New Testament · Gospel

Luke 1:6

The Careful Account

Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord. Luke 1:6 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Luke 1:6, in plain English

Both of them were deeply good people in God's eyes, faithfully obeying all of God's commands and requirements.

Why it's here

Luke makes sure you know they weren't childless because of some sin. They were exemplary in every way. Sometimes God's greatest blessings come after the longest waits.

Who's speaking

Luke describes the couple's character.

Where it sits in the story

They did everything right. They loved God, followed His ways, and still had to endure the heartbreak of not having children. Faithfulness doesn't always mean an easy life.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Both Zechariah and Elizabeth are described as dikaioi (righteous) before God, walking amemptoi (blamelessly) in all the entolai kai dikaiomata (commandments and regulations) of the Lord.

Language and setting

This language echoes descriptions of the patriarchs (Genesis 6:9, 17:1). Their blamelessness is not sinlessness but faithful covenant obedience, making their childlessness all the more poignant.

Voice

The narrator establishes the couple's exceptional spiritual character.

Significance

Luke establishes that their childlessness is not due to any moral failing. They are model covenant keepers, which makes their suffering of barrenness a mystery of divine providence.

In context

Luke 1:4–8

4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

5In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron.

6Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.

7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.

8One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,

Read all of Luke 1 — A physician writes the most detailed account of Jesus' life. Luke notices the people others overlook — the poor, the outcast, the women, the forgotten.

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