Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 1:79

"To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of peace." — Luke 1:79 (ASV)

NIV’s “rising sun” (GK 424) has a dynamic quality that suits a word used in the LXX to translate the word “branch” in Jer 23:5; Zechariah 3:8; 6:12. Thus it has a messianic aspect and fits well with the “come” of v.68 (see comment). Verse 79 uses beautiful language from Isa 60:1–3 to carry forward the imagery of light (the sun) and to offer hope of peace to those who were then outside the faithful remnant of Judaism (cf. Ephesians 2:12).