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Luke 1:67–75
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” (vv. 68–69).
Zechariah began to speak and praise God once his son John was born, just as the angel Gabriel had said (Luke 1:5–23, 57–66). Yet as we see in today’s passage, the words that Zechariah spoke were more than just a simple hymn. Instead, the Holy Spirit filled John’s father, and he began to utter prophecy (v. 67).
The prophetic song of Zechariah that we find recorded in Luke 1:68–79 is also known as the Benedictus, from the Latin word for “blessed.” That Luke refers to Zechariah’s words as prophetic and inspired by the Holy Spirit is significant. Jewish literature written during the intertestamental period, the four hundred or so years between the death of the prophet Malachi and the birth of Jesus, regularly comments that God did not send prophets to His people during that time. Zechariah’s prophecy represents a restoration of the prophetic gift and the dawn of a new period of special revelation. As Jesus the Messiah was about to be born into the world, God was speaking to His people again.
In calling God “blessed,” Zechariah recognizes that the fullness of goodness resides in the Lord alone (v. 68; see Ps. 34:8; Rom. 9:5). What is the signal proof of this goodness? The visitation of God to His people wherein the Lord raises up a “horn of salvation” (Luke 1:69). Our Creator shows His goodness in providing the basic necessities for life to all people, even His enemies (Matt. 5:44–45). Yet no greater evidence of God’s goodness exists than His work of redemption, His gracious intervention to save undeserving sinners from their enemies and to rescue them from His righteous wrath (Pss. 38; 51; 1 Thess. 1:9–10).
Zechariah refers to the Lord’s redemptive work as raising up a “horn of salvation” (Luke 1:69). Scripture often associates horns with might and power, alluding to the regal appearance of rams and other strong animals when they lift their heads (e.g., see Ps. 148:14). Importantly, passages such as Psalm 18:2 refer to the Lord Himself as the “horn of my salvation,” for He is the strength of His people and ultimate Rescuer. Zechariah says that the “horn of salvation” has been raised up in the house of David, pointing to Jesus and implicitly identifying Him with God Almighty (Luke 1:69; see also vv. 26–33).
John’s birth points ultimately to Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises. Through Him, our Creator will achieve His intent for His people to be holy and live in peace forever (vv. 70–75).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Matthew Henry comments that God “has raised up such a salvation as shall pull down our spiritual enemies, and protect us from them. In the chariots of this salvation the Redeemer shall go forth, and go on, conquering and to conquer.” Jesus is restraining and conquering all His and our enemies. This gives us hope to press on, knowing that final victory over the flesh, the world, and the devil is ours even when things seem unwell.
for further study
- 2 Samuel 22
- Psalm 130
- Romans 8:31–39
- Revelation 12:7–12
the bible in a year
- Genesis 38–40
- Matthew 13:24–58