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.”
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.”
