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The Bible – Old Testament

The Book of Wisdom

Index

Int. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

The Book of Wisdom

Chapter 2

1

they who said among themselves, thinking not aright: “Brief and troublous is our lifetime; neither is there any remedy for man’s dying, nor is anyone known to have come back from the nether world.

2

For haphazard were we born, and hereafter we shall be as though we had not been; Because the breath in our nostrils is a smoke and reason is a spark at the beating of our hearts,

3

And when this is quenched, our body will be ashes and our spirit will be poured abroad like unresisting air.

4

Even our name will be forgotten in time, and no one will recall our deeds. So our life will pass away like the traces of a cloud, and will be dispersed like a mist pursued by the sun’s rays and overpowered by its heat.

5

For our lifetime is the passing of a shadow; and our dying cannot be deferred because it is fixed with a seal; and no one returns.

6

Come, therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are real, and use the freshness of creation avidly.

7

Let us have our fill of costly wine and perfumes, and let no springtime blossom pass us by;

8

let us crown ourselves with rosebuds ere they wither.

9

1 Let no meadow be free from our wantonness; everywhere let us leave tokens of our rejoicing, for this our portion is, and this our lot.

10

Let us oppress the needy just man; let us neither spare the widow nor revere the old man for his hair grown white with time.

11

But let our strength be our norm of justice; for weakness proves itself useless.

12

2 3 Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, Reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training.

13

He professes to have knowledge of God and styles himself a child of the LORD.

14

To us he is the censure of our thoughts; merely to see him is a hardship for us,

15

Because his life is not like other men’s, and different are his ways.

16

He judges us debased; he holds aloof from our paths as from things impure. He calls blest the destiny of the just and boasts that God is his Father.

17

Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him.

18

For if the just one be the son of God, he will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes.

19

With revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience.

20

Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.”

21

These were their thoughts, but they erred; for their wickedness blinded them,

22

And they knew not the hidden counsels of God; neither did they count on a recompense of holiness nor discern the innocent souls’ reward.

23

For God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made him.

24

But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and they who are in his possession experience it.

Amanecer-2-X

1 [9] Let no meadow . . . wantonness: the extant Greek Mss have “Let none of us be without part in our wanton doings.” Most Latin Mss have both forms of this line.
2 [12-20] Often applied to the Passion of our Lord; many have understood these verses as a direct prophecy. Cf ⇒ Matthew 27:41-44
3 [12] Law: the law of Moses; training has the same meaning.

Amanecer-2-X

Index

Int. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

Amanecer-2-X

Romans – Chapter 4

The Bible – New Testament Romans  Index 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Chapter 4 1 1 What then can we say that Abraham found, our ancestor according to the flesh? 2 2 Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works, he has reason… Continue reading Romans – Chapter 4

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2 Samuel – Chapter 7

The Bible – Old Testament  2 Samuel Index 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.  14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. Chapter 7 1 When King David was settled in his palace, and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every… Continue reading 2 Samuel – Chapter 7

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Categorised as 2 SAMUEL

The Bible – New Testament

Saint Matthew

Index

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28.

Chapter 1

1

1 2 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2

Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.

3

Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,

4

Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon,

5

Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse,

6

Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.

7

3 Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph.

8

Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah.

9

Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.

10

Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, 4 Amos the father of Josiah.

11

Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.

12

After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

13

Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor,

14

Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud,

15

Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,

16

Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.

17

Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah, fourteen generations. 5

18

6 Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, 7 but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit.

19

Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, 8 yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.

20

Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord 9 appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.

21

She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, 10 because he will save his people from their sins.”

22

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

23

11 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.”

24

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

25

He had no relations with her until she bore a son, 12 and he named him Jesus. 


