Annotations Upon the New Testament, Luke · Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
LVke collected an Evangelicall History in the fiftieth year after Mark. See Grotius on ver. 1.Gerhard.
He was the perpetuall Companion of Paul in his travells.Librum autem & hunc & qui est de Actibus Apostolocis scriptum arbitror non multo post quam Paulus Roma abijt in Hispaniam. Nam in id tempus desinit Actorum liber, qui si serius scriptus esset, in ulteriora etiam tempora narrationem protenderet. Puto autem Roma ijsse Lucam in Achaiam, atque ibi ab eo conscriptos quos habemus libros, quod & Hieronymus prodidit, sunt qui decimo quinto post Christi ascensum anno, sunt qui secundo & vicefimo id factum narrant. Grotius. 2 Tim. 4.11. Col. 4.17. Philem. 24. He only makes a preface before his Gospell that he may briefly shew the reason which induced him to write. He was a Syrian by nation, being born at Antioch the Metropolis of Syria, and by his calling a Physitian.
His speech both in the Gospell and Acts is more elegant,Jerome on Esay 6. and savours of secular eloquence.
A Father said of Sains Lukes Gospell, which he dedicated to Theophylus (which signifieth a lover of God) Si Deum diligis ad te scriptum est: If thou beest one that lovest God, this Gospell is written to thee.
Vers. 1. Many] Either Matthew and Marke published before Luke, as Chemnit, foreign non significat vanū conatum, sed ad verbum significat manum operi admovere vel aliquid aggredi. Vide Grot. & Scultet. Exercitat. Evang. l. 1. c. 1. Certe Matthaeum & Marcum à Luca fuisse reprehensos, concedi nullo modo potest. Nam dubium, utrum Lucas ante Matthaeum & Marcum, an Matthaeus & Marcus ante Lucam scripserint, & vox foreign, non duos, sed plures designat: quemadmodum velex Epiphanio notum est, plures in describenda Historia Evangelica fuisse occupatos. Lucas scriptores alios nec mendacij, nec erroris, nec incertitudinis, nec imperfectionis arguit proaemio suo, sed causas tantum scriptionis suae exponit: Exemplum aliorum: notitiam exactae Historiae: confirmationem fidei sacrae Historiae. Scultet. Exercit. Evang. l. 1. c. 1.or some false Apostles and Evangelists, whereof there were many.
He calls in this proaemium the Gospell a narration, or declaration, which the Apostles viva voce delivered concerning the Person, Life, Office, and Actions, of Christ, which the whole Apostolicall Church then received with a certaine faith and full assent. Chemnit.
Most surely beleeved] Or fully perswaded;foreign dicūtur ea quae certo explorata & firmis testimoniis quod ita se habebant comprobata sunt, ut nullus sit dubitationi locus: sed animus certa fide & plena assensione merito & tutò assentiatur. Chemnit. the word in the originall which signifieth to be fully perswaded, is a metaphor borrowed from ships which are carried with full saile, and it signifies a most certaine perswasion of the truth of things which have been sufficiently proved to us, so Grotius.
Vers. 2. Even as they delivered them unto us, &c.] The sense is,Eye witnesses] Plus est oculatus testis unus quam auriti decem. Calvin. Har… Vide Bezam & Capelli S… cileg. that that is the true Doctrine of the Gospell, which the Apostles as Embassadours, being called by God, and sent to preach, delivered viva voce through the whole world, as the rest, or in writing, as Matthew.
Vers. 3. Having had perfect understanding] The Greeke word is metaphorically deduced from them which tread in others steps lest ought should escape them, for Luke would declare unto us a diligent study and manner of learning.
From the very first] He declares the cause why he writes after the other Evangelists, because he enquired after the conception, birth, and education as well of John Baptist as Christ, and began thence.
Vers. 4. That thou mightest know the certainty of those things] foreign is properly such a certaintie by which we are certaine that we do not erre.
Vide Scultet. exercit. Evang. l. 1. c. 1.Wherein thou hast been instructed] Or catechized, foreign, that is, wherein thou hast beene hitherto taught by a lively voyce either before or after baptisme, foreign in Paul and Luke signifies to teach the rudiments of Christian Religion, viva voce. Gal. 6.6. Whence the candidates of baptisme were called Catechumeni in the primitive Church, because before baptisme the first principles of the Christian faith were taught them by their teachers viva voce. Lucas Brugensis.
