Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Abstinence » Total abstinence » Strong Drink » John the baptist a total abstainer
for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth;
Verse Concepts
Total abstinence » From intoxicating beverages
for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth;
Verse Concepts
Total abstinence » Instances of » John the baptist
For John has come neither eating nor drinking, and men say, 'He has a devil';
Verse Concepts
for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth;
Verse Concepts
For John the Baptist has come, eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a devil';
Verse Concepts
Angel (a spirit) » Appearances of » To zacharias
And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was troubled, and fear fell on him; but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. read more.
It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time."
It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time."
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazaret, to a maiden who was betrothed to a man called Joseph, belonging to the house of David. The maiden's name was Mary. The angel went in and said to her, "Hail, O favoured one! the Lord be with you!" read more.
At this she was startled; she thought to herself, whatever can this greeting mean? But the angel said to her, "Fear not, Mary, you have found favour with God. You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must call his name Jesus. He will be great, he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father; he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and to his reign there will be no end." "How can this be?" said Mary to the angel, "I have no husband." The angel answered her, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence what is born will be called holy, Son of God. Look, there is your kinswoman Elizabeth! Even she has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month; for with God nothing is ever impossible." Mary said, "I am here to serve the Lord. Let it be as you have said." Then the angel went away.
At this she was startled; she thought to herself, whatever can this greeting mean? But the angel said to her, "Fear not, Mary, you have found favour with God. You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must call his name Jesus. He will be great, he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father; he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and to his reign there will be no end." "How can this be?" said Mary to the angel, "I have no husband." The angel answered her, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence what is born will be called holy, Son of God. Look, there is your kinswoman Elizabeth! Even she has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month; for with God nothing is ever impossible." Mary said, "I am here to serve the Lord. Let it be as you have said." Then the angel went away.
Angel (a spirit) » Functions of » Announces the birth of john the baptist
And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was troubled, and fear fell on him; but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. read more.
It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time."
It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time."
Barrenness » Miraculously removed, instances of » Elisabeth
In the days of Herod king of Judaea there was a priest called Zechariah, who belonged to the division of Abijah; he had a wife who belonged to the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both just in the sight of God, blameless in their obedience to all the commands and regulations of God; but they had no child, for Elizabeth was barren. Both of them were advanced in years. read more.
Now while he was officiating before God in the due course of his division, it fell to him by lot, as was the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, the mass of the people all remaining in prayer outside at the hour of incense. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was troubled, and fear fell on him; but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time." Now the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering that he stayed so long inside the sanctuary. When he did come out he could not speak to them, so they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; he made signs to them and remained dumb. Then, after his term of service had elapsed, he went home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and for five months she concealed herself. "The Lord has done this for me," she said, "he has now deigned to remove my reproach among men."
Now while he was officiating before God in the due course of his division, it fell to him by lot, as was the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, the mass of the people all remaining in prayer outside at the hour of incense. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was troubled, and fear fell on him; but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time." Now the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering that he stayed so long inside the sanctuary. When he did come out he could not speak to them, so they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; he made signs to them and remained dumb. Then, after his term of service had elapsed, he went home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and for five months she concealed herself. "The Lord has done this for me," she said, "he has now deigned to remove my reproach among men."
Children » Early piety of » John the baptist
for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth;
Verse Concepts
And the child grew, he became strong in the Spirit and remained in the desert till the day when he made his appearance before Israel.
Verse Concepts
Elisabeth (elizabeth) » The wife of zacharias and the mother of john the baptist
In the days of Herod king of Judaea there was a priest called Zechariah, who belonged to the division of Abijah; he had a wife who belonged to the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both just in the sight of God, blameless in their obedience to all the commands and regulations of God; but they had no child, for Elizabeth was barren. Both of them were advanced in years. read more.
