What is the meaning of Luke 1:71?

salvation from our enemies

• Zechariah’s song celebrates a literal rescue, echoing Israel’s long history of God stepping in when hostile nations pressed in—think of Egypt in Exodus 14:13-14, the Philistines in 1 Samuel 17:47, or Babylon in Isaiah 43:14.

• Yet the Lord’s salvation always reached deeper than swords and sieges. Jesus, “the horn of salvation” announced two verses earlier (Luke 1:69), confronts the ultimate enemies:

– Sin (Romans 6:6-7; “our old self was crucified with Him… so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin”).

– Satan (Hebrews 2:14-15; Christ destroyed “the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil”).

– Death itself (1 Corinthians 15:54-57; “Death has been swallowed up in victory”).

• Notice the pronoun “our.” Salvation is covenant-wide, promised to Abraham’s offspring (Genesis 22:17-18) and fulfilled in everyone who trusts Christ (Galatians 3:29).

• Because this rescue is certain, believers can pray Psalm 18:3—“I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies”—with fresh confidence.

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and from the hand of all who hate us

• “The hand” pictures controlling power. God pledges to loosen every grip of hostility—political (Acts 12:11), social (Psalm 118:13-14), and spiritual (Ephesians 6:12).

• Hatred toward God’s people did not end with Zechariah. Jesus warned, “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first” (John 15:18). Luke 1:71 assures that such hatred never has the last word.

• Practical implications:

– Endurance under persecution—Paul asked the church to pray “that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men” (2 Thessalonians 3:2) and saw God answer (Acts 23:12-24).

– Freedom from bitterness—Romans 12:19 reminds us God will settle scores; we are free to bless our foes (Matthew 5:44).

• Ultimately, this phrase lifts our eyes to the consummation when Christ “will hand over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed every rule and every authority and power” (1 Corinthians 15:24). Hatred ends, and perfect peace begins.

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summary

Luke 1:71 promises a comprehensive deliverance: God rescues His people from visible adversaries and the unseen forces behind them. In Jesus, sin, Satan, death, and every hostile hand meet their match. Believers live in the present reality of that victory and look forward to its final, glorious completion.