Discovery BoxLuke 1:77-79 
Context1:77 to give his people knowledge of salvation 1 through the forgiveness 2 of their sins.
1:78 Because of 3 our God’s tender mercy 4
the dawn 5 will break 6 upon us from on high
1:79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, 7
to guide our feet into the way 8 of peace.”
Luke 3:3
Context3:3 He 9 went into all the region around the Jordan River, 10 preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 11
Luke 24:47
Context24:47 and repentance 12 for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed 13 in his name to all nations, 14 beginning from Jerusalem. 15
1 sn John’s role, to give his people knowledge of salvation, is similar to that of Jesus (Luke 3:1-14; 5:31-32).
2 sn Forgiveness is another major Lukan theme (Luke 4:18; 24:47; Acts 10:37).
3 tn For reasons of style, a new sentence has been started in the translation at this point. God’s mercy is ultimately seen in the deliverance John points to, so v. 78a is placed with the reference to Jesus as the light of dawning day.
4 sn God’s loyal love (steadfast love) is again the topic, reflected in the phrase tender mercy; see Luke 1:72.
5 sn The Greek term translated dawn (ἀνατολή, anatolh) can be a reference to the morning star or to the sun. The Messiah is pictured as a saving light that shows the way. The Greek term was also used to translate the Hebrew word for “branch” or “sprout,” so some see a double entendre here with messianic overtones (see Isa 11:1-10; Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zech 3:8; 6:12).
6 tn Grk “shall visit us.”
7 sn On the phrases who sit in darkness…and…death see Isa 9:1-2; 42:7; 49:9-10.
8 tn Or “the path.”
9 tn Grk “And he.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. Due to the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
10 tn “River” is not in the Greek text but is supplied for clarity.
11 sn A baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins was a call for preparation for the arrival of the Lord’s salvation. To participate in this baptism was a recognition of the need for God’s forgiveness with a sense that one needed to live differently as a response to it (Luke 3:10-14).
12 sn This repentance has its roots in declarations of the Old Testament. It is the Hebrew concept of a turning of direction.
13 tn Or “preached,” “announced.”
14 sn To all nations. The same Greek term (τὰ ἔθνη, ta eqnh) may be translated “the Gentiles” or “the nations.” The hope of God in Christ was for all the nations from the beginning.
15 sn Beginning from Jerusalem. See Acts 2, which is where it all starts.
map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
