Luke 1 74

Luke 1:74 kjv

That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

Luke 1:74 nkjv

To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear,

Luke 1:74 niv

to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear

Luke 1:74 esv

that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear,

Luke 1:74 nlt

We have been rescued from our enemies
so we can serve God without fear,

Luke 1 verses

Luke 1 74 Meaning

Luke 1:74 proclaims that God, through the coming Messiah, would mercifully grant deliverance to His people from the powerful grip of their enemies, so that they could render service to Him without the impediment or oppression of fear. This deliverance is not merely physical or political, but profoundly spiritual, enabling genuine worship and obedient life in freedom and security before God. It highlights the divine purpose behind salvation: freedom for devoted service.

Luke 1 74 Context

Luke 1:74 is part of Zechariah's prophecy, known as the Benedictus, recorded after the birth of his son, John the Baptist. Filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:67), Zechariah extols God's faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient promises of salvation through the coming Messiah. This verse immediately follows a declaration that God has "raised up an horn of salvation" (Lk 1:69) and remembered His holy covenant (Lk 1:72). The prophecy has an immediate historical layer, acknowledging Israel's oppressed state under Roman rule and the desire for political liberation. However, as Zechariah progresses, the deliverance is framed in broader, spiritual terms, culminating in service "in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life" (Lk 1:75). Thus, while Israel longed for freedom from literal enemies like Rome, the deeper context points to deliverance from spiritual bondage—sin and death—and enabling genuine, heartfelt service to God. The Old Testament consistently promised a king who would bring true peace and freedom, and Zechariah connects John the Baptist's role to prepare the way for this greater Messiah.

Luke 1 74 Word analysis

• That he would grant (Greek: δούναι – dounai - to give, grant): This infinitive indicates God's initiative and sovereign act of bestowing this salvation as a gracious gift. It is not something earned or merited by humans but freely given by the divine. This underscores God's mercy and faithfulness to His covenant.
• unto us (Greek: ἡμῖν – hēmin - to us): Refers to God's people, initially Israel, but extended through Christ to all who believe. It emphasizes the personal, inclusive nature of this divine grant.
• that we being delivered (Greek: ῥυσθέντας – rhysthentas - having been delivered, rescued, pulled out of danger): This is an aorist passive participle, emphasizing that deliverance is an action done to us by God. The root verb signifies drawing out or pulling out someone from danger, implying an urgent rescue. It points to a decisive, completed act of salvation initiated by God.
• out of the hand (Greek: ἐκ χειρός – ek cheiros - out of the hand, power, authority): The "hand" metaphorically represents power, authority, control, or domination. Being delivered from the "hand" implies being freed from the direct control and oppressive power of an entity.
• of our enemies (Greek: τῶν ἐχθρῶν ἡμῶν – tōn echthrōn hēmōn - of our enemies): While the immediate historical context for Israel involved political enemies like the Romans or other oppressive powers, the New Testament often expands this concept to include spiritual enemies: sin, death, the Devil (cf. Rom 6:6; 1 Cor 15:26; Heb 2:14-15; 1 Jn 3:8). The deliverance promised by God is comprehensive.
• might serve him (Greek: λατρεύειν αὐτῷ – latreuein autō - to serve him, worship him): This term, latreuein, specifically denotes sacred, priestly service or worship offered to God. It goes beyond general obedience or servitude, signifying devotion and spiritual allegiance. The ultimate purpose of deliverance is not mere freedom, but freedom for true, unhindered worship and dedicated service to God, reflecting a new life of devotion.
• without fear (Greek: ἀφόβως – aphobōs - fearlessly, without terror, without apprehension): This adverb signifies a state of being free from dread, alarm, or anxious apprehension. In the context of "enemies," it implies living securely without threat of oppression or retaliation. Spiritually, it means being freed from the fear of condemnation, judgment, or spiritual adversaries, enabling believers to approach God and live out their faith with confidence and boldness (cf. Rom 8:15; 2 Tim 1:7).

Luke 1 74 Bonus section

• Echoes of Exodus: Zechariah's prophecy here strongly echoes the Exodus narrative, where God delivered Israel from Pharaoh's hand ("the hand of our enemies") so that they might "serve" (worship) Him in the wilderness (e.g., Ex 3:12; 4:23). This provides a historical and theological precedent for God's saving acts, underscoring that physical deliverance always aims for spiritual devotion.
• Covenantal Fulfillment: This verse speaks to the faithfulness of God to His covenants, particularly the Abrahamic covenant (Lk 1:73), where Abraham was promised descendants and that through him all nations would be blessed. This liberation and subsequent service represent the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for His people and the world.
• Holistic Deliverance: While "enemies" can refer to external physical threats, the phrase implies a comprehensive deliverance—physical, moral, and spiritual. The ultimate spiritual enemies are sin, death, and Satan. Thus, the liberation leads to the ability to serve God not just in ritual, but in daily life, "in holiness and righteousness."
• Purposeful Salvation: Salvation is never an end in itself; it is always for a greater purpose. Luke 1:74-75 clearly delineates this purpose: deliverance so that we may serve God in freedom and righteousness. This aligns with New Testament teaching that believers are "created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Eph 2:10).

Luke 1 74 Commentary

Luke 1:74 articulates a foundational principle of biblical salvation: deliverance by God from the dominion of enemies is intrinsically linked to and purposed for devoted service and worship to Him. Zechariah's prophetic utterance emphasizes that the Messiah's coming, unlike mere political revolution, would address the deepest human predicament—bondage to spiritual enemies. The phrase "delivered out of the hand of our enemies" moves beyond immediate oppressors to the more profound enemies of sin, death, and spiritual powers, whose grip keeps humanity from God. The subsequent clause, "might serve him without fear," reveals the true intent of this divine liberation. It's not freedom for personal license, but freedom for worship, for dedicated service, for a life lived in direct relationship with the Creator. The "without fear" aspect denotes not a casual attitude but a freedom from enslaving dread, fear of judgment, or intimidation by opposing forces, allowing believers to approach and serve God with confidence and true reverence. This profound security in God enables a life of ongoing holiness and righteousness, which Zechariah emphasizes in the following verse.