Luke 1:17

“And he shall go before him, etc.] The Lord his God, the Lord Jesus Christ, whose forerunner he was; the messenger of him, that according to the prophecies in (<234003>Isaiah 40:3, <390301>Malachi 3:1) was to go before him, and prepare his ways; as he did by his wonderful conception and birth, which made way for the more easy belief of the conception and birth of the Messiah, by a virgin; and by his preaching the doctrine of repentance, and administering the ordinance of baptism; which, were done to awaken the people's expectation of the Messiah, and that he might be made manifest in Israel, and by pointing him out to them in his preaching: in the spirit and power of Elias: or Elijah, the…”

“before him--before "the Lord their God" (Luk 1:16). By comparing this with Mal 3:1 and Isa 40:3, it is plainly "Jehovah" in the flesh of Messiah [CALVIN and OLSHAUSEN] before whom John was to go as a herald to announce His approach, and a pioneer o prepare His way. in the spirit--after the model. and power of Elias--not his miraculous power, for John did no miracle" (Joh 10:41), but his power "turning the heart," or with like success in his ministry. Both fell on degenerate times; both witnessed fearlessly for God; neither appeared much save in the direct exercise of their ministry; both were at the head of schools of disciples; the success of both was similar. fathers to the children--taken…”

“Shall go before him - Before the Messiah. The connection here leads us to suppose that the word “him” refers to the “Lord their God” in the previous verse. If so, then it will follow that the Messiah was the Lord God of Israel - a character abundantly given him in other parts of the New Testament. In the spirit and power of Elias - See the notes at Matthew 11:14. To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children - In the time of John the Jews were divided into a number of different sects. See the notes at Matthew 3:7. They were opposed violently to each other, and pursued their opposition with great animosity. It was impossible but that this opposition should find its way into families, and…”

“He shall go before him, Christ, in the power and spirit of Elijah - With the same integrity, courage, austerity, and fervour, and the same power attending his word: to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children - To reconcile those that are at variance, to put an end to the most bitter quarrels, such as are very frequently those between the nearest relations: and the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just - And the most obstinate sinners to true wisdom, which is only found among them that are righteous before God. Luke 1:18”

“1:17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah: The prophet Malachi predicted that God would send Elijah before the time of God’s salvation (see Mal 3:1; 4:5-6). John fulfilled this role by preparing the way for the Lord’s coming.”

“before: Luk 1:16; Joh 1:13, Joh 1:23-30, Joh 1:34, Joh 3:28 in: Mal 4:5, Mal 4:6; Mat 11:14, Mat 17:11, Mat 17:12; Mar 9:11-13; Joh 1:21-24; Rev 20:4 power: Kg1 17:1, Kg1 18:18, Kg1 21:20; Kg2 1:4-6, Kg2 1:16, Elijah, Mat 3:4, Mat 3:7-12, Mat 14:4 turn: Luk 3:7-14; Mal 4:6 and the: Isa 29:24; Mat 21:29-32; Co1 6:9-11 to: or, by to make: Sa1 7:5; Ch1 29:18; Ch2 29:36; Psa 10:17, Psa 78:8, Psa 111:10; Amo 4:12; Act 10:33; Rom 9:23; Col 1:12; Ti2 2:21; Pe1 2:9; Pe2 3:11-14; Jo1 2:28 Luke 1:18”