“God will give light
To those who
Sit in darkness.
He will give light
To those who
Sit in the shadow
Of death.
He will
Guide our feet
Into the way
Of peace.”
ἐπιφᾶναι τοῖς ἐν σκότει καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτου καθημένοις, τοῦ κατευθῦναι τοὺς πόδας ἡμῶν εἰς ὁδὸν εἰρήνης.
Luke concluded Zechariah’s canticle with a call to peace for all Israelites. Zechariah said that God would give light or shine upon those who sat in darkness (ἐπιφᾶναι τοῖς ἐν σκότει). He would also give light to those who sat in the shadow of death (καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτου καθημένοις). He would guide their feet (τοῦ κατευθῦναι τοὺς πόδας ἡμῶν) into the way of peace (εἰς ὁδὸν εἰρήνης). Once again, returning to prophetic expectations, Zechariah said that things would be good for those living in darkness or the shadow of death. Hope or the messiah would come so that they would have the lasting peace that they so desired.