Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 1:14

"And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth." — Luke 1:14 (ASV)

The description of the child’s mission has a counterpart in Gabriel’s words to Mary (vv.32–33); this is part of the literary device that connects and compares the roles of Jesus and John. The “joy” (v.14) so characteristic of the day of God’s salvation and so prominent in Luke came first to the parents of the forerunner, then spread to many others (cf. v.16). Note the contrast between the promised joy and Zechariah’s present fear (v.12). The child will be “great” (a word also used of Jesus in v.32) as the prophetic forerunner of the Messiah (v.15). Later some would find it hard to relinquish their devotion to John to follow Jesus. They would need to realize that while both were great, Jesus was the greater (3:16). “In the sight of the Lord” indicates divine choice and approval. It is difficult to identify John with a particular religious group simply by this description or the description in Mk 1:6. Abstinence from wine suggests the Nazirite vow (Numbers 6:1–12), but no mention is made of John’s hair. Nazirites were to let their hair grow (Numbers 6:5). Priests on duty were expected to abstain from strong drink (cf. Leviticus 10:8–9); this may identify John as a priestly figure calling the people to repentance. The Spirit’s control of a person is contrasted with the control wine can have in a person (cf. Ephesians 5:18). In the life of Jesus, the Spirit’s ministry will be even more prominent than in John’s life.