Loading…

Luke 1–9: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition is unavailable, but you can change that!

Many stories from the Gospel of Luke have entered our shared imagination. Only Luke tells us about Zechariah and Elizabeth and the birth of John the Baptist. Likewise, it is Luke who tells us about Mary’s visit from Gabriel and the joyous encounter some months later with Elizabeth. Luke writes of Mary's song of joy, the shepherds at the manger, and the adoration of Anna and Simeon in the temple. ...

barren Hannah, Mary characterizes her status as that of God’s humble … servant (v 48; see 1 Sam 1:11). Mary is a woman at the lowest levels of village culture, and one now under suspicion of immorality. Her humility is born of shame and gratitude: for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name (v 49). The “Mighty One” is the warrior God (Zeph 3:17). Mary’s response to the situation is to declare God’s holiness, as Hannah did (1 Sam 2:2). Mary describes God’s mercy as extending to
Page 66
Buy this book at Logos.com