Luke 1:16
New International Version
He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.

New Living Translation
And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God.

English Standard Version
And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God,

Berean Standard Bible
Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.

Berean Literal Bible
And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.

King James Bible
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

New King James Version
And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

New American Standard Bible
And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.

NASB 1995
“And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.

NASB 1977
“And he will turn back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.

Amplified Bible
He will turn many of the sons of Israel back [from sin] to [love and serve] the Lord their God.

Christian Standard Bible
He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.

American Standard Version
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord their God.

Contemporary English Version
John will lead many people in Israel to turn back to the Lord their God.

English Revised Version
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord their God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He will bring many people in Israel back to the Lord their God.

Good News Translation
and he will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.

International Standard Version
He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God.

Majority Standard Bible
Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.

NET Bible
He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.

New Heart English Bible
He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God.

Webster's Bible Translation
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

Weymouth New Testament
Many of the descendants of Israel will he turn to the Lord their God;

World English Bible
He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the LORD their God,

Berean Literal Bible
And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.

Young's Literal Translation
and many of the sons of Israel he shall turn to the Lord their God,

Smith's Literal Translation
And many of the sons of Israel shall he turn back to the Lord their God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he shall convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he will convert many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.

New American Bible
and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

New Revised Standard Version
He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And many Israelites he will cause to turn to the Lord their God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And he will turn many of the children of Israel to THE LORD JEHOVAH, their God.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And many of the sons of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

Godbey New Testament
And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord, their God.

Haweis New Testament
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord, their God.

Mace New Testament
he shall convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

Weymouth New Testament
Many of the descendants of Israel will he turn to the Lord their God;

Worrell New Testament
And many of the sons of Israel will he turn to the Lord their God.

Worsley New Testament
and many of the children of Israel shall he convert unto the Lord their God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Gabriel Foretells John's Birth
15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. 16 Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God. 17And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”…

Cross References
Malachi 4:5-6
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. / And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

Matthew 11:14
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

Matthew 17:11-13
Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things. / But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” / Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

Mark 9:11-13
And they asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” / He replied, “Elijah does indeed come first, and he restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected? / But I tell you that Elijah has indeed come, and they have done to him whatever they wished, just as it is written about him.”

Isaiah 40:3
A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.

Matthew 3:1-3
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea / and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” / This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”

John 1:23
John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet: “I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

Matthew 11:10
This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’

Mark 1:2-3
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.” / “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”

John 1:6-7
There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. / He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe.

John 1:15
John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’”

John 1:29-34
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! / This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ / I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.” ...

Acts 13:24-25
Before the arrival of Jesus, John preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. / As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But there is One coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

Matthew 21:32
For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Matthew 3:5-6
People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan. / Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.


Treasury of Scripture

And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

Luke 1:76
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

Isaiah 40:3-5
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God…

Isaiah 49:6
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

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Luke 1
1. The preface of Luke to his whole gospel.
5. The conception of John the Baptist;
26. and of Jesus.
39. The prophecy of Elisabeth and of Mary, concerning Jesus.
57. The nativity and circumcision of John.
67. The prophecy of Zachariah, both of Jesus,
76. and of John.














Many of the sons of Israel
This phrase refers to the Jewish people, descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel. In the context of Luke 1, it highlights the mission of John the Baptist, who is prophesied to bring spiritual renewal to the Jewish nation. Historically, Israel had experienced periods of apostasy and exile, and there was a longing for restoration. This phrase connects to the Old Testament prophecies about the remnant of Israel returning to God, such as in Isaiah 10:21-22 and Jeremiah 31:31-34.

he will turn back
The act of turning back implies repentance and a return to a previous state of faithfulness. John the Baptist's ministry was characterized by a call to repentance, as seen in Matthew 3:1-2. This turning back is not just a physical return but a spiritual renewal, aligning with the prophetic tradition of calling Israel to return to God, as seen in Malachi 4:5-6, which speaks of Elijah's return to turn the hearts of the people.

to the Lord their God
This phrase emphasizes the covenant relationship between Israel and Yahweh, their God. The use of "Lord" underscores God's sovereignty and authority, while "their God" highlights the personal and communal relationship. The call to return to the Lord is a central theme in the prophetic literature, such as in Hosea 6:1 and Joel 2:12-13, where the people are urged to return to God with all their hearts. This turning back is a preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the role of the Messiah and establishes a new covenant.

Persons / Places / Events
1. John the Baptist
The verse refers to the ministry of John the Baptist, who was prophesied to prepare the way for the Lord by turning the hearts of the people back to God.

2. Sons of Israel
This term refers to the Jewish people, the descendants of Jacob (Israel), who were the primary audience of John the Baptist's call to repentance.

3. The Lord their God
This phrase emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and the people of Israel, highlighting the call to return to faithfulness and obedience to God.

4. Repentance
The act of turning back to God, which is central to John the Baptist's mission and message.

5. The Coming of the Messiah
This event is the ultimate purpose of John's ministry, preparing the people for the arrival of Jesus Christ.
Teaching Points
The Call to Repentance
John the Baptist's mission was to call people to repentance. This is a timeless message for believers today, urging us to examine our lives and turn back to God.

The Importance of Preparation
Just as John prepared the way for Jesus, we are called to prepare our hearts for Christ's work in our lives. This involves spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and worship.

Covenant Relationship
The phrase "the Lord their God" reminds us of the covenant relationship we have with God through Jesus Christ. We are called to live in faithfulness and obedience to Him.

Impact of One's Ministry
John the Baptist's ministry had a profound impact on many. We are encouraged to consider how our lives and actions can influence others to turn to God.

The Role of Prophecy
Understanding the fulfillment of prophecy in John the Baptist's life strengthens our faith in God's sovereign plan and His faithfulness to His promises.(16) Shall he turn to the Lord their God.--The opening words of the message of the New Covenant spring out of the closing words of the last of the prophets (Malachi 4:6), and point to the revival of the Elijah ministry, which is more definitely announced in the next verse.

Verse 16. - And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. The state of the people at this period was indeed unhappy. The dominant Italian power had introduced into Syria and Palestine the vices and profligate life of Italy and Greece. The great Syrian city Antioch, for instance, in vice and sensuality, had gone far beyond her conqueror, and was perhaps at that time the most wicked city in the world. In the court of Herod, patriotism and true nobility were dead. The priests and scribes were for the most part deeply corrupted, and the poor shepherdless common folk only too readily followed the example of the rich and great. The boy who was to be born was to be a great preacher of righteousness; his glorious mission would be to turn many of these poor wanderers to the Lord their God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Many
πολλοὺς (pollous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sons
υἱῶν (huiōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of Israel
Ἰσραὴλ (Israēl)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2474: Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.

he will turn
ἐπιστρέψει (epistrepsei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1994: From epi and strepho; to revert.

back to
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

[the] Lord
Κύριον (Kyrion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

God.
Θεὸν (Theon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


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NT Gospels: Luke 1:16 He will turn many of the children (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 1:15
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