And thou childe shalt bee called the Prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt goe before the face of the Lord to prepare his wayes.
Parallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
And you, child, will be calleda prophet of the Most High,for you will go before the Lordto prepare his ways,
King James Version
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
English Standard Version
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
New American Standard Bible
"And you, child, also will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways;
New Century Version
"Now you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go before the Lord to prepare his way.
Amplified Bible
"And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD (the Messiah) TO PREPARE HIS WAYS;
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS;
Legacy Standard Bible
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High,For you will go on before the Lord to make ready His ways,
Berean Standard Bible
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways,
Contemporary English Version
You, my son, will be called a prophet of God in heaven above. You will go ahead of the Lord to get everything ready for him.
Complete Jewish Bible
You, child, will be called a prophet of Ha‘Elyon; you will go before the Lord to prepare his way
Darby Translation
And *thou*, child, shalt be called [the] prophet of [the] Highest; for thou shalt go before the face of [the] Lord to make ready his ways;
Easy-to-Read Version
"Now you, little boy, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go first before the Lord to prepare the way for him.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And thou, babe, shalt be called the Prophet of the most High: for thou shalt goe before the face of the Lord, to prepare his waies,
George Lamsa Translation
And you, boy, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his way;
Good News Translation
"You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his road for him,
Lexham English Bible
And so you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go on before the Lord to prepare his ways,
Literal Translation
And you, child, will be called Prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, Mal. 3:1
American Standard Version
Yea and thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High: For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways;
Bible in Basic English
And you, child, will be named the prophet of the Most High: you will go before the face of the Lord, to make ready his ways;
Hebrew Names Version
And you, child, will be called a prophet of Ha`Elyon, For you will go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways,
International Standard Version And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High.Isaiah 40:3;
Malachi 3:1;
4:5;
Matthew 11:10;
Luke 11:17;">[xr] For you will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his ways
Etheridge Translation
And thou, child, the Prophet of the Most High Shalt thou be called; For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, And thou shalt prepare his way;
Murdock Translation
And thou, child, wilt be called a prophet of the Most High; for thou wilt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his way,
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And thou childe shalt be called the prophete of the hyghest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lorde, to prepare his wayes.
English Revised Version
Yea and thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High: For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways;
World English Bible
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, For you will go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways,
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And thou, child, shalt be a prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways,
Weymouth's New Testament
And you moreover, O child, shall be called Prophet of the Most High; For you shall go on in front before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And thou, child, schalt be clepid the prophete of the Hiyest; for thou schalt go bifor the face of the Lord, to make redi hise weies.
Update Bible Version
Yes and you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High: For you shall go before the Lord to make ready his ways;
Webster's Bible Translation
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest, for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
New English Translation
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High. For you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
New King James Version
"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
New Living Translation
"And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
New Life Bible
"And you, my son, will be the one who speaks for the Most High. For you will go before the Lord to make the way ready for Him.
New Revised Standard
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, even thou, child, prophet of the Most High, shalt be called, - for thou shall march on before the Lord, to prepare his ways,
Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt, go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways:
Revised Standard Version
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And thou chylde shalt be called the Prophet of the hyest: for thou shalt goo before the face of the lorde to prepare his wayes:
Young's Literal Translation
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.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And thou childe shalt be called a prophet of the Hyest: for thou shalt go before ye LORDE, to prepare his wayes.
Mace New Testament (1729)
and you, dear babe, you shall be the prophet of the most high: for you shall go before the Lord, in order to prepare his way,
Simplified Cowboy Version
And listen, my little child, you will be called a prophet of the Boss. You will blaze a trail for the Top Hand.
