Devine Scripture

Luke 1:66

What does Luke 1:66 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 1:66 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 1:66 means

Those who heard these things pondered them and asked what the child might be, concluding that the hand of the Lord was with him. People respond with wonder and theological reflection, recognizing divine favor in the infant’s life. The question about the child’s future demonstrates prophecy’s power to provoke expectation. The phrase “hand of the Lord” indicates that God’s sovereign presence and activity mark this child for significant ministry.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And all that heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, What then shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And all that heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, What then shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And all who had word of them kept them in their minds and said, What will this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and all who heard did lay them up in their hearts, saying, `What then shall this child be?' and the hand of the Lord was with him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And all they that had heard them laid them up in their heart, saying: What an one, think ye, shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And all who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, What then will this child be? And [the] Lord's hand was with him.

Context

This verse shows continuing public reflection after news spread. It follows the fear and amazement; listeners now speculate on the child’s role. This communal anticipation sets up the theological content of Zacharias’s prophecy, which explains John’s role and the wider significance of God’s visitation.

v.65And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa.

v.66This passage

v.67And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,

Cross references

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

  • 1 Samuel 2:18

    But Samuel ministered before Jehovah, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.

  • Genesis 37:11

    And his brethren envied him; but his father kept the saying in mind.

  • Luke 2:40

    And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

  • 1 Samuel 16:18

    Then answered one of the young men, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is skilful in playing, and a mighty man of valor, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a comely person; and Jehovah is with him.

  • Luke 1:80

    And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel.

  • Psalms 80:17

    Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, Upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.

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