Luke 1:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He affirms divine truths, serving as an incorruptible judge of the transgressions among the faithful; born, against all expectations, of an elderly and barren mother, and through divine grace, he becomes a companion to Christ, drawing water from the rock. He calms the raging waters of the Jordan, leading the way for the purification of sinners; he foresees the unfathomable mystery and serves as a prophet announcing the presence of the unseen One: such is John, as foretold, born to Zechariah in his old age. Oh, the miracle! The joyful movements of John in the womb were validated by his subsequent actions. The world witnessed the joy expressed by the Forerunner as he danced within his mother. But what accolades shall we attribute to this righteous man, surrounded by his remarkable works? While still in the womb, he shares the good news; upon birth, he performs miracles, retreats to the wilderness, and flourishes. He is nurtured and guided by the Spirit, serving as the bridge between law and grace, proclaiming the baptism of repentance, immersing the Lord who came to him, witnessing the glory of the Holy Trinity, and faithfully bearing witness to grace, calling out and pointing to Him foretold by the prophets, acknowledging Him as a ruler far greater than himself. He guides the faithful towards Him, teaching the masses what is virtuous, instructing even the tax collectors who come to be baptized, reproving Herod for his wrongful deeds, and ultimately receiving Him who grants true joy. Thus, with what phrases can we convey our wonder? What language shall we awaken in response to this? What should we leave unspoken, and what can we truly articulate? The ocean of praise is immense, and the expanse of marvelous deeds is vast; merely learning of these actions fills us with awe and leaves those who speak in astonishment.

Thus, in the Book of Jeremiah, the Lord expresses compassion for Ephraim, who lamented over his transgressions and sought pardon, saying: From My youth is My dear son Ephraim, a lad cherished (Jeremiah 31:20). Had he not been a cherished but indulgent child, he would have never strayed. Both titles of brat and cherished fit aptly; there exists a brat who does not sin: Behold my brat whom I have chosen (Isaiah 43:10). Due to his cherished state, the one whom the Lord created innocent of sin fell into error. Were he not a cherished youth but had matured into a flawless man, he would not have faltered and would have sought rewards for his merits rather than forgiveness for his iniquities. I believe this is what our Lord indicated in the Gospel when He said, Do not despise any of these little ones (Matthew 18:10). We shall elaborate further on this at the appropriate time. Thus, the state of being small contrasts with that of being great. The apostle suggests that a child exists under the influence of the basic elements, for as long as we were children, we were in bondage to the rudiments of this world (Galatians 4:3). In contrast, the mature age rises above these elements. John was not powerful in physical might but possessed greatness of spirit. He did not extend the boundaries of worldly power or gain military triumphs, but instead, in preaching in the wilderness, he triumphantly conquered human indulgence and bodily trials through the valor of his soul. Although he was insignificant in worldly stature, he was grand in spirit. True to his esteemed status, he remained steadfast in his way of life, evading the seductions of earthly existence. Furthermore, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb. This promise from the angel holds true; even before his birth, St. John was graced with the Spirit, demonstrating the evidence of the divine favor he possessed. Neither his father nor his mother performed miraculous deeds prior to this, yet even while in his mother’s womb, he proclaimed the arrival of the Lord. It is recorded that when the Mother of the Lord visited Elizabeth, she exclaimed: When the voice of your greeting reached my ears, the child cried out joyfully in my womb (Luke 1:44). Although he had not yet drawn the breath of life, he was already animated by the Spirit of grace. In other instances, we can observe how the grace of sanctification occurs before birth, as the Lord declared: Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you came forth out of the womb, I sanctified you and appointed you a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:5). The spirit of life is one thing, while the spirit of grace is altogether distinct. The spirit of life initiates at birth and fades with death; conversely, the spirit of grace is not confined by time or age, nor is it restricted within a mother’s womb. St. Mary prophesied while filled with the Holy Spirit (see Luke 1:41, 45-46), and Elisha, even in death, restored a lifeless body through his touch (see 2 Kings 13:21), while Samuel, after death, as the Scriptures attest, did not remain silent regarding future events (see 1 Samuel 28:15-19). Moreover, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, for one who possesses the Spirit of grace lacks nothing; those upon whom the Holy Spirit descends are endowed with the fullness of great virtues.

Indeed, the Savior was criticized as “a glutton and a drunkard” (Matt. 11:19), and the apostle Paul counseled Timothy to drink “a little wine” for health reasons (1 Tim. 5:23). Yet, what might be harmless to the God-man and beneficial for an apostle has proven troubling for many others, a fact that is well-known. If wine were somehow eliminated, many of humanity's vices might also be removed. On the positive side, another key trait is that “He shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.” The Holy Spirit transcends all earthly pleasures, fills hearts with joy and delight, and manifests spiritual joys within them. This reflects the narrative found in the Gospel accounts of the earthly life of Jesus Christ and introduces the Conception of John the Baptist.

He would lead many of the children of Israel back to their Lord and stand before Him "in the spirit and power of Elijah," turning the hearts of the fathers toward their children and guiding the unrighteous to the thoughts of the just, to present to the Lord a ready people.

The Incarnation of the Word of God occurred "according to the fulfilment of the times" when humanity, having maximized its spiritual and moral capacities, realized either consciously or unconsciously that life in such a sinful state was untenable and that salvation must arise from elsewhere. This deliverance came from above, marked by events prophesied as signs indicating the arrival of the world's Savior. One significant sign foretold by the prophet Malachi was the emergence of a forerunner or angel who would prepare the way for the awaited Messiah (Malachi 3:1). This forerunner was St. John the Baptist, and with the announcement of his conception and birth, the story of the new covenant commenced.

The statement that he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth signifies an extraordinary outpouring of divine grace, bestowing upon him the gifts necessary to accomplish the remarkable tasks assigned to him, alongside God’s specific guidance in fulfilling his divine purpose (Jer. 1:5; Ps. 23:9-10). This promise was realized in John when, while still in his mother’s womb, he joyously leaped at the arrival of Elizabeth, the Mother of God (Luke 1:41-44).

Your prayer for the coming of the Messiah's Kingdom has been acknowledged, and soon the awaited Messiah will be born, as fervently anticipated by you and others like you. Your son will serve as His forerunner, born to your aged wife. There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth; your happiness will be profound, reflecting the grand destiny of your son and the eagerly awaited arrival of the Messiah. He will be great in the sight of the Lord—truly and undeniably significant in life, ministry, and the salvific mission appointed to him. He will abstain from wine and other strong drinks; like a Nazarite (Num. 6:3), he will refrain not just from wine but from all intoxicants. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb, fulfilling his magnificent purpose. Like the ancient prophet (Jeremiah 1:5), prior to his birth, he will receive the immense outpouring of divine grace. He will turn many of the children of Israel back to the Lord their God, encouraging them to abandon their unrighteous ways. He will come as the Forerunner of the Lord, empowered by the spirit and strength of Elijah, restoring the hearts of the fathers to their children and imparting wisdom to guide the righteous, bringing forth perfection among the people. Mirroring the revered prophet Elijah in life, truthfulness, and the potency of his declarations, he will prepare the children of Israel for the Kingdom of peace and love, reconciling internal conflicts and uniting the aspirations of all generations—with both fathers and children—in a shared anticipation for the Messiah, transforming the irreverent into the devout.