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Luke 1:15-17

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord.”

World English Bible · Public Domain
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Luke 1:15-17 sits inside this longer paragraph.

An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord.”

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.

    He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

    He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord.”

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    For he shalbe greate in the sight of the lorde and shall nether drinke wyne ner stronge drinke. And he shalbe filled with the holy goost even in his mothers wombe:

    and many of the chyldren of Israel shall he tourne to their Lorde God.

    And he shall goo before him in the sprete and power of Helyas to tourne the hertes of the fathers to the chyldren and the vnbelevers to the wysdom of the iuste men: to make the people redy for the Lorde.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    For he shalbe great in the sight of the Lord, and shall neither drinke wine, nor strong drinke: and he shalbe filled with the holy Ghost, euen from his mothers wombe.

    And many of the children of Israel shall he turne to their Lord God.

    For he shall goe before him in the spirite and power of Elias, to turne the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisedome of the iust men, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

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Examined in Scripture Analysis

Contradictions (2)

Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.

  • When was the Holy Ghost given?
  • Has there ever been a just person?

Explore Contradictions →

Cross-references (63)

  • Malachi 4:5-6 (v17) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Yahweh comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the…
  • Matthew 11:14 (v17) If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come.
  • Luke 1:76 (vv16–17) And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
  • Jeremiah 1:5 (v15) “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
  • Matthew 17:11-12 (v17) Jesus answered them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things, but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t…
Show all 62 cross-references
  • John 1:21-30 (v17) They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” They said therefore to him,…
  • 1 Chronicles 29:18 (v17) Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this desire forever in the thoughts of the heart of your people, and…
  • Psalms 78:8 (v17) and might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that didn’t make their hearts loyal, whose spirit was…
  • Mark 9:11-13 (v17) They asked him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He said to them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and restores all…
  • John 3:28 (v17) You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’
  • Numbers 6:2-4 (v15) “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them: ‘When either man or woman shall make a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate…
  • Ephesians 5:18 (v15) Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
  • Luke 7:33 (v15) For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’
  • Galatians 1:15 (v15) But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through his grace
  • Judges 13:4-6 (v15) Now therefore please beware and drink no wine nor strong drink, and don’t eat any unclean thing; for, behold, you shall conceive and give…
  • Acts 2:4 (v15) They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
  • Colossians 1:12 (v17) giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light,
  • 1 Peter 2:9 (v17) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of…
  • Matthew 21:32 (v16) For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When…
  • Joshua 4:14 (v15) On that day, Yahweh magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.
  • Isaiah 40:3-5 (v16) The voice of one who calls out, “Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God. Every valley…
  • Malachi 3:1 (v16) “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the…
  • Luke 3:7-14 (v17) He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to…
  • Revelation 20:4 (v17) I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of…
  • 1 Kings 17:1 (v17) Elijah the Tishbite, who was one of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there…
  • 1 Chronicles 17:8 (v15) I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a name like the name of the…
  • Psalms 111:10 (v17) The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
  • Matthew 3:1-6 (v16) In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” For…
  • Luke 1:16 (v17) He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
  • Luke 7:28 (v15) “For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in God’s…
  • 2 Timothy 2:21 (v17) If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for…
  • Genesis 12:2 (v15) I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing.
  • Genesis 48:19 (v15) His father refused, and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people, and he also will be great. However, his younger…
  • Joshua 3:7 (v15) Yahweh said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to magnify you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that as I was with Moses, so I…
  • 1 Kings 21:20 (v17) Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do that which is evil…
  • 1 Chronicles 29:12 (v15) Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all! In your hand is power and might! It is in your hand to make great, and to give…
  • 2 Chronicles 29:36 (v17) Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced, because of that which God had prepared for the people; for the thing was done suddenly.
  • Psalms 22:9 (v15) But you brought me out of the womb. You made me trust while at my mother’s breasts.
  • Isaiah 29:24 (v17) They also who err in spirit will come to understanding, and those who grumble will receive instruction.”
  • Isaiah 49:6 (v16) Indeed, he says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of…
  • Daniel 12:3 (v16) Those who are wise will shine as the brightness of the expanse. Those who turn many to righteousness will shine as the stars forever and…
  • Amos 4:12 (v17) “Therefore thus I will do to you, Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, Israel.
  • Zechariah 9:15 (v15) Yahweh of Armies will defend them; and they will destroy and overcome with sling stones; and they will drink, and roar as through wine; and…
  • Matthew 14:4 (v17) For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
  • Matthew 21:29-32 (v17) He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went. He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I’m…
  • John 1:13 (v17) who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
  • John 1:34 (v17) I have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
  • Acts 2:14-18 (v15) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem,…
  • Acts 10:33 (v17) Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all…
  • Romans 9:23 (v17) and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory,
  • 2 Peter 3:11-14 (v17) Therefore since all these things will be destroyed like this, what kind of people ought you to be in holy living and godliness, looking for…
  • 1 Kings 18:18 (v17) He answered, “I have not troubled Israel; but you, and your father’s house, in that you have forsaken Yahweh’s commandments, and you have…
  • 2 Kings 1:4-6 (v17) Now therefore Yahweh says, “You will not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but you will surely die.” ’ ” Then Elijah departed.…
  • 2 Kings 1:16 (v17) He said to him, “Yahweh says, ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God…
  • Psalms 10:17 (v17) Yahweh, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart. You will cause your ear to hear,
  • Matthew 3:4 (v17) Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
  • Matthew 3:7-12 (v17) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to…
  • Matthew 11:9-19 (v15) But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I…
  • 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (v17) Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor…
  • 1 John 2:28 (v17) Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
  • 1 Samuel 7:5 (v17) Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to Yahweh for you.”
  • John 5:35 (v15) He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

62 distinct cross-references across this passage (63 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (20 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv15–17 So speak the Hebrews when it signified a rare…

So speak the Hebrews when it signified a rare kind of excellency: so is it said of Nimrod, Gen. 10:9. He was a valiant hunter before God.

Any drink that may make drunken.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv15–17 15 For he shall be great in the sight…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv15, 17 We have a natural ambition to be great, but…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv15–17 For he shall be great in the sight of…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv15–17 He shall be great before the Lord - God…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv15–17 Verse 15. He shall be great in the sight…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v17 Luk 1:17. He shall go before him — Namely,…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv15–17 Shall be great - Shall be eminent, or distinguished…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv15, 17 After the angel had assured him of the joy…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv15–17 great in the sight of the Lord--nearer to Him…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv15, 17 15. Neither wine nor strong drink—This is in accordance…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv15–17 15. great in the sight of the Lord] See…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv15–17 (15) And shall drink neither wine nor strong drink.—The…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv15–17 Great in the sight of the Lord. To the…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv15, 17 For he shall be great in the sight of…
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv15, 17 15. Shall drink … nor strong drink. No kind…
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On vv15–16
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v17 shall go
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v16 Many of the people of Israel will be turned…
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv15, 17 1:15 He must never touch wine or other alcoholic…
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