their season.’”

   Literal Meaning: “because you did not believe my words” Here “did not believe” indicates that men doubt the word of God and do not treat what God is going to do as true.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Which will be fulfilled in their own time” If the words of God have not be fulfilled, the reason must be that the time has not come yet. Therefore we should wait by faith with patience. 

2) Believing enables us to open our mouth to praise and bear witness (See 2Cor. 4:13) and unbelieving enables us to be speechless.

3) Zacharias hardly believed in God’s power of resurrection because he paid heed to his own weakness ------oldness (See v.18) all the time and therefore he became speechless and could not bear witness to God. If we are willing to bear witness to God, we should turn our eyes to God from ourselves.

4) There was at least nine months from the time Zacharias became speechless to the time John the Baptist was born. This period of time may be a good chance for him to be blessed because he was unable to communicate with men and this impelled him to turn to God, have communion with God, know God more and experience Him. Therefore after he was recovered and was able to speak, the first thing he did was to praise God (See v.64).

 

Luke. 1:21 “And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple.

   YLT: “And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and wondering at his tarrying in the sanctuary,”

   Literal Meaning: “the people waited for Zacharias” This means that they waited him to come out of the holy and declared the blessing of the priest Aaron (See Num. 6:24-26).

  “Marveled that he lingered so long in the temple” indicates that he lingered in the temple longer than the regular time.

 

Luke. 1:22 “But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.

   YLT: “and having come out, he was not able to speak to them, and they perceived that a vision he had seen in the sanctuary, and he was beckoning to them, and did remain dumb.”

 

Luke. 1:23 “So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house.

   YLT: “And it came to pass, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he went away to his house,”

   The Background: priests worked in the Holy Temple seven days every six months and in other days they returned to their own houses and worked to earn a living.

 

Luke. 1:24 “Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying,

   YLT: “and after those days, his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying”

   Literal Meaning: “she hid herself five months” The first five months are the critical days for elder pregnant women and it is very easy to miscarry. Probably she waited and made the public know that she was pregnant until the fact was manifest undeniably.

 

Luke. 1:25Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."

   YLT: “`Thus hath the Lord done to me, in days in which He looked upon [me], to take away my reproach among men.’”

   Meaning of Words: “looked on”: behold, look upon, look after; “had dealt with”: make or do.

   The Background: the Jews held that someone was punished by God if she was barren (See Exod. 23:36; Deut. 7:14; 1Sam. 1:6) and therefore they thought it was the reproach.

 

Luke. 1:26 “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,

   YLT: “And in the sixth month was the messenger Gabriel sent by God, to a city of Galilee, the name of which [is] Nazareth,”

   The Background: out of Galilee arose no prophet (See John. 7:52) and Nazareth was a city despised by men (See John. 1:46).

     Literal Meaning: “in the sixth month” indicates that it was accounted from the day John the Baptist was conceived in his mother’s womb.

 

Luke. 1:27 “to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary.

   YLT: “to a virgin, betrothed to a man, whose name [is] Joseph, of the house of David, and the name of the virgin [is] Mary.”

   The Background: in ancient times, the Jewish girls were engaged (betrothed) in their teens and they got married about one year later after their engagements.

   Literal Meaning: “to a virgin” “a virgin” indicates a young girl who had not got married.

   Spiritual Meaning: “a virgin” typifies the one who loves the Lord with pure heart and is unspotted by sin and the world.

 

Luke. 1:28 “And having come in, the angel said to her, Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!’”

   YLT: “And the messenger having come in unto her, said, `Hail, favoured one, the Lord [is] with thee; blessed [art] thou among women;’”

   Literal Meaning: “highly favored one” indicates the girl who received God’s grace and was chosen to bear the certain mission.

  “The Lord is with you” means that “the Lord’s favor falls in you”. 

 

Luke. 1:29 “But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

   YLT: “and she, having seen, was troubled at his word, and was reasoning of what kind this salutation may be.”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When we encounter new things, we should not set a conclusion immediately. We should put it in our hearts, “consider” it and quietly wait for God’s next guidance. Maybe we could become God’s vessel and fulfill His will.