Contextual Overview
67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed bee the Lord God of Israel, for hee hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised vp an horne of saluation for vs, in the house of his seruant Dauid, As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, which haue bene since the world began: That wee should be saued from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate vs, That hee would grant vnto vs, that wee beeing deliuered out of the hands of our enemies, might serue him without feare, In holinesse and righteousnesse before him, all the dayes of our life. And thou childe shalt bee called the Prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt goe before the face of the Lord to prepare his wayes. To giue knowledge of saluation vnto his people, by the remission of their sinnes, Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited vs, To giue light to them that sit in darknes, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. And the childe grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts, till the day of his shewing vnto Israel. 69span data-lang="eng" data-trans="kja" data-ref="luk.1.1" class="versetxt"> Forasmuch as many haue taken in hande to set foorth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely beleeued among vs, Euen as they deliuered them vnto vs, which from the beginning were eye-witnesses, & ministers of the word: It seemed good to me also, hauing had perfect vnderstanding of things from the very first, to write vnto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainetie of those things wherein thou hast bene instructed. There was in the dayes of Herode the king of Iudea, a certaine Priest, named Zacharias, of the course of Abia, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the Commandements and ordinances of the Lord, blamelesse. And they had no childe, because that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well striken in yeeres. And it came to passe, that while he executed the Priests office before God in the order of his course, According to the custome of the Priests office, his lot was to burne incense when he went into the Temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without, at the time of incense. And there appeared vnto him an Angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the Altar of incense. And when Zacharias sawe him, hee was troubled, and feare fell vpon him. But the Angel said vnto him, Feare not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall beare thee a sonne, and thou shalt call his name Iohn. And thou shalt haue ioy and gladnesse, and many shall reioyce at his birth: For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shal drinke neither wine, nor strong drinke, and he shall bee filled with the holy Ghost, euen from his mothers wombe. And many of the children of Israel shall hee turne to the Lord their God. And hee shall goe before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turne the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisedome of the iust, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said vnto the Angel, Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well striken in yeeres. And the Angel answering, said vnto him, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God, and am sent to speake vnto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And behold, thou shalt be dumbe, and not able to speake, vntill the day that these things shall bee performed, because thou beleeuest not my words, which shall bee fulfilled in their season. And the people waited for Zacharias, and maruelled that hee taried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speake vnto them: and they perceiued that he had seene a vision in the temple: for he beckened vnto them, and remained speechlesse. And it came to passe, that as soone as the dayes of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his owne house. And after those dayes his wife Elizabeth conceiued, and hid her selfe fiue moneths, saying, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the dayes wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproch among men. And in the sixt moneth, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God, vnto a citie of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgine espoused to a man whose name was Ioseph, of the house of Dauid, and the virgins name was Marie. And the Angel came in vnto her, and said, Haile thou that art highly fauoured, the Lord is with thee: Blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her minde what maner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said vnto her, Feare not, Marie, for thou hast found fauour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceiue in thy wombe, and bring forth a sonne, and shalt call his name Iesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the sonne of the Highest, and the Lord God shall giue vnto him the throne of his father Dauid. And hee shall reigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer, and of his kingdome there shall be no end. Then said Marie vnto the Angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the Angel answered and said vnto her, The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee, and the power of the Highest shall ouershadow thee. Therefore also that holy thing which shall bee borne of thee, shall bee called the sonne of God. And behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceiued a sonne in her old age, and this is the sixt moneth with her, who was called barren. For with God no thing shall be vnpossible. And Marie said, Behold the handmaide of the Lord, be it vnto me according to thy word: and the Angel departed from her. And Marie arose in those dayes, and went into the hill countrey with haste, into a citie of Iuda, And entred into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to passe that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Marie, the babe leaped in her wombe, and Elizabeth was filled with the holy Ghost. And she spake out with a loud voyce, and saide, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruite of thy wombe. