xxvi. 63, 61. Mark i. 1. John i. 34:

xx. 31. Acts Rom. i. 4.

viii. 37.

power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called i the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, Matt. xiv. 33: she hath also conceived a son in her old age and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For k with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. ch. xviii. 27. 39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 and entered 1 Josh. xxi. 9, into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

1

trender, kinswoman.

▾ render, no word.

As Christ was made of the substance of
the Virgin, so He was not made of the
substance of the Holy Ghost, Whose es-
sence cannot at all be made. And because
the Holy Ghost did not beget Him by any
communication of His essence, therefore He
is not the Father of Him, though He were
conceived by Him." (Pearson on the
Creed, p. 165, 166.) shall overshadow
thee] The figure is perhaps from a bird
(as Grotius: see Ps. xci. 4), or from a
cloud: see Mark ix. 7.
holy thing]
Some render, that which shall be born (of
thee) shall be called holy, the Son of God.
But it is more simple to take it as A. V.,
that holy thing, &c.
36. thy kins-
woman] What relation, nowhere appears
in Scripture; and traditions are not worth
recounting. But we must take the word
in the narrower sense, not in the wider
reference of Rom. ix. 3. Elisabeth was of
the tribe of Levi: but this need not hinder
connexion by marriage with other tribes.
Aaron himself married into Judah, Exod.
vi. 23. We find in Judges xvii. 7 a young
man of the family of Judah who was a
Levite. Philo says, "Moses ordered the
high priest to marry not only a virgin,
but one of priestly descent... but the
other priests were permitted to marry other
than the daughters of priests."

38.]

Her own faithful and humble assent is here given to the divine announcement which had been made to her. I believe that her conception of the Lord is to be dated from the utterance of these words. So Euthymius, and similarly Irenæus, Tertullian, Athanasius, Maldonatus, Grotius. Light foot, holding a different opinion, says, “I own, that it is the general opinion, that the Virgin conceived at Nazareth, in the instant when the Angel spoke with her." She was no unconscious vessel of the divine

41 And

u render, is called.
W render, these.

Gen. xviii. 14.

Jer. xxxii. 17.
Zech. viii. 6.
Matt. xix. 26.
Mark x. 21.

Rom. iv. 21.

10, 11.

will, but (see ver. 45), in humility and
faith, a fellow-worker with the purpose of
the Father; and therefore her own unity
with that purpose was required, and is
here recorded. 39-56.] VISITATION

OF ELISABETH BY MARY.
39. The
situation of Elisabeth was not before this
known to Mary; and on the intelligence
of it from the angel, she arose and went
to congratulate her kinswoman. But
before this the events related in Matt. i.
18-25 had happened. Mary being
betrothed to Joseph, had no communica-
tions with him, except through the brides-
maids; who, on the first indications of her
pregnancy, represented it to him. This
would not take longer time than the ex-
pression might include-possibly three or
four weeks. Then happened Matt. i. 19,
20; and immediately Joseph took her
home. As a betrothed virgin she could
not travel: but now immediately, and
perhaps for the very reason of the cir-
cumstances under which Joseph had taken
her home, she visits Elisabeth - remaining
with her about three months, ver. 56. So
that we have, five months, during which
Elisabeth hid herself, together with the
sixth month, during which takes place
the Annunciation, the discovery of Mary's
pregnancy, her taking home by Joseph,
together with three months visit of Mary,
making up together nine months, nearly
her full time: see ver. 57. The words
rendered a city of Juda may possibly
mean "the city of Juttah," which (Josh.
xxi. 16) was given, together with Hebron
(in the hill country of Judæa : ib. ver. 11),
and other neighbouring cities, to the
children of Aaron the priest.
But it

may also mean a city of Juda;' and
this is perhaps more likely, as no place of
residence is mentioned for Zacharias in

m ver. 28.

Judg. v. 24.

it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, m Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her n1 Sam. ii. 1, from the Lord. 46 And Mary said, " My soul doth magnify

Ps. xxxiv. 2,

3: XXXV. 9.

n

Hab. 18. the Lord, 47 and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my

o 1 Sam. i. 11,

6.

Ps. cxxxviii. Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his render for perspicuity (see note), Mary's salutation.

y literally, cry.

ver. 23,-and one would hardly be introduced so abruptly here.

It is not Jerusalem; for that would hardly have been described as in the hill country; and from vv. 23, 65, the Evangelist clearly indicates some other place than Jerusalem as the residence of the parents of John.

