Devine Scripture

Luke 1:80

What does Luke 1:80 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 1:80 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 1:80 means

The child grew and became strong in spirit, living in the deserts until his public appearance to Israel. Luke summarizes John’s upbringing: a life of spiritual formation and separation preparing him for prophetic ministry. The desert life implies ascetic training, solitude, and closeness to God, shaping John’s character for bold proclamation. The verse closes the chapter by showing how God’s plan, announced in the temple and home, matures into the preparation required for public ministry.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the child became tall, and strong in spirit; and he was living in the waste land till the day when he came before the eyes of Israel.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the child grew, and was strengthened in spirit, and he was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the child grew and was strengthened in spirit: and was in the deserts until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

— And the child grew and was strengthened in spirit; and he was in the deserts until the day of his shewing to Israel.

Context

This concluding verse wraps up the chapter’s two-birth narrative by summarizing John’s development. After prophecy and community reaction, Luke records John’s formative years in the wilderness, setting up his later public role as the forerunner of Jesus in the Gospel narrative.

v.79To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of peace.

v.80This passage

Cross references

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

  • Luke 2:40

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

  • Matthew 3:1

    And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judæa, saying,

  • Luke 2:52

    And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

  • Luke 1:15

    For 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.

  • Matthew 11:7

    And as these went their way, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?

  • Mark 1:3

    The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight;

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