2) “Considering” the things of the Lord is to give the Lord a chance to lead us.

 

Luke. 1:30 “Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

   YLT: “And the messenger said to her, `Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God;”

 

Luke. 1:31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.

   YLT: “and lo, thou shalt conceive in the womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and call his name Jesus;”

   Meaning of Words: “Jesus” Jehovah the savior, the salvation of Jehovah.

   Literal Meaning: “shall call His name JESUS” “Jesus” the name shows that He is Jehovah Himself who came to be our Savior and made us receive the salvation of God.

 

Luke. 1:32 “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

   YLT: “he shall be great, and Son of the Highest he shall be called, and the Lord God shall give him the throne of David his father,”

   Literal Meaning: “the Son of the Highest” “the Highest” indicates the most high and it is used to call God in the New and Old Testament (See Gen. 14:18).

  “Throne of His father David” indicates the throne that was promised to the coming Messiah. The Messiah is the Son of David (See 2Sam. 7:13, 16; Ps. 2:6-7; 89:26-27; Is. 9:6-7).

  The Lord Jesus is both “the Son of the Highest” and “the Son of David”, showing His identity of both the Son of God and the Son of Man.

 

Luke. 1:33 “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’”

   YLT: “and he shall reign over the house of Jacob to the ages; and of his reign there shall be no end.’”

   Literal Meaning: “He will reign over the house of Jacob forever” indicates that He will be the king of God’s elect; “the house of Jacob” is another name of Israel.

  “And of His kingdom there will be no end.” Please see the fifteenth verse in the eleventh chapter in revelation.

   Spiritual Meaning: “He will reign over the house of Jacob” “the house of Jacob” symbolizes the church because Christians are the true Jews (See Rom. 2:28-29).

 

Luke. 1:34 “Then Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I do not know a man?’”

   YLT: “And Mary said unto the messenger, ‘How shall this be, seeing a husband I do not know?’”

   Literal Meaning: “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” Her saying is to ask the way to conceive and bear a son and this does not indicate that she did not believe in the word of the angel (See v.20). Therefore she was called “she who believed” (See v.45).

 

Luke. 1:35 “And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

   YLT: “And the messenger answering said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, therefore also the holy-begotten thing shall be called Son of God;”

   Literal Meaning: “the Holy Spirit will come upon you” indicates that the conception was the work of the Holy Spirit (See Matt. 1:18, 20).

  “The power of the Highest will overshadow you” “overshadow” means to protect.

  “Holy One who is to be born” “Holy one” indicates that the Lord Jesus is separated to God and He did not know sin (See 2Cor. 5:21, Heb. 4:15; 7:26; 1Pet. 2:22; 1John. 3:5), so that He is qualified to be the savior of sinners.

  “Will be called the Son of God” “the Son” inherits father’s life and character and therefore the son is the manifestation of the father. The Lord Jesus is “the Son of God” and He has the perfect divinity. He is completely “God” on one hand and on the other He is the completely “man”.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord Jesus was born after the Holy Spirit comes upon Mary and He was conceived in her body therefore He has both the divinity and the humanity, i.e. God has been manifested in flesh (1Tim. 3:16).

2) The Lord is both God and man and therefore He is qualified to be the savior of men. Negatively He, replacing men, bore sins and positively He gave the life of God to men.

3) The Holy Spirit made Mary have conceived Jesus. Though the Holy Spirit has great power, only when we are obedient will He have chance to work in us.

 

Luke. 1:36 “Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.

   YLT: “and lo, Elisabeth, thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month to her who was called barren;”

   Literal Meaning: “Elizabeth your relative” We have no way to research what kind of relationship is between Mary and Elizabeth; however, according to this saying we could know that John the Baptist was a distant relative of Jesus and he was half a year older than Jesus.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Not only the Lord Himself was born by the Virgin Mary, but also the Lord’s forerunner John the Baptist was born by his parents who were too old to bear child. This shows that the origin of Christ and that are of Christ must be God’s supernatural and infinite power of life. All that are natural and artificial have no place here.

