Luke 1:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →John will turn many of the children of Israel back to the Lord their God.
What Does Luke 1:16 Mean?
The angel states John's mission in a single sentence: turning hearts. His preaching at the Jordan will call a covenant people who had drifted to come home to their God.
To turn is the Bible's great word for repentance — not mere regret, but a change of direction, a returning. John's whole greatness lies in pointing people away from himself and back to the Lord. Every true servant of God succeeds in the same way: not by gathering followers, but by turning hearts toward him.
Luke 1:16 in the Original Language
epistrepho (ἐπιστρέφω), 'turn' -- to turn back, to return; the language of repentance and homecoming.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 1:16
What does Luke 1:16 mean?
John will turn many of the children of Israel back to the Lord their God.