THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT LUKE. CHAPTER I. In this chapter we have, (1,) Luke's preface to his gospel, which he dedicates to his friend Theophilus, 1-4. (2,) A short account of Zacharias and Elisabeth, the parents of John the Baptist, 5-7. (3,) The appearance of the Angel Gabriel to Zacharias, giving him notice of the birth of a son, and predicting the important office he should sustain, 8-17. (4) The chastisement inflicted on Zacharias for his unbelief, 18-23. (5,) Elisabeth's conception, and acknowledgments of the Lord's goodness to her, 24, 25. (6,) Gabriel's annunciation of the birth of Christ to the Virgin Mary, and her ready belief thereof, 26-38. (7) The joyful meeting of Elisabeth and Mary, and their praises and prophecies, 39–56. (8) The birth, circumcision, and naming of John the Baptist, 57–66. (9,) Zacharias's song of praise and predictions on that occasion, 67-79. (10,) A short account of John the Baptist's private life, 80. ORAS MUCH as many have || order a declaration of those things which A.M.4051. taken in hand to set forth in are most surely believed among us, NOTES ON CHAPTER I. Verses 1, 2. Forasmuch as many have taken in hand-Who they were to whom the apostle here alludes, who had, from vague reports, (for so his words seem to imply,) rashly published narratives not entirely to be depended on, it is impossible for us now to discover. It is true, the word eжexeipηoav, have undertaken, used here by Luke, does not necessarily imply any censure on the writers of such accounts, but the scope of the place seems to imply it, if not on all, at least on some of them: for if all, or even most of them, had furnished true narratives, the number was an argument rather against a new attempt than for it. Grotius justly observes, that the spurious gospels, mentioned by ancient writers, are forgeries manifestly of a later date than the time of Luke. That there were, however, some such performances at the time when Luke began to write. the words of this evangelist are a sufficient evidence: for, to consider this book merely on the footing of a human composition, what writer of common sense would introduce himself to the public by observing the numerous attempts that had been made by former writers, some of whom at least had not been at due pains to be properly informed, if he himself were actually the first, or even the second, or the third, who had written on the subject; and if one of the two who preceded him had better opportunities of knowing than he, and the other fully as good? But the total disappearance of those spurious writings, probably no better than hasty collections of flying rumours, containing a mixture of truth and A. D. 47. falsehood, may, after the genuine gospels were generally known and read, be easily accounted for. At midnight, the glimmering of the taper is not without its use, but it can make no conceivable addition to the light of the meridian sun. It deserves, however, to be remarked by the way, that whatever may be thought to be insinuated here by the evangelist, concerning the imperfect information of former historians, there is no hint given of their bad designs. It is justly observed here by Dr. Campbell, that the very circumstance of the number of such narratives, at so early a period, is itself an evidence that there was something in the first publication of the Christian doctrine, which, notwithstanding the many unfavourable circumstances wherewith it was attended, excited the curiosity and awa|| kened the attention of persons of all ranks and denominations; insomuch that every narrative, which pretended to furnish men with any additional information concerning so extraordinary a personage as Jesus, seems to have been read with avidity. To set forth in order a declaration—Greek, avarakaovai denynow, to compose a narrative; of those things which are most surely believed among us-As the great foundation of our common faith. The expression, payμarwv, refers not only to the things believed, but also to the things performed by Christ and his apostles; this first history of Luke being designed to record what Jesus himself said or did, Acts i. 1; and his second, to relate the acts of the apostles: and the participle, εлλnpopopnμevwv, translated, most surely believed, is rather to be understood Luke's preface and dedication ST. LUKE. A. D. 47. to his friend Theophilus. A. M. 4051. 2 Even as they delivered them perfect understanding of all things A. M. 4051. unto us, which from the beginning from the very first, to write unto thee were eye-witnesses, and ministers of the word; 3 It seemed good to me also, having had A. D. 47. с a Hebrews ii. 3; 1 Peter v. 1; 2 Peter i. 16; 1 John i. 1. b Mark i. 1; John xv. 27. e in order, most excellent Theophilus, -Acts i. 1. as referring to the fulness of that evidence with stand thus: Seeing many have written from the inwhich the things were attended, than to the confi- formation of the eye-witnesses and ministers, I, who dence with which they were credited. It not only from the very first have had perfect knowledge of signifies that the doctrines were taught and the all things, both by conversing with the eye-witnessthings done, but that they were taught and done es, and by being present myself at many of the with such circumstances, as laid a foundation for transactions of Jesus, have thought it incumbent on πληροφορία της