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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 1:16 Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/1-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/42_Luk_01_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 1:16 - Gabriel Foretells John's Birth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/1-15.htm" title="Luke 1:15">◄</a> Luke 1:16 <a href="/luke/1-17.htm" title="Luke 1:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/luke/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/luke/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/luke/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/luke/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/luke/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to <i>the</i> Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/luke/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/luke/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/luke/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/luke/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/luke/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And he will turn back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/luke/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/luke/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He will turn many of the sons of Israel back [from sin] to [love and serve] the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/luke/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/luke/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/luke/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And many of the children of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/luke/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />John will lead many people in Israel to turn back to the Lord their God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/luke/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And many of the children of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/luke/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He will bring many people in Israel back to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/luke/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and he will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/luke/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/luke/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/luke/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/luke/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/luke/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Many of the descendants of Israel will he turn to the Lord their God;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/luke/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/luke/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the LORD their God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to <i>the</i> Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/luke/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and many of the sons of Israel he shall turn to the Lord their God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/luke/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And many of the sons of Israel shall he turn back to the Lord their God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/luke/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he shall convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/luke/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he will convert many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/luke/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/luke/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/luke/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And many Israelites he will cause to turn to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“And he will turn many of the children of Israel to THE LORD JEHOVAH, their God.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/luke/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And many of the sons of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/luke/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord, their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/luke/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And many of the children of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord, their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/luke/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />he shall convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Many of the descendants of Israel will he turn to the Lord their God;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/luke/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And many of the sons of Israel will he turn to the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/luke/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />and many of the children of Israel shall he convert unto the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/luke/1-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=125" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/luke/1.htm">Gabriel Foretells John's Birth</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/4183.htm" title="4183: pollous (Adj-AMP) -- Much, many; often. ">Many</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: huiōn (N-GMP) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">sons</a> <a href="/greek/2474.htm" title="2474: Israēl (N-GMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.">of Israel</a> <a href="/greek/1994.htm" title="1994: epistrepsei (V-FIA-3S) -- From epi and strepho; to revert.">he will turn</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">back to</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyrion (N-AMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">the Lord</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theon (N-AMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">17</span>And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5-6</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-14.htm">Matthew 11:14</a></span><br />And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/17-11.htm">Matthew 17:11-13</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/9-11.htm">Mark 9:11-13</a></span><br />And they asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” / He replied, “Elijah does indeed come first, and he restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected? / But I tell you that Elijah has indeed come, and they have done to him whatever they wished, just as it is written about him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a></span><br />A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1-3</a></span><br />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.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-23.htm">John 1:23</a></span><br />John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet: “I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-10.htm">Matthew 11:10</a></span><br />This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-2.htm">Mark 1:2-3</a></span><br />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.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-6.htm">John 1:6-7</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-15.htm">John 1:15</a></span><br />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.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-29.htm">John 1:29-34</a></span><br />The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! / This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ / I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-24.htm">Acts 13:24-25</a></span><br />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.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-32.htm">Matthew 21:32</a></span><br />For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-5.htm">Matthew 3:5-6</a></span><br />People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan. / Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/1-76.htm">Luke 1:76</a></b></br> And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3-5</a></b></br> The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/49-6.htm">Isaiah 49:6</a></b></br> And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/1-7.htm">Children</a> <a href="/mark/3-28.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/luke/1-15.htm">Great</a> <a href="/mark/15-32.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/luke/1-14.htm">Numbers</a> <a href="/luke/1-8.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/mark/15-34.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/1-17.htm">Children</a> <a href="/luke/1-27.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/luke/1-32.htm">Great</a> <a href="/luke/1-54.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/luke/2-34.htm">Numbers</a> <a href="/luke/1-17.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/luke/1-48.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/1-1.htm">The preface of Luke to his whole gospel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/1-5.htm">The conception of John the Baptist;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/1-26.htm">and of Jesus.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/1-39.htm">The prophecy of Elisabeth and of Mary, concerning Jesus.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">57. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/1-57.htm">The nativity and circumcision of John.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">67. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/1-67.htm">The prophecy of Zachariah, both of Jesus,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">76. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/1-76.htm">and of John.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Many of the sons of Israel</b><br>This phrase refers to the Jewish people, descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel. In the context of <a href="/luke/1.htm">Luke 1</a>, it highlights the mission of John the Baptist, who is prophesied to bring spiritual renewal to the Jewish nation. Historically, Israel had experienced periods of apostasy and exile, and there was a longing for restoration. This phrase connects to the Old Testament prophecies about the remnant of Israel returning to God, such as in <a href="/isaiah/10-21.htm">Isaiah 10:21-22</a> and <a href="/jeremiah/31-31.htm">Jeremiah 31:31-34</a>.<p><b>he will turn back</b><br>The act of turning back implies repentance and a return to a previous state of faithfulness. John the Baptist's ministry was characterized by a call to repentance, as seen in <a href="/matthew/3.htm">Matthew 3:1-2</a>. This turning back is not just a physical return but a spiritual renewal, aligning with the prophetic tradition of calling Israel to return to God, as seen in <a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5-6</a>, which speaks of Elijah's return to turn the hearts of the people.<p><b>to the Lord their God</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the covenant relationship between Israel and Yahweh, their God. The use of "Lord" underscores God's sovereignty and authority, while "their God" highlights the personal and communal relationship. The call to return to the Lord is a central theme in the prophetic literature, such as in <a href="/hosea/6.htm">Hosea 6:1</a> and <a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a>, where the people are urged to return to God with all their hearts. This turning back is a preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the role of the Messiah and establishes a new covenant.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a></b><br>The verse refers to the ministry of John the Baptist, who was prophesied to prepare the way for the Lord by turning the hearts of the people back to God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/sons_of_israel.htm">Sons of Israel</a></b><br>This term refers to the Jewish people, the descendants of Jacob (Israel), who were the primary audience of John the Baptist's call to repentance.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord_their_god.htm">The Lord their God</a></b><br>This phrase emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and the people of Israel, highlighting the call to return to faithfulness and obedience to God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/repentance.htm">Repentance</a></b><br>The act of turning back to God, which is central to John the Baptist's mission and message.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_coming_of_the_messiah.htm">The Coming of the Messiah</a></b><br>This event is the ultimate purpose of John's ministry, preparing the people for the arrival of Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>John the Baptist's mission was to call people to repentance. This is a timeless message for believers today, urging us to examine our lives and turn back to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_preparation.htm">The Importance of Preparation</a></b><br>Just as John prepared the way for Jesus, we are called to prepare our hearts for Christ's work in our lives. This involves spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and worship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_relationship.htm">Covenant Relationship</a></b><br>The phrase "the Lord their God" reminds us of the covenant relationship we have with God through Jesus Christ. We are called to live in faithfulness and obedience to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/impact_of_one's_ministry.htm">Impact of One's Ministry</a></b><br>John the Baptist's ministry had a profound impact on many. We are encouraged to consider how our lives and actions can influence others to turn to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophecy.htm">The Role of Prophecy</a></b><br>Understanding the fulfillment of prophecy in John the Baptist's life strengthens our faith in God's sovereign plan and His faithfulness to His promises.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'fathers'_hearts_to_kids'_mean.htm">What does "turning fathers' hearts to children" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_john_denying_being_elijah_a_contradiction.htm">In Matthew 11:14, Jesus identifies John as Elijah, but John 1:21 records John denying this. Is that a contradiction? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_little_evidence_of_john's_baptisms.htm">Luke 3:3 – Why does there seem to be sparse archeological evidence for John’s extensive baptizing activities in the Jordan region? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_jesus_inherit_david's_throne.htm">Would Jesus inherit David's throne? Yes, per Luke 1:32. No, as a descendant of cursed Jehoiakim (Matthew 1:11, 1 Chronicles 3:16, Jeremiah 36:30).</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Shall he turn to the Lord their God.</span>--The opening words of the message of the New Covenant spring out of the closing words of the last of the prophets (<a href="/malachi/4-6.htm" title="And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.">Malachi 4:6</a>), and point to the revival of the Elijah ministry, which is more definitely announced in the next verse.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> <span class="cmt_word">- And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God</span>. The state of the people at this period was indeed unhappy. The dominant Italian power had introduced into Syria and Palestine the vices and profligate life of Italy and Greece. The great Syrian city Antioch, for instance, in vice and sensuality, had gone far beyond her conqueror, and was perhaps at that time the most wicked city in the world. In the court of Herod, patriotism and true nobility were dead. The priests and scribes were for the most part deeply corrupted, and the poor shepherdless common folk only too readily followed the example of the rich and great. The boy who was to be born was to be a great preacher of righteousness; his glorious mission would be to turn many of these poor wanderers to the Lord their God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/luke/1-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Many</span><br /><span class="grk">πολλοὺς</span> <span class="translit">(pollous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4183.htm">Strong's 4183: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many; often. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the</span><br /><span class="grk">τῶν</span> <span class="translit">(tōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sons</span><br /><span class="grk">υἱῶν</span> <span class="translit">(huiōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰσραὴλ</span> <span class="translit">(Israēl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2474.htm">Strong's 2474: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he will turn</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπιστρέψει</span> <span class="translit">(epistrepsei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1994.htm">Strong's 1994: </a> </span><span class="str2">From epi and strepho; to revert.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">back to</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπὶ</span> <span class="translit">(epi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> </span><span class="str2">On, to, against, on the basis of, at. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] Lord</span><br /><span class="grk">Κύριον</span> <span class="translit">(Kyrion)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῶν</span> <span class="translit">(autōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God.</span><br /><span class="grk">Θεὸν</span> <span class="translit">(Theon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> </span><span class="str2">A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/1-16.htm">Luke 1:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/luke/1-16.htm">Luke 1:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/luke/1-16.htm">Luke 1:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/luke/1-16.htm">Luke 1:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/luke/1-16.htm">Luke 1:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/1-16.htm">Luke 1:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/1-16.htm">Luke 1:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/1-16.htm">Luke 1:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/luke/1-16.htm">Luke 1:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/luke/1-16.htm">Luke 1:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/luke/1-16.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 1:16 He will turn many of the children (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/1-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 1:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 1:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/1-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 1:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 1:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>