Now while he was officiating before God in the due course of his division, it fell to him by lot, as was the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, the mass of the people all remaining in prayer outside at the hour of incense. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was troubled, and fear fell on him; but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time." Now the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering that he stayed so long inside the sanctuary. When he did come out he could not speak to them, so they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; he made signs to them and remained dumb. Then, after his term of service had elapsed, he went home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and for five months she concealed herself. "The Lord has done this for me," she said, "he has now deigned to remove my reproach among men." In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazaret, to a maiden who was betrothed to a man called Joseph, belonging to the house of David. The maiden's name was Mary. The angel went in and said to her, "Hail, O favoured one! the Lord be with you!" At this she was startled; she thought to herself, whatever can this greeting mean? But the angel said to her, "Fear not, Mary, you have found favour with God. You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must call his name Jesus. He will be great, he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father; he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and to his reign there will be no end." "How can this be?" said Mary to the angel, "I have no husband." The angel answered her, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence what is born will be called holy, Son of God. Look, there is your kinswoman Elizabeth! Even she has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month; for with God nothing is ever impossible." Mary said, "I am here to serve the Lord. Let it be as you have said." Then the angel went away. In those days Mary started with haste for the hill-country, for a town of Judah; she entered the house of Zechariah and saluted Elizabeth, and when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leapt in her womb. Then Elizabeth was filled with the holy Spirit; she called out with a loud cry, "Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! What have I done to have the mother of my Lord come to me? Why, as soon as the sound of your salutation reached my ears, the babe leapt for joy within my womb. And blessed is she who believed that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled." Then Mary said "My soul magnifies the Lord, My spirit has joy in God my Saviour: for he has considered the humiliation of his servant. From this time forth all generations will call me blessed, for He who is Mighty has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy is on generation after generation, for those who reverence him. He has done a deed of might with his arm, he has scattered the proud with their purposes, princes he has dethroned and the poor he has uplifted, he has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has succoured his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy as he promised our fathers, to have mercy on Abraham and his offspring for ever." Mary stayed with her about three months and then returned home. Now the time for Elizabeth's delivery had elapsed, and she gave birth to a son. When her neighbours and kinsfolk heard of the Lord's great mercy to her they rejoiced with her, and on the eighth day came to circumcise the child. They were going to call it by the name of its father Zechariah, but the mother told them, "No, the child is to be called John."
Now while he was officiating before God in the due course of his division, it fell to him by lot, as was the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, the mass of the people all remaining in prayer outside at the hour of incense. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was troubled, and fear fell on him; but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time." Now the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering that he stayed so long inside the sanctuary. When he did come out he could not speak to them, so they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; he made signs to them and remained dumb. Then, after his term of service had elapsed, he went home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and for five months she concealed herself. "The Lord has done this for me," she said, "he has now deigned to remove my reproach among men." In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazaret, to a maiden who was betrothed to a man called Joseph, belonging to the house of David. The maiden's name was Mary. The angel went in and said to her, "Hail, O favoured one! the Lord be with you!" At this she was startled; she thought to herself, whatever can this greeting mean? But the angel said to her, "Fear not, Mary, you have found favour with God. You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must call his name Jesus. He will be great, he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father; he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and to his reign there will be no end." "How can this be?" said Mary to the angel, "I have no husband." The angel answered her, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence what is born will be called holy, Son of God. Look, there is your kinswoman Elizabeth! Even she has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month; for with God nothing is ever impossible." Mary said, "I am here to serve the Lord. Let it be as you have said." Then the angel went away. In those days Mary started with haste for the hill-country, for a town of Judah; she entered the house of Zechariah and saluted Elizabeth, and when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leapt in her womb. Then Elizabeth was filled with the holy Spirit; she called out with a loud cry, "Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! What have I done to have the mother of my Lord come to me? Why, as soon as the sound of your salutation reached my ears, the babe leapt for joy within my womb. And blessed is she who believed that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled." Then Mary said "My soul magnifies the Lord, My spirit has joy in God my Saviour: for he has considered the humiliation of his servant. From this time forth all generations will call me blessed, for He who is Mighty has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy is on generation after generation, for those who reverence him. He has done a deed of might with his arm, he has scattered the proud with their purposes, princes he has dethroned and the poor he has uplifted, he has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has succoured his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy as he promised our fathers, to have mercy on Abraham and his offspring for ever." Mary stayed with her about three months and then returned home. Now the time for Elizabeth's delivery had elapsed, and she gave birth to a son. When her neighbours and kinsfolk heard of the Lord's great mercy to her they rejoiced with her, and on the eighth day came to circumcise the child. They were going to call it by the name of its father Zechariah, but the mother told them, "No, the child is to be called John."
Gabriel » Appeared to » Zacharias
And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was troubled, and fear fell on him; but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. read more.
