68 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and made them free, 69 Lifting up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 (As he said, by the mouth of his holy prophets, from the earliest times,) 71 Salvation from those who are against us, and from the hands of those who have hate for us; 72 To do acts of mercy to our fathers and to keep in mind his holy word, 73 The oath which he made to Abraham, our father, 74 That we, being made free from the fear of those who are against us, might give him worship, 75 In righteousness and holy living before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be named the prophet of the Most High: you will go before the face of the Lord, to make ready his ways; 77 To give knowledge of salvation to his people, through the forgiveness of sins, 78 Because of the loving mercies of our God, by which the dawn from heaven has come to us, 79 To give light to those in dark places, and in the shade of death, so that our feet may be guided into the way of peace. 80 And the child became tall, and strong in spirit; and he was living in the waste land till the day when he came before the eyes of Israel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 1:68-80
Commentary on Luke 1:67-80
(Read Luke 1:67-80)
Zacharias uttered a prophecy concerning the kingdom and salvation of the Messiah. The gospel brings light with it; in it the day dawns. In John the Baptist it began to break, and increased apace to the perfect day. The gospel is discovering; it shows that about which we were utterly in the dark; it is to give light to those that sit in darkness, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. It is reviving; it brings light to those that sit in the shadow of death, as condemned prisoners in the dungeon. It is directing; it is to guide our feet in the way of peace, into that way which will bring us to peace at last, Romans 3:17. John gave proofs of strong faith, vigorous and holy affections, and of being above the fear and love of the world. Thus he ripened for usefulness; but he lived a retired life, till he came forward openly as the forerunner of the Messiah. Let us follow peace with all men, as well as seek peace with God and our own consciences. And if it be the will of God that we live unknown to the world, still let us diligently seek to grow strong in the grace of Jesus Christ.