The verse highlights that John's mission was to bring people back to God, implying many had strayed. This isn't just about conversion, but about a spiritual return, restoring a relationship that had been broken.
And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of an angelic announcement to Zechariah about the birth of his son, John the Baptist. The angel is describing John's significant role, promising that he will not only bring joy to his parents but also prepare the way for the Messiah. This message builds upon the prophecy of Malachi, signifying a spiritual awakening for Israel after centuries of silence.
What does it really mean to 'turn' someone to the Lord? It's more than just a change of mind; it's a profound internal shift.
The angel's message about John the Baptist includes a powerful prediction: 'many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.' This wasn't just about encouraging a few people to be more religious. The word used here implies a radical repentance and conversion – a complete about-face.
John the Baptist was a unique figure, bridging the Old and New Covenants. What made his role so critical?
The announcement of John the Baptist's birth highlights his significant role in preparing the way for the Messiah. Verse 16 states he would 'turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.' This connects directly to his prophetic calling, often compared to Elijah.
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Understand the original words
Yisrael · Hebrew Proper Noun
A Hebrew term referring to the descendants of Jacob/Israel; signifies the covenant people chosen by God to be a light to the nations and the recipients of His promises.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The supreme being and creator; the personal name of God (Yahweh) or a title of sovereign authority (Adonai), denoting His holiness, covenant faithfulness, and rule over all creation.
Eliyahu · Hebrew Proper Noun
A Hebrew prophet known for his bold call to repentance and his ministry to restore the covenantal faith of the people. Spiritually, it refers to the prophetic anointing and zeal required to prepare the way for the Messiah.
kardia · Greek Noun
The inner self, including the intellect, will, and emotions; the seat of moral decisions and one's orientation toward God. Turning them represents a radical change of mind (repentance) and affections toward divine truth.
apeithēs · Greek Adjective/Noun
Those who lack spiritual discernment or are rebellious against God's law; essentially, those whose lives are not aligned with divine wisdom and covenant requirements.
phronēsis · Greek Noun
God's perspective and lifestyle applied to life; it is rooted in the fear of the Lord and leads to righteousness, standing in contrast to human folly and rebellion.
dikaios · Greek Adjective
Those who are in a right relationship with God; righteous individuals who adhere to His commands and walk in His ways.
This verse points to a pivotal moment after centuries of prophetic silence, signaling a spiritual awakening within Israel in preparation for the Messiah.
c. 400 BC
Malachi's Prophecy
The last prophet of the Old Testament, Malachi, delivers his prophecies, ending with a promise that Elijah will return before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. This marks the end of public prophecy for centuries.
c. 400 BC - c. 1 BC
The Silent Centuries
A period of approximately 400 years with no recorded prophetic voices in Israel, leading up to the time of John the Baptist.
c. 5 BC— this verse
Birth of John the Baptist
John the Baptist is miraculously conceived and born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, fulfilling the angelic promises made to them.
c. AD 27-28
John's Ministry Begins
John the Baptist begins his public ministry in the wilderness of Judea, preaching a message of repentance and baptism.
c. AD 28
Jesus' Baptism and Ministry
John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River, and shortly thereafter, Jesus begins his public ministry, fulfilling the ultimate purpose for which John was sent.
This passage directly foretells a messenger coming in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, setting the stage for John the Baptist's ministry described in Luke.
Isaiah 40:3This prophecy describes a voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord, a role explicitly fulfilled by John the Baptist, echoing the mission to turn people to God.
Ezekiel 3:19This verse speaks of a watchman warning the wicked to turn from their ways, highlighting the salvific responsibility and the theme of turning back to God that John embodies.
Acts 13:24This New Testament passage explicitly states that John preached a baptism of repentance for the people of Israel, directly linking his ministry to the turning of people back to God.
barnesLuke 1:16: "And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God."
Children of Israel - Jews. Descendants of Israel or Jacob. Shall he turn - By repentance. He shall call them from their sins, and persuade them to forsake them, and to seek the Lord their God.
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,…
The verse highlights that John's mission was to bring people back to God, implying many had strayed. This isn't just about conversion, but about a spiritual return, restoring a relationship that had been broken.
This verse is part of an angelic announcement to Zechariah about the birth of his son, John the Baptist. The angel is describing John's significant role, promising that he will not only bring joy to his parents but also prepare the way for the Messiah. This message builds upon the prophecy of Malachi, signifying a spiritual awakening for Israel after centuries of silence.
This verse is part of an angelic announcement to Zechariah about the birth of his son, John the Baptist. The angel is describing John's significant role, promising that he will not only bring joy to his parents but also prepare the way for the Messiah. This message builds upon the prophecy of Malachi, signifying a spiritual awakening for Israel after centuries of silence.
"And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make r…" — The verse highlights that John's mission was to bring people back to God, implying many had strayed. This isn't just about conversion, but about a spiritual return, restoring a relationship that ha…
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Last reviewed October 2026
