Lucas 1
Kent Hughes · Citado em PreceptAustin
Lucas 1
Hughes quips "The relatives assumed that the boy would be “little Zechariah”—“big Zech and little Zech.” That was a nice thought, but a wrong one." (See Luke: That You May Know the Truth)
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Hughes notes that "It is difficult for us to appreciate what a jolt this was to the family (ATTENDING THE BIRTH CELEBRATION), because in that culture children were always named after someone in the family. The double vehemence of the old couple was truly shocking....But there is more to this because by giving the boy a non-family name, God was indicating that his mission and power would come from outside the natural order. Who he was could not be explained by his being the child of his parents. The name John was meant to stir their spiritual imagina-tions." (Preaching the Word - Luke) Luke 1:62 And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. Luke 1:22-note But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute. Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:62 Commentaries Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SIGNING TO ZACHARIAS And they made signs to his father - This is a strange thing to do considering that Zacharias was mute but he was not deaf! Well, maybe not because the Greek word kophos in Lk 1:22 has two main meanings (1) Incapable of speaking = mute (Mt 9.32) or (2) incapable of hearing = deaf (Mk 9.25). Luke is a doctor and thus this detail is not inconsequential, possibly serving to affirm that Zacharias had been struck both deaf and mute. While Spurgeon and the NET Note below think this is the explanation, not everyone agrees so we will have to wait until eternity future to ask him! Spurgeon on they made signs - For he was deaf as well as dumb, a double chastisement for his unbelief, which was now to be graciously removed (Luke 1) NET Note - The crowd was sure there had been a mistake, so they appealed to the child’s father. But custom was not to be followed here, since God had spoken. The fact they needed to signal him (made signs) shows that he was deaf as well as unable to speak. Made signs (only here in NT)(1770)(enneuo) means to signify by bodily movement, and such as to nod at, or make signs by hand gestures. The idea is to communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs. Uses twice in Septuagint of winking the eye (Pr 6:13, Pr 10:10). Luke 1:63 And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, "His name is John." And they were all astonished. a. Pr. 3:3. Is. 30:8. Je. 17:1. Hab. 2:2. His. Luke 1:13, 60. Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:63 Commentaries Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ZACHARIAS SHOWS HE HAS LEARNED THE LESSON And he asked for a tablet - The writing tablet requested by Zacharias would have been a wooden tablet covered with wax, not an Ipad. Tablet (only here in the NT)(4093)(pinakidion) is a diminutive of pinax (board, tablet) and descriibes a writing tablet covered with wax. Not found in the Septuagint. And wrote as follows, "His name is John" - (Hebrew = Yohanan = "Jehovah is gracious" or "The LORD has given grace"). Notice that Zacharias is more definitive than Elizabeth's "but he shall be called John," with a terse, emphatic "His name is John!" God had named the child (Luke 1:13+) and Zacharias, having learned his lesson, obediently gives him that name. John had learned from his affliction and did not hesitate to obey, a beautiful illustration of Psalm 119:71 "It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Thy statutes." And they were all astonished (thaumazo) - Why were they so surprised? Because they had been so certain of what the boy's name would be. Tradition is a strong force in our minds! And they were struck with wonder that Zacharias, a Jewish priest, would break from tradition. This experience at John’s birth is paralleled at Jesus’ birth - When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child (JESUS). And all who heard it wondered (thaumazo) at the things which were told them by the shepherds. (Lk 2:17–18+) Astonished (2296)(thaumazo from thauma [from thaomai = to wonder] = wonder, admiration) means to wonder, marvel, be struck with admiration or astonishment. To be surprised by the unexpected. Thaumazo describes the human response when confronted by divine revelation in some form (Mt 9.33). Be surprised (Gal 1:6). It denotes incredulous surprise. Thaumazo was a rhetorical device used in law courts and politics to attack things done by the opposition party. NIDNTT on Thaumazo in Classic Greek - The word-group associated with thauma is found in Gk. from the 8th and 7th