2) With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26).

 

Luke. 1:37 “For with God nothing will be impossible.’”

   YLT: “because nothing shall be impossible with God.’”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) He spoke, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast; the worlds were framed by word of God (Heb. 11:3).

2) The words that are written in the Bible are objective words to common people. Only when they become our subjective and seasonable words will the words be effective in us.

3) If men believe in words of God, they will be confirmed forever and let the will of God be fulfilled. 

 

Luke. 1:38 “Then Mary said, Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her.

   YLT: “And Mary said, ‘Lo, the maid-servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to thy saying,’ and the messenger went away from her.”

   The Background: Mary has not got married (See v.34) and was betrothed to Joseph (See v.27). In the society at that time, it was not only disgraceful but also the most dangerous for a girl who did not get married to conceive and bear a son. Because she may probably be kicked out of her family, divorced by her fiancé and stoned to death by anyone.

   Literal Meaning: “behold the maidservant of the Lord!” It means that my body and life belonged to the Lord and she was willing to obey the Lord’s arrangement and instruction.

  “Let it be to me according to your word” It means that she was willing to lay down all the worry, even the sacrifice of her reputation and integrity. She would pay any price to seek the fulfillment of God’s words.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We should know that our position as “the Lord’s maidservant (servant)” and then we will be obedient and “let” the will of God be fulfilled on us.

2) God needs men to be His vessels to do things and then the power of His words would be shown; therefore men’s cooperation ------receiving His words is needed for the fulfillment of God’s words

3) Only those who love God more than anything else, even more than his own life, are worthy to be useful vessels of the Lord.

4) God’s voice is always in our hearts and His word is powerful. The moment we know that God has spoken to us, we should reply Him that “let it be to me according to your word”.

 

Luke. 1:39 “Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah,

   YLT: “And Mary having arisen in those days, went to the hill-country, with haste, to a city of Judea,”

   Literal Meaning: “went into the hill country” “the hill country” is the pronoun of the land of Judah because there are more hills in the land of Judah than that in Galilee.

 

Luke. 1:40 “and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

   YLT: “and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.”

   Literal Meaning: please note that in v.39 and v.40, Luke used the skillful rhetoric------“arose…went into…to…” (v.39), “entered…greeted…” He used verbs to describe these step by step, from far to near, and from large places to individual person.

 

Luke. 1:41 “And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

  YLT: “And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe did leap in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,”

   Literal Meaning: Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Luke seemed to purposely describe that the sweet fellowship between them were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

 

Luke. 1:42 “Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

   YLT: “and spake out with a loud voice, and said, ‘Blessed [art] thou among women, and blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb;”

   Literal Meaning: “the fruit of your womb!” In the New Testament, “fruit” is translated as “son” sometimes (See Acts. 2:30).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Christ is the fruit that is born in Mary by the Holy Spirit; if we let the Holy Spirit work freely in us, we will bear fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22).

2) The angel called Mary the “highly favored one” (v.28) and Elizabeth called her “blessed among women”. Even she herself said that “all generations will call me blessed” (v.48). The reasons are that: 1) she was used by God for the Lord Jesus; 2) the Lord Jesus dwelled in her. Amen. The greatest and highest grace for men is to obtain the Lord Jesus and be used by Him.

 

Luke. 1:43 “But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

   YLT: “and whence [is] this to me, that the mother of my Lord might come unto me?”

   Literal Meaning: this verse means that “I am greatly honored that the mother of my Lord came to me!”

 

Luke. 1:44 “For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

   YLT: “for, lo, when the voice of thy salutation came to my ears, leap in gladness did the babe in my womb;”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The sweet fellowship between Mary and Elizabeth shows that the true fellowship among the saints depends on the indwelling Christ. If we communicate with those who are of Christ by the indwelling Christ, we could “leap with joy” from our hearts.

2) Deep calls unto deep (Ps. 42:7); anything that is of the Holy Spirit could be sensed one another.

3) Only the witness that comes out of the deep of the spirit will move men’s spirit.

 

Luke. 1:45 “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.’”

