| Geneva Study Bible To {n} give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the {o} remission of their sins, (n) Open the way. (o) Forgiveness of sins is the means by which God saves us; Ro 4:7. People's New Testament 1:77 By the remission of their sins. The remainder of the sentence embodies the gospel in brief. It promises (1) salvation, (2) not merely political but spiritual. A remission of, and redemption from sin, (3) indicates the cause--the divine mercy (compare Joh 3:16; Eph 2:4-8), and (4) promises the result, like to eyes in darkness, and peace to feet straying in paths of sorrow and perplexity. Wesley's Notes 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins - The knowledge of the remission of our sins being the grand instrument of present and eternal salvation, Heb 8:11,12. But the immediate sense of the words seems to be, to preach to them the Gospel doctrine of salvation by the remission of their sins. King James Translators' Notes by: or, for Scofield Reference Notes Margin sins Sin. See Scofield Note: "Rom 3:23" Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 77. to give knowledge of salvation-To sound the note of a needed and provided "salvation" was the noble office of John, above all that preceded him; as it is that of all subsequent ministers of Christ; but infinitely loftier was it to be the "Salvation" itself (Lu 1:69 and Lu 2:30). by the remission of . sins-This stamps at once the spiritual nature of the salvation here intended, and explains Lu 1:71, 74. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 1:67-80 Zacharias uttered a prophecy concerning the kingdom and salvation of the Messiah. The gospel brings light with it; in it the day dawns. In John the Baptist it began to break, and increased apace to the perfect day. The gospel is discovering; it shows that about which we were 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 Jesus Christ. It is reviving; it brings light to those that sit in the shadow 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 bring 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 us follow peace with all men, as well as seek peace with God and our own 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. | 
