The context of the passage within the narrative of Luke occurs in the Infancy narrative. The passage occurs after the `birth of John the Baptist', Zechariah through the power of the Holy Spirit responds to the question asked by the crowd in V66. Mary didn't need confirmation, However Zechariah is now able to praise God because he has witnessed God's goodness to him i.e. the birth of his son, and god has remembered him. This passage completes the structure of the infancy narrative and the prophecy of Jesus' role and John's role. It is then followed by the birth of Jesus.

The literary form of the passage is a hymn with similar structure to that of Mary's hymn of praise. It begins with a statement of praise evident in V68 and is followed by reasons for that praise. The format...