   YLT: “and happy [is] she who did believe, for there shall be a completion to the things spoken to her from the Lord.’”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When all roads around us are closed and we doubt about God’s promises, we should remember that God’s promises must be fulfilled. Because “all the promises of God in Christ are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2Cor. 1:20).

2) God’s everlasting faithfulness enables the promises in the Bible “the greatest and precious” (2Pet. 1:4). Men’s promises are usually of no value and the breaking of promises breaks men’s hearts. However, God has not broken His promise one time to any of His children from world’s foundation.

 

Luke. 1:46 “And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord,

   YLT: “And Mary said, `My soul doth magnify the Lord,”

   Meaning of Words: “magnify”: enlarge, exaggerate, praise.

   Literal Meaning: “my soul magnifies the Lord” “My soul” indicates all the awareness of soul, including the thoughts, feelings and will; “magnifies the Lord” means to venerate the Lord and let Him have the preeminence in all things (Col. 1:18).

   Enlightenment in the Word: our true service to the Lord origins from our hearts that “magnify the Lord”.

 

Luke. 1:47 “And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

   YLT: “And my spirit was glad on God my Saviour,”

   Meaning of Words: “rejoiced”: exult.

   Literal Meaning: this verse is quoted from the tenth verse in the sixty-first chapter of the book of Isaiah.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Mary also needs a Savior like us and therefore we do not need to worship Mary.

2) Mary’s soul first magnifies the Lord (v.46) and then her spirit has rejoiced in God her Savior. The fearing of God in one’s heart is the reason of joy in spirit.

3) When our hearts and spirits are full of the Holy Spirit, our mouths will be full of the voice of joy and praise.

4) The reason why Mary could sing such beautiful praise is that she was willing to receive Christ even at the sacrifice of her own virtue and fame. It is real that the true praise is sung by those who would sacrifice themselves to obtain Christ.

 

Luke. 1:48 “For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

   YLT: “Because He looked on the lowliness of His maid-servant, For, lo, henceforth call me happy shall all the generations,”

   Literal Meaning: this verse is quoted from the eleventh verse in the first chapter of the first book of Samuel.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Humbleness and obedience are the prerequisite to be blessed

2) We should know that humbleness is the requirement to be exalted (See 14:11; Pill. 2:5-10).

 

Luke. 1:49 “For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.

   YLT: “For He who is mighty did to me great things, And holy [is] His name,”

   Literal Meaning: this verse is quoted from the third verse of the one hundred and twenty-sixth chapter of the book of Psalms.

 

Luke. 1:50 “And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.

   YLT: “And His kindness [is] to generations of generations, To those fearing Him,”

   Literal Meaning: this verse is quoted from the seventeenth verse of the one hundred and third chapter in the book of Psalms.

   Enlightenment in the Word: fearing God is the best way to be blessed by God.

 

Luke. 1:51 “He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

   YLT: “He did powerfully with His arm, He scattered abroad the proud in the thought of their heart,”

   Literal Meaning: this verse is quoted from the tenth verse of the eighty-ninth chapter of the book of Psalms.

  “He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.” It indicates that the thoughts of proud were scattered by God.

 

Luke. 1:52 “He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.

   YLT: “He brought down the mighty from thrones, And He exalted the lowly,”

   Literal Meaning: this verse is quoted from the eleventh verse of the fifth chapter in the book of Job.

   Enlightenment in the Word: for whosoever exalts himself shall be abased, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted (See 14:11).

 

Luke. 1:53 “He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.

   YLT: “The hungry He did fill with good, And the rich He sent away empty,”

   Literal Meaning: this verse is quoted from the ninth verse of the one hundred and seventh chapter of the book of Psalms.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “He has filled the hungry with good things.” Only the hungry will be filled with good things. All the spiritual graces of God are for those who are hungry in spirit (See Matt. 5:3, 6).

2) The only requirement to be blessed by God, make progress in spirit and experience the abundance of the Lord is being poor; we should always empty ourselves.

