Luke 1:80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel.

◄ Luke 1:80 ►

New International Version
And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

New Living Translation
John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.

English Standard Version
And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel.

Berean Literal Bible
And the child continued to grow and was strengthened in spirit; and he was in the deserted places until the day of his appearance to Israel.

King James Bible
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

New King James Version
So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

New American Standard Bible
Now the child grew and was becoming strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

NASB 1995
And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

NASB 1977
And the child continued to grow, and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the desolate regions until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Amplified Bible
The child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel [as John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah].

Christian Standard Bible
The child grew up and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The child grew up and became spiritually strong, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

American Standard Version
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel.

Contemporary English Version
As John grew up, God's Spirit gave him great power. John lived in the desert until the time he was sent to the people of Israel.

English Revised Version
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The child John grew and became spiritually strong. He lived in the desert until the day he appeared to the people of Israel.

Good News Translation
The child grew and developed in body and spirit. He lived in the desert until the day when he appeared publicly to the people of Israel.

International Standard Version
Now the child continued to grow and to become spiritually strong. He lived in the wilderness until the day he appeared in Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel.

NET Bible
And the child kept growing and becoming strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he was revealed to Israel.

New Heart English Bible
The child was growing, and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing to Israel.

Weymouth New Testament
And the child grew and became strong in character, and lived in the Desert till the time came for him to appear publicly to Israel.

World English Bible
The child was growing and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the child grew, and was strengthened in spirit, and he was in the deserts until the day of his showing to Israel.

Berean Literal Bible
And the child continued to grow and was strengthened in spirit; and he was in the deserted places until the day of his appearance to Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
And the child grew, and was strengthened in spirit, and he was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the child grew, and was strengthened in spirit, and he was in the deserts till the day of his shewing forth to Israel.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the child grew, and was strengthened in spirit; and was in the deserts until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the child grew, and he was strengthened in spirit. And he was in the wilderness, until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

New American Bible
The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
The boy grew and became strong in spirit; and he was in the desert until the day of his appearance to Israel.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But the boy was growing and being strengthened in spirit, and he dwelt in the wilderness until the day of his manifestation unto Israel.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Godbey New Testament
And the little child continued to grow and waxed strong in spirit; and was in the deserts until the day of his showing unto Israel.

Haweis New Testament
And the child grew, and became mighty in spirit, and was in the deserts until the days of his public exhibition to Israel.

Mace New Testament
Now the child continued to grow, and greatly improv'd in sense; and was in the desarts till the time, when he was to be manifested to Israel.

Weymouth New Testament
And the child grew and became strong in character, and lived in the Desert till the time came for him to appear publicly to Israel.

Worrell New Testament
And the child was growing, and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Worsley New Testament
And the child grew, and became strong in spirit: and he was in the deserts till the time of his being manifested to Israel.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Zechariah's Song
…79to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” 80And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Matthew 3:1-4
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea / and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” / This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” ...

Mark 1:2-4
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.” / “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” / John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

John 1:6-8
There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. / He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. / He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

John 1:19-23
And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” / He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.” / “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” ...

Matthew 11:7-10
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? / Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothing are found in kings’ palaces. / What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ...

Mark 1:14-15
After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. / “The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”

John 3:28-30
You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’ / The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. / He must increase; I must decrease.

Acts 13:24-25
Before the arrival of Jesus, John preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. / As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But there is One coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

Isaiah 40:3
A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.

Malachi 3:1
“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.

Malachi 4:5-6
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. / And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

Matthew 17:11-13
Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things. / But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” / Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

Luke 3:2-6
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. / He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, / as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him. ...

John 1:15
John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’”

Matthew 21:25-26
What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ / But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”

Treasury of Scripture

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing to Israel.

the child.

Luke 1:15
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

Luke 2:40,52
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him…

Judges 13:24,25
And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him…

and was.

Matthew 3:1
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

Matthew 11:7
And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

Mark 1:3,4
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight…

his.

John 1:31
And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

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Appear Appearance Appeared Character Child Continued Desert Deserts Eyes Grew Grow Growing Israel Manifestation Public Publicly Shewing Showing Spirit Strong Tall Time Waste Waxed Wilderness

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Appear Appearance Appeared Character Child Continued Desert Deserts Eyes Grew Grow Growing Israel Manifestation Public Publicly Shewing Showing Spirit Strong Tall Time Waste Waxed Wilderness

Luke 1

1. The preface of Luke to his whole gospel.
5. The conception of John the Baptist;
26. and of Jesus.
39. The prophecy of Elisabeth and of Mary, concerning Jesus.
57. The nativity and circumcision of John.
67. The prophecy of Zachariah, both of Jesus,
76. and of John.

Berean Study Bible

And the child grew
The phrase "And the child grew" indicates a natural and divinely ordained process of physical and spiritual development. The Greek word for "grew" is "αὐξάνω" (auxanō), which implies not just physical growth but also an increase in wisdom and grace. This growth is reminiscent of the growth of other significant biblical figures, such as Samuel and Jesus, who also "grew" in wisdom and stature. It underscores the importance of preparation and maturation in God's plan.

became strong in spirit
"Strong in spirit" refers to the inner fortitude and spiritual maturity that John the Baptist developed. The Greek word "πνεῦμα" (pneuma) for "spirit" can denote the human spirit, the Holy Spirit, or a general sense of spiritual life. In this context, it highlights John's deepening relationship with God and his readiness for the prophetic mission. This strength is not merely physical but a robust spiritual resilience, essential for the challenging ministry he would undertake.

and he lived in the wilderness
The "wilderness" is a significant biblical motif, often associated with testing, preparation, and divine encounter. The Greek word "ἔρημος" (erēmos) suggests a solitary, desolate place, yet it is in such places that God often reveals Himself and prepares His servants. For John, the wilderness was a place of spiritual formation, away from the distractions of society, where he could focus on his calling and receive divine revelation.

until the time of his public appearance to Israel
This phrase indicates a divinely appointed timing for John's ministry. The Greek word "ἀναδείκνυμι" (anadeiknymi) for "public appearance" suggests a formal presentation or unveiling. John's emergence was not random but orchestrated by God, aligning with the prophetic timeline. His appearance to "Israel" signifies his role as a prophet to the Jewish people, preparing the way for the Messiah. This timing underscores the sovereignty of God in the unfolding of redemptive history.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(80) And the child grew.--We have no materials for filling up this brief outline of the thirty years that followed in the Baptist's life. The usual Jewish education, the observance of the Nazarite vow, the death of his parents while he was comparatively young, an early retirement from the world to the deserts that surrounded the western shores of the Dead Sea, study and meditation given to the Law and the Prophets, the steadfast waiting for the consolation of Israel, possible intercourse with the Essenes who lived in that region, or with hermit-teachers, like Banus, the master of Josephus (Life, c. 1), whose form of life was after the same fashion as his own: this we may surmise as probable, but we cannot say more. Whatever may have been the surroundings of his life, he entered upon his work in a spirit which was intensely personal and original.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 80. - And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit. We have here another of St. Luke's solemn pauses in his narrative - one of those little passages in which, in a few words, he sets before us a picture clear and vivid of the events of long years. "The description," writes Dr. Farrar, "resembles that of the childhood of Samuel (1 Samuel 2:26) and of our Lord (Luke 2:40-52). Nothing, however, is said of 'favor with men.' In the case of the Baptist, as of others, 'the boy was father to the man;' and he probably showed from the first that rugged sternness which is wholly unlike the winning grace of the child Christ. 'The Baptist was no lamb of God. He was a wrestler with life, one to whom peace does not come easily, but only after a long struggle. His restlessness had driven him into the desert, where he had contended for years with thoughts he could not master, and from whence he uttered his startling alarms to the nation. He was among the dogs rather than among the lambs of the Shepherd' ('Ecce Homo')." And was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel. "The deserts" here alluded to were that desolate waste country south of Jericho and along the shores of the Dead Sea. We know nothing of the details of the life of the boy, the wonderful circumstances of whose birth are related so circumstantially in this opening chapter of St. Luke's Gospel. Mary, whose "memories," we believe, are recounted almost in her own words, was herself a witness of some of the circumstances narrated; from her friend and cousin Elisabeth she doubtless received the true history of the rest. But Zacharias and Elisabeth, we know, were aged persons when John was born. They probably lived only a short time after his birth. Hence his solitary desert life. Of it we know nothing. In those wild regions at that time dwelt many grave ascetics and hermit teachers, like the Pharisee Banus, the matter of Josephus. From some of these the orphan boy probably received his training. It is clear, from such passages as John 1:31-33 and chapter John 3:2, that some direct communication from the Highest put an end to the ascetic desert life and study. Some theophany, perhaps, like the appearance of the burning bush which called Moses to his great post, summoned the pioneer of Christ to his dangerous and difficult work. But we possess no account of what took place on this occasion when God spoke to his servant John, the evangelist simply recording the fact, "The word of God came unto the son of Zacharias in the wilderness" (chapter 3:2).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

And
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
Τὸ (To)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

child
παιδίον (paidion)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3813: Neuter diminutive of pais; a childling, i.e., an infant, or a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature Christian.

grew
ηὔξανεν (ēuxanen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 837: (a) I cause to increase, become greater (b) I increase, grow. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to grow, i.e. Enlarge.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

became strong
ἐκραταιοῦτο (ekrataiouto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2901: To strengthen, confirm; pass: I grow strong, become strong. From krataios; to empower, i.e. increase in vigor.

in spirit;
πνεύματι (pneumati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

he lived
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
ταῖς (tais)
Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

wilderness
ἐρήμοις (erēmois)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2048: Lonesome, i.e. waste.

until
ἕως (heōs)
Preposition
Strong's 2193: A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.

[the] time
ἡμέρας (hēmeras)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

of his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

public appearance
ἀναδείξεως (anadeixeōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 323: From anadeiknumi; exhibition.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

Israel.
Ἰσραήλ (Israēl)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2474: Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.

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NT Gospels: Luke 1:80 The child was growing and becoming strong (Luke Lu Lk)