What prophets are referenced in Luke 1:70? Text Of Luke 1:70 “as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past” What The Phrase Means The Greek reads, διὰ στόματος τῶν ἁγίων ἀφ’ αἰῶνος προφητῶν αὐτοῦ, “through the mouth of His holy prophets from eternity/ancient time.” Zechariah is not singling out one individual; he is invoking the entire prophetic witness—from the earliest patriarch-prophets through the last writing prophet, Malachi—who together foretold the coming Messiah and the deliverance of God’s covenant people. The Earliest Prophetic Voices • EN GENESIS – The proto-evangelium (Genesis 3:15) promises a Seed who will crush the serpent. • ENOCH – Jude 14 calls him a prophet who foretold the Lord’s coming with “myriads of His holy ones.” • NOAH – A “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5). • ABRAHAM – Explicitly named “prophet” (Genesis 20:7); God vows, “All nations on earth will be blessed through your offspring” (Genesis 22:18). • MOSES – Foretells “a Prophet like me” (Deuteronomy 18:15–19). The Era Of The Former Prophets (Joshua–Kings) • SAMUEL – Acts 3:24 groups “all the prophets from Samuel on.” He anoints David, establishing the messianic dynasty (2 Samuel 7:12-16). • NATHAN, GAD, AHIJAH, ELIJAH, ELISHA, ISAIAH’S FATHER AMOZ—non-writing prophets whose oracles and actions foreshadow the Messiah’s reign of righteousness, healing, and victory over enemies. The Writing Prophets: Major • ISAIAH – Virgin conception (7:14), “Wonderful Counselor… Mighty God” (9:6-7), Branch from Jesse (11:1-10), Suffering Servant (52:13–53:12), heralded forerunner (40:3), worldwide salvation (42:6; 49:6). The Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsᵃ, ca. 150 BC) demonstrates these messianic prophecies long pre-date Jesus. • JEREMIAH – Righteous Branch, “Yahweh Our Righteousness” (23:5-6), the New Covenant (31:31-34). • EZEKIEL – Davidic Shepherd-Prince (34:23-24; 37:24-28). • DANIEL – “Son of Man” receiving eternal dominion (7:13-14), timeline to Messiah the Prince (9:25-26). The Writing Prophets: Minor • HOSEA – “Out of Egypt I called My Son” (11:1). • JOEL – Outpouring of the Spirit (2:28-32; fulfilled Acts 2). • AMOS – Restoration of David’s fallen tent (9:11-12; Acts 15:16-18). • OBADIAH – Deliverers will ascend Mount Zion (v. 21). • JONAH – Sign of three days (cf. Matthew 12:39-41). • MICAH – Birthplace Bethlehem Ephrathah (5:2), Shepherd-King who brings peace (5:4-5). • NAHUM – Good news of peace (1:15). • HABAKKUK – “The righteous will live by faith” (2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11). • ZEPHANIAH – King of Israel, Yahweh, in the midst of His people (3:15-17). • HAGGAI – Desire of all nations will come, glory of the second temple greater than the first (2:7-9). • ZECHARIAH – Priest-King (6:12-13), humble King on a donkey (9:9), pierced Messiah (12:10), Shepherd struck (13:7). • MALACHI – Messenger before the Lord (3:1), Elijah-type forerunner (4:5-6). Psalms As Prophetic Testimony Jesus Himself cites David as prophet (Matthew 22:43). Psalm 2 (God’s Son enthroned), Psalm 22 (crucifixion details), Psalm 110 (eternal priesthood), and Psalm 118 (rejected cornerstone) stand behind Luke 1:70’s sweeping claim. Key Themes Alluded To In Luke 1:68-75 1. Salvation and deliverance from enemies (Isaiah 11:1-10; Micah 5:4-5). 2. Covenant mercy to Abraham (Genesis 12:3; 22:18) and David (2 Samuel 7:13-16). 3. Holiness and righteousness forever (Jeremiah 23:5-6; Ezekiel 37:23-28). 4. Light to those in darkness (Isaiah 9:2; 42:6-7). Prophets, “From Of Old,” Confirming Christ The prophetic record forms a single, interlocking testimony pointing uniquely to Jesus of Nazareth as the risen Messiah (Acts 10:43). The Dead Sea Scrolls, Septuagint manuscripts (e.g., Codex Vaticanus, 4th c.), and later Masoretic codices (e.g., Aleppo Codex) show textual stability adequate to demonstrate that the messianic oracles pre-date Christ and were not retro-fitted. Summary Luke 1:70 parcels no narrow list; it encompasses every God-commissioned prophet from Genesis through Malachi—writing and non-writing, patriarchs, psalmists, seers, and sages—who foretold the advent, suffering, triumph, and everlasting reign of the Messiah, now revealed in Jesus Christ. |
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