Luke 1:6
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Original Language Analysis
δίκαιοι
righteous
G1342
δίκαιοι
righteous
Strong's:
G1342
Word #:
3 of 17
equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
7 of 17
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
πορευόμενοι
walking
G4198
πορευόμενοι
walking
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
8 of 17
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐντολαῖς
the commandments
G1785
ἐντολαῖς
the commandments
Strong's:
G1785
Word #:
12 of 17
injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δικαιώμασιν
ordinances
G1345
δικαιώμασιν
ordinances
Strong's:
G1345
Word #:
14 of 17
an equitable deed; by implication, a statute or decision
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Genesis 7:1And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.Genesis 17:1And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.Acts 24:16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.1 Thessalonians 3:13To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.Philippians 2:15That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;Job 1:1There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.1 Kings 9:4And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:Job 1:8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Historical Context
As a priest of Abijah's division and descendant of Aaron, Zacharias represented the faithful remnant awaiting Messiah. Their childlessness, despite righteousness, prepared them for God's miraculous intervention, demonstrating that blessing doesn't always equal immediate fulfillment.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to be righteous 'before God' versus before people?
- How does genuine faith express itself through obedience to God's commands?
- Why does God sometimes withhold blessings from even the most faithful believers?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Zacharias and Elisabeth's righteousness 'before God' (Greek 'enopion tou Theou') emphasizes that true righteousness is defined by God's standard, not human opinion. Their blameless observance of commandments doesn't imply sinless perfection but genuine faith expressed through obedience. From a Reformed perspective, their righteousness was by faith (Rom 4:3), evidenced by faithful adherence to God's law. They exemplify Old Testament saints who trusted God's promises before Christ's coming.