1 [⇒ 1:1-⇒ 2:23] The infancy narrative forms the prologue of the gospel. Consisting of a genealogy and five stories, it presents the coming of Jesus as the climax of Israel’s history, and the events of his conception, birth, and early childhood as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The genealogy is probably traditional material that Matthew edited. In its first two sections (⇒ Matthew 1:2-11) it was drawn from ⇒ Ruth 4:18-22; 1 Chron 1-3. Except for Jechoniah, Shealtiel, and Zerubbabel, none of the names in the third section (⇒ Matthew 1:12-16) is found in any Old Testament genealogy. While the genealogy shows the continuity of God’s providential plan from Abraham on, discontinuity is also present. The women Tamar (⇒ Matthew 1:3), Rahab and Ruth (⇒ Matthew 1:5), and the wife of Uriah, Bathsheba (⇒ Matthew 1:6), bore their sons through unions that were in varying degrees strange and unexpected. These “irregularities” culminate in the supreme “irregularity” of the Messiah’s birth of a virgin mother; the age of fulfillment is inaugurated by a creative act of God. Drawing upon both biblical tradition and Jewish stories, Matthew portrays Jesus as reliving the Exodus experience of Israel and the persecutions of Moses. His rejection by his own people and his passion are foreshadowed by the troubled reaction of “all Jerusalem” to the question of the magi who are seeking the “newborn king of the Jews” (⇒ Matthew 2:2-3), and by Herod’s attempt to have him killed. The magi who do him homage prefigure the Gentiles who will accept the preaching of the gospel. The infancy narrative proclaims who Jesus is, the savior of his people from their sins (⇒ Matthew 1:21), Emmanuel in whom “God is with us” (⇒ Matthew 1:23), and the Son of God (⇒ Matthew 2:15).
2 [1] The Son of David, the son of Abraham: two links of the genealogical chain are singled out. Although the later, David is placed first in order to emphasize that Jesus is the royal Messiah. The mention of Abraham may be due not only to his being the father of the nation Israel but to Matthew’s interest in the universal scope of Jesus’ mission; cf ⇒ Genesis 22:18 “. . . . in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing.”
3 [7] The successor of Abijah was not Asaph but Asa (see ⇒ 1 Chron 3:10). Some textual witnesses read the latter name; however, Asaph is better attested. Matthew may have deliberately introduced the psalmist Asaph into the genealogy (and in ⇒ Matthew 1:10 the prophet Amos) in order to show that Jesus is the fulfillment not only of the promises made to David (see 2 Sam 7) but of all the Old Testament.
4 [10] Amos: some textual witnesses read Amon, who was the actual successor of Manasseh (see ⇒ 1 Chron 3:14).
5 [17] Matthew is concerned with fourteen generations, probably because fourteen is the numerical value of the Hebrew letters forming the name of David. In the second section of the genealogy (⇒ Matthew 1:6b-11), three kings of Judah, Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah, have been omitted (see ⇒ 1 Chron 3:11-12), so that there are fourteen generations in that section. Yet the third (⇒ Matthew 1:12-16) apparently has only thirteen. Since Matthew here emphasizes that each section has fourteen, it is unlikely that the thirteen of the last was due to his oversight. Some scholars suggest that Jesus who is called the Messiah (⇒ Matthew 1:16b) doubles the final member of the chain: Jesus, born within the family of David, opens up the new age as Messiah, so that in fact there are fourteen generations in the third section. This is perhaps too subtle, and the hypothesis of a slip not on the part of Matthew but of a later scribe seems likely. On Messiah, see the note on ⇒ Luke 2:11.
6 [18-25] This first story of the infancy narrative spells out what is summarily indicated in ⇒ Matthew 1:16. The virginal conception of Jesus is the work of the Spirit of God. Joseph’s decision to divorce Mary is overcome by the heavenly command that he take her into his home and accept the child as his own. The natural genealogical line is broken but the promises to David are fulfilled; through Joseph’s adoption the child belongs to the family of David. Matthew sees the virginal conception as the fulfillment of ⇒ Isaiah 7:14.
7 [18] Betrothed to Joseph: betrothal was the first part of the marriage, constituting a man and woman as husband and wife. Subsequent infidelity was considered adultery. The betrothal was followed some months later by the husband’s taking his wife into his home, at which time normal married life began.
8 [19] A righteous man: as a devout observer of the Mosaic law, Joseph wished to break his union with someone whom he suspected of gross violation of the law. It is commonly said that the law required him to do so, but the texts usually given in support of that view, e.g., ⇒ Deut 22:20-21 do not clearly pertain to Joseph’s situation. Unwilling to expose her to shame: the penalty for proved adultery was death by stoning; cf ⇒ Deut 22:21-23.
9 [20] The angel of the Lord: in the Old Testament a common designation of God in communication with a human being. In a dream: see ⇒ Matthew 2:13, ⇒ 19, ⇒ 22. These dreams may be meant to recall the dreams of Joseph, son of Jacob the patriarch (⇒ Genesis 37:5-⇒ 11:19). A closer parallel is the dream of Amram, father of Moses, related by Josephus (Antiquities 2,9,3; 212, 215-16).
10 [21] Jesus: in first-century Judaism the Hebrew name Joshua (Greek Iesous) meaning “Yahweh helps” was interpreted as “Yahweh saves.”
11 [23] God is with us: God’s promise of deliverance to Judah in Isaiah’s time is seen by Matthew as fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, in whom God is with his people. The name Emmanuel is alluded to at the end of the gospel where the risen Jesus assures his disciples of his continued presence,”. . . I am with you always, until the end of the age” (⇒ Matthew 28:20).
12 [25] Until she bore a son: the evangelist is concerned to emphasize that Joseph was not responsible for the conception of Jesus. The Greek word translated “until” does not imply normal marital conduct after Jesus’ birth, nor does it exclude it. 

