Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Abstinence » Total abstinence » Strong Drink » John the baptist a total abstainer
because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
Verse Concepts
Total abstinence » From intoxicating beverages
So be sure that you don't drink wine or anything intoxicating, and don't eat anything unclean
Verse Concepts
It is not for kings, Lemuel Not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire liquor.
Verse Concepts
because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
Verse Concepts
Then the LORD told Aaron, "You and your sons with you are not to drink wine that is, any intoxicating drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting. That way, you won't die. This is to be a perpetual statute throughout your generations. You are to differentiate between what's sacred and common and between what's unclean and clean.
then is to remain separate from wine and strong drink. He is not to drink vinegar or strong drink made from wine. He is not to drink grape juice or eat grapes, whether fresh or dried. During the entire time of his dedication, he is not to eat any product from the grapevine, from the seed to the skin.
The angel of the LORD replied to Manoah, "Just have your wife be careful to carry out everything that I told her. She must not consume anything extracted from grape vines, including wine or anything intoxicating, and she must not eat anything unclean, doing everything that I commissioned her to do."
According to the king's decree the drinking was not compulsory because the king instructed every steward in his house to serve each individual what he desired.
Verse Concepts
Don't associate with heavy drinkers or dine with gluttons,
Verse Concepts
Don't stare into red wine, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. Eventually it will bite like a snake and sting like a serpent.
But they said, "We won't drink wine, because our ancestor, Rechab's son Jonadab commanded us: "You and your descendants are never to drink wine! You aren't to build houses, you aren't to sow seeds, and you aren't to plant vineyards, or own them. Instead, you are to live in tents all your lives, so you will enjoy a long life in the land where you reside.' We have obeyed everything that our ancestor, Rechab's son Jonadab, commanded us. So we, our wives, our sons, and our daughters have drunk no wine all our lives,
Show 1 more verse
"But what Rechab's son Jonadab commanded his sons about not drinking wine is observed, and they haven't drunk wine until this day. Indeed, they obey the commands of their ancestor. But I've spoken to you again and again, and you haven't obeyed me.
Verse Concepts
Total abstinence » Instances of » John the baptist
Because John didn't come eating or drinking, yet people say, "He has a demon!'
Verse Concepts
because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
Verse Concepts
Because John the Baptist has come neither eating bread nor drinking wine, yet you say, "He has a demon!'
Verse Concepts
Angel (a spirit) » Appearances of » To zacharias
An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. read more.
You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens."
You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens."
Now in the sixth month of her pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!" read more.
Startled by his statement, she tried to figure out what his greeting meant. Then the angel told her, "Stop being afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end." Mary asked the angel, "How can this happen, since I have not had relations with a man?" The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will surround you. Therefore, the child will be holy and will be called the Son of God. And listen! Elizabeth, your relative, has herself conceived a son in her old age, this woman who was rumored to be barren is in her sixth month. Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God's promises." Then Mary said, "Truly I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you have said happen to me." Then the angel left her.
Startled by his statement, she tried to figure out what his greeting meant. Then the angel told her, "Stop being afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end." Mary asked the angel, "How can this happen, since I have not had relations with a man?" The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will surround you. Therefore, the child will be holy and will be called the Son of God. And listen! Elizabeth, your relative, has herself conceived a son in her old age, this woman who was rumored to be barren is in her sixth month. Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God's promises." Then Mary said, "Truly I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you have said happen to me." Then the angel left her.
Angel (a spirit) » Functions of » Announces the birth of john the baptist
An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. read more.
You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens."
You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens."
Barrenness » Miraculously removed, instances of » Elisabeth
During the reign of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, having lived blamelessly according to all of the commandments and regulations of the Lord. They had no children because Elizabeth was barren and because both of them were getting old. read more.
When Zechariah was serving with his division of priests in God's presence, he was chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, according to the custom of the priests. And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens." Meanwhile, the people kept waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed in the sanctuary so long. But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them but remained unable to speak. When the days of his service were over, he went home. After this, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months. She said, "This is what the Lord did for me when he looked favorably on me and took away my public disgrace."