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to mee? For loe, assoone as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine eares, the babe leaped in my wombe for ioy. And blessed is she that beleeued, for there shalbe a performance of those things, which were told her from the Lord. And Marie said, My soule doth magnifie the Lord. And my spirit hath reioyced in God my sauiour. For hee hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, from hencefoorth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to mee great things, and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that feare him, from generation to generation. Hee hath shewed strength with his arme, he hath scattered the proud, in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put downe the mighty from their seates, and exalted them of low degree. Hee hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich hee hath sent emptie away. Hee hath holpen his seruant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for euer. And Mary abode with her about three moneths, and returned to her owne house. Now Elizabeths full time came, that shee should be deliuered, and shee brought foorth a sonne. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy vpon her, and they reioyced with her. And it came to passe that on the eight day they came to circumcise the childe, and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered, and said, Not so, but he shalbe called Iohn. And they said vnto her, There is none of thy kinred that is called by this name. And they made signes to his father, how he would haue him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is Iohn: and they marueiled all. And his mouth was opened immediatly, and his tongue loosed, and hee spake, and praised God. And feare came on all that dwelt round about them, and all these sayings were noised abroad thorowout all the hill countrey of Iudea. And all they that had heard them, layde them vp in their hearts, saying, What maner of childe shal this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed bee the Lord God of Israel, for hee hath visited and redeemed his people, 70 And hath raised vp an horne of saluation for vs, in the house of his seruant Dauid, 71 As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, which haue bene since the world began: 72 That wee should be saued from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate vs, That hee would grant vnto vs, that wee beeing deliuered out of the hands of our enemies, might serue him without feare, In holinesse and righteousnesse before him, all the dayes of our life. And thou childe shalt bee called the Prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt goe before the face of the Lord to prepare his wayes. To giue knowledge of saluation vnto his people, by the remission of their sinnes, Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited vs, To giue light to them that sit in darknes, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. And the childe grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts, till the day of his shewing vnto Israel. 73span data-lang="eng" data-trans="kja" data-ref="luk.1.1" class="versetxt"> Forasmuch as many haue taken in hande to set foorth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely beleeued among vs, Euen as they deliuered them vnto vs, which from the beginning were eye-witnesses, & ministers of the word: It seemed good to me also, hauing had perfect vnderstanding of things from the very first, to write vnto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainetie of those things wherein thou hast bene instructed. There was in the dayes of Herode the king of Iudea, a certaine Priest, named Zacharias, of the course of Abia, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the Commandements and ordinances of the Lord, blamelesse. And they had no childe, because that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well striken in yeeres. And it came to passe, that while he executed the Priests office before God in the order of his course, According to the custome of the Priests office, his lot was to burne incense when he went into the Temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without, at the time of incense. And there appeared vnto him an Angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the Altar of incense. And when Zacharias sawe him, hee was troubled, and feare fell vpon him. But the Angel said vnto him, Feare not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall beare thee a sonne, and thou shalt call his name Iohn. And thou shalt haue ioy and gladnesse, and many shall reioyce at his birth: For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shal drinke neither wine, nor strong drinke, and he shall bee filled with the holy Ghost, euen from his mothers wombe. And many of the children of Israel shall hee turne to the Lord their God. And hee shall goe before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turne the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisedome of the iust, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said vnto the Angel, Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well striken in yeeres. And the Angel answering, said vnto him, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God, and am sent to speake vnto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And behold, thou shalt be dumbe, and not able to speake, vntill the day that these things shall bee performed, because thou beleeuest not my words, which shall bee fulfilled in their season. And the people waited for Zacharias, and maruelled that hee taried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speake vnto them: and they perceiued that he had seene a vision in the temple: for he beckened vnto them, and remained speechlesse. And it came to passe, that as soone as the dayes of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his owne house. And after those dayes his wife Elizabeth conceiued, and hid her selfe fiue moneths, saying, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the dayes wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproch among men. And in the sixt moneth, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God, vnto a citie of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgine espoused to a man whose name was Ioseph, of the house of Dauid, and the virgins name was Marie. And the Angel came in vnto her, and said, Haile thou that art highly fauoured, the Lord is with thee: Blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her minde what maner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said vnto her, Feare not, Marie, for thou hast found fauour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceiue in thy