Ver. 1. Many have taken in hand] Or, have attempted, επεχειρησαν, but not effected. Hence some have concluded, that Luke wrote first of the four evangelists. Howbeit the common opinion is (and the most ancient copies say as much) that Matthew wrote his Gospel eight years after Christ, M ark ten, Luke fifteen, and John forty-two.
Ver. 2. Which from the beginning were eyewitnesses] Therefore it may seem his Gospel was not dictated to him by Paul (who was no eyewitness), as some ancients have affirmed. But if we can believe Tacitus or Suetonius in things that happened long before they were born, because we are confident of their diligence in inquiring, how much more should we believe St Luke upon such doubted assurance? &c.
Ver. 3. Having had perfect understanding] Or, following them close at heels, and (as we say) hot-foot, παρηκολουθηκοτι. From the very first] Or, from above, ανωθεν, as inspired from heaven. To write unto thee in order] καθεξης, distinctly, and yet coherently. A singular praise in a historian, for the which Ambrose muc h admireth this our evangelist above all the other.
Ver. 4. Wherein thou hast been instructed] Which thou hast received by hearsay, or by word of mouth; and wherein thou hast been catechised, receiving the mysteries of the faith by the ministry of the voi ce, κατηχηθης. And surely when we see men caring and casting how to find out this certainty here spoken of, and not be led by conjectural, suppositions, but be fully persuaded as St Luke was, and would have his Theophilus to be, then there will be some hop es that the Lord’s party will increase.
Ver. 5. In the days of Herod] Herod a stranger, upon the death of Antigonus, last of the Maccabeans, by Augustus’ favour, was made King of Judea, and reigned 34 years. After his and his son’s death, Judea was again reduced into a Roman province, and the government thereof committed unto Pontius Pilate, then to Petronius, after him to Felix, Festus, Albinus, and Florus, whose cruelty provoked the Jews to rebellion and war, to their utter overthrow. Of the course of Abia] According to their weekly waitings at the altar, 1 Chronicles 24:7-18. God would not have his ministers over wrought, though he require them to labour according to their strength, even to weariness. But how thankless is their labour that do wilfully overspend themselves!
Ver. 6. In all the commandments and ordinances] That is, in all the duties of both the moral and ceremonial law. Blameless] Αμεμπροι, sine querela, saith the Vulgate, “without complaint.” They neither complained about others, nor were complained about by others. As it is reported of Burleigh, Lord Treasurer in Queen Elizabeth’s reign, that he never sued any man, nor did any man ever sue him, and was therefore in the number of those few that both lived and died with glory.
Ver. 7. And they had no child] Which was then held a heavy judgment, as that which rendered them suspected of impiety, since godliness had the promise of increase both within doors and without.
Ver. 8. In the order of his course] He took but his turn, and served but his time. God never purposed to burden any of his creatures with devotion.
Ver. 9. To burn incense] In the incense of prayer, how many sweet spices are burned together, by the fire of faith, as humility, love, &c.
Ver. 10. Praying without at the time of incense] Song of Solomon 3:6, the Church is said to ascend out of the wilderness of this world with pillars of smoke, elationibus fumi, that is, with affections, thoughts, desires toward heaven. And although she be black as smoke, in regard of infirmities, yet hath she a principle to carry her upwards.
Ver. 11. Standing on the right side of the altar] As Satan stood at the right hand of Joshua to molest him, Zechariah 3:1, so stand the angels at our right hand, in the public assemblies especially, to withstand him. And to signify this, the curtains of the tabernacle were wrought full of cherubims within and without.
Ver. 12. He was troubled] But without cause; he should have been comforted rather, for his sins were covered. How will wicked men stand before Christ?
Ver. 13. For thy prayer is heard] Both for a son, and for a Saviour.
Ver. 14. Thou shalt have joy] This is not every father’s happiness. Many fathers are forced through grief for their untoward children to wish to die, as Elijah did when he sat under the juniper, and as Moses did when wearied out by the people, Numbers 11:15.
Ver. 15. Great in the sight of the Lord] Significatur singularis quaedam praestantia, ut Genesis 10:9. He shall be singularly qualified.
Ver. 16. Shall he turn to the Lord] A high honour to have any hand in the conversion of souls. They that wise others shall shine in heaven, Daniel 12:3.