Luke 1:80

Conclusion : being a summary statement on John's history from childhood to manhood. πνεύματι : the growing strength of John's spirit, the development of a remarkable moral individuality, the main point in the view of the evangelist. ἐν ταῖς ἐρήμοις, in the desert places: not far to go from his home to find them; visits to them frequent in early boyhood; constant abode when youth had passed into manhood; love of solitude grown into a passion. Meet foster-mother for one who is to be the censor of his time. Essenes not far off, but no indication of contact, either outwardly or inwardly, with them.