Expository Thoughts
Notes on 1:57-66
59. On the eighth day. This is in line with Leviticus 12:3. If a child died uncircumcised before the eighth day, we find nothing in Scripture to say that it was not saved. Using the same argument, we may rightly conclude that baptism is not necessary for the salvation of infants under the Christian dispensation. It is not the lack of ordinances but the contempt for them that destroys souls. A little child cannot be guilty of such contempt.
62. Made signs. It is probable that Zechariah was deaf as well as dumb.
LUKE 1:67-80
ZACHARIAH'S SONG
Another hymn of praise demands our attention in these verses.
We have read the thanksgiving of Mary, the mother of our Lord. Let us now read the thanksgiving of Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist. We have heard what praises the first advent of Christ drew from the Virgin of the house of David. Let us now hear what praise it draws from an aged priest.
We should notice, firstly, the deep thankfulness of a Jewish believer's heart in the prospect of Messiah's appearing.
Praise is the first word that falls from the mouth of Zachariah as soon as his speechlessness is removed, and his tongue restored. He begins with the same expression with which Paul begins several of his epistles— "Blessed be the Lord."