Luke 1:13-17
13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,
15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.
17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Luke 1:13-17: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 13: “But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.’
The angel Gabriel speaks to Zechariah, a priest. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth are old and childless. Gabriel reassures Zechariah, telling him not to fear. He announces that their prayers for a child have been answered. Elizabeth will bear a son named John. This is significant because names in the Bible often carry deep meanings. “John” means “God is gracious.”
Verse 14: “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth.”
Gabriel continues, promising that John will bring joy and delight to his parents. More than that, many others will also rejoice at his birth. This indicates John’s future impact on the community and beyond. His life will be a source of happiness and spiritual renewal.
Verse 15: “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.”
John’s greatness is affirmed by God. He is to live a life of Nazirite-like dedication, abstaining from wine and fermented drinks. This sets him apart for a holy purpose. Remarkably, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb. This divine filling signifies his unique role in God’s plan.
Verse 16: “He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.”
John’s mission is to lead a spiritual revival among the Israelites. He will turn many back to God. This is a call to repentance and renewal. His work will prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah.
Verse 17: “And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
John will precede the Lord, embodying the spirit and power of Elijah, a great prophet. His mission includes restoring family relationships and guiding the disobedient to righteousness. Ultimately, he will prepare the people for the Lord’s arrival. This verse connects John’s mission to Old Testament prophecies, emphasizing his pivotal role in salvation history.