Luke 1:15
What does Luke 1:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 1:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 1:15 means
The angel describes John’s future: he will be great before the Lord, abstain from wine and strong drink, and be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb. These traits mark him as a consecrated servant and prophet like the Nazarite tradition. Being filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth indicates extraordinary divine enablement. Luke signals that John’s life is theologically shaped: he will be specially empowered to prepare Israel’s way, not merely in moral discipline but by the Spirit’s dynamic presence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For he will be great in the eyes of the Lord; he will not take wine or strong drink; and he will be full of the Spirit of God from his birth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for he shall be great before the Lord, and wine and strong drink he may not drink, and of the Holy Spirit he shall be full, even from his mother's womb;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For he shall be great before the Lord and shall drink no wine nor strong drink: and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For he shall be great before [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.
Context
This verse follows the promise of communal joy and begins to define John’s character and calling. It moves from social reaction to spiritual identity. The description sets John apart as a Spirit-filled prophet, preparing the way for the unfolding narrative about repentance and the coming Messiah.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 22:9
But thou art he that took me out of the womb; Thou didst make me trust when I was upon my mother’s breasts.
- Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee; I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations.
- 1 Chronicles 29:12
Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou rulest over all; and in thy hand is power and might; and in thy hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
- Joshua 3:7
And Jehovah said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.
- Galatians 1:15
But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother’s womb, and called me through his grace,
- John 5:35
He was the lamp that burneth and shineth; and ye were willing to rejoice for a season in his light.
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