Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - Luke 1:17 - 1:17
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
before him - before “the Lord their God” (Luk 1:16). By comparing this with Mal 3:1 and Isa 40:3, it is plainly “Jehovah” in the flesh of Messiah [Calvin and Olshausen] before whom John was to go as a herald to announce His approach, and a pioneer o prepare His way.
in the spirit - after the model.
and power of Elias - not his miraculous power, for John did no miracle” (Joh 10:41), but his power “turning the heart,” or with like success in his ministry. Both fell on degenerate times; both witnessed fearlessly for God; neither appeared much save in the direct exercise of their ministry; both were at the head of schools of disciples; the success of both was similar.
fathers to the children - taken literally, this denotes the restoration of parental fidelity [Meyer and others], the decay of which is the beginning of religious and social corruption - one prominent feature of the coming revival being put for the whole. But what follows, explanatory of this, rather suggests a figurative sense. If “the disobedient” be “the children,” and to “the fathers” belongs “the wisdom of the just” [Bengel], the meaning will be, “he shall bring back the ancient spirit of the nation into their degenerate children” [Calvin, etc.]. So Elijah invoked “the God Abraham, Isaac, and Israel,” when seeking to “turn their heart back again” (1Ki 18:36, 1Ki 18:37).
to make ready, etc. - more clearly, “to make ready for the Lord a prepared people,” to have in readiness a people prepared to welcome Him. Such preparation requires, in every age and every soul, an operation corresponding to the Baptist’s ministry.