When Zechariah was serving with his division of priests in God's presence, he was chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, according to the custom of the priests. And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens." Meanwhile, the people kept waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed in the sanctuary so long. But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them but remained unable to speak. When the days of his service were over, he went home. After this, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months. She said, "This is what the Lord did for me when he looked favorably on me and took away my public disgrace."
Children » Early piety of » John the baptist
because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
Verse Concepts
Now the child continued to grow and to become spiritually strong. He lived in the wilderness until the day he appeared in Israel.
Verse Concepts
Elisabeth (elizabeth) » The wife of zacharias and the mother of john the baptist
During the reign of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, having lived blamelessly according to all of the commandments and regulations of the Lord. They had no children because Elizabeth was barren and because both of them were getting old. read more.
When Zechariah was serving with his division of priests in God's presence, he was chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, according to the custom of the priests. And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens." Meanwhile, the people kept waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed in the sanctuary so long. But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them but remained unable to speak. When the days of his service were over, he went home. After this, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months. She said, "This is what the Lord did for me when he looked favorably on me and took away my public disgrace." Now in the sixth month of her pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!" Startled by his statement, she tried to figure out what his greeting meant. Then the angel told her, "Stop being afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end." Mary asked the angel, "How can this happen, since I have not had relations with a man?" The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will surround you. Therefore, the child will be holy and will be called the Son of God. And listen! Elizabeth, your relative, has herself conceived a son in her old age, this woman who was rumored to be barren is in her sixth month. Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God's promises." Then Mary said, "Truly I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you have said happen to me." Then the angel left her. Later on, Mary set out for a Judean city in the hill country. She went into Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby jumped in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she loudly exclaimed, "How blessed are you among women, and how blessed is the infant in your womb! Why should this happen to me, to have the mother of my Lord visit me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. How blessed is this woman for believing that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled!" Then Mary said, "My soul praises the greatness of the Lord! My spirit exults in God, my Savior, because he has looked favorably on his humble servant. From now on, all generations will call me blessed, because the Almighty has done great things for me. His name is holy. His mercy lasts from generation to generation for those who fear him. He displayed his mighty power with his arm. He scattered people who were proud in mind and heart. He pulled powerful rulers from their thrones and lifted up humble people. He filled hungry people with good things and sent rich people away with nothing. He helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful, according to the promise he made to our ancestors to Abraham and his descendants forever." Now Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home. When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they went to circumcise the child. They were going to name him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said, "Absolutely not! He must be named John."
When Zechariah was serving with his division of priests in God's presence, he was chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, according to the custom of the priests. And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens." Meanwhile, the people kept waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed in the sanctuary so long. But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them but remained unable to speak. When the days of his service were over, he went home. After this, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months. She said, "This is what the Lord did for me when he looked favorably on me and took away my public disgrace." Now in the sixth month of her pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!" Startled by his statement, she tried to figure out what his greeting meant. Then the angel told her, "Stop being afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end." Mary asked the angel, "How can this happen, since I have not had relations with a man?" The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will surround you. Therefore, the child will be holy and will be called the Son of God. And listen! Elizabeth, your relative, has herself conceived a son in her old age, this woman who was rumored to be barren is in her sixth month. Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God's promises." Then Mary said, "Truly I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you have said happen to me." Then the angel left her. Later on, Mary set out for a Judean city in the hill country. She went into Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby jumped in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she loudly exclaimed, "How blessed are you among women, and how blessed is the infant in your womb! Why should this happen to me, to have the mother of my Lord visit me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. How blessed is this woman for believing that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled!" Then Mary said, "My soul praises the greatness of the Lord! My spirit exults in God, my Savior, because he has looked favorably on his humble servant. From now on, all generations will call me blessed, because the Almighty has done great things for me. His name is holy. His mercy lasts from generation to generation for those who fear him. He displayed his mighty power with his arm. He scattered people who were proud in mind and heart. He pulled powerful rulers from their thrones and lifted up humble people. He filled hungry people with good things and sent rich people away with nothing. He helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful, according to the promise he made to our ancestors to Abraham and his descendants forever." Now Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home. When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they went to circumcise the child. They were going to name him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said, "Absolutely not! He must be named John."
Gabriel » Appeared to » Zacharias
An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. read more.
You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you.
You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you.
God, greatness of » True, general references to
because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
Verse Concepts
The person who is greatest among you must be your servant.
