GOSPEL READING
THE GOSPEL OF LUKE
The Benedictus: Lk 1,68-79
The Benedictus takes the form of a classic Jewish prayer, blessing and praising God for his deeds.
We can note how this canticle or song of blessing has been placed as the end of the scene of the birth of John rather than at the earlier point where it might have come more naturally. What is significant about this placement at the end of the first chapter?
Like the Magnificat, the Benedictus is assembled from Old Testament expressions as we will see. Note how it follows the same hymn pattern that we have seen for the Magnificat. What was the key word there and here which may not be always translated?
Read through the canticle; it clearly falls into two distinct parts. The second part, 1,76-79 is addressed to the child and is a straightforward sentence as we will see.
The first part, the Blessing of 1,68-75 is much more complex. It is not as easily analyzed as the prologue, 1,1-4, the other complex sentence we have read. Comparing translations, especially RNJB, NAB and NRSV, try to write these verses in your own words.
Salvation: 1,68-75
Verse 68 speaks of blessing God, a form typical of Judaism such as Tobit 3,1 or 1 Kings 1,48. Look too at Ps 41,13 or Ps 106,48 as similar to this opening line.
What follows is best seen through its Old Testament background; something which should not surprise us by now.
Verse 68b (which is not well translated in the NRSV) recalls Gen 50,24 or Ruth 1,6. Look ahead to verse 78. See also Ps 111,9.
Verse 69 then tells us what God has done, the raising up of the horn of salvation. "Horn" is a common OT image for strength or power. It is well expressed in Ps 18,3. See also Ezekiel 29,21 or Ps 75,10. Translators often prefer to simplify and have "mighty saviour" instead. See NRSV and the footnote. Why is "horn of salvation" preferable?
The house of David we have seen already in 1,32. See 2 Samuel 7.
Verse 70 then opens the middle clause with "just as" or similar. Note its emphasis on fulfillment which is so central to this chapter. See 1,1.
Verse 71 develops the theme of salvation from verse 69. See Ps 18 again, verse 17 this time. See also Ps 106,10.
Verse 72 indicates the purpose of God's salvation: to show his mercy. See Ps 106 again, verses 45-46.
Consider how the second line of this verse is better read with the first line of verse 73. See Gen 17,7 or Psalm 105,8-9 for the background. Recall 1,55 as well.
See how verse 73b begins the final thought of this first part, continuing through to verse 75. Look at Micah 4,10. What is the alternative translation to "serve" in verse 74?
We can summarise all this by recalling the Old Testament figure who is central to the first half of the sentence and then the one who is central to the second. What is the message linked with each figure?
Now take a look at my response
The Child John: 1,76-79
The presentation of the child in the second sentence of the Benedictus begins in verse 76 by referring to his future. We have seen the meaning of "prophet" and "prophesied" with Zechariah in 1,67. Look back to 1,17 and then contrast with 1,32.
"Preparing the ways" is an allusion to Is 40,3 which is quoted in 3,1-6. See also Malachi 3,1. How has the meaning of "Lord" changed from verse 68?
How does the first part of the Benedictus prepare for verse 77? Note how the second line explains the first; see 3,3 and 5,20-23.
Verse 78a recalls 1,72a and also the Magnificat, 1,50.54
The daybreak theme can be seen in Is 58,10. Perhaps more interesting is Jer 23,5 where the same word in Greek is used in a different context which gives another tone to this verse.
For verse 79, look at Isaiah Is 9,2 and Is 60,1-2 as background; to whom does this verse apply? The path of peace is seen in Is 59,8.
Here, it is as well to look at the first words of the risen Jesus Jesus at end of the Gospel.
As a summary, consider in what way is there a different role for the child in verses 76-77 and in 78-79.
Have another look at my response
After a lengthy chapter setting the scene, we are now ready for the story to move on to the key moment in this overture, the account of the birth and childhood of Jesus in chapter 2.