πίστεως, a full assurance of faith, as me to write his history, for the more certain inforto the truth of the doctrines, and the reality of the mation of mankind.” To write unto thee in order facts. Even as they delivered them, which from the ||—Greek, kadεžns ooɩ ypayai, to write an orderly acbeginning Of Christ's ministry; were eye-witness- count to thee. So Dr. Doddridge; who observes, es and ministers of the word-Because the persons, "It is chiefly on the authority of this clause that Le according to whose information the writers referred Clerc, and many other modern harmonizers (of the to by Luke composed their histories, are said to have gospels) have thought, as Beza also did, that all the been eye-witnesses as well as ministers of the word, other gospels are to be reduced to the order of Luke (T8 hoye,) several writers have supposed that, by the wherever they differ from it: a conclusion which I word, Luke meant Christ himself, one of whose titles apprehend to be an occasion of many errors, and is, the Word, John i. 1, and, the Word of God, Rev. xix. particularly injurious to the character of Matthew. 13. Others, however, by the word, understand the The foundation of it is very precarious; since it is transactions of our Lord's public life; his sermons, evident this evangelist might, with great propriety, miracles, death, resurrection, and ascension, because be said to have given an orderly account of the histhese things were the great subjects of the preach-tory of Christ, as the leading facts [such as his coning of the apostles, who were eye and ear witnesses|ception, birth, childhood, baptism, preaching, miraof them. And to Christians these were matters of such moment, that the knowledge, consideration, and remembrance of them, were the great business and comfort of their lives. It is no wonder, therefore, that those who were able should set down in writing such particulars of them as they had learned,|| whether from the conversations or sermons of the apostles and eye-witnesses. But histories thus drawn up, though they might contain many things highly worthy of the notice of Christians, must needs have been defective both in their matter and manner. Wherefore, Luke, having attained a thorough knowledge of our Lord's history from the very beginning, thought fit to give a more full, regular, and connected account of it than had hitherto appeared, as he signifies in the next verse. Verses 3, 4. It seemed good to me also-That is, I have judged it to be my duty; Luke, doubtless, was moved by the Holy Ghost to write his history, as he was also to write in the manner he has done; but in both he was moved as a reasonable creature, and not as a machine: having had perfect understanding of all things—Greek, Tapпkodedŋkoti avwvev Taσiv axpibws, having accurately traced all things from their first rise: "Luke might have this thorough knowledge by intimate conversation with the apostles, and particularly with Paul, whose companion he was for a long time; or perhaps he was present himself at a number of transactions which he has recorded. The assurance with which he speaks of his own knowledge of these things, leads us to think that he was an eye-witness of some of them. On this supposition, his reasoning in this preface will be more conclusive than on any other, and will cles, passion, resurrection, ascension] are placed in their due series, though some particulars are transposed." Most excellent Theophilus-As the word Theophilus signifies lover of God, some have thought it is not a proper name here, but a general title, applicable to every true Christian. But, as Dr. Campbell justly observes, if the evangelist meant to address his discourse to all pious Christians, and had no one individually in view, he would certainly have put his intention beyond all doubt, by using the plu||ral number, and saying, kpari501 Deopiĥoi, most excellent lovers of God. Besides, to have addressed all true Christians under the appearance of bespeaking the attention of an individual, does not seem agreeable to the simplicity of style used in the gospel; and must have appeared to the writer himself as what could not fail to be misunderstood by most readers, proper names of such a form as Theophilus, and even this very name, being common in Greek and Latin authors. The word is, therefore, undoubtedly the proper name of a person: and the title, κpariçe, most excellent, is given him, not to describe his character, although doubtless he was a truly pious and excellent Christian, but on account of his office or rank in civil society, the same title being commonly given to persons in high stations of life; and particularly to the Roman governors. Accordingly Paul uses it in addressing Felix and Festus. This Theophilus, as the ancients inform us, was a person of eminent quality at Alexandria. Acts i. 1, Luke does not give him this title. He was then probably a private man. The evangelist, by inscribing his two books to him, bestowed on him a fame which will last while Christianity subsists. In That thou mightest know-More fully and circumstantially; the certainty-The exact and certain truth; of those things in which thou hast been instructedNamely, formerly, by those who had been made the instruments of initiating him into the Christian faith. The word karnynons, here used, doth with great accuracy express the instructions given to those who were training up for admission to the Christian Church, whose name of catechumens was, as it is well known, derived from hence, and applied without any particular regard to the age of the persons concerned. Compare Acts xviii. 