Verse Concepts
So whoever sets aside one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom from heaven. But whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom from heaven
Verse Concepts
That's not the way it should be among you. Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant,
Verse Concepts
Holy spirit » The comforter » Filling saints
because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
Verse Concepts
because he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And so a large number of people was brought to the Lord.
Verse Concepts
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in foreign languages as the Spirit gave them that ability.
Verse Concepts
But Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked him straight in the eye
Verse Concepts
When they had prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken, and all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak messages from God boldly.
Verse Concepts
But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
Verse Concepts
Then Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan. He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
Verse Concepts
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, told them, "Rulers and elders of the people!
Verse Concepts
Meanwhile, the disciples continued to be full of joy and the Holy Spirit.
Verse Concepts
Holy spirit » Baptism of » Men filled with
because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
Verse Concepts
because he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And so a large number of people was brought to the Lord.
Verse Concepts
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in foreign languages as the Spirit gave them that ability.
Verse Concepts
But Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked him straight in the eye
Verse Concepts
When they had prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken, and all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak messages from God boldly.
Verse Concepts
But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
Verse Concepts
Then Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan. He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
Verse Concepts
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, told them, "Rulers and elders of the people!
Verse Concepts
Meanwhile, the disciples continued to be full of joy and the Holy Spirit.
Verse Concepts
John » Mission of
Then Paul said, "John baptized when they repented, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus."
Verse Concepts
as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "He is a voice calling out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight! Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be leveled. The crooked ways will be made straight, and the rough roads will be made smooth. Everyone will see the salvation that God has provided.'"
He answered them, "Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things.
Verse Concepts
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See! I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way. He is a voice calling out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight!'" John was baptizing in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism about repentance for the forgiveness of sins. read more.
People from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were flocking to him, being baptized by him while they confessed their sins. Now John was dressed in camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist. He ate grasshoppers and wild honey. He kept proclaiming, "The one who is coming after me is stronger than I am, and I am not worthy to bend down and untie his sandal straps. I baptized you with water, but it is he who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
People from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were flocking to him, being baptized by him while they confessed their sins. Now John was dressed in camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist. He ate grasshoppers and wild honey. He kept proclaiming, "The one who is coming after me is stronger than I am, and I am not worthy to bend down and untie his sandal straps. I baptized you with water, but it is he who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord."
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, because you will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way and to give his people knowledge of salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of the tender mercy of our God, his light from on high has visited us, read more.
to shine on those who sit in darkness and in death's shadow, and to guide our feet into the way of peace."
to shine on those who sit in darkness and in death's shadow, and to guide our feet into the way of peace."
He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe because of him. John was not the light, but he came to testify about the light.
John told the truth about him when he cried out, "This is the person about whom I said, "The one who comes after me ranks higher than me, because he existed before me.'"
Verse Concepts
"Who are you?" they asked him. "We must give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He replied, "I am ""a voice crying out in the wilderness, "Prepare the Lord's highway,"' as the prophet Isaiah said." Now those men had been sent from the Pharisees. read more.
They asked him, "Why, then, are you baptizing if you are not the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?" John answered them, "I am baptizing with water, but among you stands a man whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal straps I am not worthy to untie." This happened in Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
They asked him, "Why, then, are you baptizing if you are not the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?" John answered them, "I am baptizing with water, but among you stands a man whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal straps I am not worthy to untie." This happened in Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
I didn't recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel." John also testified, "I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I didn't recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, "The person on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' read more.
I have seen this and have testified that this is the Son of God."
I have seen this and have testified that this is the Son of God."
Show 2 more verses
There is another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony he gives about me is true. You have sent messengers to John, and he has testified to the truth. I myself do not accept human testimony, but I am saying these things so that you may be saved. read more.
That man John was a lamp that burns and brightly shines, and for a while you were willing to rejoice in his light.
That man John was a lamp that burns and brightly shines, and for a while you were willing to rejoice in his light.
Before Jesus' appearance, John had already preached a baptism of repentance to all the people in Israel. When John was finishing his work, he said, "Who do you think I am? I'm not the Messiah. No, but he is coming after me, and I'm not worthy to untie the sandals on his feet.'
John » The baptist » Prophecies concerning
A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; and in the desert a straight highway for our God.'
