Luke 1 78

Luke 1:78 kjv

Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

Luke 1:78 nkjv

Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;

Luke 1:78 niv

because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

Luke 1:78 esv

because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high

Luke 1:78 nlt

Because of God's tender mercy,
the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,

Luke 1 verses

Luke 1 78 Meaning

Luke 1:78 is part of Zechariah's prophecy, known as the Benedictus, following the birth of John the Baptist. It speaks to the ultimate purpose of the coming Messiah. The verse proclaims that the dawn of salvation will come through God's profound compassion and tender mercy. This divine intervention is designed to illuminate humanity, currently lost in spiritual darkness and under the shadow of death, and to guide them towards true peace and reconciliation with God.

Luke 1 78 Context

Luke 1:78 is part of Zechariah's prophetic hymn, known as the Benedictus (Lk 1:68-79). Sung immediately after Zechariah's voice is restored following the birth of his son, John the Baptist, this song primarily praises God for remembering His covenant with Abraham and sending a Redeemer. Verses 76-77 directly establish John's role as the prophet who will prepare the way for the Lord and declare knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins. Verse 78 then shifts to describe the nature and ultimate purpose of the coming Messiah's work, which is rooted in divine mercy and brings spiritual illumination and peace. Historically and culturally, the Jewish people were living under Roman occupation, longing for a powerful, conquering Messiah. Zechariah's prophecy, however, emphasizes spiritual redemption (forgiveness, light, peace) rather than a mere political or military liberation, subtly challenging contemporary expectations by highlighting a deeper, internal transformation.

Luke 1 78 Word analysis

• Through (διὰ – dia): Indicates the means or agency. The "dayspring" comes through the specified attributes of God.
• tender (σπλάγχνα – splagchna): Literally refers to the inner parts of the body (bowels, intestines). In biblical language, this signifies the deepest emotions, feelings of profound compassion, sympathy, or pity. It is a very strong word for visceral mercy.
• mercy (ἐλέους – eleous): Compassion shown to someone who is in a state of distress, not getting what they deserve (punishment). Here, combined with splagchna, it emphasizes a deeply felt divine compassion.
• of our God (Θεοῦ ἡμῶν – Theou hēmōn): Specifies the source of this profound compassion. It is from God Himself, reinforcing His character as compassionate.
• by which (ἐν οἷς – en hois): Connects the preceding divine attributes (tender mercy) to the following outcome. It's the "whereby" or "by virtue of which."
• the Dayspring (ἀνατολὴ – anatolē): This significant Greek word has multiple meanings: "rising," "dawn," "east" (as in sun's rising). In Messianic prophecy, it strongly connects to Mal 4:2 ("Sun of Righteousness") and Zech 3:8; 6:12 ("Branch"). It points to the coming Messiah as the light emerging from darkness, marking a new era.
• from on high (ἐξ ὕψους – ex hypsous): Literally "from a high place" or "from heaven." Emphasizes the divine origin of the Dayspring, contrasting with earthly or human power. This Messiah is God-sent.
• has visited us (ἐπεσκέψατο ἡμᾶς – epeskepsato hēmas): To come to visit or inspect, often with a view to help, deliver, or save. It implies a divine act of intervention and redemption.
• To give light to those who sit in darkness (ἐπιφᾶναι τοῖς ἐν σκότει καθημένοις – epiphani tois en skotei kathēmenois): "To shine upon" or "cause to appear." This is a direct fulfillment of prophecies like Isa 9:2 and Ps 107:10. "Darkness" here signifies spiritual ignorance, sin, hopelessness, and separation from God.
• and in the shadow of death (καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτου – kai skia thanatou): A strong poetic idiom, parallel to "darkness." It speaks to the dire spiritual condition of humanity, burdened by the ultimate consequence of sin – death, both physical and spiritual.
• to guide our feet (τοῦ κατευθῦναι τοὺς πόδας ἡμῶν – tou kateuthynai tous podas hēmōn): To set straight, direct, or make one's path straightforward. It implies a divine leadership and direction.
• into the way of peace (εἰς ὁδὸν εἰρήνης – eis hodon eirēnēs): "Peace" (eirēnē / shalom in Hebrew concept) is more than absence of conflict; it signifies wholeness, well-being, health, righteousness, prosperity, and reconciliation, especially with God. This way of peace contrasts sharply with the chaos and distress of spiritual darkness.

Luke 1 78 Bonus section

The concept of God's "tender mercy" as His splagchna eleous finds deep resonance throughout the Bible, particularly in the lament and prophetic books of the Old Testament where God's steadfast love and mercy are continually invoked even in times of judgment (e.g., Lam 3:22-23; Ps 103:8-14). This verse underscores that salvation is not merited by human effort or obedience to the law, but springs solely from God's intrinsic character of love and mercy. The term "Dayspring" connects Jesus to ancient expectations of a kingly and divine figure, emphasizing His role as both ruler and illuminator. The idea of "shadow of death" also draws on deeply rooted Jewish understanding of Sheol or Hades, the realm of the dead, highlighting the pervasive threat of spiritual and physical death from which the Messiah liberates. This passage serves as a powerful declaration of God's unilateral action to redeem humanity, emphasizing His grace as the sole foundation for true liberation.

Luke 1 78 Commentary

Luke 1:78 unveils the core motivation and purpose behind God's ultimate salvific act: the sending of Jesus, the Messiah. The divine initiative flows from splagchna eleous – a deep, gut-level, visceral compassion. This isn't merely intellectual mercy but an emotion that moves God to act decisively for His people. The Messianic title "Dayspring" is highly significant, identifying Jesus as the rising sun, the fulfillment of prophetic light imagery from the Old Testament. He is the divine light, breaking through the profound spiritual "darkness" and the chilling "shadow of death" that envelops humanity, which denotes a state of moral blindness, separation from God, and ultimate ruin. The Messiah's visit is not just for illumination, but for active "guidance." He doesn't merely show the way, but directs and sustains "our feet" onto the "way of peace." This 'peace' is not simply geopolitical tranquility, but the comprehensive well-being and restored fellowship with God—true shalom—made possible through forgiveness of sins and right standing with the Creator. It stands as a beacon of hope for all humanity, offering not a mere external deliverance, but an internal spiritual transformation leading to life and wholeness.