 

Luke. 1:54 “He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,

   YLT: “He received again Israel His servant, To remember kindness,”

   Literal Meaning: this verse is quoted from the third verse of the ninety-eighth chapter of the book of Psalms.

   Enlightenment in the Word: it is God’s help that enables believers to be able to accomplish what God has entrusted.

 

Luke. 1:55 “As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.’”

   YLT: “As He spake unto our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed to the age.’”

   Literal Meaning: this verse indicates that God is faithful to carry out His words.

 

Luke. 1:56 “And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

   YLT: “And Mary remained with her about three months, and turned back to her house.”

   Literal Meaning: “about three months” Mary went to live with Elizabeth when she was six months pregnant (See v.36) and therefore Mary lived there and returned home until Elizabeth was going to give birth to a child.

 

Luke. 1:57 “Now Elizabeth's full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son.

   YLT: “And to Elisabeth was the time fulfilled for her bringing forth, and she bare a son,”

 

Luke. 1:58 “When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

   YLT: “and the neighbours and her kindred heard that the Lord was making His kindness great with her, and they were rejoicing with her.”

 

Luke. 1:59 “So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias.

   YLT: “And it came to pass, on the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child, and they were calling him by the name of his father, Zacharias,”

   The Background: male children of the Jews should be circumcised on the day they are eight days old (See Gen. 17:9-14, 22-27), i.e. cutting off the foreskin. According to the Jewish customs, they usually call the name of the child when he is circumcised.

 

Luke. 1:60 “His mother answered and said, No; he shall be called John.’”

   YLT: “and his mother answering said, `No, but he shall be called John.’”

 

Luke. 1:61 “But they said to her, There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.’”

   YLT: “And they said unto her ‘There is none among thy kindred who is called by this name,’”

   Enlightenment in the Word: John was born according to the supernatural principle and therefore he could not be called according to the common rules. This shows that the true spiritual outcomes always exceed the tradition and even break the tradition.

 

Luke. 1:62 “So they made signs to his father--what he would have him called.

   YLT: “and they were making signs to his father, what he would wish him to be called,”

 

Luke. 1:63 “And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. So they all marveled.

   YLT: “and having asked for a tablet, he wrote, saying, `John is his name;’ and they did all wonder;”

   Literal Meaning: “he asked for a writing tablet” “a writing tablet” is a small piece of board and on which there is a thin layer of wax.

 

Luke. 1:64 “Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.

   YLT: “and his mouth was opened presently, and his tongue, and he was speaking, praising God.”

 

Luke. 1:65 “Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea.

   YLT: “And fear came upon all those dwelling around them, and in all the hill-country of Judea were all these sayings spoken of,”

 

Luke. 1:66 “And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, What kind of child will this be?" And the hand of the Lord was with him.

   YLT: “and all who heard did lay them up in their hearts, saying, `What then shall this child be?’ and the hand of the Lord was with him.”

   Enlightenment in the Word: God’s presence is the foundation of our life and work. With God’s presence, we could bear witness in life and be powerful in work.

 

Luke. 1:67 “Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

   YLT: “And Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and did prophesy, saying,”

   Literal Meaning: “and prophesied, saying” “prophesied” not only predicts the things in future, but also preaches the word of God.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Holy Spirit inspires men to say what they should say (See Matt. 10:19-20); therefore we should be “filled with the Holy Spirit” and then speak for God.

2) The Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ; all that are inspired by the Holy Spirit will praise Christ as the Lord (1Cor. 12:3).

 

Luke. 1:68Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people,

   YLT: “`Blessed [is] the Lord, the God of Israel, Because He did look upon, And wrought redemption for His people,”

 

Luke. 1:69 “And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David,

   YLT: “And did raise an horn of salvation to us, In the house of David His servant,”

   Literal Meaning: “has raised up a horn of salvation for us” The strength of animals is shown in their horns. Therefore “horn” symbolizes the strength (See Deut. 33:17; Ps. 22:21; Mic. 4:13). “A horn of salvation” indicates the coming Savior of mighty (See 2Sam. 22:2-3).