Verse Concepts
"Pay attention! I'm sending Elijah the prophet to you before the great and dreadful Day of the LORD comes, and he will turn the hearts of fathers to children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I'll come, strike the land, and utterly destroy it."
An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. read more.
You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord."
You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord."
John » A nazarite
Because John didn't come eating or drinking, yet people say, "He has a demon!'
Verse Concepts
because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
Verse Concepts
Because John the Baptist has come neither eating bread nor drinking wine, yet you say, "He has a demon!'
Verse Concepts
John » Miraculous birth of
An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. read more.
You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens."
You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens."
When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they went to circumcise the child. They were going to name him Zechariah after his father, read more.
but his mother said, "Absolutely not! He must be named John." Their friends told her, "None of your relatives has that name." So they motioned to the baby's father to see what he wanted to name him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And everyone was amazed. Suddenly, Zechariah could open his mouth, his tongue was set free, and he began to speak and to praise God. Fear came over all their neighbors, and throughout the hill country of Judea all these things were being discussed.
but his mother said, "Absolutely not! He must be named John." Their friends told her, "None of your relatives has that name." So they motioned to the baby's father to see what he wanted to name him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And everyone was amazed. Suddenly, Zechariah could open his mouth, his tongue was set free, and he began to speak and to praise God. Fear came over all their neighbors, and throughout the hill country of Judea all these things were being discussed.
Joy » Instances of » Of elisabeth, when mary visited her
During the reign of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, having lived blamelessly according to all of the commandments and regulations of the Lord. They had no children because Elizabeth was barren and because both of them were getting old. read more.
When Zechariah was serving with his division of priests in God's presence, he was chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, according to the custom of the priests. And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens." Meanwhile, the people kept waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed in the sanctuary so long. But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them but remained unable to speak. When the days of his service were over, he went home. After this, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months. She said, "This is what the Lord did for me when he looked favorably on me and took away my public disgrace." Now in the sixth month of her pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!" Startled by his statement, she tried to figure out what his greeting meant. Then the angel told her, "Stop being afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end." Mary asked the angel, "How can this happen, since I have not had relations with a man?" The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will surround you. Therefore, the child will be holy and will be called the Son of God. And listen! Elizabeth, your relative, has herself conceived a son in her old age, this woman who was rumored to be barren is in her sixth month. Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God's promises." Then Mary said, "Truly I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you have said happen to me." Then the angel left her. Later on, Mary set out for a Judean city in the hill country. She went into Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby jumped in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she loudly exclaimed, "How blessed are you among women, and how blessed is the infant in your womb! Why should this happen to me, to have the mother of my Lord visit me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.
When Zechariah was serving with his division of priests in God's presence, he was chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, according to the custom of the priests. And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens." Meanwhile, the people kept waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed in the sanctuary so long. But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them but remained unable to speak. When the days of his service were over, he went home. After this, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months. She said, "This is what the Lord did for me when he looked favorably on me and took away my public disgrace." Now in the sixth month of her pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!" Startled by his statement, she tried to figure out what his greeting meant. Then the angel told her, "Stop being afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end." Mary asked the angel, "How can this happen, since I have not had relations with a man?" The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will surround you. Therefore, the child will be holy and will be called the Son of God. And listen! Elizabeth, your relative, has herself conceived a son in her old age, this woman who was rumored to be barren is in her sixth month. Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God's promises." Then Mary said, "Truly I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you have said happen to me." Then the angel left her. Later on, Mary set out for a Judean city in the hill country. She went into Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby jumped in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she loudly exclaimed, "How blessed are you among women, and how blessed is the infant in your womb! Why should this happen to me, to have the mother of my Lord visit me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.
Nazarite » Instances of » John the baptist
Because John didn't come eating or drinking, yet people say, "He has a demon!'
Verse Concepts
because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
Verse Concepts
Because John the Baptist has come neither eating bread nor drinking wine, yet you say, "He has a demon!'
Verse Concepts
Nazarites » Different kinds of » From the womb
because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
Verse Concepts
because surprise! you're going to conceive and give birth to a son! Don't put a razor to his head, because the young man will be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from inside the womb. He will begin to deliver Israel from domination by the Philistines."