centuries, to designate that which by its appearance arouses astonishment and amazement. The root is cognate with theaomai, to look at. TDNT on Classic Greek uses - The group has first the sense of astonishment, whether critical or inquisitive, then admiration, with a nuance of awe or fear at what is unusual or mysterious, e.g., miracles or oracles in religion, also magical acts or media, and certain phenomena (prior to their explanation) in philosophy. Luke uses thaumazo to express reaction to miraculous events or to teaching (cf. Lk 1:63; 2:18; 4:22; 7:9; 8:25; 9:43; 11:14; 20:26). Thaumazo is found especially in the Gospels - Matt. 8:10; Matt. 8:27; Matt. 9:33; Matt. 15:31; Matt. 21:20; Matt. 22:22; Matt. 27:14; Mk. 5:20; Mk. 6:6; Mk. 15:5; Mk. 15:44; Lk. 1:21; Lk. 1:63; Lk. 2:18; Lk. 2:33; Lk. 4:22; Lk. 7:9; Lk. 8:25; Lk. 9:43; Lk. 11:14; Lk. 11:38; Lk. 20:26; Lk. 24:12; Lk. 24:41; Jn. 3:7; Jn. 4:27; Jn. 5:20; Jn. 5:28; Jn. 7:15; Jn. 7:21; Acts 2:7; Acts 3:12; Acts 4:13; Acts 7:31; Acts 13:41; Gal. 1:6; 2 Thess. 1:10; 1 Jn. 3:13; Jude 1:16; Rev. 13:3; Rev. 17:6; Rev. 17:7; Rev. 17:8 Luke 1:64 And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. his mouth. Luke 1:20. Ex. 4:15, 16. Ps. 51:15. Je. 1:9. Eze. 3:27; 29:21; 33:22. Mat. 9:33. Mark 7:32–37. and he. Ps. 30:7–12; 118:18, 19. Is. 12:1. Da. 4:34–37. Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:64 Commentaries Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ZECHARIAS' TRIAL TERMINATES IN AN UNTIED TONGUE THAT PRAISES GOD At once (parachrema) his mouth was opened (anoigo) and his tongue loosed - Don't miss the miracle! God unties his tongue! Note the reaction of those gathered for this occasion (see Lk 1:65)! At once is parachrema which means instantly, so unlike the so-called miracles of today "faith healers!". A miraculous reversal of Luke 1:20+ and a fulfilment of the angel's prophecy (recall Gabriel said "until the day when these things take place") Zacharias' unbelief had been replaced by belief as one aspect of the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Heb 12:11+)! His faith brought obedience (see Obedience of faith) which brought blessing. We also do well to note that his first reflexive action was to offer praise to God, some of which is recorded in Luke 1:67-79+. Kent Hughes makes an interesting comment that "Significantly, Zechariah’s initial words did not include his son’s name but were an outpouring of praise to God. Think of the spiritual voltage here! Zechariah has endured nine months of speechless frustration, and during the last three a young woman kept talking and asking questions by making signs to him, and he could only respond by scribbling answers on his writing pad. Now all that pent-up frustration poured out in loud, emotional praise. In this way he foreshadowed the future God-glorifying ministry of his son." (See context in Luke: That You May Know the Truth) NET Note on mouth and tongue - The mention of both mouth and tongue here is a figure called zeugma (The joining of two nouns to one verb when logically only one of the nouns goes with the verb) and emphasizes that the end of the temporary judgment came instantly and fully upon Zechariah's expression of faith in naming the child. He had learned to trust and obey God during his short period of silence. He had learned from his trial. John
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Hughes - They could sense God was at work, and an exhilarating reverence coursed through their souls. This resulted in ongoing spiritual conversations—an eminently healthy state. (See context in Luke: That You May Know the Truth) NET Note adds this note on mind in the present passage - "The term "heart" (kardia) could also be translated as "mind," or "thoughts," and the entire phrase be rendered as "kept them in mind," "thought about," or the like. But the immediate context is clearly emotive, suggesting that much more is at work than merely the mental processes of thinking or reasoning about "these things." There is a sense of joy and excitement (see the following question, "What then will this child be?") and even fear. Further, the use of kardia in Luke 1:66 suggests connections with the same term in Luke 2:19-+ where deep emotion is being expressed as well. Therefore, recognizing both the dramatic nature of the immediate context and the literary connections to Luke 2:19, the NET translation renders the term in Luke 1:66 as "hearts" to capture both the cognitive and emotive aspects of the people's response." "What then will this child (paidion) turn out to be?"