Luke 1:67–80: A Voice for the Coming King

June 17, 2026

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

When John the Baptist was born, Zechariah was finally able to speak again. His silence had resulted from doubting Gabriel's message from the Lord, but now his voice had returned, and he burst forth in praise to God. 

Zechariah's psalm is often called "the Benedictus," a name taken from the Latin word for blessing.^[1] In this song, filled with Old Testament quotations, Zechariah presented truths about God. He did not mention his own son until the final part. 

1. An Exhortation of Praise (Luke 1:68a)

Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and began to prophesy. We often think of the Holy Spirit as coming only to the early believers at Pentecost (Acts 2:1–13). But as we have seen in our study of the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit has been active since creation. His power came upon people for specific, God-given assignments. It was the Holy Spirit who "overshadowed" Mary and caused her to conceive. And when Elizabeth saw Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus, she was "filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women…'" (Luke 1:41–42). Thus, Zechariah's song of praise reminds us that the Holy Spirit has powerfully been at work, preparing the way for the coming of Christ.  

The Holy Spirit prompted the words of Zechariah: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel…" (Luke 1:68a). "Lord God" is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Yahweh Elohim. Yahweh describes God as the personal Father who keeps his covenant with his people. Elohim refers to the all-powerful Creator God who made and sustains all life. When you read "Lord God," think "personal" and "powerful." 

2. The Reason God Should be Praised (Luke 1:68b)

The reason God should be praised is that "he has visited and redeemed his people." The Messiah came to earth to dwell among humanity. As the Gospel writer John says, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). God's visit to earth had a definite purpose: he came to redeem his people—not only the nation of Israel, but the whole world (Gen. 3:15; 12:3; Exod. 19:5–6). Humanity was enslaved to sin, but Jesus came to purchase our freedom by his death on the cross. This freedom is found only through the work of the Messiah.  

3. Deliverance Through the Messiah (Luke 1:69–75)

God "raised up a horn of salvation for us" (Luke 1:69a). The word "horn" symbolizes the strength of an animal, such as the horns of a bull.^[2] Jesus, who came from the "house of his servant David" (Luke 1:69; Rev. 22:16), made atonement for our sins on the cross, demonstrating his spiritual power, and rose from the dead, revealing his ultimate power over death. 

This work of Jesus was not a new revelation. It was foretold "by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old" (Luke 1:70). The salvation he brought delivers us from our enemies, the last and greatest of which is death itself. 

God accomplished all of this through Jesus "to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham…" (Luke 1:72–73). In our study of Scripture, we are never far from the Abrahamic Covenant. Some believe the specific reference here is to Genesis 22:16–18, when Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Isaac but was stopped by an angel. Here we see that God the Father "did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all" (Rom. 8:32). 

The work of Jesus allows us to serve God without fear and approach him with confidence. Because of Jesus, we can live all our days set apart and in right standing before God (Luke 1:74–75). 

4. The Ministry of John (Luke 1:76–79)

Zechariah ends his song of praise by speaking about his son. He says that John will be called "the prophet of the Most High" which is an amazing statement, since Israel has not seen a prophet for 400 years. His son would "go before the Lord to prepare his ways" (Mal. 3:1; Isa. 40:3–4). 

John came "to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins" (Luke 1:77). This was because of the tender mercy of God, who gives "light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79; a quote from Isa. 9:1–2).

John continued to grow and became "strong in spirit." He remained "in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance" (Luke 1:80).

Six months later, another child was born. We'll consider his arrival next time. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read and reflect on Luke 1:67–80. John's mission was to prepare others for the coming of Jesus. What practical steps can you take this week to point someone toward Christ through your words, actions, or testimony?

Talking to God: Ask God to give you the opportunity to point someone to Jesus. 

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