Luke 1:77
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
Luke 1:77
This verse details John’s mission to “give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins.” The knowledge here is practical and salvific: understanding that forgiveness is available, accessible, and life-changing. Luke emphasizes that salvation includes cognitive (knowledge) and experiential (forgiveness) dimensions. The deliverance is tied to the remission of sins, echoing the Old Testament sacrificial system and prophetic promises that forgiveness is God’s gracious gift. The setting of Luke’s birth narratives highlights this as good news for God’s people, not only for the righteous. The verse shows that John’s preaching will illuminate the path to mercy and restoration, preparing a people who live in the reality of God’s forgiveness.
The knowledge of salvation anchors soteriology in God’s mercy and human repentance. Forgiveness is central to reconciliation with God and others, and it enables a faith community to live in freedom rather than fear or guilt. Thematically, it points toward the mercy of God that crosses from promise to realized experience in Jesus, making the forgiveness of sins tangible and accessible.
Today, the invitation remains: know and receive salvation through forgiveness. Practically, this means confessing sins, embracing forgiveness, and extending forgiveness to others. In communities of faith, cultivate environments where people can confess honestly, experience mercy, and grow in gratitude. This also impacts relationships outside the church: forgive past hurts, seek reconciliation, and model mercy in conflict resolution. Knowledge of salvation should translate into transformative living that reflects God’s forgiveness.
Cross-References: Isaiah 61:1-2; Psalm 130:7-8; Luke 4:18-19; Acts 10:43; Ephesians 1:7