 

Luke. 1:70 “As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began,

   YLT: “As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, Which have been from the age;”

 

Luke. 1:71 “That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us,

   YLT: “Salvation from our enemies, And out of the hand of all hating us,”

   Spiritual Meaning: “enemies” indicates the devil Satan; “who hates us” indicates the world that are utilized by the devil (See John. 15:18-19).

 

Luke. 1:72 “To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant,

   YLT: “To do kindness with our fathers, And to be mindful of His holy covenant,”

   Literal Meaning: “to remember His holy covenant” “covenant” indicates God’s “promise” to men in His words, there is little difference between “covenant” and “promise”; the “covenant” comes into being when oath is added to make sure and seal the “promise” (See v.73). It shows that promise is first and then the covenant; God’s covenant is established upon His promise (See Heb. 8:6).

   Enlightenment in the Word: God is faithful and He must remember and carry out “the words that He has promised” to men.

 

Luke. 1:73 “The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:

   YLT: “An oath that He sware to Abraham our father,”

   Literal Meaning: “oath” indicates that God confirms in His Godhood and He must carry out His promise to men. “Promise” becomes “covenant” after the procedure that God confirms it with oath (See v.72).

 

Luke. 1:74 “To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear,

   YLT: “To give to us, without fear, Out of the hand of our enemies having been delivered,”

   Enlightenment in the Word: Israel is unable to serve God under the hand of the Egyptian Pharaoh and therefore they have to be delivered from “the hand of our enemies” and then they might serve God.

 

Luke. 1:75 “In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

   YLT: “To serve Him, in holiness and righteousness Before Him, all the days of our life.”

   Literal Meaning: “serve Him in holiness and righteousness” “holiness” indicates piety, uncommon; “righteousness” indicates equity and ingenuousness; the former is especially towards God and the latter towards men.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The connection between v.74 and v.75 shows that we must first be delivered from the hand of Satan (v.74) and then we might live before God “all the days of our life”.

2) Since we have been saved, the problem is whether we have lived well before God and served Him well.

 

Luke. 1:76And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,

   YLT: “And thou, child, Prophet of the Highest Shalt thou be called; For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, To prepare His ways.”

   Meaning of Words: prepare: provide, make ready.

   The Background: when the king was on a tour of inspection in ancient times, there were a group of people being sent forward to prepare the way by crying. If the road was rugged or crooked, they would make the road straight before the king came. 

   Literal Meaning: “you will go before the face of the Lord” “the Lord” indicates Jesus Christ; this shows that John the Baptist would be the forerunner of the Lord Jesus.

  “To prepare His ways” Here “His ways” are not the ways in which we walk; it indicates that the duty of John the Baptist is to prepare the way for the Lord------make men’s thoughts turn to the Lord and let the Lord have flat ways to enter men’s hearts for salvation (See 3:4-6).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The chief duty of the Lord’s servants is to prepare the way for the Lord; any work that could not let the Lord have more ways to work in men’s hearts could not be accounted to serve the Lord.

2) The Lord’s ways are not the outward teachings, regulations, ways or systems but “men”; if “men” are right, the Lord will have ways.

 

Luke. 1:77 “To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins,

   YLT: “To give knowledge of salvation to His people In remission of their sins,”

   Literal Meaning: this verse shows that the origin of salvation is the remission of sins because we “have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Eph. 1:7).

 

Luke. 1:78 “Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;

   YLT: “Through the tender mercies of our God, In which the rising from on high did look upon us,”

   Spiritual Meaning: “dayspring” indicates the light of the glorious gospel of Christ (See 2Cor. 4:14).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If there had not been “the tender mercy of out God”, no one could know the Savior Christ; God’s mercy and love are the origin of our being saved.

2) The first step of salvation is lightening and Christ is the light (See John. 1:4, 9; 9:5); the Lord comes, i.e. the light comes and this is our glad tidings.

 

Luke. 1:79 “To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.’

   YLT: “To give light to those sitting in darkness and death-shade, To guide our feet to a way of peace.’”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We were originally “sitting in darkness and the shadow of death” because our thoughts have been blinded by Satan (See 2Cor. 4:4). Therefore we were in darkness and did not know God or ourselves.