Index

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 

21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28.

 

Saint Matthew – Chapter 5

The Bible – New Testament Saint Matthew Index 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. Chapter 5 1 1 When he saw the crowds, 2 he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He began to teach them,… Continue reading Saint Matthew – Chapter 5

1 Samuel – Chapter 16

The Bible – Old Testament  1 Samuel Index 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. Chapter 16 1 1 The LORD said to Samuel: “How long will you grieve for Saul, whom… Continue reading 1 Samuel – Chapter 16

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Saint Luke – Chapter 2

The Bible – New Testament Saint Luke Index 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.  Chapter 2 1 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus 2 that the whole world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor… Continue reading Saint Luke – Chapter 2

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Categorised as SAINT LUKE

The Bible – New Testament

Saint Luke

Index

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 

Chapter 1

1

1 Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us,

2

just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,

3

I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus,

4

so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.

5

2 In the days of Herod, King of Judea, 3 there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

6

Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.

7

But they had no child, 4 because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.

8

Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God,

9

according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.

10

Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering,

11

the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense.

12

Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.

13

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, 5 Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.

14

And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,

15

for he will be great in the sight of (the) Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. 6 He will be filled with the holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb,

16

and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

17

He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah 7 to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”

18

Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

19

And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, 8 who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.

20

But now you will be speechless and unable to talk 9 until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”

21

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.

22

But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute.

23

Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.

24

After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying,

25

“So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”

26

10 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,

27

to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

28

And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.”

29

But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

30

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

31

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.

32

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, 11 and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,

33

and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 12

35

And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

36

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived 13 a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;

37

for nothing will be impossible for God.”

38

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

39

During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,

40

where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

41

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit,

42

cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

43

And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord 14 should come to me?

44

For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

45

Blessed are you who believed 15 that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

46

And Mary said: 16 “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

47

my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

48

For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.

49

The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

50

His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.

51

He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.

52

He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.

53

The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.

54

He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,

55

according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

56

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

57

17 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son.

58

Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.

59

18 When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,

60

but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.”

61

But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”

62

So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.

63

He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed.

64

Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.

65

Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea.

66

All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.

67

Then Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:

68

19 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people.

69

20 He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant,

70

even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old:

71

salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,

72

to show mercy to our fathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant

73

and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father, and to grant us that,

74

rescued from the hand of enemies, without fear we might worship him

75

in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

76

And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord 21 to prepare his ways,

77

to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,

78

because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high 22 will visit us

