Luke 1:66

And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. AND ALL THEY THAT HEARD THEM LAID UP IN THEIR HEARTS, SAYING, WHAT MANNER OF CHILD SHALL THIS BE! Yet there is every reason to believe that long before John appeared in public all these things were forgotten, nor were recalled even after that by his wonderful success. AND THE HAND OF THE LORD WAS WITH HIM - by special tokens marking him out as destined to some great work (cf. ; ; )....

57-66 In these verses we have an account of the birth of John the Baptist, and the great joy among all the relations of the family. He shall be called Johanan, or "Gracious," because he shall bring in the gospel of Christ, wherein God's grace shines most bright. Zacharias recovered his speech. Unbelief closed his mouth, and believing opened it again: he believers, therefore he speaks. When God opens our lips, our mouths must show forth his praise; and better be without speech, than not use it in praising God. It is said, The hand of the Lord was working with John. God has ways of working on children in their infancy, which we cannot account for. We should observe the dealings of God, and wait the event....

Verse 66. _WHAT MANNER OF CHILD SHALL THIS BE!_] As there have been so many extraordinary things in his conception and birth, surely God has designed him for some extraordinary purpose. These things they _laid up in their heart_, patiently waiting to see what God would work. _THE HAND OF THE LORD WAS WITH HIM._] God _defended_ and _prospered_ him in all things, and the prophetic spirit began to rest upon him....

WHAT MANNER OF CHILD ... - Such were the remarkable circumstances of his birth that they apprehended that he would be distinguished as a prophet, or that great events would result from his life. THE HAND OF THE LORD WAS WITH HIM - The word “hand” is used to denote “aid, protection, favor.” We stretch out the hand to aid those whom we wish to help. The expression here means that God “aided” him, “protected” him, or showed him favor. Some think that these words are a part of the speech of the neighbors - “What manner of child shall this be? God is so evidently with him!”...

EXPOSITION THE origin of the Gospels—the four histories which relate in detail the circumstances of the foundation of Christianity—will ever be an interesting study. Here we shall never know the exact truth of the compilation of these writings, the foundation-stones of all our hopes and fears; a reverent, scholarly speculation is all that can be offered to the student of the Divine memoirs. The speculation, however, probably in this case comes very near the truth. After the Ascension and the events of the first Pentecost, which quickly followed their Master's return to heaven, the twelve and a few others who had walked in the company which followed Jesus during the years of his public ministry no doubt often met together and talked over the teaching and the acts of their risen and now glorified Master. As time passed on, a certain number of these acts, a certain number of the public and...

AND ALL THEY THAT HEARD THEM,.... The above things, laid them up in their hearts; treasured them up in their memories, and often thought of them in their minds, what should be the meaning, and what would be the issue of them: SAYING, WHAT MANNER OF CHILD SHALL THIS BE? what will he be, or come to? and what is it that he shall do? surely he must be designed in providence to be put into some high station, and some eminent work and service; since so many, and such great things, have gone before, and attended his birth: AND THE HAND OF THE LORD WAS WITH HIM; which may intend the special care, and peculiar providence of God in preserving his life, giving him health, causing him to grow strong and robust, and in stature of body, and in endowments of mind; and also the communications of grace unto him, and the gracious presence of God with him, so soon as he was capable of enjoying them; as l...

LUKE 1:66 cei.r kuri,ou h=n {A} Not noticing that the last clause of the verse is an observation made by the evangelist (such occasional remarks are characteristic of Luke; cf. Luke 2:50; Luke 3:15; Luke 7:39; Luke 16:14; Luke 20:20;...

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE Analysis and Annotations I. The Birth and Childhood -- Chapter 1-2:52 CHAPTER 1 _ 1. The Introduction. (Luke 1:1)_ 2. Zacharias and Elizabeth; the Vision. (Luke 1:5) 3. John the Baptist, his birth and ministry announced. (Luke 1:13) 4. Zacharias' Unbelief and Punishment. (Luke 1:18) 5. The Angel's Announcement to the Virgin Mary. (Luke 1:27) 6. Mary's Question and the Answer. (Luke 1:34) 7. Mary Visits Elizabeth ...

THE BIRTH OF JOHN. THE BENEDICTAS. In due course Elisabeth bore her son and received the congratulations of her friends. When the babe has been circumcised and named, his mother rejects the proposal to call him Zacharias and insists on John. The deaf and dumb father confirms his wife's wish, and his power of speech is restored. The whole incident made a great impression in the district, and people recognised that some great future was before the lad, for as he grew up (the last clause of Luke 1:66 is anti cipatory) he was seen to be Divinely guided and protected. Meanwhile Zacharias is inspired and utters a song-prophecy. Luke 1:68, in thoroughly Jewish tone, predicts the deliverance of Israel from the oppressor by a scion of the house of David, and the restoration of the theocracy. In...

AN HISTORIAN'S INTRODUCTION (Luke 1:1-4)...