Luke 1:17
What does Luke 1:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 1:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 1:17 means
John will go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn fathers’ hearts to children and the disobedient to righteousness, preparing a people ready for the Lord. This links John to Elijah’s prophetic authority and calls to repentance. The image of turning hearts suggests reconciliation across generations and social renewal. John’s ministry has gospel purposes—moral reform, restoration of covenant relationships, and preparation of Israel to receive the Lord—setting the theological stage for Jesus’s coming.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he shall go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to walk in the wisdom of the just; to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he shall go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to walk in the wisdom of the just; to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he will go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, turning the hearts of fathers to their children, and wrongdoers to the way of righteousness; to make ready a people whose hearts have been turned to the Lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he shall go before Him, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn hearts of fathers unto children, and disobedient ones to the wisdom of righteous ones, to make ready for the Lord, a people prepared.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias: that he may turn the hearts of the fathers unto the children and the incredulous to the wisdom of the just, to prepare unto the Lord a perfect people.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he shall go before him in [the] spirit and power of Elias, to turn hearts of fathers to children, and disobedient ones to [the] thoughts of just [men], to make ready for [the] Lord a prepared people.
Context
This verse ties John to Old Testament prophecy and explains the theological significance of his ministry. Coming after John’s Spirit-filled designation, it shows how John’s actions fulfill prophetic expectation. It bridges the announcement with the larger biblical storyline, pointing toward fulfillment in the coming of the Lord.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 17:1
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the sojourners of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As Jehovah, the God of Israel, liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
- Luke 3:7
He said therefore to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
- Revelation 20:4
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
- 2 Kings 1:4
Now therefore thus saith Jehovah, Thou shalt not come down from the bed whither thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.
- Acts 10:33
Forthwith therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord.
- Mark 9:11
And they asked him, saying, How is it that the scribes say that Elijah must first come?
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