wombe, and bring forth a sonne, and shalt call his name Iesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the sonne of the Highest, and the Lord God shall giue vnto him the throne of his father Dauid. And hee shall reigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer, and of his kingdome there shall be no end. Then said Marie vnto the Angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the Angel answered and said vnto her, The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee, and the power of the Highest shall ouershadow thee. Therefore also that holy thing which shall bee borne of thee, shall bee called the sonne of God. And behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceiued a sonne in her old age, and this is the sixt moneth with her, who was called barren. For with God no thing shall be vnpossible. And Marie said, Behold the handmaide of the Lord, be it vnto me according to thy word: and the Angel departed from her. And Marie arose in those dayes, and went into the hill countrey with haste, into a citie of Iuda, And entred into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to passe that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Marie, the babe leaped in her wombe, and Elizabeth was filled with the holy Ghost. And she spake out with a loud voyce, and saide, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruite of thy wombe. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to mee? For loe, assoone as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine eares, the babe leaped in my wombe for ioy. And blessed is she that beleeued, for there shalbe a performance of those things, which were told her from the Lord. And Marie said, My soule doth magnifie the Lord. And my spirit hath reioyced in God my sauiour. For hee hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, from hencefoorth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to mee great things, and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that feare him, from generation to generation. Hee hath shewed strength with his arme, he hath scattered the proud, in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put downe the mighty from their seates, and exalted them of low degree. Hee hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich hee hath sent emptie away. Hee hath holpen his seruant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for euer. And Mary abode with her about three moneths, and returned to her owne house. Now Elizabeths full time came, that shee should be deliuered, and shee brought foorth a sonne. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy vpon her, and they reioyced with her. And it came to passe that on the eight day they came to circumcise the childe, and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered, and said, Not so, but he shalbe called Iohn. And they said vnto her, There is none of thy kinred that is called by this name. And they made signes to his father, how he would haue him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is Iohn: and they marueiled all. And his mouth was opened immediatly, and his tongue loosed, and hee spake, and praised God. And feare came on all that dwelt round about them, and all these sayings were noised abroad thorowout all the hill countrey of Iudea. And all they that had heard them, layde them vp in their hearts, saying, What maner of childe shal this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed bee the Lord God of Israel, for hee hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised vp an horne of saluation for vs, in the house of his seruant Dauid, As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, which haue bene since the world began: That wee should be saued from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate vs, 74 That hee would grant vnto vs, that wee beeing deliuered out of the hands of our enemies, might serue him without feare, 75 In holinesse and righteousnesse before him, all the dayes of our life. 76 And thou childe shalt bee called the Prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt goe before the face of the Lord to prepare his wayes.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
shalt be: Luke 7:28, Matthew 14:5, Matthew 21:26, Mark 11:32
Highest: Luke 1:32, Luke 1:35, Luke 6:35, Psalms 87:5, Acts 16:17
thou shalt: Luke 1:16, Luke 1:17, Luke 3:4-6, Isaiah 40:3-5, Malachi 3:1, Malachi 4:5, Matthew 3:3, Matthew 3:11, Matthew 11:10, Mark 1:2, Mark 1:3, John 1:23, John 1:27, John 3:28, Acts 13:24, Acts 13:25
Reciprocal: Genesis 3:15 - her seed Ecclesiastes 5:8 - for Jeremiah 1:5 - Before I Malachi 4:6 - turn Matthew 11:9 - A prophet Mark 9:12 - restoreth Luke 7:26 - A prophet Luke 7:27 - Behold Luke 10:1 - whither Luke 20:6 - for John 1:6 - a man John 1:31 - but John 4:1 - the Lord John 5:35 - was John 12:46 - am Acts 9:17 - the Lord Acts 19:4 - John
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest,.... Here Zacharias turns himself to his son John, though an infant, and incapable of knowing what was said to him; and for the sake of those that were present, describes his office and work; and says, that he should be "called", that is, that he should "be", and be accounted a "prophet": for he was not only a preacher of Christ and his Gospel, but he also foretold the coming of the Messiah; and the vengeance that should fall on the Jewish nation, for their unfruitfulness, impenitence, and unbelief: and the Prophet "of the Highest"; that is, of God; as the Persic version renders it, of the most high God; and by whom is meant, the Lord Jesus Christ, whose prophet, harbinger, and forerunner John was; and so is a proof of Christ being the supreme, or most high God:
for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways; as the angel had suggested in Luke 1:17 and as was prophesied of him in Isaiah 11:3.
Isaiah 11:3- :.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
And thou, child ... - Zechariah predicts in this and the following verses the dignity, the employment, and the success of John. He declares what would be the subject of his preaching, and what his success.
Prophet of the Highest - Prophet of God; a prophet “appointed by God” to declare his will, and to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah.
The face of the Lord - The Lord Jesus, the Messiah, that was about to appear. To go before “the face of one” is the same as to go immediately before one, or to be immediately followed by another.
