Luke 1:14 Meaning and Explanation
“And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The child God was about to give would carry joy far past one household and out to a waiting world.
The Context of Luke 1:14
The angel Gabriel is speaking to Zacharias at the altar of incense, announcing the birth of John the Baptist. Zacharias and Elisabeth are old and have prayed for years for a child. These are the angel's words of promise, just after 'Fear not.'
What Does Luke 1:14 Mean?
The promise comes in widening circles. First it is personal: 'thou shalt have joy and gladness,' a private gift for an old couple who had nearly given up hope. Then it opens outward: 'many shall rejoice at his birth.' This child, John, would not be a comfort to his parents alone. His coming would gladden a whole nation that had waited generations for God to speak again. The joy of one home was meant to spill into the joy of many.
John's whole life would be to point past himself to Someone greater. He came to prepare the way for Christ, and he later said his own joy was full simply to hear the Bridegroom's voice (John 3:29). The gladness promised here finds its true source not in John but in the One John announced. The joy that began in a temple reaches every one of us who has met the Savior John pointed to.
Luke 1:14 in the Original Language
agalliasis (ἀγαλλίασις), 'gladness' -- exultant, leaping joy, a delight that cannot stay still.
How to Apply Luke 1:14 Today
Real joy has a way of spreading beyond the one who first receives it. The gladness God gives us was never meant to stop with us, and at its heart is always Christ, the One John came to announce. We can let the joy we have been given widen out to the many around us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 1:14
What does Luke 1:14 mean?
The child God was about to give would carry joy far past one household and out to a waiting world.
What is the context of Luke 1:14?
The angel Gabriel is speaking to Zacharias at the altar of incense, announcing the birth of John the Baptist. Zacharias and Elisabeth are old and have prayed for years for a child. These are the angel's words of promise, just after 'Fear not.'
How can I apply Luke 1:14 today?
Real joy has a way of spreading beyond the one who first receives it. The gladness God gives us was never meant to stop with us, and at its heart is always Christ, the One John came to announce. We can let the joy we have been given widen out to the many around us.