Luke 1:74

Serve him without fear. The context refers this “fear” primarily to fear of “our enemies,” that is, the tyranny of heathen conquerors whose cruel and arbitrary exercise of power was so often a hindrance to the worship and service of God. At the birth of John and of Jesus, Caesar and Herod were the chief “enemies” of the Jewish people (see on Luke 1:5; Matt. 2:1). It is probable also that Zacharias refers, as well, to the haunting “fear” that fills the hearts and pervades the lives of those who do not know “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). This is fear of the mysterious, unknown forces that control the destinies of men’s lives, and fear of the great judgment day.