Then Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: 68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people. 69 He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant, 70 even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old: 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, 72 to show mercy to our fathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant 73 and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father, and to grant us that, 74 rescued from the hand of enemies, without fear we might worship him 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us 79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”'
Luke continues his theological emphasis on God’s fidelity to His covenant promises in this canticle. Drawing from Jewish-Christian hymnic traditions, the passage combines two distinct sections (vv. 68–75 and vv. 76–79) to proclaim how God has acted in salvation history and what He is inaugurating through Jesus Christ. It celebrates God's redemption of His people—primarily Israel—through the fulfillment of His covenant with David and Abraham, while also foreshadowing the broader universal mission to come.
Zechariah, who had been rendered mute for his disbelief (Luke 1:20), now speaks under divine inspiration. His Spirit-led prophetic words align with God’s salvific plan. He begins with a blessing, using a common Jewish liturgical formula, praising God for His fidelity to Israel and His active involvement in human history. Zechariah recalls how God "visited" His people in Egypt (Ex. 3:16) and brought deliverance. The "redemption" he proclaims refers to God’s liberation from sin, prefigured in the Exodus and ultimately fulfilled in Christ (cf. Luke 19:10; Titus 2:14).
The “horn” is a messianic image rooted in the Old Testament that symbolizes strength, power, and victory, often associated with deliverance and kingship. This image points to the Messiah as a descendant of David, fulfilling God’s covenant promise to establish an everlasting kingdom through David’s lineage (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Psalm 132:17 declares, “I will make a horn sprout for David,” emphasizing the divine power behind the Messiah’s kingship, and 1 Samuel 2:10 proclaims, “The Lord will exalt the horn of his anointed,” linking the horn with God’s anointed ruler. Zechariah acknowledges the fulfillment of God’s promises spoken by the prophets, such as Isaiah (Is. 9:6-7; 11:1-5), Jeremiah (Jer. 23:5-6), and Ezekiel (Ezek. 34:23-24). These prophets foretold a time of salvation and the arrival of a righteous king who would liberate Israel. However, Zechariah’s prophecy transcends political liberation, pointing instead to eschatological salvation through Christ, who delivers humanity from the ultimate enemies: sin, death, and Satan (cf. Col. 1:13-14).
God’s mercy is rooted in His covenant with Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:1-6), which promised not only land and descendants but universal blessing through Abraham’s lineage. This covenantal mercy is a central theme in salvation history, as it reflects God’s fidelity to His promises and His intention to bring salvation to all nations through Israel. This mercy culminates in Jesus, the ultimate descendant of Abraham (Gal. 3:16).
Zechariah then addresses his infant son, John, identifying him as the forerunner of the Messiah, fulfilling Mal. 3:1 and Is. 40:3. John’s mission is to prepare the way for the Lord by proclaiming repentance and offering baptism as a sign of conversion (Luke 3:3). John is to awaken Israel to their need for salvation, grounded in the forgiveness of sins.
Through the Incarnation and motivated by boundless mercy, God extends His compassion to redeem His people through the Messiah. Jesus brings the light of salvation to a world darkened by sin and death, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies (Is. 9:1-2; Mal. 4:2). He leads humanity into a restored relationship with God, guiding them on the path of peace and wholeness, culminating in eternal life.
Almighty God, we thank You for Your faithfulness to Your promises and the light of salvation You have given us through Jesus Christ. May we, like Zechariah, proclaim Your mercy and walk in the path of peace. Guide us always into a deeper relationship with You. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Sources
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
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