Vers. 5. Of the c…urse of Abia] That is, the weeke *Latinus interpres foreign modo vices, modo turmas vertit, rectius Classes dixisset more Romano, mentio harum Glassium frequens in sacris literis. 1. Paral. 23.6. & 28.13.21. 2. Par. 5.10. & 23.8. & 31.2.15.17. & 35.4. Scultet. Exercit. Evang. l. 1. c. 7.of Abia. 2 Chron. 23.8. For the family of Abia was not now extant among the courses, there is no mention at all of him among the Priests that returned out of captivity, and therefore the Evangelist saith not that Zacharie was of his family, but of his course, that is, of a course that bare his name. Mr. Lightfoot of the Temple-service.
Vers. 6. Righteous before God] That is, upright, Walking in all the Commandements and ordinances of the Lord blamelesse] Commandements, That is, matters of morality and perpetuall necessity, Ordinances] That is, all such outward appurtenances to the worship of God as were required.
Vers. 7. And they had no child, because that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in yeares] Elizabeth was barren in the flower of her age,Calvin. and old age makes fruitfull women barren, therefore in two obstacles there is a double wonder of the divine power, and that the Lord by a stretched hand from heaven might witnesse, that the Prophet was sent by him.
Vers. 12. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled] Both by reason of the new and unusuall vision, and also because of the Majestie of the Angell appearing, for hee appeared in a heavenly shape.Iudg. 13.21. Dan. 10.8. See v. 29. Even good men have been afraid at the presence of good Angells, when they have come with good tidings.
Corpus mortale tumultus non velit aetherios.
Vers. 15. He shall be great] Both by reason of gifts and authority, and especially by reason of office.
Chemnit.In the sight of the Lord] That is, in the Church or in the Ministerie of the Lord, because he did as it were point with his finger at the present Messiah.
Shall be filled with the Holy Ghost] The filling with the Spirit signifies excellent, singular, and extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, or abundance of gifts. For those which are furnished with the peculiar gifts of the Holy Ghost beyond the common reason of the vulgar are said to be full of the Spirit.Chemnit. Act. 6.5. and 11.24.
Vers. 17. The disobedient] The Greek word may signifie either such as will not be perswaded to believe, or rebellious. Both doth imply some stubbornesse, and therefore the Syriacke translation hath it, stubborne.
Cartw. Vide Sculter. exercit. Evang. l. 1. c. 9. Chemnit. Ita hic Angelus dicitur, quia eo ministro Deus utitur ad summam potentiam suā explicandam. Hujus nominis recitatione Zacharias ad Danielis librum revocatur, quasi dicat Angelus: mirari noli, si quid nunc eximium & naturae ordinem superans Deus efficit. Instant enim illa tempora Danieli indicata, quibus potentiam suam Deus amplissimè est exserturus. Hebraeorum magistri aiunt severitatis ministrum esse Michaelem, Gabrielem misericordiae, ideo illum una ala volare, hunc duabus. Similique de causa Michaelem vocant ignem, Gabrielem vero aquam. Grotius.Vers. 19. I am Gabriel] Gabriel signifies the strong of the mighty God, by this hee would teach Zacharie, that he ought to be admonished by beholding of him, not to measure this businesse by humane weakenesse. It makes also for the confirmation of the certainety, that the same Angell which foretold the supputation of the time of the Messiah, Dan. 9.21. Should declare the accomplishment of it.
That stand in the presence of God] That is, which serve him, as the Lord lives in whose presence I stand, that is whom I serve. Grotius thinkes it is a speech taken from the Courts in the East, and is as much as if he should say that he is not every servant, but a Prince of the Heavenly kingdome. See Matth. 18.10.
Vox Graeca mutum & surdum significat. Vide v. 62.Vers. 22. Remained speechlesse] He was a Priest of Aarons seed, to signifie that the end of his Priest-hood was at hand, and that the people should looke for another Priest.
