Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
He shall be great - There is undoubted reference in this passage to Isaiah 9:6-7. By his being "great" is meant he shall be distinguished or illustrious; great in power, in wisdom, in dominion on earth and in heaven.
Shall be called - This is the same as to say he "shall be" the Son, etc. The Hebrews often used this form of speech. See Matthew 21:13.
The Highest - God, who is infinitely exalted; called the Highest, because He is exalted over all his creatures on earth and in heaven. See Mark 5:7.
The throne - The kingdom; or shall appoint him as the lineal successor of David in the kingdom.
His father David - David is called his father because Jesus was lineally descended from him. See Matthew 1:1. The promise to David was, that there should "not fail" a man to sit on his throne, or that his throne should be perpetual I Kings 2:4; I Kings 8:25; I Kings 9:5; II Chronicles 6:16, and the promise was fulfilled by exalting Jesus to be a Prince and a Saviour, and the perpetual King of his people.
Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Luke 1:32:
2 Samuel 7:13
Psalms 18:50
Psalms 89:4
Daniel 2:44
Daniel 3:28
Micah 4:8
Zechariah 6:13
Matthew 9:27
Romans 9:26
Hebrews 1:5
Revelation 4:4
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