2) Satan makes men not only “sit in darkness” but also “sit in the shadow of death”; it makes men fell dead, depressed, lifeless and immovable.

3) The light is the origin of life and the light brings in life; where there is not light there will be the scene of death.

4) Only the feet of those who have been “lightened” by the “dayspring” (v.78) could be guided into “the way of peace”.  

5) Those who have not been “lightened” by the light of Christ, no matter they walk in the way of the world or the way of the Spirit, they could not have “peace”.

6) The more the light of Christ lightens, the more peaceful our ways are.

 

Luke. 1:80 “So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

   YLT: “And the child grew, and was strengthened in spirit, and he was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.”

  The Background: around the birth of the Lord Jesus there were the Essences and they lived precisely, were assiduous and abstinent, lived in the deserts like hermits and were self-supporting. Some people held that John the Baptist was one of the Essences and later was called by God to preach and became the forerunner of Jesus.  

   Spiritual Meaning: “was in the deserts” The deserts are the places that are aloof from culture and religion and the deserts typify the environment in which men are not affected by men’s culture or religion.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

Knowledge of Jesus Christ

I. He is the Son of Man------ you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son (v.31a).

II. He came to the world to save sinners------ and shall call His name JESUS (v.31b; See Matt. 1:21).

III. He might have the preeminence in all things------He will be great (v.32a; See Col. 1:18).

IV. He is the Son of God------He will be called the Son of the Highest (v.32b).

V. He is the king to inherit the kingdom------the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David (v.32c).

VI. Of His kingdom there will be no end (v.33; See Rev. 11:15).

 

How to Manifest Christ (v.35)

I. One has to manifest Christ by the Holy Spirit------the Holy Spirit will come upon you.

II. One has to manifest Christ by the power of God------the power of the Highest will overshadow you.

III. One has to manifest Christ by being separated to God------Holy One who is to be born.

IV. One has to manifest Christ by the life of God------will be called the Son of God.

 

Learning to Praise the Lord from the Praise of Mary

I. My soul magnifies the Lord (v.46)------the praise of lips must come out of the homage of hearts.

II. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior (v.47)------the praise must come out of the enjoyment of the Spirit.

III. He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant (v.48)------we should praise Him because of His favor.

IV. He who is mighty has done great things for me (v.49a)------we should praise Him because of His blessing.

V. Holy is His name (v.49b)------we should praise because of “His being”.

VI. His mercy is on those who fear Him (v.50)-----we should praise Him because of His mercy.

VII. He has shown strength with His arm (v.51)------we should praise Him because of His strength.

VIII. He has exalted the lowly (v.52)------we should praise Him because of His condescendence.

IX. He has filled the hungry with good things (v.53)------we should praise Him because of His supply.

X. He has helped His servant Israel (v.54)------we should praise Him because of His help.

XI. As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed (v.55)------we should praise Him because of His faithfulness.

 

Knowing the Salvation from the Praise of Zacharias

I. We should be saved from the hands of our enemies (v.71-74)------to make us be delivered from the power of the devil.

II. To grant us to before Him all the days of our lives (v.75a)------to make us to live before God.

III. Serve Him in holiness and righteousness (v.75b)------to make us serve God justly.

IV. Go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways (v.76)------to make the Lord have flat ways.

V. To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins (v.77)------to make people that God has chosen and predestinated know the salvation subjectively through experience.

VI. Through the tender mercy of our God (v.78a)------the salvation is of God’s mercy.

VII. The Dayspring from on high has visited us. To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death (v.78b-79a)------to bring the light of life and remove the shadow of death.

VIII. To guide our feet into the way of peace (v.79b)------to make us walk on the way of peace.

 

The Stages for Christians to Receive Grace

I. Preparation (v.76)------bringing us to God.

II. Remission of sins (v.77a)------being reconciled with God.

III. Knowledge (v.77b)------experiencing the salvation subjectively.

IV. Walking in the way of peace (v.78-79)------running in the way everlasting.

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren