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Pentecost Season · Christ the King · Year C

Luke 1:68-79

The Song of Zechariah (Benedictus)

November 26, 2028

The Birth and Naming of Saint John the Baptist, Sano di Pietro
The Birth and Naming of Saint John the Baptist, Sano di Pietro, c. 1450–1460The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Elizabeth rests in a green-curtained bed after the birth, while in the room below the mute Zechariah writes the name of the child and a nurse holds the baby.And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.Sano di PietroA prolific painter of Siena whose gentle, bright altarpieces carried the city’s Gothic style deep into the 1400s.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkThe Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, one of the largest art museums in the world.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 23:33-43Lk 23:33-43
EpistleCol. 1:11-20Col 1:11-20
Old TestamentJer. 23:1-6Jer 23:1-6Alt. OTJer. 23:1-6Jer 23:1-6
PsalterLuke 1:68-79Lk 1:68-79Alt. PsalmPs. 46Ps 46

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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Commentary

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

Traces the song's shift from past-tense praise to future-tense hope for John's role.

Luke 1 Commentary: The Birth of John the Baptist ForetoldLk 1 Commentary: The Birth of Jn the Baptist Foretold Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse-by-verse evangelical commentary covering Zechariah's song.

Luke 1 CommentaryLk 1 Commentary Precept Austin

Verse-by-verse study notes on the Benedictus and its Davidic and prophetic themes.

Luke 1:68 InterlinearLk 1:68 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek interlinear text for the opening blessing and the word for horn of salvation.

Background & Word Study

Luke 1-9Lk 1-9 BibleProject

Video overview of Luke's opening chapters, including the infancy narratives and their songs.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Luke 1Catena on Lk 1 Catena

Patristic comments assembled verse by verse on Zechariah's song.

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