Vers. 24. Hid her selfe] The word in the originall signifies very secret hiding.Hoc ideo fiebat quod de re subdubitans, noluit rem evulgari, priusquam eam ex vitali infantis in utero motu, compertam haberet; nam circiter quinque menses infans se ad matris sensum movere solet. Cartwrightus. in Harm. Evang. Hiding is comming into lesse company than ordinary. five months] A month is here to be taken as women in their matters use to count a month. Piscator thinkes it hard to be told why five months are mentioned. Beza alledgeth three causes, either because all Jewish women used to do so; or she misdoubted whether it would fall so yea or no; or because hiding her selfe so long, and then comming abrod on the sudden, the wonder might seeme the greater. Chemnitius saith because she was ashamed to have lust now in her old age, because she might at her first coming abroad, convince that she was with child.
The Arabicke hath it, & occultavit graviditatem suam, she hid her being with child,De Dieu. comment. in loc. lest we should think that she was not seen by any for five whole months, but that she conceald her being with child, for in the five first months those which are with child are not so big but it may be hid from those that behold them if they be silent, especially if by reason of their great age, there be no cause to suspect so much.
Vers. 25. My reproach] In that she cals it her reproach rather than her husbands, we thence learne (saith Cartwright) that either yoakfellow ought rather to ascribe the sault of barrennesse to themselves, rather than to lay it on the other.
Vers. 28. Highly favoured] or graciously accepetd, or much graced. vers. 28. In hac Mariae descriptione videmus nihil de sanctitate & pietate Virginis admistum, cum tamen illud in uxore Zachariae diligentissimè factum sit: Scriptura enim praescia superstitionum, quae olim Virginis in cultu, & nimia existimatione exstiturae essent, in ea parte silentium sequuta est. Cartw. in Harm. Evang.The Greeke word signifieth freely beloved, not full of grace, both here and Ephes. 1. in Chrysostomes judgement.
The Monkes have depraved these words, and say, that Mary is full of grace as the necke of the Church, as Christ is the Head, and that blessed among women, they have in their postils transformed into this blasphemous sentence, let women be blessed in thee, as men in the Son Christ.
These holy words of the Angell are prophanely, superstitiously,Fulke in his Annotat. on the Rhem. Test. and idolatrously abused by the ignorant Papists, as a prayer, when they are none, mumbled in Latine, whereof they know not the sense, said unto stockes and stones, yea to God himselfe.
The Lord is with thee] That forme is most usuall in Scripture, but it is used two wayes. 1. Optativè, let the Lord be with thee. Iosh. 1.17. 1 Chron. 22.1. 2. Indicativè, Chemnit.the Lord shall be with thee. 1 Kings 10.7. Iud. 6.12.Sumo non indicativa sed potius apprecativa significatione. Grotius.This latter signification doth better agree to the Angels sentence. Gabriel might so speake because she was about to conceive and bring forth Immanuell, which is God with us.
Blessed art thou among women] Or rather blessed be thou, it is taken out of Iud. 5.14. See Ruth. 3.10.
Vers. 29. She was troubled at his saying] As before in Zacharie, v. 12. It is taken from stirred water, and signifies perplexity of thoughts, when one cannot tell what resolutely to think. Iohn 11.33. and 13.21.
Vers. 31. Shalt call his name Iesus] That which Esay called Immanuell, Grotius. Therefore Matthew saith that propheci… is fulfilled in imposing of the Name Iesus.the Angell called Iesus performing the office of an Interpreter, whence it appeares, that there is the same signification in both. For whether we say this is he by whom God is favourable to us, (which Immanuell signifies,) or this is our Saviour, the sence is one.
Vers. 32. He shall be called great] 1. In respect of his Person, because He was both God and man. 2. In respect of his Office. 3. In respect of his kingdome. Chemnit.
The throne of David his father] Christ may be said to have the throne of David two wayes. 1. Properly, for he was borne King of the Jews, by right discent from his Father David, as his genealogy plainely sheweth. Luke 3. Matth. 2.2. 2. Typically,Esay 9.6.7. for Davids kingdome was a figure of Christs kingdome, and David himselfe a type of Christ. Ier. 23.5, 6. Hos. 3.5.