25. We are not to suppose that Luke had the edification of Theophilus merely in view, in writing his history; he also doubtless meant it for the instruction of persons of all nations and ages into whose hands it should fall. the parents of John the Baptist. B. C. 6. 6 And they were both righteous A. M. 3998. before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren; and they both were now well stricken in years. iGen. vii. 1; xvii. 1; 1 Kings ix. 4; 2 Kings xx. 3; Job i. 1; Acts xxiii. 1; xxiv. 16; Phil. iii. 6. the course itself, was called conuɛpia, a name which originally belonged to the Athenian magistrates, who being fifty men chosen by lot out of each tribe, and each man governing the city a single day, the days which any tribe governed, as well as its fifty governors succeeding one another, were called onμepiai. Now there being a considerable resemblance between this division and succession of the Athenian magistrates, and that of the Jewish priests, the Greek interpreters of the Old Testament applied the same name to the courses of the priests, though somewhat improperly, as their ministry lasted not for a day but a week. The course of Abia, (that is, that of which Abia, or Abijah, was the head in David's time,) was the eighth. See the notes on 1 Chron. xxiv. 3-10. Verse 6. They were righteous before God-They were sincerely and really righteous; they were so in God's sight, whose judgment, we are sure, is according to truth; they approved themselves to him who searcheth the heart; and he was graciously pleased to accept them. It is a happy thing when those that are joined to each other in marriage are both joined to the Lord! And it is especially re|| quisite that the priests, the Lord's ministers, should, with their yoke-fellows, be righteous before God, that they may be examples to the flock, and give them cause of joy. Walking in all the moral commandments and ceremonial ordinances of the Lord blameless-Thus they manifested their righteousness: it shone forth in the whole course of their conversation; in every branch of piety and virtue. How admirable is the character given of this pious pair! May our behaviour be thus unblameable, and our obedience thus sincere and universal! The two words, evroλaiç kai dikaiwμaoi, here used, are generally interpreted, the former of the moral, the latter of the ceremonial precepts of the divine law. It is certain, however, that they are often taken in a much more extensive sense; and that undoubted examples may be produced, to prove that both terms are used promiscuously in both senses. Verse 5. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea-This is he who is commonly known by the name of Herod the Great, a cruel, ambitious man, who, without any title, obtained the crown of Judea from the Roman senate, to whom he was recommended by Mark Antony. Under his government the Jews were very uneasy, because he was a foreigner. Nevertheless, the Roman generals in those parts having given him possession of the throne, by his own prudence and address he maintained himself in it for the space of forty years. His reign, though celebrated on many accounts, was remarkable for nothing so much as that, toward the conclusion of it, the Messiah and his forerunner were born. Besides Herod the king, there are two others of this name mentioned in Scripture, namely, Herod surnamed Antipas, his son, who was inferior to his father both in dignity and dominion, being only a tetrarch, and having no dominions but Galilee and Perea: it was this Herod that beheaded the Baptist,|| and with his men of war mocked our Lord. The other was Herod Agrippa, the grandson of Herod the king by Aristobulus, and brother to Herodias, Philip's wife. He killed James the apostle with the sword, and imprisoned Peter to please the Jews; and was himself eaten up of worms for his affecting divine honours. Agrippa, before whom Paul pleaded his cause, was the son of this Herod, for which reason he is commonly called Agrippa. Of the|| course of Abia-The priests were become so numerous in David's time, that they could not all minister at the tabernacle at once. He therefore divided them into twenty-four courses, or companies, who were to serve in rotation, each company by itself for a week. The time of their ministration, as well as VOL. I. ( 22 ) Verse 7. And they had no child—The providence of God so ordering it, that the birth of John the Baptist might be the more remarkable, and might excite the greater attention; because that Elisabeth was barren-Even when in the flower of her age. And they both were now well stricken in yearsHere, then, was a double obstacle in the way of their having children, both the natural barrenness of Elisabeth, and the old age of them both; and, consequently, a double proof of the supernatural agency of God in the birth of John, evidently showing him 337 a to be a person miraculously sent by God. It is would give great publicity to the facts here recorded, worthy of observation here, that many eminent and cause them to become the subject of much inpersons under the patriarchal and Mosaic dispensa- quiry and conversation, both in Jerusalem and tions, were born of mothers that had been