What does Luke 1:69 mean?
ESV: and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,
NIV: He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
NASB: And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David—
CSB: He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,
NLT: He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David,
KJV: And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
NKJV: And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David,
Verse Commentary:
The priest Zechariah (Luke 1:5) is celebrating the birth of his son (Luke 1:57), who will grow to be a powerful herald of the Messiah (Luke 1:13–17; Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1). His prophecy comes in the form of a song, which includes many references to the Old Testament. In the prior verse, Zechariah noted God's deep connection to the people of Israel and His promise to redeem His chosen people (Luke 1:68).
In biblical texts, "horns" are symbolic of power (Psalm 75:10; 89:24; Numbers 23:22; Daniel 7:7; Revelation 17:12). Referring to Jesus (Luke 1:31–33) as a "horn of salvation" (Psalm 18:2) echoes the idea that Messiah will be from the lineage of David (Psalm 132:17; Jeremiah 23:5). When Hannah, mother of the prophet Samuel, praised God for her son's birth, she used similar phrases (1 Samuel 2:10).
Verse Context:
Luke 1:57–80 describes the first of two births predicted by the angel Gabriel in this chapter (Luke 1:13, 31). Despite their old age, Elizabeth and Zechariah have had a son, who now needs to be named. Zechariah has been stricken mute for months, after doubting the angel's message. Elizabeth surprises her family by naming the child "John." When asked, Zechariah writes down the same name and is immediately able to speak again. Amid the awestruck reaction of family and neighbors, the legendary reputation of John the Baptist has begun. Zechariah then prophesies about the powerful ministry of his son.
Chapter Summary:
The angel Gabriel predicts two miraculous births. The first is a son born to Zechariah and Elizabeth: an older, childless priest and his wife. Because Zechariah initially doubts this message, he is temporarily made unable to speak. Their child will be known as John the Baptist, a powerful herald of the Messiah. The Promised One whom John will proclaim is the second birth predicted by Gabriel. He tells an engaged virgin, Mary, that God will miraculously conceive His Son in her. The two women meet and rejoice over their blessings. John's arrival sets the stage for Luke's familiar account of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Chapter Context:
Luke was a travelling companion of the apostle Paul (Acts 16:10); his book of Acts is a direct "sequel" to the gospel of Luke (Acts 1:1–3). Those two books make up more than a quarter of the New Testament. Luke begins by explaining how his orderly approach is meant to inspire confidence in Christian faith. His work is based on eyewitness interviews and other evidence. The first chapter details the miraculous conceptions of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Chapter 2 continues with Jesus' birth.
Book Summary:
Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.
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