Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68 “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, 71 That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: 74 To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, 77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high [k]has visited us; 79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80 So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel. (Luke 1:67-80)
After months of silence, Zacharias, the priest who once doubted the angel’s message, has his voice restored. What follows is a Spirit-filled declaration that situates the birth of his son, John, within the sweeping purposes of God’s redemptive plan and a fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
The passage opens with fear and wonder spreading throughout the hill country of Judea (vv. 65–66). God has intervened, and the people sense that John’s life will be marked by divine purpose. Luke repeatedly emphasizes that “the hand of the Lord was with him,” reminding us that this child’s significance is not rooted in human ambition but in God’s power.
Zacharias’ prophecy, often called the Benedictus, begins with praise: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people” (v. 68). Salvation is spoken of as certain. Zacharias declares that God’s promises are so secure that they can be praised as already accomplished. Zacharias frames the coming salvation in covenantal terms, linking it to the house of David and to God’s promises to Abraham (vv. 69–73). Salvation is not a sudden innovation; it is the faithful fulfillment of ancient promises.
A key theme in the prophecy is deliverance for the purpose of worship: God rescues His people “that we might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness” (vv. 74–75). Salvation is not merely rescue from enemies but restoration to right relationship with God. Salvation leads to sincere worship and faithful service.
The focus narrows to John himself. Zacharias declares that his son will be “the prophet of the Highest,” preparing the way of the Lord by giving knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins (vv. 76–77). John’s ministry will not center on political liberation but on repentance and mercy. John was sent to prepare hearts for the coming Messiah.
The prophecy culminates in one of Luke’s most beautiful images: the “Dayspring from on high” who visits those in darkness to guide their feet into the way of peace (vv. 78–79). Light dawns where shadows once ruled. God’s silence has ended, not merely with speech, but with salvation.
Luke closes by noting that John grew strong in spirit, waiting in the wilderness until his public ministry began (v. 80). God’s redemptive work unfolds patiently, but always precisely on time. Zacharias’ prophecy assures us that when God speaks, history changes, and light breaks into the darkness.