According To Luke: An Analytical Commentary

38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord (humble self-identification; literally “female slave” — total submission): be it unto me according to thy word (acceptance of the divine will; faith-filled response — contrast with Zacharias): And the angel departed from her.

39 And Mary arose in those days (soon after the angelic visit; immediate obedience), and went into the hill country (region of Judea), with haste (eagerness; urgency), into a city of Juda (possibly Hebron or nearby Levitical town — cf. Josh. 21:11).

40 And entered into the house of Zacharias (the priest; still mute), and saluted (greeted) Elisabeth.

41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary (the sound of her voice), the babe leaped in her womb (John recognizes Christ even in the womb; life begins at conception/fertilization): and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost (fulfillment of v. 15).

42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women (she did not commit the sin of the woman in Luke 11:27-28 and the Romanists due to what follows), and blessed is the fruit of thy womb (blessing upon Jesus, yet unborn — emphasis on His person).

43 And whence is this to me (humble astonishment), that the mother (of His Humanity, distinct but not separate from His Deity) of my Lord (divine recognition — “my Lord” = Messiah; cf. Matthew 16:15-17) should come to me? (honored by Mary’s visit; acknowledges her own unworthiness).

44 For, lo (behold; emphasizes the moment), as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears (instantaneous), the babe leaped in my womb for joy (spiritual response from the unborn John — Holy Spirit-filled even in the womb; cf. v. 15).

45 And blessed is she that believed (contrasts with Zacharias; Mary’s faith praised): for there shall be a performance (fulfillment; bringing to pass) of those things which were told her from the Lord (certainty of divine promise).

46 And Mary said (begins the Magnificat — her song of praise), My soul (psyche) doth magnify the Lord (exalts; glorifies God; cf. Hannah in 1 Samuel 2:1),

47 And my spirit (pneuma — trichotomy, a person is body, soul, and spirit) hath rejoiced in God my Saviour (personal Savior; acknowledges her own need for salvation — not sinless in herself).

48 For he hath regarded (looked upon with favor/grace) the low estate of his handmaiden (humility of her position): for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed (honored, not worshipped/venerated).

49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things (powerful acts — the Incarnation), and holy (set apart) is his name (His nature — absolute moral perfection and separation).

50 And his mercy is on them that fear (reverence) him; from generation to generation (ongoing mercy to the faithful — cf. Ps. 103:17).

51 He hath shewed strength with his arm (anthropomorphism — symbol of God’s power); he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts (inner thoughts; divine reversal of the self-exalting — cf. Prov. 3:34).

52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats (thrones; positions of power), and exalted them of low degree (God lifts up the humble — reversal theme continues).

53 He hath filled the hungry with good things (literal and spiritual provision), and the rich he hath sent empty away (judgment on those who rely on wealth — cf. Luke 6:24-25).

54 He hath holpen (helped) his servant Israel (covenant recipients), in remembrance of his mercy (faithfulness to promises made — cf. Ps. 98:3),

55 As he spake to our fathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), to Abraham, and to his seed (Christ and those In Christ) for ever (fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant — Gen. 17:7; Gal. 3:16).

56 And Mary abode with her (Elisabeth) about three months (likely until John’s birth — see v. 36), and returned to her own house (probably in Nazareth; preparing for her own delivery).

57 Now Elisabeth’s full time (9 month pregnancy) came (fulfillment of v. 24) that she should be delivered (give birth); and she brought forth a son (as promised in v. 13 — fulfillment of God’s word).

58 And her neighbours and her cousins (relatives; extended family) heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her (public acknowledgment of God’s grace in her barrenness); and they rejoiced with her (shared in her joy — fulfillment of v. 14).

59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day (in accordance with the Law — Lev. 12:3) they came to circumcise (removal of foreskin) the child (covenant sign given to Abraham’s offspring); and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father (common custom even today — naming after a parent or ancestor).

60 And his mother answered and said, Not so (firm denial); but he shall be called John (in obedience to the angelic command — v. 13).

61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name (confused; breaking with family tradition).

62 And they made signs to his father (Zacharias — still mute, possibly also deaf — cf. v. 20), how he would have him called (asking for final authority on the name).

63 And he asked for a writing table (a small tablet — used to communicate), and wrote, saying, His name is John (declaration of obedience and faith; a new name under a new economy); and they marvelled all (all were amazed/surprised).

64 And his mouth was opened immediately (fulfillment of v. 20 — discipline lifted), and his tongue loosed (he could speak again), and he spake, and praised God (first words = praise).

65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them (awe and reverence — recognition of divine activity): and all these sayings were noised abroad (spread widely) throughout all the hill country of Judaea (southern parts of Israel).

66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts (pondered seriously; it seems Luke knows this from interviewing them himself), saying, What manner of child shall this be! (expectation and wonder about John’s role in Israel) And the hand of the Lord was with him (God’s active presence and blessing with John).

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost (prophetic inspiration — like Elisabeth in v. 41), and prophesied, saying (begins the Benedictus — Latin for “Blessed”),

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel (doxology — praise to the covenant-keeping God); for he hath visited (drawn near) and redeemed (ransomed) his people (the elect).

69 And hath raised up an horn (strength; royal power — cf. Ps. 132:17) of salvation (deliverance) for us in the house of his servant David (Messianic lineage — this looks forward to Jesus).

70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets (echo of 2 Peter 1:21 — prophetic unity), which have been since the world began (long-standing expectation; early prophecies — Gen. 3:15).

71 That we should be saved from our enemies (physical and spiritual), and from the hand of all that hate us (deliverance from oppression — Messianic hope).

72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers (covenantal fulfillment — Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), and to remember his holy covenant (faithfulness to His oath).

73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham (Gen. 22:16–18; see Gal. 3:16),

74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him (purpose of salvation — worship and obedience; cf. Ephesians 2:10) without fear (security and freedom for good works),

75 In holiness (holy = set apart; sanctification) and righteousness before him, all the days of our life (lifelong calling).

76 And thou, child (now turns to John), shalt be called the prophet (speaks by the inspiration of God) of the Highest (John is the prophet of the Highest, Jesus is the Son of the Highest): for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord (Messiah/Christ/Anointed One) to prepare his ways (Isaiah 40:3).

77 To give knowledge of salvation (repentance and faith, two distinct yet inseparable graces) unto his people (spiritual Israel/the predestined elect) by the remission (forgiveness) of their sins (transgressions against God’s law).

78 Through the tender mercy of our God (His compassion and lovingkindness); whereby the dayspring from on high (sunrise; Messianic metaphor — Mal. 4:2) hath visited us (Jesus’ coming is like light dawning; cf. John 1:7-9, 3:19).

79 To give light to them that sit in darkness (those in ignorance, sin, and suffering — Isa. 9:2), and inthe shadow of death (cf. Psalm 23): to guide our feet into the way of peace (true peace — reconciliation with God).

80 And the child grew (natural physical and mental development), and waxed strong in spirit (spiritual development and maturity), and was in the deserts (wilderness; not schools or temple) till the day of his shewing unto Israel (public appearance; official ministry begins in A.D. 26/27, chapter 3).