To prepare his ways - This is taken from Isaiah 40:3. See the Matthew 3:3 niote, and Isaiah 40:3 note.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Luke 1:76. And thou, child, c.] Zacharias proclaims the dignity, employment, doctrine, and success of his son and the ruin and recovery of the Jews and the Gentiles.
1. His dignity. Thou shalt be called (constituted) a prophet of the Most High. Prophet has two acceptations:-
1st. A person who foretells future events; and;
2dly. A teacher of men in the things of God, 1Co 14:3.
John was a prophet in both senses: he proclaimed the mercy which should be communicated; announced the baptism of the Holy Spirit; and taught men how to leave their sins, and how to find the salvation of God. See Luke 3:5-14. His very name, Jehochanan, the grace or mercy of Jehovah, (see Luke 1:60,) was a constant prediction of the salvation of God. Our Lord terms him the greatest prophet which had ever appeared in the world. He had the honour of being the last and clearest prophet of the old covenant, and the first of the new.
2. His employment. Thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways. He should be the immediate forerunner of Jesus Christ, none being capable of succeeding him in his ministry but Christ himself. He was to prepare his ways, to be the honoured instrument, in the hands of God, of disposing the hearts of multitudes of the Israelites to believe in and follow the Lord Jesus.
3. Zacharias points out the doctrine or teaching of John. It should be γνωσις σωτηριας, the science of salvation. Men are ignorant, and they must be instructed. Human sciences may be profitable in earthly matters, but cannot profit the soul. The science that teaches God must come from God. No science is of any avail to the soul that does not bring salvation with it: this is the excellence of heavenly science, and an excellence that is peculiar to itself. No science but that which comes from God can ever save a soul from the power, the guilt, and the pollution of sin.
4. Zacharias predicts the success of his son's ministry. Under his preaching, the people should be directed to that tender mercy of God, through which they might obtain the remission of their sins, Luke 1:77-78. Those who are sent by God, and preach his truth, and his only, shall always be successful in their work; for it is for this very purpose that God has sent them; and it would be a marvellous thing, indeed, should they labour in vain. But there never was such a case, since God made man, in which a preacher was Divinely commissioned to preach Jesus and his salvation, and yet had no fruit of his labour.
5. Zacharias points out the wretched state in which the inhabitants of Judea and the Gentile world were then found.
(1) Their feet had wandered out of the way of peace, (Luke 1:79,) of temporal and spiritual prosperity.
(2) They had got into a state of darkness - they were blind concerning the things of God, and the things which belonged to their salvation.
(3) They had become contented inhabitants of this land of intellectual darkness - they had sat down in it, and were not concerned to get out of it.
(4) They were about to perish in it - death had his dominion there; and his swift approaches to them were now manifested to the prophet by seeing his shadow cast upon them.
Ignorance of God and salvation is the shadow of death; and the substance, eternal ruin, is essentially connected with the projected shadow. See these phrases explained at large on Matthew 4:16.
6. Zacharias proclaims the recovery of a lost world. As the removal of this darkness, and redemption from this death, were now at hand, John is represented as being a day-spring from on high, a morning star, that foretold the speedy approach of the day, and the rising of the Sun of righteousness. That these words should be applied to John, and not to Christ, I am fully satisfied; and cannot give my reasons better for the arrangement I have made in the preceding notes, than in the words of an eminent critic, who, I find, has adopted nearly the same plan with myself. The passage, as I read it, is as follows: Through the tender mercy of our God, by which he hath visited us: a day-spring from on high, to give light to them that sit in the darkness and in the shadow of death, c. "Let the reader judge, whether my arrangement of this passage, which much better suits the original, be not far more elegant, and in all respects superior to the old translation. Thou, child! wilt be a teacher-THOU WILT BE a day-spring from the sky. And with what beauty and propriety is John, the forerunner of our Lord, styled the dawn of day, that ushers in the rising of the Sun of righteousness! And the concluding words - to guide our feet into the way of peace - is a comprehensive clause, after the manner of Hebrew poetry, belonging equally to the former sentence, beginning at - And thou, child! - and the latter, beginning at - A day-spring from the sky: for the people spoken of in the former are the Jews and in the latter, the Gentiles." - WAKEFIELD.
