to give knowledge of salvation - To sound the note of a needed and provided “salvation” was the noble office of John, above all that preceded him; as it is that of all subsequent ministers of Christ; but infinitely loftier was it to be the “Salvation” itself (Luk 1:69 and Luk 2:30).
by the remission of ... sins - This stamps at once the spiritual nature of the salvation here intended, and explains Luk 1:71, Luk 1:74.