- Just what is this boy John going to become? What is this child's future going to be? There was a sense of Messianic hope and expectation given the supernatural circumstances surrounding John's birth. In other words, there would have been a sense that "God is up to something!" ILLUSTRATION - William Barclay shared a story about a teacher that pertained to this question. He said, "There was an old Latin schoolmaster who always bowed gravely to his class before he taught them. When he was asked why, he answered, 'Because you never know what one of these lads will turn out to be.'" The birth of any child is a birth of possibilities. What would become of John the Baptist? Concerning his early childhood and early adult years, Luke gives us one verse, Luke 1:80! THOUGHT FROM MATTOON - "What will you turn out to be? What will you become?" We usually ask these questions to people that are young. We need to be asking these questions of ourselves right now, no matter what are age. I don't care if you are five, fifteen, twenty-five, fifty-five, or eighty-five. What will you become? What will you be ten years from now if Jesus tarries and you live that long? Will you be faithful to live for Christ or fizzle out? Beloved, what you are tomorrow is affected by what you have done and the choices you have made in your past. More importantly, what you are tomorrow is being determined by what you are and do today. The foundations of your life in the future are laid by your past and present. Yesterday is gone, but today is a new day. You can do something about today. If you have failed in the past, then today, you can make the decision to get your life right with God and others and take the steps to be faithful to the Lord from this time forth in your life. The power of being faithful to Christ rests in what happens today. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not here yet. You do, however, have today to make your life count for Jesus Christ. Your past may be filled with great blessings and achievements for Christ, but you can foul that up today. You cannot live in the past for that time is dead and used up. Today is a new day to live your life for the Lord and make your life count for Him. If you will take one day at a time to be surrendered to Christ, you will finish your life in victory and faithfulness. You will turn out to be a Christian that honors God. THE HAND OF THE LORD WITH JOHN THE BAPTIST For the Hand of the Lord (kurios) was certainly with him - Don't miss the "for" (gar) which is a term of explanation, which should always cause us to pause and ask what is the author explaining? What is Luke explaining in this case? That from the circumstances of John's supernatural angelic birth announcement, his miraculous conception and his birth, the good Hand of the Lord was certainly with him. What does the hand of the Lord signify? First note that this is the "good" hand (SAVING POWER of HIs Hand in Acts 11:21+), not the "bad" hand (JUDGMENT as in Acts 13:11+, Jdg 2:15, 1 Sa 5:6, 9, Isa 51:17), the latter being associated with God's displeasure. To the contrary, John experienced the good hand of the Lord signifying His presence, His power (cf Ezra 7:9, 7:28, Ezek 3:14), His provision (Ezra 7:6, Ps 104:28), His direction, His grace, His blessing, etc. No one is more secure than the one who is held in God’s hand (Jn 10:28). Merrill says that “The ‘hand of the Lord”‘ is always a metaphor for His power." The hand of the Lord that came upon John is an anthropomorphism expressing the direct control and divine empowerment that Yahweh exercised over John the Baptist. The hand of the Lord on John would enable him to accomplish his difficult ministry. THOUGHT - We too need the good hand of the Lord upon our life and ministry if we are to accomplish anything of God pleasing, God glorifying, and of eternal value! (cf 2 Cor 3:5, 6+, Jn 15:5, Jn 15:16). You ask then how can I assure the GOOD hand of the Lord is on me? There is more than one answer but for sake of time and space we will look at one very clear illustration. Ezra gives us the perfect "template" to follow in Ezra 7:9-10+ "For on the first of the first month he began to go up from Babylon; and on the first of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, because the good hand of his God was upon him. 10 For (TERM OF EXPLANATION = EXPLAINS WHY THE GOOD HAD OF THE LORD WAS UPON EZRA) Ezra had (1) set his heart (2) to study the law of the LORD (3) and to practice it (A DOER, NOT JUST A HEARER - James 1:22+), and (4) to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel." Notice it all begins with our HEART! Compare Proverbs 4:23+. God’s hand that holds the ocean’s depths Can hold my small affairs; His hand that guides the universe, Can carry all my cares. —Anon. John