long bar- through all the country. In consequence of which, ren, as Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Samson, Samuel, and doubtless, an expectation would be excited in the here John the Baptist, to render their birth the more minds of many, that God was about to visit his extraordinary, and the blessing of it the more valu- people in some extraordinary way; which would able in the eyes of their parents; and to show, that || tend_greatly to prepare them for the reception of when God keeps his people waiting long for a par- the gospel, when it should be offered to them. The ticular mercy, he is sometimes pleased to recom- people were praying without at the time of incense pense them for their patience, by doubling the worth-This the pious Jews constantly did, and that not of it when it is given. only in the temple, but everywhere else; choosing Verse 9. His lot was to burn incense-"Because to present their supplications to God at the hours of some parts of the sacred service were more honour- sacrifice and incense, while the ministers of religion able than others, both the priests and Levites divided interceded for the nation. Hence these hours were the whole among them by lot. The Jews tell us, called the hours of prayer, Acts iii. 1. And this was that there were three priests employed about the the foundation of that elegant figure, by which service of the incense; one who carried away the prayer is, in Scripture, so often compared to incense. ashes left on the altar at the preceding service;|| And perhaps one reason of ordaining incense might another who brought a pan of burning coals from be, to intimate the acceptableness of those pious the altar of sacrifice, and, having placed it on the prayers which accompanied it, as well as to remind golden altar, departed; a third, who went in with the worshippers of that sacrifice of a sweet-smelling the incense, sprinkled it on the burning coals, and, savour, which was in due time to be offered to God while the smoke ascended, made intercession for for them, and of that incense which was and is conthe people. This was the part that fell to Zacharias, tinually offered with the prayers of the saints, upon and the most honourable in the whole service."- the golden altar that is before the throne, Rev. viii. 3, 4. Macknight. When he went into the temple of the Observe, reader, 1st, All the prayers which we offer Lord-As the original word here is not ro up, but to God here, in his courts, are acceptable and sucTov vaov, it ought to have been rendered, the house, or cessful only by virtue of Christ's intercession in the sanctuary. The former word, properly signifying temple of God above. 2d, We cannot expect to have the temple, comprehended the whole edifice, with all an interest in his intercession, if we do not unite our its enclosures, piazzas, and other buildings; the lat- own supplications to his, and sincerely and fervently ter included only what is termed, by way of emi- pray for ourselves. Nor, 3d, is it sufficient for us to nence, the house, consisting of the vestibule, the holy be present where God is worshipped, if our hearts place or sanctuary, and the most holy. The altar of do not join in the worship, and go along with the incense, on which the perfumes were burned, was in|| minister in all the parts of it. If he burn the incense the sanctuary; the people who were praying with- ever so well; if he pray in ever so pertinent, judiout, were in the temple, ev To tɛpo, in the court of|cious, and lively a manner, if we be not at the same Israel, though not in what was strictly called the house of God. See note on Matt. xxi. 12. time engaged in prayer in concurrence with him, what will it avail us? Verse 10. The whole multitude of the people, &c. Verses 11, 12. There appeared unto him an angel -The manner in which the evangelist expresses-About four hundred years had passed since God himself here, shows that a more than ordinary con- had vouchsafed to his ancient people any supernacourse of the people was in the temple on this oc- tural communication, either by prophecy, the micasion, from which we may infer that it was a sab-nistry of angels, or in any other extraordinary way. bath, or some high festival time; for often on ordinary But as he was now about to send them the Messiah, week-days, few of the people were present at the and establish through him a new dispensation, by morning and evening sacrifices, and therefore "four which a new and more spiritual way of intercourse and twenty men were employed to attend this ser- with himself should be opened and settled, he sends vice, as representatives of the people of Israel, to an angelic messenger to announce his intentions, Jay their hands on the head of the sacrifice, to pray, and prepare their minds for the reception of so great and to receive the blessing. These were called,|| a blessing. For as the law, an inferior economy, from their office, stationary men."-Macknight. was given at first, in a great measure, by the ministry This circumstance of there being a multitude present, of angels, it was proper that the gospel, a more ‘ex 338 ( 22*) a The important office of the A. M. 3398. him. CHAPTER I. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, q Baptist foretold by the angel. B. C. 6. 