Vers. 33. And of his kingdome there shall be no end] Obj. 1 Cor. 15.24. It is said, Christ shall deliver up the kingdome to the Father. Dan. 4.3. Esay 9.7.Ans. Luke speaketh of Christs kingdome in respect of it selfe, the Apostle in respect of the administration of it. In the former respect it shall never be abolished, Christ shall alwayes have a people to rule, but He shall not rule as now he doth by Magistrates, Ministers, the word and Sacraments.
Non dubitantis esse arbitror, sed admirantis. Virum Cogno. vit. etiam apud Ovidium est. Grotius.Vers. 34. How shall this bee] There is threefold how] viz. of curiosity, incredulity, and infirmity, she doubted not of the effect, but inquired after the quality of the effect it selfe.
The Holy Ghost did as it were cast a Cloud over her. Luk. 24.49. Act. 1.8. To teach us that we should not search over much into the mysterie of incarnat…on. Mr. Perkins.Vers. 35. The manner of her conception is expressed in those two Phrases of comming on her and overshadowing her, to shew that this was an effectuall worke, and yet so difficult to conceive that we cannot reach unto it.
The power of the most High] That is, the Holy Ghost.
Over shadow] A metaphore from birds cherishing their young ones, that so the Angell may shew that this child shall arise by that power by which the world it selfe began.Grotius. See Iunius on Gen. 1.2.
foreign.Vers. 41. The babe leaped in her wombe] The Greeke word signifieth to leap as lambes and calves being well fed. The word is used by the LXX. for Iacob and Esaus stirring in the wombe. Gen. 25.22.
Vers. 42. Blessed art thou among women] We do acknowledge that the Virgin Mary was blessed among women, as here, and a blessed woman, as 28. and 48. verses, yet more blessed as Austin saith in receiving the faith,i.e. Felicissima mulieril. Martin. Grammat. Heb. l. 2. c. 5. i.e. Laudatissima foeminarum Caninius. Vide Spanhem. Dub. Evang. parte secunda. Dub. 48.49. Bellarmine and Gregorie de Valentia, end their bookes thus. Laus Deo, virginique Matri Mariae Deo iterum filio. Dicunt à foro justitiae Dei appellandum esse ad forum miserecordiae marris ejus, & multos, quos justitia Christi damnat, miserecordia matris ejus servari. then in conceiving the flesh of Christ. We count her holy, meeke, humble, we praise God for her, that he made her the instrument of Christs coming into the world, and desire to imitate those vertues and excellencies that were in her. But the Papists commit grosse Idolatry, they give her the titles of Mediatrix, Salvatrix, Shee-Saviour, Queene of Heaven, Queene of mercy, They paralel ubera & vulnera, making the milke of Mary to be as precious as the bloud of Christ, they call her unicam miserorum spem.
O Foelix puerpera
Nostra pians scelerae
Iure matris impera
Redemptori.
Calvin saith, if she should now live and see that honour which is due onelyonly to God, given to her, she had rather they should draw her about by the haire, spit in her face and offer her the foulest abuse that may be.
Vers. 43. And whence is this to mee, that the mother of my Lord should come to mee] They are not the words of one being ignorant or doubting,Origen, Ambrose. Beda. but affirming her selfe unworthy. Ruth. 2.10.
Vers. 44. The babe leaped in my womb for joy] In gaudio magno the Syriack, that is for great joy. This motion was not naturall *Haec exultatio facta est divinitus in infante non humanitus ab infante. Augustinus. Gracè foreign id est, exiliit in exultatione, licet enim foreign significet gesticulationem, significat tamen gaudium quoque & exultationem, quae gestiendo & exiliendo ostenditur. Cornel. à Lapide in locum.but spirituall, and therefore Iohn was sanctified in his Mothers wombe, and did really rejoyce at the presence of Christ in the Virgin.
The word foreign signifies outward gesticulation or exultation, as Psal. 65.13. and so it is to be understood here: The Babe in my womb leaped with extraordinary gesticulation or exultation.
Vers. 46. My soule doth magnifie the Lord, &c.] Compare this ode with that which Hannah sung after Samuel was borne. 1 Sam. 2. For as Peter martyr hath observed, they are so like, that the blessed Virgin seemes to have taken much out of that song.
