Luke 1:54-56
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
54 He has helped Israel his servant,
remembering his mercy,(A)
55 according to his promise to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”(B)
56 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
The Birth of John.[a]
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- 1:57–66 The birth and circumcision of John above all emphasize John’s incorporation into the people of Israel by the sign of the covenant (Gn 17:1–12). The narrative of John’s circumcision also prepares the way for the subsequent description of the circumcision of Jesus in Lk 2:21. At the beginning of his two-volume work Luke shows those who play crucial roles in the inauguration of Christianity to be wholly a part of the people of Israel. At the end of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 21:20; 22:3; 23:6–9; 24:14–16; 26:2–8, 22–23) he will argue that Christianity is the direct descendant of Pharisaic Judaism.
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