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Advent Season · Second Sunday of Advent · Year C

Luke 1:68-79

The Song of Zechariah (Benedictus)

December 5, 2027

The Birth and Naming of John the Baptist, Juan de Flandes
The Birth and Naming of John the Baptist, Juan de Flandes, 1496–1499The Cleveland Museum of Art
In a quiet bedchamber Elizabeth rests while the old priest Zechariah, his speech restored, writes the name of his son on a tablet.And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.Juan de FlandesA Flemish painter who became court painter to Queen Isabella of Spain, prized for his small, jewel-like panels.The Cleveland Museum of ArtThe Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio, whose open-access collection is free for anyone to use.The Cleveland Museum of Art
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 3:1-6Lk 3:1-6
EpistlePhil. 1:3-11Phil 1:3-11
Old TestamentBar. 5:1-9Bar 5:1-9 orMal. 3:1-4Mal 3:1-4
PsalterLuke 1:68-79Lk 1:68-79

Overview & Insights

“By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness.” (Luke 1:78-79)

Freed from his silence, Zechariah prophesies over his newborn son John, blessing God for raising up a horn of salvation in the house of David. His song looks forward to a coming dawn that will guide God's people into the way of peace.

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Take it further: Luke 1:68-79

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 1:68-79Commentary on Lk 1:68-79 Working Preacher

The Lutheran home commentary on Zechariah's song as Advent 2's canticle of hope.

Luke 1 - Zechariah's ProphecyLk 1 - Zec's Prophecy Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse-by-verse evangelical study of the Benedictus and its promise of a coming dawn.

Background & Word Study

Luke 1:68 InterlinearLk 1:68 Interlinear BibleHub

The Greek of Zechariah's song word by word with parsing and lexical helps.

Book of Luke OverviewBook of Lk Overview BibleProject

An animated overview of Luke's structure and its opening songs of praise.

The Church Fathers

Luke 1 (Catena)Lk 1 (Catena) Catena

Patristic comments verse by verse on Zechariah's prophecy over his son John.

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