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Luke 1:16

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 1:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And many of the children of Israel shall be turn unto the Lord their God.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And many of the children of Israel shall be turn unto the Lord their God.
Luke 1:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother`s womb.
16And many of the children of Israel shall be turn unto the Lord their God.
17And he shall go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient [to walk] in the wisdom of the just; to make ready for the Lord a people prepared [for him].
18And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to bring thee these good tidings.
← Luke 1:15Luke 1:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And many of the children of Israel, etc.] To whom only, or at least chiefly, he was sent, and came preaching, and administering the ordinance of baptism; and great multitudes of them flocked unto him, attended on his ministry, believed in his doctrine, and submitted to his baptism, but not all; for some slighted his preaching, and rejected his baptism: however, some there were, and many too, that were converted under his ministry, confessed their sins, and were baptized by him; which verified this prediction: shall he turn to the Lord their God; not Jehovah, the Father; for though he was the Lord God of the Jews in general, and of those that were turned by John's ministry in a special…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A religious and moral reformer, Elijah-like, he should be (Mal 4:6, where the "turning of the people's heart to the Lord" is borrowed from Kg1 18:37). In both cases their success, though great, was partial--the nation was not gained.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Children of Israel - Jews. Descendants of Israel or Jacob. Shall he turn - By repentance. He shall call them from their sins, and persuade them to forsake them, and to seek the Lord their God. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And many of the children of Israel shall he turn - None therefore need be ashamed of "preaching like John the Baptist." To the Lord their God - To Christ. Luke 1:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Luk 1:76; Isa 40:3-5, Isa 49:6; Dan 12:3; Mal 3:1; Mat 3:1-6, Mat 21:32 Luke 1:17”
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Related study paths

Read Luke 1 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification