Luke 1:15

Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth · Luke 1:5–25
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Translations

Modern
…for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.
Traditional
For 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.
Literal
…for he will be great before the Lord. And he shall never drink wine and strong drink, and he will be full of the Holy Spirit even from the womb of his mother.
Latin
…erit enim magnus coram Domino: et vinum et siceram non bibet, et Spiritu Sancto replebitur adhuc ex utero matris suæ:

Original

Greek
English
…for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.

Notes

  • He shall never take wine or strong drink: In the Old Testament, avoiding alcohol was part of the Nazirite vow (a special commitment to God; see Numbers 6:1–21). This commitment or promise to God was usually temporary (see Acts 18:18; 21:23, 26).

    It was a commitment for life for some people, such as:

  • filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb: See Luke 1:41, 44.

Events

Glossary

Annunciation Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of the Acts of the Apostles Elizabeth Gabriel Gospel Holiness John the Baptist Luke, Gospel of Strong Drink Virgin Birth of Jesus Zacharias Zechariah (Person)

Topics

Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To Zacharias Angel (A Spirit): Functions of Announces the Birth of John the Baptist Barrenness: Miraculously Removed: Elisabeth Children: Early Piety of John the Baptist Elisabeth (Elizabeth): The Wife of Zacharias and the Mother of John the Baptist Gabriel: Appeared to Zacharias Holy Spirit: General Scriptures Concerning John: A Nazarite John: Miraculous Birth of John: Mission of John: The Baptist: Prophecies Concerning Joy of Elisabeth, when Mary Visited Her Nazarite: John the Baptist Nazarites: Different Kinds of from the Womb Nazarites: Prohibited From: Wine or Strong Drink Religious Zeal: Exemplified Temple: Herod the Great's Temple: Zacharias, officiating Priest In, Has a Vision of an Angel Total Abstinence: from Intoxicating Beverages Total Abstinence: John the Baptist Vision of Zacharias in the Temple Wine: Admonitions Against the Use of Zacharias (Zechariah): The Father of John the Baptist