Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 1:80

"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel." — Luke 1:80 (ASV)

This brief description of John’s boyhood reflects Luke’s interest in human beings and is paralleled by a similar statement on Jesus’ personal developments (2:40, 52). John’s becoming “strong in spirit” means the development of his moral character (but cf. Ephesians 3:16, where similar language describes a strengthening by God’s Spirit).