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LUKE 1:16 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Luke 1:15Luke 1:17
“And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.”
He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God — John's mission is described in the language of the prophets' call to return (epistrepsai, to turn back). Bringing back many to the Lord their God is the mission of the great prophets — Elijah's confrontation of Baal worship, Isaiah's call for return from exile. John will perform in the spiritual realm what the prophets had demanded in the historical realm: the return of Israel to covenantal faithfulness.

Church Fathers on Luke 1:16

Next to his becoming the rejoicing of many, the greatness his virtue is prophesied; as it is said, For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord. The greatness signified is not of the body, but of the soul. Greatness in the sight of the Lord is greatness of soul, greatness of virtue.

Ambrose · 4th century

For many are called great before men, but not before God, as the hypocrites. And so in like manner was John called great, as the parents of John were called just, before the Lord.

Theophylact · 11th century

Sicera is interpreted “drunkenness,” and by the word the Hebrews understand any drink that can intoxicate, (whether made from fruits, corn, or any other thing.) But it was part of the law of the Nazarites to give up wine and strong drink at the time of their consecration. Hence John, and others like him, that they might always remain Nazarites, (i.e. holy,) are careful always to abstain from these things. For he ought not to be drunk with wine (in which is licentiousness) who…

Bede · 8th century
Read all 16 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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