Luke 1:72

KJV

To perform the mercy [promised] to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

KJV (with Strong's)

To perform {G4160} the mercy {G1656} promised to {G3326} our {G2257} fathers {G3962}, and {G2532} to remember {G3415} his {G846} holy {G40} covenant {G1242};

Complete Jewish Bible

"This has happened so that he might show the mercy promised to our fathers -- that he would remember his holy covenant,

Berean Standard Bible

to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,

American Standard Version

To show mercy towards our fathers, And to remember his holy covenant;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 1:72, a pivotal verse within Zechariah's prophetic hymn, the Benedictus, declares God's unwavering commitment to His ancient promises. Spoken after the miraculous restoration of Zechariah's voice following the birth of John the Baptist, this verse affirms that the impending salvation through the Messiah is not an arbitrary act but the faithful culmination of divine mercy promised to the patriarchs and the remembrance of God's sacred covenant with His people throughout history. It underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan from antiquity to the advent of Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 1:72 is an integral part of Zechariah's prophecy, often referred to as the Benedictus, found in [Luke 1:68-79](/luke/1-68-79 "Zechariah's Prophecy - The Benedictus"). This prophecy is a spontaneous outburst of praise and theological insight, delivered after Zechariah's nine-month period of silence (see [Luke 1:20](/luke/1-20 "Zechariah's Unbelief and Silence")) was broken upon naming his son, John. The preceding verses (Luke 1:68-71) celebrate God's visitation and redemption, particularly His raising up of a "horn of salvation" from the house of David. Verse 72 then elaborates on the *reason* for this divine intervention: it is "to perform the mercy" and "to remember his holy covenant," thus firmly rooting the Messiah's coming in God's historical faithfulness to His promises made to Israel's ancestors. The verses that follow (Luke 1:73-75) further specify the content of this covenant, promising deliverance from enemies and the opportunity to serve God without fear in holiness and righteousness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Zechariah, a priest, lived in a time when Israel had long been under foreign domination, first Persian, then Greek, and finally Roman. The Jewish people yearned for the fulfillment of ancient prophecies concerning a Messiah who would deliver them from oppression and restore the Davidic kingdom. The concept of "covenant" was deeply embedded in Jewish thought, recalling God's foundational agreements with Abraham ([Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Covenant with Abraham")), Moses ([Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5-6 "The Mosaic Covenant")), and David ([2_samuel/7-12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "The Davidic Covenant")). Zechariah's prophecy, therefore, resonates powerfully with the historical longing for national and spiritual redemption, framing the birth of John and the imminent arrival of Jesus within the grand narrative of God's covenantal faithfulness to His chosen people. The "fathers" explicitly refers to the patriarchs, particularly Abraham, to whom the initial promises of blessing and a great nation were given.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 1:72 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **God's Unwavering Faithfulness** to His word, demonstrating that His promises are not forgotten but brought to fruition in His perfect timing, even after centuries of apparent delay. Secondly, the phrase "to perform the mercy" underscores **Divine Mercy and Compassion** as the driving force behind God's redemptive plan. This mercy is not passive pity but active intervention for salvation. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the **Fulfillment of God's Covenant**, particularly the Abrahamic covenant, which promised a blessing to all nations through Abraham's seed. Zechariah's words confirm that the birth of the Messiah is the ultimate expression of this covenant, leading to the establishment of the [new covenant](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah's Prophecy of the New Covenant") prophesied by Jeremiah. Finally, it reinforces the **Continuity of God's Plan** across generations, linking the hopes and promises of the Old Testament directly to their fulfillment in the New Testament, with John the Baptist serving as the divinely appointed forerunner, as foretold in [Luke 1:76](/luke/1-76 "John the Baptist's Prophetic Role").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **perform (Greek, _poiéō'_):** This verb signifies "to make or do" in a very wide application, implying active execution, accomplishment, or bringing something into being. In this context, it emphasizes that God is not merely remembering His promise passively but is actively bringing it to completion. It conveys the idea of God's effective action in history to fulfill His word.
* **mercy (Greek, _éleos'_):** This term denotes compassion, specifically active and often divine. It refers to God's loving-kindness and pity, which manifests in tangible acts of help, deliverance, and salvation. It is not merely a feeling but a powerful, benevolent force that compels God to act on behalf of the needy and the suffering.
* **covenant (Greek, _diathḗkē'_):** Properly, a disposition or arrangement, this word refers to a solemn, binding agreement, particularly one initiated by a superior party (God) with a subordinate one (humanity). Unlike a bilateral contract, a covenant, especially in biblical usage, highlights God's unilateral commitment and His gracious initiative in establishing a relationship and making promises. It underscores the unchangeable nature of God's sworn commitments.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To perform the mercy [promised] to our fathers":** This clause reveals the purpose of God's intervention through the coming Messiah. The "mercy" refers to God's active compassion and saving grace. The parenthetical "[promised]" clarifies that this mercy is not a new, spontaneous act but the fulfillment of a long-standing divine commitment. "Our fathers" specifically points to the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to whom God made foundational promises of blessing, land, and descendants who would be a source of blessing to all nations. This signifies that God's current action is rooted in His historical faithfulness.
* **"and to remember his holy covenant":** This second clause is parallel in meaning and reinforces the first. God's "remembering" is not a recovery of forgotten information, but an active, purposeful bringing to mind that leads to action. It implies God's steadfast commitment to His sworn agreements. The "holy covenant" refers primarily to the Abrahamic Covenant ([Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "The Abrahamic Covenant")), which was foundational to Israel's identity and hope. The term "holy" emphasizes the sacred, set-apart, and inviolable nature of this divine agreement, highlighting its origin in God's perfect character.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 1:72 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Fulfillment**, as Zechariah's prophecy explicitly links the current events (the birth of John and the anticipation of Jesus) to the ancient promises made to the "fathers" and the "holy covenant." This establishes a direct line of continuity from Old Testament prophecy to New Testament reality, emphasizing God's consistent plan. There is also a strong sense of **Covenantal Language**, using terms like "mercy" and "covenant" that are deeply rooted in Israel's theological vocabulary, evoking centuries of divine interaction with His people. The verse also functions as a form of **Prophetic Utterance**, as Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, declares God's future actions and their theological significance. Finally, the structure of the verse itself, with two parallel clauses ("To perform the mercy..." and "and to remember his holy covenant"), uses **Parallelism** to reinforce the central idea of God's active and faithful remembrance of His promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 1:72 stands as a powerful testament to the unwavering faithfulness of God, a central theological theme woven throughout the entire biblical narrative. It underscores that God's redemptive work in Christ is not an improvisation but the climactic fulfillment of His eternal plan, rooted in His steadfast love and covenantal commitments made to His people across generations. This verse assures us that God always keeps His word, demonstrating His perfect character and the reliability of His promises. The "mercy" spoken of here is the active, saving grace that culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who embodies and enacts God's ultimate compassion for humanity. The "holy covenant" points to the foundational agreements through which God established His relationship with Israel, ultimately finding its complete and final expression in the new covenant mediated by Christ.