It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
God, greatness of » True, general references to
for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth;
Verse Concepts
He who is greatest among you must be your servant.
Verse Concepts
Therefore whoever relaxes a single one of these commands, were it even one of the least, and teaches men so, he will be ranked least in the Realm of heaven; but whoever obeys them and teaches them, he will be ranked great in the Realm of heaven.)
Verse Concepts
not so with you. Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant,
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Holy spirit » The comforter » Filling saints
for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth;
Verse Concepts
(for he was a good man, full of the holy Spirit and faith). Considerable numbers of people were brought in for the Lord.
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and they were all filled with the holy Spirit ??they began to speak in foreign tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to express themselves.
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So Saul (who is also called Paul), filled with the holy Spirit, looked steadily at him
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At their prayer the place of meeting was shaken, and they were all filled with the holy Spirit, speaking God's word fearlessly;
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He, full of the holy Spirit, gazed up at heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at God's right hand.
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From the Jordan Jesus came back full of the holy Spirit,
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Then Peter, filled with the holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel,
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As for the disciples, they were filled with joy and the holy Spirit.
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Holy spirit » Baptism of » Men filled with
for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth;
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(for he was a good man, full of the holy Spirit and faith). Considerable numbers of people were brought in for the Lord.
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and they were all filled with the holy Spirit ??they began to speak in foreign tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to express themselves.
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So Saul (who is also called Paul), filled with the holy Spirit, looked steadily at him
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At their prayer the place of meeting was shaken, and they were all filled with the holy Spirit, speaking God's word fearlessly;
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He, full of the holy Spirit, gazed up at heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at God's right hand.
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From the Jordan Jesus came back full of the holy Spirit,
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Then Peter, filled with the holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel,
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As for the disciples, they were filled with joy and the holy Spirit.
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John » Mission of
"John," said Paul, "baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus."
Verse Concepts
Every valley shall be filled up, every hill and mound laid low, the crooked made straight, the rough roads smooth; so shall all flesh see the saving power of God.'
He replied, "Elijah to come and restore all things?
Verse Concepts
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, Here I send my messenger before your face to prepare the way for you: the voice of one who cries in the desert, 'Make the way ready for the Lord, level the paths for him' ??4 John appeared baptizing in the desert and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; and the whole of Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him and got baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins. read more.
John was dressed in camel's hair, with a leather girdle round his loins, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He announced, "After me one who is mightier will come, and I am not fit to stoop and untie the string of his sandals: I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the holy Spirit."
John was dressed in camel's hair, with a leather girdle round his loins, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He announced, "After me one who is mightier will come, and I am not fit to stoop and untie the string of his sandals: I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the holy Spirit."
for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord."
And you, my child, shall be called a prophet of the Most High; for you shall go in front of the Lord to make his ways ready, to bring his people the knowledge of salvation through the remission of their sins by the tender mercy of our God, who will make the Dawn visit us from on high, read more.
to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our steps into the way of peace."
to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our steps into the way of peace."
he came for the purpose of witnessing, to bear testimony to the Light, so that all men might believe by means of him. He was not the Light; it was to bear testimony to the Light that he appeared.
(John testified to him with the cry, 'This was he of whom I said, my successor has taken precedence of me, for he preceded me.')
Verse Concepts
"Then who are you?" they said; "tell us, so that we can give some answer to those who sent us. What have you to say for yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one who cries in the desert, 'level the way for the Lord' ??as the prophet Isaiah said." Now it was some of the Pharisees who had been sent to him; read more.
so they asked him, saying, "Then why are you baptizing people, if you are neither the Christ nor Elijah nor the Prophet?" "I am baptizing with water," John replied, "but my successor is among you, One whom you do not recognize, and I am not fit to untie the string of his sandal." This took place at Bethany on the opposite side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
so they asked him, saying, "Then why are you baptizing people, if you are neither the Christ nor Elijah nor the Prophet?" "I am baptizing with water," John replied, "but my successor is among you, One whom you do not recognize, and I am not fit to untie the string of his sandal." This took place at Bethany on the opposite side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
I myself did not recognize him; I only came to baptize with water, in order that he might be disclosed to Israel." And John bore this testimony also: "I saw the Spirit descend like a dove from heaven and rest on him. I myself did not recognize him, but He who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descending and resting, that is he who baptizes with the holy Spirit.' read more.