No

41.] The salutation uttered by Elisabeth is certainly implied to have been an inspiration of the Holy Spirit. intimation had been made to her of the situation of Mary. The movement of the babe in her womb (possibly for the first time) was part of the effect of the same spiritual influence. The known mysterious effects of sympathy in such cases, at least lead us to believe that there may be corresponding effects where the causes are of a kind beyond our common experience.

'The salutation of Mary' might be taken to mean the Annunciation: better therefore as in margin, Mary's salutation.

42.] The word rendered Blessed has a double meaning: that of blessed,-from above-blessed among women, i. e. beyond other women; and praised,-from below -i.e. called blessed by women. The former is the best rendering here: and then among women will be the Hebrew superlative, as in Jer. xlix. 15, and Song of Sol. i. 8.

43.] The word Lord, as applied to the unborn babe, can no otherwise be explained than as uttered in the spirit of prophecy, and expressing the divine nature of our Lord: see especially Ps. cx. 1, from which Bleek thinks the expression is adopted. 45.] The words may be rendered either as in A. V. (so also the Vulgate, Erasmus, Beza, Meyer), blessed is she that believed, for, &c.-or as in

z render, in exultation.

margin of A. V., blessed is she that believed that there shall be. The last is maintained by Bengel and De Wette, and supported by Acts xxvii. 25. I much prefer the former rendering, as agreeable likewise to the analogy of Scripture, where faith, in the recipient of the divine purposes, is so often represented as a co-ordinate cause of the fulfilment of those purposes. Lightfoot well suggests, that there may have been present to the mind of Elisabeth the unbelief of her husband, as contrasted with Mary's faith.

46-55.] Compare throughout the song of Hannah, Sam. ii. 1-10.

As connected with the defence of the hymns contained in these two chapters, we may observe, taking the very lowest ground, that there is nothing improbable, as matter of fact, in holy persons, full of the thoughts which run through the O. T. prophecies, breaking out into such songs of praise as these, which are grounded on and almost expressed in the words of Scripture. The Christian believer however will take a higher view than this, and attribute to the mother of our Lord that same inspiration of the Holy Spirit which filled Elisabeth (ver. 41) and Zacharias (ver. 67). 46. My soul... my spirit] the whole inner being: see on 1 Thess. v. 23. my Saviour] not merely Deliverer from degradation, as a daughter of David'-but, in a higher sense, author of that salvation which God's people expected: among whom the Holy Virgin reckons herself. Only sinners need a Saviour. 48.] regarded, i. e. looked upon. Bleek remarks, that look upon my son' ix. 38, is "have mercy in Matt. xvii. 15.

" in Luke on my son low estate, or con

mighty from their
53 w He hath filled

ch. xi. 27.

cxxvi. 2, 3.

Ps. cxi. 9.

Exod. xx. 6. Ps. ciii. 17, 18.

t Ps. xcviii. 1:

exviii. 15. Ps.xxxii. 10. Sam. ii. 6,

Isa. xl. 10: li. 9: ii. 10.

1 Pet. v. 5.

&c. Job v. 11.

6

Ps.cxiii.

w 1 Sam. ii. 5.

P. xxxiv. 10.

x Ps. xcviii. 3.

20.

Jer. xxxi. 3,
Gen. xvii. 19.

Ps. cxxxii. 11.
Rom. xi. 28.

Gal. iii. 16.

handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth P all generations P Mal. ii, 12. shall a call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath 4 Ps. xxi. 19: done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50 And s his mercy bis on them that fear him from generation to s Gen. xvii. 7. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; generation. " he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 v He hath put down the seats, and exalted them of low degree. the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, * in remembrance of his mercy 55 ( as he spake to our fathers) to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. 56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. 57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with z ver. 14. her. 59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they a Gen. xvii, 12. came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60 And his mother answered and said, "Not so; but he shall be called John. ver. 13. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is ever. 13.

2

с

Lev xii. 3.

a literally, shall congratulate me, or account me happy. brender and read, is unto generations and generations to them that fear him.

render, potentates from thrones.

d render, kinsfolk. render, for the purpose of circumcising; to avoid the ambiguity in render, were calling.

came to.

dition, not humility; the noun is an objec-
tive one.
Ver. 55 is not rendered in
the A. V. according to the construction;
from Ps. xcvii. 3 it will be seen that in
remembrance of his mercy to Abraham
are to be joined together, and therefore
as he spake to our fathers will be paren-
thetical. See Micah vii. 20. 57-79.]
BIRTH AND NAMING OF JOHN THE
BAPTIST. 59.] they were calling-
wished to call the imperfect tense is here
in its strict meaning, as in Matt. viii. 24.
The names of children were given at cir-
cumcision, because, at the institution of
that rite, the names of Abram and Sarai

were changed to Abraham and Sarah,-
Gen. xvii. 5, 15.
60.] There is no
reason for supposing, with some Commen-
tators, that Elisabeth had had the name
supernaturally intimated to her. She must
necessarily have learnt it, in the course of
communication by writing, from her hus-
62. The natural inference
(see on ver. 22) from this verse is, that
Zacharias was deaf as well as dumb; nor
do I think that the objectors have suc-
ceeded in invalidating this inference. There
could have been no reason for beckoning,
had Zacharias been able to hear articulate
words.
63. a writing table] A

band.

d ver. 20.

e ver. 39.

fch. ii. 19, 51.

g Gen. xxxix. 2.