14 And thou shalt have joy and A. M. 3398. he was troubled, and fear fell upon || gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and Pthou shalt call his name John. • Judges vi. 22; xiii. 22; Dan. x. 8; Verse 29; Chap. ii. 9; Acts x. 4; Rev. i. 17. cellent institution, should not want at least an equally extraordinary and honourable introduction. When Zacharias saw him, he was troubled-Although he was accustomed to converse with God, yet we see he was thrown into a great consternation at the appearance of his angelic messenger, nature not being able to sustain the sight. Is it not then an instance of the goodness, as well as the wisdom of God, that the services which these heavenly spirits render us are generally invisible? 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. P Verses 60, 63.—9 Verse 58.— Num. vi. 3; Judg. xiii. 4; Verses 14-16. Thou shalt have joy and gladness He shall be such a son as thou shalt have reason to rejoice in. As if he had said, Many parents, if they could foresee what their children will prove, instead of rejoicing at their birth, would wish they had never been. But I will tell thee what thy son will be; and then thou wilt not need to rejoice with trembling, as the best must do at the birth of their children, but thou mayest rejoice with triumph. And many shall rejoice with thee-All the relations of the family will rejoice on the occasion, and all its well-wishers; yea, and all good people, that are made acquainted with the circumstances of the case, and with the character and office the child shall bear. The word ayahλiaois, rendered gladness, properly answers to the word exultation, or leaping for joy-See 1 Pet. i. 8; iv. 13; Matt. v. 12. For he shall be great-A person of extraordinary eminence and usefulness, and that not only in the opinion of men, but in the sight of the Lord-The sovereign and infallible Judge. Those are great indeed, that are so in God's sight, not those that are so in the eye of a vain and carnal world. John was to be great in respect of his character, his office, his inspiration, and the success of his ministry, as the angel here explains the expression. And shall || drink neither wine nor strong drink-As he is to preach repentance, and the crucifixion of all sinful lusts, affections, and dispositions, in order to the remission of sins, he shall show mankind a pattern of that self-denial which he enjoins; wholly avoid Verse 13. But the angel said, Fear not, &c.Thus encouraging him with great gentleness of aspect and voice. For thy prayer is heard—I do not come unto thee with a message of terror, but am sent to assure thee, thy prayer is heard, and thy wife shall bear thee a son-"No doubt this good man had often prayed for children; but as he seemed now to have given up all expectations of that kind, it is reasonable to conclude, that these words chiefly relate to his prayers for the deliverance of Israel by the Messiah, whose appearance was then expected by pious persons conversant in the sacred writings, (Luke ii. 25, 38; xix. 11; xxiii. 51;) and the more earnestly desired just at this time, as they suffered so many grievous things by the oppression of the Romans and the tyranny of Herod, which toward the close of his reign grew more and more insupportable."-Doddridge. The priests, it must be observed, in this office, considered themselves as the mouth of the people, and made the welfare of the nation the subject of their prayers. Therefore, since it is reasonable to suppose that Zacharias nowing a delicate and self-indulging way of living, and interceded for the coming of the Messiah, in whom all the families of the earth were to be blessed, we may consider the angel's words as having a reference to such a prayer, thus: "The Messiah, for whose coming thou prayest, is about to be born, for thy wife shall bring forth his forerunner." We may observe here with pleasure, that the prayers of pious worshippers come up with acceptance before God; to whom no costly perfume is so sweet as the fragrancy of an upright heart. An answer of peace || was here returned, when the case seemed to be most helpless. Let us wait patiently for the Lord, and leave to his own wisdom the time and manner wherein he will appear for us. Thou shalt call his name John-John signifies, the grace or favour of Jehovah. A name well suiting the person who was afterward so highly in favour with God, and endued with abundance of grace; and who opened a way to the most glorious dispensation of grace in the Messiah's kingdom. being remarkable for his continued abstinence and mortification. By the word σkepa, here rendered strong drink, fermented liquor of every kind seems to be intended. Some would confine the term to a liquor made of dates, the fruit of the palm-tree, a drink much used in the East: but there does not appear to be any sufficient reason for such a limita tion of its meaning. The word is originally Hebrew, D, shecher, and is rendered by Buxtorf, inebrians potus, inebriating drink. All fermented liquors, therefore, as being capable of producing this effect, must be understood as implied in it. It is distinguished from wine, Lev. x. 9; Num. vi. 3; and elsewhere. He shall be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb-Shall be influenced by the Spirit of God, even from the instant of his birth, sanctifying his nature, and communicating into him wisdom and piety in an extraordinary measure, to qualify him for the high and important office to which he is designated. "In Scripture, to be filled |