Now I did see it, and I testify that he is the Son of God."
Now I did see it, and I testify that he is the Son of God."
Show 2 more verses
I have Another to bear testimony to me, and I know the evidence he bears for me is valid. You sent to John, and he bore testimony to the truth (though I accept no testimony from man ??I only speak of this testimony, that you may be saved); read more.
he was a burning and a shining lamp, and you chose to rejoice for a while in his light.
he was a burning and a shining lamp, and you chose to rejoice for a while in his light.
before whose coming John had already preached a baptism of repentance for all the people of Israel. And as John was closing his career he said, 'What do you take me for? I am not He; no, he is coming after me, and I am not fit to untie the sandals on his feet!'
John » The baptist » Prophecies concerning
And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was troubled, and fear fell on him; but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. read more.
It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord."
It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord."
John » A nazarite
For John has come neither eating nor drinking, and men say, 'He has a devil';
Verse Concepts
for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth;
Verse Concepts
For John the Baptist has come, eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a devil';
Verse Concepts
John » Miraculous birth of
And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was troubled, and fear fell on him; but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. read more.
It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time."
It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time."
Now the time for Elizabeth's delivery had elapsed, and she gave birth to a son. When her neighbours and kinsfolk heard of the Lord's great mercy to her they rejoiced with her, and on the eighth day came to circumcise the child. They were going to call it by the name of its father Zechariah, read more.
but the mother told them, "No, the child is to be called John." They said to her, "None of your family is called by that name." Then they made signs to the father, to find out what he wanted the child to be called, and he asked for a writing-tablet and wrote down, "His name is John," to the astonishment of all. Instantly his mouth was opened, his tongue loosed, and he spoke out blessing God. Then fear fell on all their neighbours, and all these events were talked of through the whole of the hill-country of Judaea.
but the mother told them, "No, the child is to be called John." They said to her, "None of your family is called by that name." Then they made signs to the father, to find out what he wanted the child to be called, and he asked for a writing-tablet and wrote down, "His name is John," to the astonishment of all. Instantly his mouth was opened, his tongue loosed, and he spoke out blessing God. Then fear fell on all their neighbours, and all these events were talked of through the whole of the hill-country of Judaea.
Joy » Instances of » Of elisabeth, when mary visited her
In the days of Herod king of Judaea there was a priest called Zechariah, who belonged to the division of Abijah; he had a wife who belonged to the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both just in the sight of God, blameless in their obedience to all the commands and regulations of God; but they had no child, for Elizabeth was barren. Both of them were advanced in years. read more.
Now while he was officiating before God in the due course of his division, it fell to him by lot, as was the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, the mass of the people all remaining in prayer outside at the hour of incense. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was troubled, and fear fell on him; but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time." Now the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering that he stayed so long inside the sanctuary. When he did come out he could not speak to them, so they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; he made signs to them and remained dumb. Then, after his term of service had elapsed, he went home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and for five months she concealed herself. "The Lord has done this for me," she said, "he has now deigned to remove my reproach among men." In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazaret, to a maiden who was betrothed to a man called Joseph, belonging to the house of David. The maiden's name was Mary. The angel went in and said to her, "Hail, O favoured one! the Lord be with you!" At this she was startled; she thought to herself, whatever can this greeting mean? But the angel said to her, "Fear not, Mary, you have found favour with God. You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must call his name Jesus. He will be great, he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father; he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and to his reign there will be no end." "How can this be?" said Mary to the angel, "I have no husband." The angel answered her, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence what is born will be called holy, Son of God. Look, there is your kinswoman Elizabeth! Even she has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month; for with God nothing is ever impossible." Mary said, "I am here to serve the Lord. Let it be as you have said." Then the angel went away. In those days Mary started with haste for the hill-country, for a town of Judah; she entered the house of Zechariah and saluted Elizabeth, and when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leapt in her womb. Then Elizabeth was filled with the holy Spirit; she called out with a loud cry, "Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! What have I done to have the mother of my Lord come to me? Why, as soon as the sound of your salutation reached my ears, the babe leapt for joy within my womb.
