1:66 And all they that heard [them] {e} laid [them] up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the {f} hand of the Lord was with him.
(e) Thought upon them diligently and earnestly, and as it were, printed them in their hearts.
(f) That is, the present favour of God, and a singular type of virtue appeared in him.
1:66 The hand of the Lord - The peculiar power and blessing of God.
1:57-66 In these verses we have an account of the birth of John the Baptist, and the great joy among all the relations of the family. He shall be called Johanan, or Gracious, because he shall bring in the gospel of Christ, wherein God's grace shines most bright. Zacharias recovered his speech. Unbelief closed his mouth, and believing opened it again: he believers, therefore he speaks. When God opens our lips, our mouths must show forth his praise; and better be without speech, than not use it in praising God. It is said, The hand of the Lord was working with John. God has ways of working on children in their infancy, which we cannot account for. We should observe the dealings of God, and wait the event.