79

to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

80

The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

1 [1-4] The Gospel according to Luke is the only one of the synoptic gospels to begin with a literary prologue. Making use of a formal, literary construction and vocabulary, the author writes the prologue in imitation of Hellenistic Greek writers and, in so doing, relates his story about Jesus to contemporaneous Greek and Roman literature. Luke is not only interested in the words and deeds of Jesus, but also in the larger context of the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus as the fulfillment of the promises of God in the Old Testament. As a second- or third-generation Christian, Luke acknowledges his debt to earlier eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, but claims that his contribution to this developing tradition is a complete and accurate account, told in an orderly anner, and intended to provide Theophilus (“friend of God,” literally) and other readers with certainty about earlier teachings they have received.
2 [⇒ 1:5-⇒ 2:52] Like the Gospel according to Matthew, this gospel opens with an infancy narrative, a collection of stories about the birth and childhood of Jesus. The narrative uses early Christian traditions about the birth of Jesus, traditions about the birth and circumcision of John the Baptist, and canticles such as the Magnificat (⇒ Luke 1:46-55) and Benedictus (⇒ Luke 1:67-79), composed of phrases drawn from the Greek Old Testament. It is largely, however, the composition of Luke who writes in imitation of Old Testament birth stories, combining historical and legendary details, literary ornamentation and interpretation of scripture, to answer in advance the question, “Who is Jesus Christ?” The focus of the narrative, therefore, is primarily christological. In this section Luke announces many of the themes that will become prominent in the rest of the gospel: the centrality of Jerusalem and the temple, the journey motif, the universality of salvation, joy and peace, concern for the lowly, the importance of women, the presentation of Jesus as savior, Spirit-guided revelation and prophecy, and the fulfillment of Old Testament promises. The account presents parallel scenes (diptychs) of angelic announcements of the birth of John the Baptist and of Jesus, and of the birth, circumcision, and presentation of John and Jesus. In this parallelism, the ascendency of Jesus over John is stressed: John is prophet of the Most High (⇒ Luke 1:76); Jesus is Son of the Most High (⇒ Luke 1:32). John is great in the sight of the Lord (⇒ Luke 1:15); Jesus will be Great (a LXX attribute, used absolutely, of God) (⇒ Luke 1:32). John will go before the Lord (⇒ Luke 1:16-17); Jesus will be Lord (⇒ Luke 1:43; ⇒ 2:11).
3 [5] In the days of Herod, King of Judea: Luke relates the story of salvation history to events in contemporary world history. Here and in ⇒ Luke 3:1-2 he connects his narrative with events in Palestinian history; in ⇒ Luke 2:1-2 and ⇒ Luke 3:1 he casts the Jesus story in the light of events of Roman history. Herod the Great, the son of the Idumean Antipater, was declared “King of Judea” by the Roman Senate in 40 B.C., but became the undisputed ruler of Palestine only in 37 B.C. He continued as king until his death in 4 B.C. Priestly division of Abijah: a reference to the eighth of the twenty-four divisions of priests who, for a week at a time, twice a year, served in the Jerusalem temple.
4 [7] They had no child: though childlessness was looked upon in contemporaneous Judaism as a curse or punishment for sin, it is intended here to present Elizabeth in a situation similar to that of some of the great mothers of important Old Testament figures: Sarah (⇒ Genesis 15:3; ⇒ 16:1); Rebekah (⇒ Genesis 25:21); Rachel (⇒ Genesis 29:31; ⇒ 30:1); the mother of Samson and wife of Manoah (⇒ Judges 13:2-3); Hannah (⇒ 1 Sam 1:2).
5 [13] Do not be afraid: a stereotyped Old Testament phrase spoken to reassure the recipient of a heavenly vision (⇒ Genesis 15:1; ⇒ Joshua 1:9; ⇒ Daniel 10:12, ⇒ 19 and elsewhere in ⇒ Luke 1:30; ⇒ 2:10). You shall name him John: the name means “Yahweh has shown favor,” an indication of John’s role in salvation history.
6 [15] He will drink neither wine nor strong drink: like Samson (⇒ Judges 13:4-5) and Samuel (⇒ 1 Sam 1:11 LXX and 4QSama), John is to be consecrated by Nazirite vow and set apart for the Lord’s service.
7 [17] He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah: John is to be the messenger sent before Yahweh, as described in ⇒ Malachi 3:1-2. He is cast, moreover, in the role of the Old Testament fiery reformer, the prophet Elijah, who according to ⇒ Malachi 3:23 (4 :5) is sent before “the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.”
8 [19] I am Gabriel: “the angel of the Lord” is identified as Gabriel, the angel who in ⇒ Daniel 9:20-25 announces the seventy weeks of years and the coming of an anointed one, a prince. By alluding to Old Testament themes in ⇒ Luke 1:17, ⇒ 19 such as the coming of the day of the Lord and the dawning of the messianic era, Luke is presenting his interpretation of the significance of the births of John and Jesus.
9 [20] You will be speechless and unable to talk: Zechariah’s becoming mute is the sign given in response to his question in v 18. When Mary asks a similar question in ⇒ Luke 1:34, unlike Zechariah who was punished for his doubt, she, in spite of her doubt, is praised and reassured(⇒ Luke 1:35-37).
