To give knowledge of salvation to his people, unto the remission of their sins.
του δουναι γνωσιν σωτηριας τω λαω αυτου εν αφεσει αμαρτιων αυτων
10 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 12 commentaries
For the manner in which the forerunner prepared the way of the Lord he explains, adding, To give knowledge of salvation. The Lord Jesus is salvation, but the knowledge of salvation, i. e. of Christ, was given in John, who bore witness of Christ.
For in no other way was He known to be God, but as having forgiven the sins of His people. For it is of God alone to forgive sins.
To provide a complete understanding of salvation, enabling individuals to distinguish between temporary regulations and the eternal Truth that remains unchanged. “Grace... and truth ... through Jesus ... came about” (cf. Jn. 1:17).
To reveal His salvation to the people, it is stated that you shall approach the Lord, etc., with the intention of helping them comprehend His saving grace, which is, in essence, to make Christ evident and recognized among the Jews. He is indeed their deliverance. Salvation is rooted in the forgiveness of sins, meaning it occurs when their transgressions are pardoned and absolved. This is affirmed by the angel's message to Joseph regarding the significance of Christ's name: "For He," the angel declares, "will save His people from their sins."
For as if desiring to explain the name of Jesus, i. e. the Saviour, he frequently makes mention of salvation, but lest men should think it was a temporal salvation which was promised, he adds, for the forgiveness of sins.
But the Jews prefer not to receive Christ, but to wait for Antichrist; for they desire to be delivered not from the dominion of sin within, but from the yoke of man’s bondage without.
The people struggled to comprehend their salvation and their own identities. The Pharisees focused solely on outward appearances, while the Sadducees lived indulgently and fell into disbelief. This situation made it essential for them to grasp the true meaning of salvation and to transform their immoral lives into righteous ones. John begins his message with the call to repentance, urging them not to claim, “We have Abraham for a father” (Matthew 3:8-9). By examining the Gospel accounts of the events surrounding the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, along with the birth of John the Baptist and his early life, we gain deeper insight.
To enlighten His followers, He clarifies the way the Lord's paths are prepared, stating that through the proclamation of John, a true understanding of Him was shared with the people of Christ. These individuals are His by the act of creation, as salvation was achieved for the entire world through Christ. This salvation encompasses the forgiveness of their transgressions, representing what has occurred in the pardon and liberation of the world's sins.
Zechariah, in later composing a unique hymn for the birth of John, extols God for revealing the kingdom of the Messiah (Luke 1:68-75). He then prophetically outlines his son’s destined role, as communicated by the angel and inspired within him (76-79). This moment holds significant historical importance as it provides insight into the perspective of the most devoted priests of that era regarding the Messiah and his realm. Literally interpreted, the song indicates that the Messiah is the one through whom God, fulfilling ancient promises, intends to rescue His people from their oppressors. The kingdom of the Messiah will entail the liberation of Judah’s people, enabling them to serve God without fear in the purity of righteousness, basking in the newfound illumination of divine wisdom.
In relation to this kingdom, John’s role is pivotal: he will ready the people for the manifestation of this kingdom, announcing that the prerequisite for salvation anticipated from the Messiah is the forgiveness of sins. Thus, we see Providence preparing for the Messiah’s arrival; only four individuals were aware of him: two in Nazareth and two in Utah. Conversely, John was widely known—his name was spoken of in Jerusalem and throughout the hills of Judea (Luke 1:65), though even this acknowledgment was uncertain.
As Zechariah gazes upon his infant son, he articulates his role as a prophet of the Most High, designated as the messenger of the Lord, or the Messiah. This messenger's mission is to pave the way for the Lord (Isaiah 40; Malachi 3-4). He will accomplish this divine purpose by helping the people comprehend the salvation that entails the forgiveness of sins, a gift bestowed through God's gracious and spiritual compassion.
To declare and emphasize: to clarify and instill in the hearts of the people that the kingdom of the Messiah is at hand, and that the ‘salvation’ of humanity and the world is arriving through the forgiveness of sins granted by repentance. John, the herald of Christ, emerged with this very message of repentance when the appointed time arrived (Matt. 3:1ff. and dal. and paral., cf. note).
Through imparting to humanity the insight that their redemption lies in the absolution of their transgressions,
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 11 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS