11 Bible Verses about Boys

In the time of Herod, the king of Judea, there was a certain priest, named Zacharias, of the family of Abia, whose wife; nam'd Elizabeth, was of the race of Aaron: they were both of them sincerely pious; observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord; with unspotted reputation. they had no children, because Elizabeth was steril, and they were both advanced in years.read more.
now Zachary was to officiate in divine service, in the order of his family, and according to the custom of distributing the parts, it fell to his lot to burn incense in the sanctuary. and all the congregation of the people stood praying without, at the time of offering incense, when there appear'd to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the incense-altar. Zacharias startled at the sight and was seized with fear. but the angel said to Zacharias, don't be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard: and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, whom you shall name John: he shall be your joy and transport, and numbers shall rejoice at his birth. he shall appear as a divine messenger. he shall drink neither wine, nor any other strong liquor: he shall be filled with the holy spirit, even from his infancy: he shall convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. and he shall march before him, in the spirit and power of Elias, to reconcile parents and children together, and the unruly to the practice of justice, that the people may be duly dispos'd to receive the Lord. But Zacharias said to the angel, by what sign shall I know this? for I am old, and my wife is of a great age. the angel replied, I am Gabriel, who attend in the presence of God, and am sent to communicate to you this agreeable message. you shall now become dumb and not recover your speech, till the very day when these things shall happen; because you distrusted my words, which in due time shall have their effect. In the mean time the people were waiting for Zacharias, and wonder'd at his tarrying so long in the temple. but when he came out, he could not speak to them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; for he intimated it to them by signs, and continued dumb. and the time of his officiating being ended, he departed to his own house. Some time after, Elizabeth his wife was pregnant, and went into retirement for five months. it is the Lord, said she, who has thus favour'd me, at the time when he took care to remove the reproach I was under among men.

When Elizabeth had gone her full time, she was delivered of a son. her neighbours and her relations having heard how the Lord had heap'd his favours upon her, they congratulated with her: and on the eighth day were present at the circumcision of the child. but upon their proposing to call him by his father's name, Zacharias: his mother objected to it,read more.
and said, no, he shall be called John. they answered her, there is not any of your family of that name. they therefore ask'd his father to signify how he would have him call'd. then he made signs for a writing-book, and writ these words, "his name is John:" at which they were all surprized. immediately he had the use of his speech: and he uttered himself in praises to God. All the neighbourhood were struck with reverence, and the rumour of these events ran thro' all the mountains of Judea, and made an impression upon all that heard of them. what a child will this be? said they, for the divine influence does attend him.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin contracted to a man; whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. and the virgin's name was Mary. the angel, upon his arrival, said to her; "Hail, favorite of heaven, the Lord is with thee: thou happiest of thy sex."read more.
Mary was surpriz'd at the voice of such an appearance, and wonder'd what the meaning of this salutation should be. but the angel said to her, "Mary, be not afraid: for you are the object of divine favour. you shall be now pregnant, and be delivered of a son, whom you shall name JESUS. he shall be great, he shall be the son of the most high. the Lord God shall give him the throne of his father David. he shall reign over the house of Jacob, and of his kingdom there shall be no end." Then said Mary to the angel, what shall this be without any intercourse with man? the angel answered her, "the holy spirit shall descend upon thee, and the power of the most high shall over-shadow thee: wherefore thy holy offspring shall be called the son of God. even your cousin Elizabeth, as old as she is, is become pregnant with a son: she, who was stiled barren, is now in her sixth month; for nothing is impossible to God." then said Mary, "behold the servant of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word." upon which the angel disappeared.

but while he was revolving this in his mind, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, the off-spring of David, don't make any difficulty of taking Mary for thy wife: for her pregnancy is from the holy Spirit. and she shall be deliver'd of a son, to whom you shall give the name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

and on the eighth day were present at the circumcision of the child. but upon their proposing to call him by his father's name, Zacharias: his mother objected to it,

The eighth day, when the child was to be circumcised, being come, he was named Jesus, the name, which the angel had given before his conception.

Now his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the paschal feast. when Jesus therefore was twelve years old they went thither, as was customary at the time of that festival. when that was expired, they returned, but the young Jesus staid behind in Jerusalem, without being miss'd either by Joseph or his Mother.read more.
so that they went a whole day's journey, imagining he was somewhere among the company, and then they look'd for him among their relations and acquaintance; but not finding him, they turn'd back to Jerusalem to enquire for him there. three days after they found him in the temple, sitting near the doctors, attending to them and asking them questions. and all that heard him were astonish'd at his understanding and answers. when Joseph and his mother saw him, great was their surprize: and his mother said to him, son, why did you leave us thus? your father and I have been looking for you with great concern. Jesus replied, why were ye so sollicitous about me? don't you know that 'tis my business to be in my father's house? but they did not comprehend the meaning of that expression.

And when they were come to the multitude, a man came kneeling to him, and cry'd, Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is grievously afflicted with the epilepsy; he often falls into the fire, and frequently into the water. I presented him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.read more.
upon which Jesus answered, incredulous and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. and Jesus rebuked the demon, and he departed out of him: so that the child was cured from that very hour.

When he was come to the other disciples, he found a great crowd about them, and the Pharisees disputing with them. as soon as they saw him, they were over-joyed, and ran to salute him. then he ask'd the Scribes, what were you debating with them?read more.
and one of the crowd answer'd, master, I have brought to you my son, who is possess'd with a dumb spirit, which no sooner comes on him, but it throws him down: then the child foams, gnashes his teeth, and grows meager. then said Jesus, incredulous people, how long shall I be with you? must I be always assisting you? bring him before me. so he was brought to him, and as soon as he saw him, the spirit threw him into convulsions, and he fell upon the ground, where he wallowed foaming. Jesus then asked the father, how long is it since this befel him? from his infancy, said the father. it has frequently thrown him into the fire, and into the water, to the hazard of his life; if therefore you can do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said to him, provided you can believe, there is nothing but what may be effected for those that believe. immediately the child's father cryed out with tears, I do believe, oh supply the defect of my faith. Jesus observing the people came crowding to him, rebuked the evil spirit, saying, thou dumb and deaf spirit come out of the child, never to enter more, it is I command it. and the spirit came out of him, having made him roar, and thrown him into such agonies, that he became like one that was dead, and many were of opinion he actually was so. but Jesus taking him by the hand, raised him up, and he was perfectly recovered.

The next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a multitude of people happen'd to meet him: when one of the company cry'd out, master, I beseech you, cast your eyes upon my son, for he is my only child: he is frequently seized by a spirit, which makes him immediately roar, then throws him into convulsions with foaming, and never leaves him, but with difficulty and bruises.read more.
I desired your disciples to cast out this spirit; but they were not able. then said Jesus, O incredulous, and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? bring hither your son. as the child was advancing, the demon threw him down, into convulsions: but Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, cured the child, and delivered him to his father. and all the people were astonished at such an instance of divine power: and as they were admiring whatever Jesus did, he said to his disciples,

Then Herod perceiving he was abused by the Magi, was full of indignation, and sent a detachment who slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and its territory, being under the age of two years, according to the limited time he had learnt of the Magi.