10 [26-38] The announcement to Mary of the birth of Jesus is parallel to the announcement to Zechariah of the birth of John. In both the angel Gabriel appears to the parent who is troubled by the vision (⇒ Luke 1:11-12, ⇒ 26-29) and then told by the angel not to fear (⇒ Luke 1:13, ⇒ 30). After the announcement is made (⇒ Luke 1:14-17, ⇒ 31-33) the parent objects (⇒ Luke 1:18, ⇒ 34) and a sign is given to confirm the announcement (⇒ Luke 1:20, ⇒ 36). The particular focus of the announcement of the birth of Jesus is on his identity as Son of David (⇒ Luke 1:32-33) and Son of God (⇒ Luke 1:32, ⇒ 35).
11 [32] Son of the Most High: cf ⇒ Luke 1:76 where John is described as “prophet of the Most High.” “Most High” is a title for God commonly used by Luke (⇒ Luke 1:35, ⇒ 76; ⇒ 6:35; ⇒ 8:28; ⇒ Acts 7:48; ⇒ 16:17).
12 [34] Mary’s questioning response is a denial of sexual relations and is used by Luke to lead to the angel’s declaration about the Spirit’s role in the conception of this child (⇒ Luke 1:35). According to Luke, the virginal conception of Jesus takes place through the holy Spirit, the power of God, and therefore Jesus has a unique relationship to Yahweh: he is Son of God.
13 [36-37] The sign given to Mary in confirmation of the angel’s announcement to her is the pregnancy of her aged relative Elizabeth. If a woman past the childbearing age could become pregnant, why, the angel implies, should there be doubt about Mary’s pregnancy, for nothing will be impossible for God.
14 [43] Even before his birth, Jesus is identified in Luke as the Lord.
15 [45] Blessed are you who believed: Luke portrays Mary as a believer whose faith stands in contrast to the disbelief of Zechariah (⇒ Luke 1:20). Mary’s role as believer in the infancy narrative should be seen in connection with the explicit mention of her presence among “those who believed” after the resurrection at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles (⇒ Acts 1:14).
16 [46-55] Although Mary is praised for being the mother of the Lord and because of her belief, she reacts as the servant in a psalm of praise, the Magnificat. Because there is no specific connection of the canticle to the context of Mary’s pregnancy and her visit to Elizabeth, the Magnificat (with the possible exception of v 48) may have been a Jewish Christian hymn that Luke found appropriate at this point in his story. Even if not composed by Luke, it fits in well with themes found elsewhere in Luke: joy and exultation in the Lord; the lowly being singled out for God’s favor; the reversal of human fortunes; the fulfillment of Old Testament promises. The loose connection between the hymn and the context is further seen in the fact that a few Old Latin manuscripts identify the speaker of the hymn as Elizabeth, even though the overwhelming textual evidence makes Mary the speaker.
17 [57-66] The birth and circumcision of John above all emphasize John’s incorporation into the people of Israel by the sign of the covenant (⇒ Genesis 17:1-12). The narrative of John’s circumcision also prepares the way for the subsequent description of the circumcision of Jesus in ⇒ Luke 2:21. At the beginning of his two-volume work Luke shows those who play crucial roles in the inauguration of Christianity to be wholly a part of the people of Israel. At the end of the Acts of the Apostles (⇒ Acts 21:20; ⇒ 22:3; ⇒ 23:6-9; ⇒ 24:14-16; ⇒ 26:2-8, ⇒ 22-23) he will argue that Christianity is the direct descendant of Pharisaic Judaism.
18 [59] The practice of Palestinian Judaism at this time was to name the child at birth; moreover, though naming a male child after the father is not completely unknown, the usual practice was to name the child after the grandfather (see ⇒ Luke 1:61). The naming of the child John and Zechariah’s recovery from his loss of speech should be understood as fulfilling the angel’s announcement to Zechariah in ⇒ Luke 1:13, ⇒ 20. 
19 [68-79] Like the canticle of Mary (⇒ Luke 1:46-55) the canticle of Zechariah is only loosely connected with its context. Apart from ⇒ Luke 1:76-77, the hymn in speaking of a horn for our salvation (⇒ Luke 1:69) and the daybreak from on high (⇒ Luke 1:78) applies more closely to Jesus and his work than to John. Again like Mary’s canticle, it is largely composed of phrases taken from the Greek Old Testament and may have been a Jewish Christian hymn of praise that Luke adapted to fit the present context by inserting ⇒ Luke 1:76-77 to give Zechariah’s reply to the question asked in ⇒ Luke 1:66.
20 [69] A horn for our salvation: the horn is a common Old Testament figure for strength (⇒ Psalm 18:3; ⇒ 75:5-6; ⇒ 89:18; ⇒ 112:9; ⇒ 148:14). This description is applied to God in ⇒ Psalm 18:2 and is here transferred to Jesus. The connection of the phrase with the house of David gives the title messianic overtones and may indicate an allusion to a phrase in Hannah’s song of praise (⇒ 1 Sam 2:10), “the horn of his anointed.”
21 [76] You will go before the Lord: here the Lord is most likely a reference to Jesus (contrast ⇒ Luke 1:15-17 where Yahweh is meant) and John is presented as the precursor of Jesus.
22 [78] The daybreak from on high: three times in the LXX (⇒ Jeremiah 23:5; ⇒ Zechariah 3:8; ⇒ 6:12), the Greek word used here for daybreak translates the Hebrew word for “scion, branch,” an Old Testament messianic title.

Index

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 

Saint Matthew – Chapter 21

The Bible – New Testament Saint Matthew Index 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. Chapter 21 1 1 When they drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage 2 on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite… Continue reading Saint Matthew – Chapter 21