Luke 1:25

Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(25) To take away my reproach among men.—The words express in almost their strongest form the Jewish feeling as to maternity. To have no children was more than a misfortune. It seemed to imply some secret sin which God was punishing with barrenness. So we have Rachel’s cry, “Give me children, or else I die” (Genesis 30:1); and Hannah’s “bitterness of soul” when “her adversary provoked her to make her fret” (1Samuel 1:6-10).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

1:5-25 The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners as all are, and were justified and saved in the same way as others; but they were eminent for piety and integrity. They had no children, and it could not be expected that Elisabeth should have any in her old age. While Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, the whole multitude of the people were praying without. All the prayers we offer up to God, are acceptable and successful only by Christ's intercession in the temple of God above. We cannot expect an interest therein if we do not pray, and pray with our spirits, and are not earnest in prayer. Nor can we expect that the best of our prayers should gain acceptance, and bring an answer of peace, but through the mediation of Christ, who ever lives, making intercession. The prayers Zacharias often made, received an answer of peace. Prayers of faith are filed in heaven, and are not forgotten. Prayers made when we were young and entering into the world, may be answered when we are old and going out of the world. Mercies are doubly sweet that are given in answer to prayer. Zacharias shall have a son in his old age, who shall be instrumental in the conversion of many souls to God, and preparing them to receive the gospel of Christ. He shall go before Him with courage, zeal, holiness, and a mind dead to earthly interests and pleasures. The disobedient and rebellious would be brought back to the wisdom of their righteous forefathers, or rather, brought to attend to the wisdom of that Just One who was coming among them. Zacharias heard all that the angel said; but his unbelief spake. In striking him dumb, God dealt justly with him, because he had objected against God's word. We may admire the patience of God towards us. God dealt kindly with him, for thus he prevented his speaking any more distrustful, unbelieving words. Thus also God confirmed his faith. If by the rebukes we are under for our sin, we are brought to give the more credit to the word of God, we have no reason to complain. Even real believers are apt to dishonour God by unbelief; and their mouths are stopped in silence and confusion, when otherwise they would have been praising God with joy and gratitude. In God's gracious dealings with us we ought to observe his gracious regards to us. He has looked on us with compassion and favour, and therefore has thus dealt with us.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Thus - In this merciful manner.

To take away my reproach - Among the Jews, a family of children was counted a signal blessing, an evidence of the favor of God, Psalm 113:9; Psalm 128:3; Isaiah 4:1; Isaiah 44:3-4; Leviticus 26:9. To be "barren," therefore, or to be destitute of children, was considered a "reproach" or a "disgrace," 1 Samuel 1:6.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

24. hid five months—till the event was put beyond doubt and became apparent.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Luke 1:24"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Thus hath the Lord dealt with me,.... In a very gracious and bountiful manner; in giving her strength to conceive a son in her old age, and such an one that was to be great, and so useful in his day; of which her husband had doubtless informed her by writing, though he could not speak:

in the days wherein he looked on me; with a favourable eye, with a look of love and mercy:

he took away my reproach from among men; as barrenness was accounted, especially among the Israelites, the seed of Abraham; to whom was promised a numerous issue, as the stars in the sky, and as the sand on the sea shore, and particularly the Messiah; see Genesis 30:23.

Geneva Study Bible

Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

25. to take away my reproach] So Rachel, when she bare a son, said, “God hath taken away my reproach,” Genesis 30:23. See Isaiah 4:1; Hosea 9:11; 1 Samuel 1:6-10. Yet the days were coming when to be childless would be regarded by Jewish mothers as a blessing. See Luke 23:29.

Bengel's Gnomen

Luke 1:25. Οὕτω, thus) even as all, five months afterwards, saw her [viz. pregnant].—ἡμέραις, in the days) definitely fixed beforehand.—ἐπεῖδεν) ἐπέβλεψεν, Luke 1:48; ἐπεσκέψατο, Luke 1:68.—τὸ ὄνειδος, my reproach) viz. the surname by which they called her, viz. barren, Luke 1:36.—ἐν ἀνθρώποις, among men) She had scarcely accounted herself as one of the human race [to be counted among men] on account of her barrenness.

Luke 1:25

Vincent's Word Studies

Neither A. V. nor Rev. render ὅτι; taking it, as frequently, merely as recitative or equivalent to quotation marks. But it means because. Elizabeth assigns the reason for her peculiar seclusion. Her pregnancy was God's work, and she would leave it to him also to announce it and openly to take away her reproach. Hence the specification of five months, after which her condition would become apparent. Fully expressed, the sense would be: She hid herself, saying (I have hid myself) because, etc.

Looked upon (ἐπεῖδεν)

Used by Luke only.