Ps. lxxx. 17:

lxxxix. 21. Acts xi. 21. h Joel ii. 28.

i 1 Kings i. 48. Ps. xli. 13: lxxii. 18:

k

cvi. 48.

64 d And his mouth was

John. And they marvelled all.
opened immediately, and his tongue [ loosed], and he
spake, and praised God. 65 And fear came on all that
dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised
abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa.
66 And

e

all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be ! h And & the hand of the Lord was with him. 67 And his father Za

Exod. iii, 16: charias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, cxi. 9. ch. vii. saying, 68 i Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he

iv. 31. Ps.

16.

1 P. xxxii. 17. hath visited and i redeemed his people, 69 and hath raised

m Jer. xxiii. 5,

6: xxx. 10.

Acts iii. 21.

Rom. i. 2.

n Lev. xxvi. 42. Ps. xcviii. 3:

ex,

45. Ezek.

xvi. 60. ver.

54.

Dan. ix. 24. up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70 m as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 71 that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72 n to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73 ° the oath Heb. ix. which he sware to our father Abraham, 74 that he would 40. Eph. iv. grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of

o Gen. xii. 3

xvii. 4: xxii.

16, 17. Heb. vi. 18, 17.

p Rom. vi. 18,

14.

q Jer. xxxii. 39,

24. 2 Thess.

i. 9. Tit. ii. 12.

i. 4.

ii. 13. 2 Tim. our enemies might Pserve him without fear, 75 9 in holiness 1Pet. 15 and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 76 1 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to

r Isa. xl. 3. Mal. iii. 1: iv. 5. Matt.

xi. 10. ver.

17.

h

not in the original.

read, For also.

k literally, mercy with our fathers.

tablet smeared with wax, on which they wrote with a style, or sharp iron point.

they marvelled all] This also confirms the view that Zacharias was deaf. There would be nothing wonderful in his acceding to his wife's suggestion, if he had known it: the coincidence, apparently without this knowledge, was the matter of wonder. 64.] For now first had the angel's words, "thou shalt call his name John," ver. 13, received their fulfilment.

66. For also...] A remark inserted by the Evangelist himself, not a further saying of the speakers in the verse before, as Kuinoel and others maintain. The for refers back to the question just asked, And they might well enquire thus, for '

&c.

68-79.] This Hymn of thanksgiving appears to have been uttered at the time of the circumcision of the child (in which case the matters related in vv. 65, 66 are parenthetical and anticipatory) and, as the Magnificat, under the immediate influence of inspiration of the Holy

1

read, Moreover. Ghost. It is entirely Hebrew in its cast and idioms, and might be rendered in that language almost word for word. It serves, besides its own immediate interest to every Christian, to show to us the exact religious view under which John was educated by his father. 69.] an horn

-a metaphor from horned beasts, who are
weak and defenceless without, but for-
midable with their horns. There does not
seem to be any allusion to the horns of the
altar-the mere notion of a refuge is
never connected with the Messiah's King-
dom. 74, 75.] The attempts to re-
move the Jewish worship by Antiochus
Epiphanes and by the Romans, had been
most calamitous to the people.
in holiness and righteousness sufficiently
refutes the idea of some, that the whole
subject of this song is the temporal theo-
cratic greatness of the Messiah.
It is not necessary to interpret the Lord
of the Messiah: it may be said of God,
whose people (ver. 77) Israel was. But

This

76.]

prepare his ways; 77 to give knowledge of salvation unto his people sm by the remission of their sins 78 n through the s Marki. 4. tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79 t to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 80 And "the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his

II. 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went

n render, on account of the bowels of
should be inconsistent with dogmatic
truth, is impossible: that it should unfold
it minutely, is in the highest degree im-
probable, 80.] A very similar con-
clusion to those in ch. ii. 40, 52, and
denoting probably the termination of that
record or document of the birth of the
Baptist, which the Evangelist has hitherto
been translating, or perhaps transcribing
already translated. That this first