Now while he was officiating before God in the due course of his division, it fell to him by lot, as was the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, the mass of the people all remaining in prayer outside at the hour of incense. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was troubled, and fear fell on him; but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time." Now the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering that he stayed so long inside the sanctuary. When he did come out he could not speak to them, so they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; he made signs to them and remained dumb. Then, after his term of service had elapsed, he went home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and for five months she concealed herself. "The Lord has done this for me," she said, "he has now deigned to remove my reproach among men." In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazaret, to a maiden who was betrothed to a man called Joseph, belonging to the house of David. The maiden's name was Mary. The angel went in and said to her, "Hail, O favoured one! the Lord be with you!" At this she was startled; she thought to herself, whatever can this greeting mean? But the angel said to her, "Fear not, Mary, you have found favour with God. You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must call his name Jesus. He will be great, he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father; he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and to his reign there will be no end." "How can this be?" said Mary to the angel, "I have no husband." The angel answered her, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence what is born will be called holy, Son of God. Look, there is your kinswoman Elizabeth! Even she has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month; for with God nothing is ever impossible." Mary said, "I am here to serve the Lord. Let it be as you have said." Then the angel went away. In those days Mary started with haste for the hill-country, for a town of Judah; she entered the house of Zechariah and saluted Elizabeth, and when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leapt in her womb. Then Elizabeth was filled with the holy Spirit; she called out with a loud cry, "Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! What have I done to have the mother of my Lord come to me? Why, as soon as the sound of your salutation reached my ears, the babe leapt for joy within my womb.
Nazarite » Instances of » John the baptist
For John has come neither eating nor drinking, and men say, 'He has a devil';
Verse Concepts
for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth;
Verse Concepts
For John the Baptist has come, eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a devil';
Verse Concepts
Nazarites » Different kinds of » From the womb
for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth;
Verse Concepts
Nazarites » Prohibited from » Wine or strong drink
for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth;
Verse Concepts
Social duties » Total abstinence from strong drink » John the baptist a total abstainer
for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth;
Verse Concepts
Spirit » Filled (men)
for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth;
Verse Concepts
(for he was a good man, full of the holy Spirit and faith). Considerable numbers of people were brought in for the Lord.
Verse Concepts
and they were all filled with the holy Spirit ??they began to speak in foreign tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to express themselves.
Verse Concepts
So Saul (who is also called Paul), filled with the holy Spirit, looked steadily at him
Verse Concepts
At their prayer the place of meeting was shaken, and they were all filled with the holy Spirit, speaking God's word fearlessly;
Verse Concepts
He, full of the holy Spirit, gazed up at heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at God's right hand.
Verse Concepts
From the Jordan Jesus came back full of the holy Spirit,
Verse Concepts
Then Peter, filled with the holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel,
Verse Concepts
As for the disciples, they were filled with joy and the holy Spirit.
Verse Concepts
Temperance » Total abstinence » John the baptist a total abstainer
for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth;
Verse Concepts
Temple » Herod the great's temple » Zacharias, officiating priest in, has a vision of an angel; receives promise of a son
In the days of Herod king of Judaea there was a priest called Zechariah, who belonged to the division of Abijah; he had a wife who belonged to the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both just in the sight of God, blameless in their obedience to all the commands and regulations of God; but they had no child, for Elizabeth was barren. Both of them were advanced in years. read more.
Now while he was officiating before God in the due course of his division, it fell to him by lot, as was the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, the mass of the people all remaining in prayer outside at the hour of incense. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was troubled, and fear fell on him; but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time." Now the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering that he stayed so long inside the sanctuary. When he did come out he could not speak to them, so they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; he made signs to them and remained dumb. Then, after his term of service had elapsed, he went home.
Now while he was officiating before God in the due course of his division, it fell to him by lot, as was the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, the mass of the people all remaining in prayer outside at the hour of incense. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was troubled, and fear fell on him; but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time." Now the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering that he stayed so long inside the sanctuary. When he did come out he could not speak to them, so they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; he made signs to them and remained dumb. Then, after his term of service had elapsed, he went home.