* [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Covenant with Abraham")
* [Psalm 105:8-10](/psalms/105-8-10 "God Remembers His Covenant Forever")
* [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 1:72 offers profound encouragement and a firm foundation for faith in the modern world. In a world often characterized by broken promises and fleeting commitments, this verse reminds us that God's faithfulness is immutable and eternal. Just as He "performed the mercy" and "remembered His holy covenant" for Israel, He remains faithful to His promises to us today. This should instill in us a deep sense of security and trust, knowing that every promise in His Word, from personal guidance to ultimate salvation, will be fulfilled. It calls us to reflect on God's historical acts of redemption, recognizing that our present blessings are part of a continuous story of divine faithfulness. This remembrance should cultivate a spirit of gratitude and worship, compelling us to live lives that honor His steadfast love. When we face delays, disappointments, or doubts, Zechariah's prophecy serves as a powerful anchor, reminding us that God is actively working His purposes, even when we cannot see the full picture. Our hope is not in our circumstances or our own strength, but in the unchanging character of the God who remembers and performs.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Zechariah's emphasis on God "remembering" His covenant challenge or affirm your understanding of God's active involvement in your life?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust God's faithfulness more deeply, even when His promises seem delayed or unseen?**
* **How does understanding God's historical faithfulness to Israel strengthen your personal faith and hope in Christ today?**

### FAQ

**What is the "mercy promised" in Luke 1:72?**

Answer: The "mercy promised" refers to God's active compassion and saving intervention that was foretold throughout the Old Testament. It is not merely a feeling of pity but God's benevolent action to deliver His people from their enemies and from their sins. This mercy was promised to the "fathers," particularly Abraham, and finds its ultimate expression in the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who brings salvation and redemption. It signifies God's loving-kindness that drives His covenantal faithfulness.

**Which "holy covenant" is being referred to in this verse?**

Answer: The "holy covenant" primarily refers to the Abrahamic Covenant, first established in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Covenant with Abraham"), and later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob. This covenant included promises of a great nation, a land, and a blessing to all families of the earth through Abraham's seed. While other covenants (like the Mosaic and Davidic) are also implicitly part of God's overarching plan, the Abrahamic covenant is foundational. Zechariah's prophecy indicates that the birth of the Messiah is the climactic fulfillment of this ancient, sacred agreement, leading to the establishment of the [new covenant](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah's Prophecy of the New Covenant") in Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 1:72 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus of Nazareth, who is the ultimate embodiment and executor of God's promised mercy and the very substance of His holy covenant. Zechariah's prophecy, spoken in anticipation of John the Baptist's role as the Messiah's forerunner, declares that God is actively "performing the mercy" and "remembering His holy covenant" through the imminent arrival of Christ. Jesus is the "horn of salvation" (as mentioned in [Luke 1:69](/luke/1-69 "Jesus, the Horn of Salvation")), raised up from the house of David, who delivers His people not merely from political oppression but from the greater bondage of sin and death. The "mercy promised" to the fathers culminates in God's gracious act of sending His Son to die for humanity's sins, demonstrating the depth of divine love (cf. [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God's Love for the World")). Furthermore, Jesus is the mediator of a "better covenant" (as described in [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant")), the new covenant prophesied by Jeremiah, established through His own blood (cf. [Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "The New Covenant in Jesus' Blood")). In Christ, God's ancient promises are not just recalled but fully realized, providing forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and the promise of eternal life to all who believe, thus extending the blessings of Abraham to all nations (cf. [Galatians 3:14](/galatians/3-14 "The Blessing of Abraham Through Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 6:13

For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

Hebrews 6:18

That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Psalms 106:45

And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

Micah 7:20

Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, [and] the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

Leviticus 26:42

Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.

Romans 11:28

As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.

Luke 1:54

He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of [his] mercy;