Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 1:14

14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoyce at his birth.

None ought to have so mean thoughts of these Words of the Angel, as to think that they are only expressive of that Affection, which commonly discovereth it self in us, when God giveth us Sons, especially after a long Barrenness, but of a further joy and gladness, his Parents should have upon a spiritual account afterwards exprest. Many shall rejoyce at his Birth, Ioh. 5.36. they rejoyced in his light, the glad Tidnigs of the Messiah being come into the World, which he brought. The Papists think they have a ground here for their Holy-day, they keep to his Honour, and their Apish Carnal rejoycing, which certainly, was not so valuable a thing, as for an Angel to foretel. The Angel speaks of the great Acceptation with the People, (many of them) which Iohns Doctrine should have, so that as our Saviour saith, From his Days the Kingdom of Heaven suffered Violence, and the Violent did take it by force. But he further openeth his meaning, in the following Verses.

Marginal references: Or, and he shall be to thee joy and gladness.; Ver. 58.