And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,
English Standard Version (ESV)
While we often focus on the parents' joy, the angel emphasizes that "many will rejoice at his birth." This isn't just a general statement about a beloved child, but a specific promise that John's life and ministry would be a source of profound, exultant joy for a multitude, pointing them towards salvation.
And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The angel Gabriel has just announced to Zechariah that his prayers for a child have been heard, and his wife Elizabeth will give birth to a son. This son, John the Baptist, is destined for a significant prophetic role, preparing the way for the Messiah. Gabriel reassures Zechariah that the birth will bring him immense joy and that many others will celebrate this child's arrival because of his God-given mission.
Zacharias and Elizabeth prayed for a child, but did they grasp the depth of joy he would bring? This verse reveals a joy that goes far beyond parental bliss.
Beyond Parental Dreams
Zacharias and Elizabeth had longed for a child. Their prayer was answered, and the angel assures them, "You will have joy and gladness." But this isn't just about the happiness of new parents.
A Foretaste of Fulfillment
The angel's promise points to a joy that transcends the immediate.
This is a beautiful reminder that God often blesses us with more than we ask, and His purposes for us ripple outward to touch many lives.
The angel describes John as "great." But what made him great? It wasn't his lineage or his future profession, but a divine calling.
Marked for Ministry
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The angel doesn't just say John will be great; he declares he shall be great before the Lord. This greatness isn't about worldly status or personal achievement.
A Divine Designation
John's mission was radical: to turn people back to God. But how? This verse hints at a profound spiritual and relational re-alignment.
Turning Hearts Back
The angel reveals that John's ministry would have a powerful, restorative effect on God's people.
The Work of John's Ministry:
John's message was a call to spiritual and relational wholeness, a vital step in preparing the world for the coming of the Savior.
Understand the original words
chara · Greek Noun
An inner sense of profound happiness and contentment that is rooted in one's relationship with God rather than external circumstances.
agalliasis · Greek Noun
Exuberant, outward expression of happiness; often associated with celebratory worship and the recognition of God’s redemptive work.
The promise of joy and gladness surrounding John the Baptist's birth was rooted in a time of foreign occupation and religious expectation. His prophesied role as a forerunner to the Messiah meant his arrival was a sign of hope and a call to repentance for a people yearning for divine intervention.
c. 140 BC
Hasmonean Dynasty Rule
The Hasmonean dynasty, established by the Maccabees, ruled Judea. This period saw a complex interplay of religious observance and political independence.
c. 63 BC
Roman Intervention in Judea
Rome, under Pompey, intervenes in Judea, marking the end of Hasmonean independence and the beginning of Roman influence and control over the region.
c. 40 BC - 4 BC
Herod the Great's Reign
Herod the Great, appointed king by the Romans, rules Judea. His reign is characterized by significant building projects but also by paranoia and brutality.
c. 5 BC - 1 BC— this verse
Birth of John the Baptist
Zechariah, a priest, and Elizabeth conceive John the Baptist, a miraculous birth announced by the angel Gabriel. John is destined to be a prophet preparing the way for the Messiah.
c. 5 BC - 1 BC
Birth of Jesus Christ
The birth of Jesus, the Messiah, occurs in Bethlehem during the reign of Herod the Great, fulfilling prophecies and marking a pivotal moment in salvation history.
c. AD 27-30
John the Baptist's Ministry
John begins his public ministry in the wilderness of Judea, preaching repentance and baptizing, calling people to prepare their hearts for the coming of the Lord.
This passage prophesies the coming of a messenger in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to children and children to fathers, directly paralleling the role of John the Baptist and the joy his ministry would bring.
Isaiah 40:3This prophetic verse describes a voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord, a role explicitly fulfilled by John the Baptist as foretold in the Gospels, highlighting the 'preparation' aspect that would bring about rejoicing.
Luke 1:5-17This preceding passage sets the stage by detailing the prayers of Zechariah and Elizabeth for a child and the angel's confirmation that their son would bring joy and salvation to Israel, providing the immediate context for the prophecy of joy in verse 14.
Matthew 3:1-12This passage describes John the Baptist's ministry, including his preaching of repentance and the immense crowds who came to him, demonstrating the widespread 'rejoicing' and spiritual impact his birth ultimately facilitated.
Philippians 4:4This New Testament verse calls believers to 'rejoice in the Lord always,' echoing the theme of profound joy and gladness that is central to the announcement of John the Baptist's birth and ministry.
bensonLuke 1:14: "And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth."
Luke 1:14-16 . Thou shalt have joy and gladness — He shall be such a son as thou shalt have reason to rejoice in. As if he had said, Many parents, if they could foresee what their children will prove, instead of rejoicing at their birth, would wish they had never been. But I will tell thee what thy son will be; and then thou wilt not need to rejoice with trembling, as the best must do at the birth of their c…
calvinLuke 1:14-17: "And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth."
- And he shall be to thee joy and exultation, and many shall rejoice on account of his birth. 15. For he shall be great before 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. 16. And many of the children of Israel shall he bring back to the Lord their God. 17. And he shall go before him with the spirit and power of Elijah,…
While we often focus on the parents' joy, the angel emphasizes that "many will rejoice at his birth." This isn't just a general statement about a beloved child, but a specific promise that John's life and ministry would be a source of profound, exultant joy for a multitude, pointing them towards salvation.
The angel Gabriel has just announced to Zechariah that his prayers for a child have been heard, and his wife Elizabeth will give birth to a son. This son, John the Baptist, is destined for a significant prophetic role, preparing the way for the Messiah. Gabriel reassures Zechariah that the birth will bring him immense joy and that many others will celebrate this child's arrival because of his God-given mission.
The angel Gabriel has just announced to Zechariah that his prayers for a child have been heard, and his wife Elizabeth will give birth to a son. This son, John the Baptist, is destined for a significant prophetic role, preparing the way for the Messiah. Gabriel reassures Zechariah that the birth will bring him immense joy and that many others will celebrate this child's arrival because of his God-given mission.
"And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth," — While we often focus on the parents' joy, the angel emphasizes that "many will rejoice at his birth." This isn't just a general statement about a beloved child, but a specific promise that John's lif…
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Last reviewed October 2026