Luke chapter 1

vs 71

That had also come to pass in the past, but wasn't a present reality, with the Roman occupation.

vs 72

The remembering of his covenant is another aspect of God that is very much a part of the OT. One of the most important aspects of OT theology is understanding this concept of covenant.

vs 73

So now we go back to the beginning of the Abrahamic covenant - an interesting place to start, considering the value the Pharisees put on the Mosaic covenant. But then, they would still say they were Abraham's children.

vs 74

I don't actually remember that bit of the promise, but I guess it depends how you read it.

vs 75

Is he referring to some sort of heavenly promise, or simply the holiness of being God's people in the land?

vs 76

That was all revealed to him in the temple, so he's just reiterating.

vs 77

Now that is a big call. It is not unknown in the OT though, but obviously there is some link to a Messiah and to forgiveness of sins being made here.

vs 78

That's a reference to the sun of righteousness I guess. Interesting, as I don't know how much we really refer to that, except when explaining why it's called Sunday. But that's where Zechariah's mind went apparently.

vs 79

Of course, with this half of the analogy, the sun bit looks obvious.

vs 80

Note the difference between the upbringing of John and of Jesus. John grew strong, yes, but spent his whole life out in the desert even before his public ministry began. Jesus, on the other hand, just worked like a normal kid.