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Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary (4 vols)

Luke 1:15

Luke 1:15. He shall be great in the sight of the Lord. Spiritual, not temporal, greatness is promised.

Neither wine nor strong drink. ‘Sikera,' the Greek word here used, refers to liquors of an intoxicating character, not prepared from grapes. He was to be a Nazarite (see Numbers 6). Such vows were not unusual in New Testament times (see Acts 21:24). John ranks with Isaac, as a son begotten in old age; with Samson and Samuel, as granted to the barren in answer to prayer, and as a Nazarite (comp. Judges 13:5; 1 Samuel 1:12).

Filled with the Holy Ghost, not with wine (comp. Ephesians 5:18).

Even from his mother's womb. ‘From his very birth,' hence the Holy Spirit may work in and on infants.

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See also Luke 1:15 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Luke 1:15. _HE SHALL BE GREAT IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD_] That is, before Jesus Christ, whose forerunner he shall be; or he shall be a _truly great person_, for so this form of speech may imply....

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

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  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

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  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

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  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

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  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

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  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

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  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

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  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

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  • Catena Aurea Commentary

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  • Charles Box Commentaries

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  • Charles Rose Commentaries

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  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

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  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

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  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

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  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

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  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

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  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

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  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

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  • John Darby's Synopsis

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  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

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  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

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  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

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  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

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  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

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  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

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  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

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  • Summarized Bible Commentary

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  • The Bible Study New Testament

    HE MUST NOT DRINK ANY WINE OR STRONG DRINK. John was to be a _Nazarite (see the law of Nazarites, Numbers 6)._ [Jesus was a_ Nazarene,_ something entirely different.]...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

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  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 1:15 Not using WINE and STRONG DRINK indicates John’s lifestyle was like the Nazirites’ (Numbers 6:1). His being...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

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  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

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  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ Luke 1:5. HEROD, THE KING OF JUDÆA.—He also ruled over Galilee, Samaria, and the greater part of Peræa. He was the son of Antipater, an _Edomite_, and had been imposed upon the Jewish...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

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  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Strong drink [σ ι κ ε ρ α]. A Hebrew word, meaning any kind of intoxicating liquor not made from grapes. Wyc., sydir. Even from his mother's womb. Eti, yet, still, means while yet unborn. Tynd., even...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

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  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

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Old Testament