Luke 1:70 (KJV)

"As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began."

This verse is part of the prayer of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, and is found in the gospel of Luke. This particular verse emphasises the divine revelation of God through His prophets. The use of the term "holy prophets" indicates that these individuals were set apart and dedicated to God, serving as instruments through whom God spoke to His people.

The context of this verse is essential to understand the full significance of Zechariah's prayer. It occurs after Zechariah has regained his speaking ability, following the birth of his son, John the Baptist. In his prayer, he acknowledges the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises and the roles that prophets have played in preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah. The verse reflects the belief in the divine inspiration of the prophetic messages, acknowledging that these messages did not originate from the prophets themselves, but were spoken through them by the mouth of God.

The theme of the verse is the continuity of God's plan for salvation throughout history. The phrase "since the world began" underscores the idea that God's redemptive plan has been in motion since the creation of the world. It highlights the consistency and faithfulness of God in communicating His will to His people through the prophets.

Furthermore, the verse serves as a reminder of the importance of prophetic revelation in the biblical narrative. The prophets were instrumental in proclaiming God's word, warning the people of the consequences of disobedience, and offering hope and assurance of God's faithfulness. Their messages often pointed to the coming of the Messiah and prepared the way for His arrival.

Symbolically, the "mouth of his holy prophets" represents the instrumentality of God's chosen messengers. The use of the term "mouth" emphasises the spoken nature of prophetic revelation, suggesting that God's messages were communicated through the words of the prophets. This highlights the intimate connection between God and His messengers, as they were entrusted with the sacred task of delivering His word to the people.

The significance of this verse extends to the broader biblical narrative, as it links the Old Testament prophecies with the fulfilment of those prophecies in the New Testament. The prophetic messages foretelling the coming of the Messiah find their culmination in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for humanity.

In conclusion, Luke 1:70 emphasises the role of the prophets in conveying God's message to His people, highlighting the continuity of His redemptive plan throughout history. The verse underscores the divine inspiration of prophetic revelation and its significance in preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah. It serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and consistency in communicating His will to His people, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the Old and New Testament in the biblical narrative.