Now the time for Elizabeth's delivery had elapsed, and she gave birth to a son. When her neighbours and kinsfolk heard of the Lord's great mercy to her they rejoiced with her, and on the eighth day came to circumcise the child. They were going to call it by the name of its father Zechariah, read more.
but the mother told them, "No, the child is to be called John." They said to her, "None of your family is called by that name." Then they made signs to the father, to find out what he wanted the child to be called, and he asked for a writing-tablet and wrote down, "His name is John," to the astonishment of all. Instantly his mouth was opened, his tongue loosed, and he spoke out blessing God.
but the mother told them, "No, the child is to be called John." They said to her, "None of your family is called by that name." Then they made signs to the father, to find out what he wanted the child to be called, and he asked for a writing-tablet and wrote down, "His name is John," to the astonishment of all. Instantly his mouth was opened, his tongue loosed, and he spoke out blessing God.
Vision » Of zacharias » In the temple
but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; read more.
he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time." Now the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering that he stayed so long inside the sanctuary. When he did come out he could not speak to them, so they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; he made signs to them and remained dumb.
he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time." Now the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering that he stayed so long inside the sanctuary. When he did come out he could not speak to them, so they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; he made signs to them and remained dumb.
Zacharias (zechariah) » The father of john the baptist
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert;
Verse Concepts
In the days of Herod king of Judaea there was a priest called Zechariah, who belonged to the division of Abijah; he had a wife who belonged to the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both just in the sight of God, blameless in their obedience to all the commands and regulations of God; but they had no child, for Elizabeth was barren. Both of them were advanced in years. read more.
Now while he was officiating before God in the due course of his division, it fell to him by lot, as was the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, the mass of the people all remaining in prayer outside at the hour of incense. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was troubled, and fear fell on him; but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time." Now the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering that he stayed so long inside the sanctuary. When he did come out he could not speak to them, so they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; he made signs to them and remained dumb. Then, after his term of service had elapsed, he went home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and for five months she concealed herself. "The Lord has done this for me," she said, "he has now deigned to remove my reproach among men." In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazaret, to a maiden who was betrothed to a man called Joseph, belonging to the house of David. The maiden's name was Mary. The angel went in and said to her, "Hail, O favoured one! the Lord be with you!" At this she was startled; she thought to herself, whatever can this greeting mean? But the angel said to her, "Fear not, Mary, you have found favour with God. You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must call his name Jesus. He will be great, he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father; he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and to his reign there will be no end." "How can this be?" said Mary to the angel, "I have no husband." The angel answered her, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence what is born will be called holy, Son of God. Look, there is your kinswoman Elizabeth! Even she has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month; for with God nothing is ever impossible." Mary said, "I am here to serve the Lord. Let it be as you have said." Then the angel went away. In those days Mary started with haste for the hill-country, for a town of Judah; she entered the house of Zechariah and saluted Elizabeth, and when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leapt in her womb. Then Elizabeth was filled with the holy Spirit; she called out with a loud cry, "Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! What have I done to have the mother of my Lord come to me? Why, as soon as the sound of your salutation reached my ears, the babe leapt for joy within my womb. And blessed is she who believed that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled." Then Mary said "My soul magnifies the Lord, My spirit has joy in God my Saviour: for he has considered the humiliation of his servant. From this time forth all generations will call me blessed, for He who is Mighty has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy is on generation after generation, for those who reverence him. He has done a deed of might with his arm, he has scattered the proud with their purposes, princes he has dethroned and the poor he has uplifted, he has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has succoured his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy as he promised our fathers, to have mercy on Abraham and his offspring for ever." Mary stayed with her about three months and then returned home. Now the time for Elizabeth's delivery had elapsed, and she gave birth to a son. When her neighbours and kinsfolk heard of the Lord's great mercy to her they rejoiced with her, and on the eighth day came to circumcise the child. They were going to call it by the name of its father Zechariah, but the mother told them, "No, the child is to be called John." They said to her, "None of your family is called by that name." Then they made signs to the father, to find out what he wanted the child to be called, and he asked for a writing-tablet and wrote down, "His name is John," to the astonishment of all. Instantly his mouth was opened, his tongue loosed, and he spoke out blessing God. Then fear fell on all their neighbours, and all these events were talked of through the whole of the hill-country of Judaea. All who heard of it bore it in mind; they said, "Whatever will this child become?" For the hand of the Lord was indeed with him. And Zechariah his father was filled with the holy Spirit; he prophesied in these words, "Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, for he has cared for his people and wrought them redemption; he has raised up a strong saviour for us in the house of his servant David as he promised of old by the lips of his prophets to save us from our foes and from the hand of all who hate us, to deal mercifully with our fathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant, of the oath he swore to Abraham our father, that freed from fear and from the hand of our foes we should worship him in holiness and uprightness all our days within his presence. And you, my child, shall be called a prophet of the Most High; for you shall go in front of the Lord to make his ways ready, to bring his people the knowledge of salvation through the remission of their sins by the tender mercy of our God, who will make the Dawn visit us from on high, to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our steps into the way of peace." And the child grew, he became strong in the Spirit and remained in the desert till the day when he made his appearance before Israel.
