Luke 1:14
What does Luke 1:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 1:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 1:14 means
The angel promises joy and gladness at the child’s birth, and that many will rejoice. This goes beyond private relief: John’s birth will occasion communal celebration. Joy here signals divine favor and the restoration of social standing for the parents. It hints that the child will have significance for Israel, stirring public rejoicing. The language expands the impact from the family to the wider community, preparing readers for John’s public role in Israel’s spiritual renewal.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And you will be glad and have great delight; and numbers of people will have joy at his birth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and there shall be joy to thee, and gladness, and many at his birth shall joy,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And thou shalt have joy and gladness: and many shall rejoice in his nativity.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he shall be to thee joy and rejoicing, and many shall rejoice at his birth.
Context
Following the announcement of the child’s coming and name, this verse explains the emotional and social consequences. It shows the scope of the blessing extending from the personal to the communal. The immediate next verses will describe John’s character and mission, explaining why his birth prompts such rejoicing.
v.13But 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.
v.14This passage
v.15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 1:58
And her neighbors and her kinsfolk heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her; and they rejoiced with her.
- Genesis 21:6
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh; every one that heareth will laugh with me.
- Proverbs 23:24
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; And he that begetteth a wise child will have joy of him.
- Proverbs 23:15
My son, if thy heart be wise, My heart will be glad, even mine:
- Proverbs 15:20
A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.
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