ACC ~ Luke 1 v57 - 66

OVERVIEW:

That this is the final Old Testament prophet who prepares for the Messiah is highlighted by the parallels between John and Jesus, a theme of the infancy narrative of Luke (EPHREM THE SYRIAN). John is born of the seed of man, but Jesus is born from a virgin without seed (SYNAXIS).

Circumcision on the eighth day is a foreshadowing of the release from death of all creation on the day of Jesus’ resurrection. The child of Zechariah and Elizabeth receives the name John because it means “the grace of God” (BEDE). The manner of John’s miraculous birth by the Spirit that enlivens a barren womb anticipates his preaching of repentance that awakens a dead world with the light of Christ (SYNAXIS).

What the angel bound up, this infant child and the power of his name now sets free so that this priest might prophesy concerning John’s role in salvation history (MAXIMUS OF TURIN). This extraordinary reversal of the expectations of the people as to his name results in fear at the extraordinary miracle of John’s birth that will draw people to him from every place to repent in preparation to receive God’s sacramental mysteries (BEDE).

1:57-58 | Elizabeth Bears a Son

THE PARALLELS BETWEEN JOHN AND JESUS

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: The elderly Elizabeth gave birth to the last of the prophets, and Mary, a young girl, to the Lord of the angels. The daughter of Aaron gave birth to the voice in the desert, [1] but the daughter of David to the strong God of the earth. The barren one gave birth to him who remits sins, but the Virgin gave birth to him who takes them away. [2] Elizabeth gave birth to him who reconciled people through repentance, but Mary gave birth to him who purified the lands of uncleanness. The elder one lit a lamp in the house of Jacob, his father, for this lamp itself was John, [3] while the younger one lit the Sun of Justice [4] for all the nations. The angel announced to Zechariah, so that the slain one would proclaim the crucified one and that the hated one would proclaim the envied one. He who was to baptize with water would proclaim him who would baptize with fire and with the Holy Spirit. [5] The light, which was not obscure, would proclaim the Sun of Justice. The one filled with the Spirit would proclaim concerning him who gives the Spirit. The priest calling with the trumpet would proclaim concerning the one who is to come at the sound of the trumpet at the end. The voice would proclaim concerning the Word, and the one who saw the dove would proclaim concerning him upon whom the dove rested, like the lightning before the thunder. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 1.31. [6]

[1] Is 63:9.

[2] Jn 1:29.

[3] Jn 5:35.

[4] Mal 4:2 (3:20 LXX).

[5] Mt 3:11.

[6] ECTD 58-59*.

JOHN THE FORERUNNER OF CHRIST

ANONYMOUS: Joyfully we honor you, O John most blessed, who have appeared on earth as equal of the angels in your unaccustomed way of life, and high above all humankind… .

Unto you was revealed, O prophet, the mystery of the one essence of the Godhead in three consubstantial persons. For through the voice of the Father and the coming of the Spirit you have known him who was baptized to be the everlasting Word of God.

Child of a barren mother, O most venerable John, you were the spiritual dawn announcing the sun who shone forth from the virgin; and you have proclaimed the lamb who in his love for humankind takes away the sin of the world. SYNAXIS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. [1]

[1] FM 400**.

1:59-63 | The Circumcision and Naming of John

CIRCUMCISION ON THE EIGHTH DAY AN IMAGE OF THE RESURRECTION

BEDE: John’s circumcision clearly set forth an image of the Lord’s resurrection because it too occurred on the eighth day, that is, on the day after the sabbath. And just as the former was wont to release people from the punishable state of everlasting death, so the latter displayed the perfect newness of immortal life in our Creator, and revealed that it is to be hoped for in us. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 2.20. [1]

[1] CS 111:208*.

JOHN’S NAME MEANS “GRACE OF GOD

” BEDE: John means “the grace of God” or “in whom there is grace.” By this name are expressed the entire extent of the grace of the gospel dispensation which he was to proclaim, and especially the Lord himself, through whom this grace was to be granted to the world. …

As to his subsequent declaration and confirmation of the name of John, and the opening of Zechariah’s mouth and his speaking, blessing God, it is surely evident that once the grace of the new covenant was manifested by the apostles, a large number of priests also became obedient to the faith. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 2.20. [1]

[1] CS 111:206-7.

JOHN’S BIRTH ANTICIPATES CHRIST’S ADVENT

ANONYMOUS: O forerunner of Christ! … O Baptist inspired by God! We glorify Christ who bowed his head before you in the Jordan and sanctified the nature of mortal humankind… .

O wise John the forerunner, you have looked down from the bank of the river upon the glory of the Father’s Word, even the Son as he stood in the waters; and you have seen the Spirit descend as a dove, cleansing and enlightening the ends of the earth. To you the mystery of the Trinity was revealed; and to you we sing, honoring your divine festival.

O Baptist and forerunner, strengthened by the divine grace of Christ you have shown us the lamb that takes away all the sins of the world, [1] and with joy you have this day brought two disciples to him. [2] Entreat him that peace and great mercy may be given to our souls. SYNAXIS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. [3]

[1] Jn 1:29, 35-36

[2] Jn 1:35-42.

[3] FM 388-89**.

1:64-66 | Zechariah’s Tongue Loosed

JOHN GAVE HIS FATHER BACK HIS VOICE

MAXIMUS OF TURIN: When John his son was born, among his neighbors there was concern about what name he should be given. Writing tablets were offered to his father so that he himself could put down the name that he had decided upon, so that he might express in writing what he could not in speech. Then, in a wonderful manner, when he had taken the tablets in order to begin writing, his tongue was loosened, the written word gave way to speech, and he did not write “John” but spoke it. Consider, then, the merit of the holy Baptist: he gave his father back his voice, he restored the faculty of speech to the priest. Consider, I say, his merit: John unloosed the mouth that the angel had bound. What Gabriel had closed the little child unlocked. … When John is born the father suddenly becomes a prophet or priest, speech attains its use, love receives an offspring, the office recognizes the priest. SERMON 6.1. [1]

[1] ACW 50:25*.

A SALUTARY FEAR DRAWS PEOPLE

BEDE: On the day of John’s circumcision, when he also received his name, “fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these words were spread abroad throughout the mountain country of Judea.” Furthermore, at the time of our Lord’s resurrection, when the Spirit had been sent down from above and the glory of his name was made known to the world by the apostles, a most salutary fear immediately struck the hearts. Not only of the Jews, who were of the neighborhood either by their physical location or by their knowledge of the law, but also those of foreign nations, even to the ends of the earth. And John’s reputation for virtue exceeded not only the whole mountain country of Judea, but also all the heights of worldly kingdoms and worldly wisdom, so that everywhere people left behind their former way of life and flocked together to attain the sacramental mysteries of his faith. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 2.20. [1]

[1] CS 111:207-8*.