Now while he was officiating before God in the due course of his division, it fell to him by lot, as was the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, the mass of the people all remaining in prayer outside at the hour of incense. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was troubled, and fear fell on him; but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time." Now the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering that he stayed so long inside the sanctuary. When he did come out he could not speak to them, so they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; he made signs to them and remained dumb. Then, after his term of service had elapsed, he went home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and for five months she concealed herself. "The Lord has done this for me," she said, "he has now deigned to remove my reproach among men." In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazaret, to a maiden who was betrothed to a man called Joseph, belonging to the house of David. The maiden's name was Mary. The angel went in and said to her, "Hail, O favoured one! the Lord be with you!" At this she was startled; she thought to herself, whatever can this greeting mean? But the angel said to her, "Fear not, Mary, you have found favour with God. You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must call his name Jesus. He will be great, he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father; he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and to his reign there will be no end." "How can this be?" said Mary to the angel, "I have no husband." The angel answered her, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence what is born will be called holy, Son of God. Look, there is your kinswoman Elizabeth! Even she has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month; for with God nothing is ever impossible." Mary said, "I am here to serve the Lord. Let it be as you have said." Then the angel went away. In those days Mary started with haste for the hill-country, for a town of Judah; she entered the house of Zechariah and saluted Elizabeth, and when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leapt in her womb. Then Elizabeth was filled with the holy Spirit; she called out with a loud cry, "Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! What have I done to have the mother of my Lord come to me? Why, as soon as the sound of your salutation reached my ears, the babe leapt for joy within my womb. And blessed is she who believed that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled." Then Mary said "My soul magnifies the Lord, My spirit has joy in God my Saviour: for he has considered the humiliation of his servant. From this time forth all generations will call me blessed, for He who is Mighty has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy is on generation after generation, for those who reverence him. He has done a deed of might with his arm, he has scattered the proud with their purposes, princes he has dethroned and the poor he has uplifted, he has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has succoured his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy as he promised our fathers, to have mercy on Abraham and his offspring for ever." Mary stayed with her about three months and then returned home. Now the time for Elizabeth's delivery had elapsed, and she gave birth to a son. When her neighbours and kinsfolk heard of the Lord's great mercy to her they rejoiced with her, and on the eighth day came to circumcise the child. They were going to call it by the name of its father Zechariah, but the mother told them, "No, the child is to be called John." They said to her, "None of your family is called by that name." Then they made signs to the father, to find out what he wanted the child to be called, and he asked for a writing-tablet and wrote down, "His name is John," to the astonishment of all. Instantly his mouth was opened, his tongue loosed, and he spoke out blessing God. Then fear fell on all their neighbours, and all these events were talked of through the whole of the hill-country of Judaea. All who heard of it bore it in mind; they said, "Whatever will this child become?" For the hand of the Lord was indeed with him. And Zechariah his father was filled with the holy Spirit; he prophesied in these words, "Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, for he has cared for his people and wrought them redemption; he has raised up a strong saviour for us in the house of his servant David as he promised of old by the lips of his prophets to save us from our foes and from the hand of all who hate us, to deal mercifully with our fathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant, of the oath he swore to Abraham our father, that freed from fear and from the hand of our foes we should worship him in holiness and uprightness all our days within his presence. And you, my child, shall be called a prophet of the Most High; for you shall go in front of the Lord to make his ways ready, to bring his people the knowledge of salvation through the remission of their sins by the tender mercy of our God, who will make the Dawn visit us from on high, to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our steps into the way of peace." And the child grew, he became strong in the Spirit and remained in the desert till the day when he made his appearance before Israel.