Luk 1:79, 2:25, 38 | JFB | e4.org | 79. (Compare ). "That St. Luke, of all the Evangelists, should have obtained and recorded these inspired utterances of Zacharias and Mary—is in accordance with his character and habits, as indicated in " [WEBSTER and WILKINSON ].

‏ Luke 1:79

79. (Compare Isa 9:2; Mt 4:13-17). "That St. Luke, of all the Evangelists, should have obtained and recorded these inspired utterances of Zacharias and Mary—is in accordance with his character and habits, as indicated in Lu 1:1-4" [WEBSTER and WILKINSON].

‏ Luke 2:25

25. just—upright in his moral character.

devout—of a religious frame of spirit.

waiting for the consolation of Israel—a beautiful title of the coming Messiah, here intended.

the Holy Ghost was—supernaturally.

upon him—Thus was the Spirit, after a dreary absence of nearly four hundred years, returning to the Church, to quicken expectation, and prepare for coming events.

‏ Luke 2:38

38. coming in—"presenting herself." She had been there already but now is found "standing by," as Simeon's testimony to the blessed Babe died away, ready to take it up "in turn" (as the word rendered "likewise" here means).

to all them, &c.—the sense is, "to all them in Jerusalem that were looking for redemption"—saying in effect, In that Babe are wrapt up all your expectations. If this was at the hour of prayer, when numbers flocked to the temple, it would account for her having such an audience as the words imply [ALFORD].