SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:79
para dar luz a los que habitan en tinieblas y en sombra de muerte; para encaminar nuestros pies por camino de paz.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 79. To give light to them that sit in darkness , etc.] God's elect among the Jews, who were not only in a state of unregeneracy, which is a state of darkness, ignorance, and unbelief; but in the darkness of the legal dispensation, and at this time under more than ordinary darkness and ignorance; having lost the knowledge of the righteousness of God, and of the spirituality of his law, the true sense of the Scriptures, and right notions of the Messiah; being led by blind guides, the Scribes and Pharisees; and , were as it were also, in the shadow of death ; in a state seemingly irrecoverable, when Christ, the great light arose, and shone upon them; and communicated spiritual light, life, and heat unto them; (see Isaiah 9:2) compared with ( Matthew 4:13-16) though Christ is also a light, to lighten his chosen ones among the Gentiles, ( Luke 2:32) but the Jews seem chiefly to be intended here: to guide our feet into the way of peace ; which we knew not: not that he came to teach us how to make our peace with God, but to make peace for us, by the blood of his cross; and so by his Spirit and word, lead us into the true way of enjoying spiritual peace here, and eternal peace hereafter.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 67-80 - Zacharias uttered a prophecy concerning the kingdom and salvation of the Messiah. The gospel brings light with it; in it the day dawns. I John the Baptist it began to break, and increased apace to the perfec day. The gospel is discovering; it shows that about which we wer utterly in the dark; it is to give light to those that sit in darkness the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesu Christ. It is reviving; it brings light to those that sit in the shado of death, as condemned prisoners in the dungeon. It is directing; it is to guide our feet in the way of peace, into that way which will brin us to peace at last, Ro 3:17. John gave proofs of strong faith vigorous and holy affections, and of being above the fear and love of the world. Thus he ripened for usefulness; but he lived a retired life till he came forward openly as the forerunner of the Messiah. Let u follow peace with all men, as well as seek peace with God and our ow consciences. And if it be the will of God that we live unknown to the world, still let us diligently seek to grow strong in the grace of Jesus Christ __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
επιφαναι 2014 5658 V-AAN τοις 3588 T-DPM εν 1722 PREP σκοτει 4655 N-DSN και 2532 CONJ σκια 4639 N-DSF θανατου 2288 N-GSM καθημενοις 2521 5740 V-PNP-DPM του 3588 T-GSM κατευθυναι 2720 5658 V-AAN τους 3588 T-APM ποδας 4228 N-APM ημων 2257 P-1GP εις 1519 PREP οδον 3598 N-ASF ειρηνης 1515 N-GSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
79. To guide (kateuqunai). From eujquv, straight. Wyc. has dress, which is formed through the old French dresser, to arrange, from the Latin dirigere, to set in a straight line, draw up. Hence the military term dress for arranging a line.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:79 {To shine upon} (epifanai). First aorist active infinitive of epifainw (liquid verb). An old verb to give light, to shine upon, like the sun or stars. See also #Ac 27:20; Tit 2:11; 3:4. {The shadow of death} (skiai qanatou). See #Ps 107:10, where darkness and shadow of death are combined as here. Cf. also #Isa 9:1. See on Mt 4:16. To guide (tou kateuq-nai). Genitive of the articular infinitive of purpose. The light will enable them in the dark to see how to walk in a straight path that leads to "the way of peace." We are still on that road, but so many stumble for lack of light, men and nations.
