What does Luke 1:71 mean?

That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; Luke 1:71

Explanation

Luke 1:71 discusses the hope for salvation from enemies and oppressors, which has both a literal and a symbolic meaning. Literally, it speaks to the desire of the Jewish people during the time of the verse’s writing to be saved from their enemies, who might have included political oppressors, like the Roman Empire, as well as neighboring nations. There’s also a symbolic understanding of ‘enemies’ and ‘those who hate us’ as referring to anything that separates people from God’s will, including sin and evil.

Historical Context

This verse is part of Zechariah’s prophecy, which is known as the Benedictus. It was uttered after his speech was restored following the birth of his son, John the Baptist. The historical context is the Roman occupation of Judea, where the Jewish people yearned for a Messiah who would deliver them from foreign domination and the internal corruption of their religious leaders. The hope was for a return to the times of David when Israel was a sovereign nation under God’s direct rule.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse is often seen as a prophecy foreshadowing Jesus Christ as the savior who would fulfill this desire for deliverance. The ‘enemies’ are not only external but internal spiritual battles as well (sin and death). Different denominations have varying interpretations, including the view of salvation as both a present spiritual reality and a future physical deliverance.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, this verse can remind individuals to seek deliverance from the negative influences in their lives. This could mean seeking freedom from harmful habits, toxic relationships, or oppressive situations. It also calls for reliance on faith and trust in a higher power for deliverance, encouraging people to look beyond their own strength.

Cross-References

• “Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.” (Psalm 143:9)
• “And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.” (Psalm 37:40)
• “And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.” (Jeremiah 15:21)

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the phrase “that we should be saved” is “σωθηναι ἡμᾶς” (sōthēnai hēmas) which implies not just being saved but also being preserved or rescued. The term for “enemies” is “ἐχθρῶν” (echthrōn), denoting those who are actively hostile. “All that hate us” translates as “πάντων τῶν μισούντων ἡμᾶς” (pantōn tōn misountōn hēmas) which conveys a sense of complete and active hatred.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the context of other ancient cultures, deliverance from enemies was often associated with victory in battle or the intervention of a deity. In many myths, heroes or gods save their people from oppression, such as the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt in the Hebrew Bible, or the acts of gods in Greek and Roman mythology. Religiously, the concept of being saved from one’s enemies is universal in many traditions, often underpinning the core belief in divine justice or intervention.

Scientific Perspectives

There is little direct intersection between this specific verse and modern scientific understandings, as the verse deals with spiritual salvation and deliverance from oppression, which are largely outside the purview of empirical science. However, the impact of belief in such deliverance can be studied in the psychological resilience and mental health of individuals facing adversities.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of this verse. Some view it as an expression of hope for physical deliverance from Rome in its immediate context. Others, like Matthew Henry, consider it prophetic of Christ’s future ministry. Modern commentators emphasize its spiritual implications, suggesting that deliverance from enemies can also be understood as liberation from personal sin and the ultimate triumph over death through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.