Devine Scripture

Luke 1:13

What does Luke 1:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 1:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 1:13 means

The angel tells Zacharias not to fear and announces that his prayer is heard: Elisabeth will bear him a son named John. This is both reassurance and proclamation. It relates divine favor to long-standing prayer, indicating God’s attentive care. The naming is specific—John—establishing identity and mission. The angel’s “Fear not” echoes other divine appearances and prepares Zacharias to receive miraculous news that answers his personal longing and aligns with God’s purposes for Israel.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But the angel said, Have no fear, Zacharias, for your prayer has come to the ears of God, and your wife Elisabeth will have a son, and his name will be John.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the messenger said unto him, `Fear not, Zacharias, for thy supplication was heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear a son to thee, and thou shalt call his name John,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But the angel said to him: Fear not, Zachary, for thy prayer is heard: and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son. And thou shalt call his name John.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But the angel said to him, Fear not, Zacharias, because thy supplication has been heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

Context

This verse is the beginning of the angel’s message. It follows Zacharias’s fear and shifts to assurance and fulfillment. It reveals God’s responsive mercy to the couple’s barrenness, marks the reversal of their shame, and introduces the child whose role will be unfolded in the next verses.

v.12And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.

v.13This passage

v.14And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 17:10

    This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee: every male among you shall be circumcised.

  • Luke 1:60

    And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

  • Isaiah 8:3

    And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said Jehovah unto me, Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz.

  • 2 Kings 4:16

    And he said, At this season, when the time cometh round, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thy handmaid.

  • Luke 1:30

    And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.

  • Luke 24:36

    And as they spake these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

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