Vers. 47. And my sprit hath rejoyced] foreign The Greek word signifieth exulting, such a joy as we use to expresse by outward signes in the body, as dancing. The Syriacke hath a word whence an exclamation made for joy is deduced: Euge, Euge. Some by soule would have the understanding to be meant, and by Spirit the will. à Lapide, by soule would have the inferiour part of the soule to be meant, which respects naturall things, by the Spirit the Superiour, which respects divine and Spirituall things.
In God my Saviour] Who both delivers and keeps me, and is the author of perpetuall salvation, for the word foreign comprehends these three benefits of grace. The Syriack renders it, In Deo vivificatore meo.foreign aut foreign dicitur opus potentissimum, qualis erat virginalis conceptio. Grotius.
Vers. 51. He hath shewed strength with his arme] A great power of God is declared by his finger, greater by his hand, greatest by his arme. See Exod. 15.16. and Psal. 76.16. and 89.14. and 97.1. Esay 40.10. and 62.8. Iob. 40.4.
Vers. 53. He hath filled the hungry with good things] By the hungry are meant those who feel themselves void of grace, yea, as it were pined and starved for want of it *Perkins on Jude. Adverte hic Judaeos non semper in Synagoga fuisse circumcisos. Nam Joannem domi fuisse circumcisum colligitur ex versu sequenti, Cornel. à Lap..
Vers. 59. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child] We collect saith Calvin from the words of Luke, that although they circumcised their Infants at home, yet they were not wont to do it without the company of many men, and that deservedly, for since it was a common Sacrament, it ought not to be administred privately.
Vers. 66. The hand of the Lord was with him] The grace of God was many wayes conspicuous, which openly shewed that he should not be an ordinary man.Calvin. Manus id est, potentia, providentia, cura, gratia, & favor (horum enim omnium symbolum est manus) mirabilis Dei ostendebat se in puer… hoc, scilicet Joanne Cornel. à Lap.
Vers. 68. Blessed be the Lord God] He is worthy of praise, or Let the Lord be celebrated and extolled, redeemed] or as the words are, hath wrought redemption, Chemnit.the Syriack is, fecit ei redemptionem. That is, by Christ incarnate inchoativè.
Vers. 69. An horne of salvation] That is, a mighty Saviour for us, 2 Sam. 22.3. Psal. 132.2. Thou hast laid help on one that is mighty, which Esay expounds, mighty to save, Esay 63.1. The glory and strength of horned beasts consists in their hornes.Metaphora sumpta à cornutis animalibus quae cornibus se defendunt, & adversarios prosternunt, Chemnit. Cornu Hebroeis robur significat. Vide Grotium. Cornu per Catachresin in Scriptura significat robur, potentiam, victoriam, gloriam, & consequenter regnum. Cornel. à Lap.
Vers. 70. As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets which have been since the world began] As if they had all but one mouth and message. All the holy Prophets prophesied of Christ, of his strength, victory, and Kingdome.
Vers. 74. That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear] Delivered out of some dark deep hole, it signifies to bring forth something to light, enemies] The Devills, wicked men, sinne, death, and hell.
The manner of our service must be, first without feare, either without cause of fear, as Rom. 8. 1. Or without servile feare, not constraind, but willing and cheerfull. 2. Universall, in holinesse, toward God, in righteousnesse; towards men. 3. Before him, (as in his sight) sincerely. 4. All the dayes of their life, constantly in all estates unto the end. Col. 1.10.
Vers. 76. The Prophet of the most High] See Mat. 5.9. as if he should say, Thou John (saith à Lapide) although thou beest such a little Child, only eight dayes old, yet after 29. yeares when thou art a man, thou shalt be a Prophet, publishing and declaring Christ.
Vers. 78. The day-spring] Greek the East,Vide Piscat. & Jun. paralel. in loc. & Cornel. à Lap. by a metonymie of adjunct for the Sun rising. The Chaldee Zach. 3. and 6. Chapters turnes it Messias, that is Christ. The Hebrew word there is tsemach, which properly signifies a branch.