Verse Concepts
Nazarites » Prohibited from » Wine or strong drink
then is to remain separate from wine and strong drink. He is not to drink vinegar or strong drink made from wine. He is not to drink grape juice or eat grapes, whether fresh or dried.
Verse Concepts
because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
Verse Concepts
Social duties » Total abstinence from strong drink » John the baptist a total abstainer
because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
Verse Concepts
Spirit » Filled (men)
because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
Verse Concepts
because he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And so a large number of people was brought to the Lord.
Verse Concepts
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in foreign languages as the Spirit gave them that ability.
Verse Concepts
But Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked him straight in the eye
Verse Concepts
When they had prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken, and all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak messages from God boldly.
Verse Concepts
But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
Verse Concepts
Then Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan. He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
Verse Concepts
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, told them, "Rulers and elders of the people!
Verse Concepts
Meanwhile, the disciples continued to be full of joy and the Holy Spirit.
Verse Concepts
Temperance » Total abstinence » John the baptist a total abstainer
because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
Verse Concepts
Temple » Herod the great's temple » Zacharias, officiating priest in, has a vision of an angel; receives promise of a son
During the reign of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, having lived blamelessly according to all of the commandments and regulations of the Lord. They had no children because Elizabeth was barren and because both of them were getting old. read more.
When Zechariah was serving with his division of priests in God's presence, he was chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, according to the custom of the priests. And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens." Meanwhile, the people kept waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed in the sanctuary so long. But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them but remained unable to speak. When the days of his service were over, he went home.
When Zechariah was serving with his division of priests in God's presence, he was chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, according to the custom of the priests. And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens." Meanwhile, the people kept waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed in the sanctuary so long. But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them but remained unable to speak. When the days of his service were over, he went home.
When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they went to circumcise the child. They were going to name him Zechariah after his father, read more.
but his mother said, "Absolutely not! He must be named John." Their friends told her, "None of your relatives has that name." So they motioned to the baby's father to see what he wanted to name him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And everyone was amazed. Suddenly, Zechariah could open his mouth, his tongue was set free, and he began to speak and to praise God.
but his mother said, "Absolutely not! He must be named John." Their friends told her, "None of your relatives has that name." So they motioned to the baby's father to see what he wanted to name him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And everyone was amazed. Suddenly, Zechariah could open his mouth, his tongue was set free, and he began to speak and to praise God.
Vision » Of zacharias » In the temple
But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. read more.
He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens." Meanwhile, the people kept waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed in the sanctuary so long. But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them but remained unable to speak.
He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens." Meanwhile, the people kept waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed in the sanctuary so long. But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them but remained unable to speak.
Zacharias (zechariah) » The father of john the baptist
and Annas and Caiaphas high priests, a message from God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.
Verse Concepts
During the reign of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, having lived blamelessly according to all of the commandments and regulations of the Lord. They had no children because Elizabeth was barren and because both of them were getting old. read more.
When Zechariah was serving with his division of priests in God's presence, he was chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, according to the custom of the priests. And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens." Meanwhile, the people kept waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed in the sanctuary so long. But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them but remained unable to speak. When the days of his service were over, he went home. After this, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months. She said, "This is what the Lord did for me when he looked favorably on me and took away my public disgrace." Now in the sixth month of her pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!" Startled by his statement, she tried to figure out what his greeting meant. Then the angel told her, "Stop being afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end." Mary asked the angel, "How can this happen, since I have not had relations with a man?" The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will surround you. Therefore, the child will be holy and will be called the Son of God. And listen! Elizabeth, your relative, has herself conceived a son in her old age, this woman who was rumored to be barren is in her sixth month. Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God's promises." Then Mary said, "Truly I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you have said happen to me." Then the angel left her. Later on, Mary set out for a Judean city in the hill country. She went into Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby jumped in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she loudly exclaimed, "How blessed are you among women, and how blessed is the infant in your womb! Why should this happen to me, to have the mother of my Lord visit me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. How blessed is this woman for believing that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled!" Then Mary said, "My soul praises the greatness of the Lord! My spirit exults in God, my Savior, because he has looked favorably on his humble servant. From now on, all generations will call me blessed, because the Almighty has done great things for me. His name is holy. His mercy lasts from generation to generation for those who fear him. He displayed his mighty power with his arm. He scattered people who were proud in mind and heart. He pulled powerful rulers from their thrones and lifted up humble people. He filled hungry people with good things and sent rich people away with nothing. He helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful, according to the promise he made to our ancestors to Abraham and his descendants forever." Now Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home. When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they went to circumcise the child. They were going to name him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said, "Absolutely not! He must be named John." Their friends told her, "None of your relatives has that name." So they motioned to the baby's father to see what he wanted to name him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And everyone was amazed. Suddenly, Zechariah could open his mouth, his tongue was set free, and he began to speak and to praise God. Fear came over all their neighbors, and throughout the hill country of Judea all these things were being discussed. Everyone who heard about it kept thinking what had happened and asked, "What will this child become?" because it was obvious that the hand of the Lord was with him. Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel! He has taken care of his people and has set them free. He has raised up a mighty Savior for us from the family of his servant David, just as he promised long ago through the mouth of his holy prophets that he would save us from our enemies and from the grip of all who hate us. He has shown mercy to our ancestors and remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham. He granted us deliverance from our enemies' grip so that we could serve him without fear and be holy and righteous before him all of our days. And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, because you will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way and to give his people knowledge of salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of the tender mercy of our God, his light from on high has visited us, to shine on those who sit in darkness and in death's shadow, and to guide our feet into the way of peace." Now the child continued to grow and to become spiritually strong. He lived in the wilderness until the day he appeared in Israel.
When Zechariah was serving with his division of priests in God's presence, he was chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, according to the custom of the priests. And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens." Meanwhile, the people kept waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed in the sanctuary so long. But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them but remained unable to speak. When the days of his service were over, he went home. After this, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months. She said, "This is what the Lord did for me when he looked favorably on me and took away my public disgrace." Now in the sixth month of her pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!" Startled by his statement, she tried to figure out what his greeting meant. Then the angel told her, "Stop being afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end." Mary asked the angel, "How can this happen, since I have not had relations with a man?" The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will surround you. Therefore, the child will be holy and will be called the Son of God. And listen! Elizabeth, your relative, has herself conceived a son in her old age, this woman who was rumored to be barren is in her sixth month. Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God's promises." Then Mary said, "Truly I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you have said happen to me." Then the angel left her. Later on, Mary set out for a Judean city in the hill country. She went into Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby jumped in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she loudly exclaimed, "How blessed are you among women, and how blessed is the infant in your womb! Why should this happen to me, to have the mother of my Lord visit me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. How blessed is this woman for believing that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled!" Then Mary said, "My soul praises the greatness of the Lord! My spirit exults in God, my Savior, because he has looked favorably on his humble servant. From now on, all generations will call me blessed, because the Almighty has done great things for me. His name is holy. His mercy lasts from generation to generation for those who fear him. He displayed his mighty power with his arm. He scattered people who were proud in mind and heart. He pulled powerful rulers from their thrones and lifted up humble people. He filled hungry people with good things and sent rich people away with nothing. He helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful, according to the promise he made to our ancestors to Abraham and his descendants forever." Now Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home. When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they went to circumcise the child. They were going to name him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said, "Absolutely not! He must be named John." Their friends told her, "None of your relatives has that name." So they motioned to the baby's father to see what he wanted to name him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And everyone was amazed. Suddenly, Zechariah could open his mouth, his tongue was set free, and he began to speak and to praise God. Fear came over all their neighbors, and throughout the hill country of Judea all these things were being discussed. Everyone who heard about it kept thinking what had happened and asked, "What will this child become?" because it was obvious that the hand of the Lord was with him. Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel! He has taken care of his people and has set them free. He has raised up a mighty Savior for us from the family of his servant David, just as he promised long ago through the mouth of his holy prophets that he would save us from our enemies and from the grip of all who hate us. He has shown mercy to our ancestors and remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham. He granted us deliverance from our enemies' grip so that we could serve him without fear and be holy and righteous before him all of our days. And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, because you will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way and to give his people knowledge of salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of the tender mercy of our God, his light from on high has visited us, to shine on those who sit in darkness and in death's shadow, and to guide our feet into the way of peace." Now the child continued to grow and to become spiritually strong. He lived in the wilderness until the day he appeared in Israel.