Luke 1:80 Commentary and Bible Study

The childhood and preparation of John for his great ministry is covered in a single verse. God prepared him, for he had a unique and difficult ministry, and every servant who has a hard task to do for the Lord must be prepared. He was filled with the Spirit from the womb, and the Spirit continued with him teaching him, moulding his character. John the Baptist must face the most cunning and ambitious and powerful of men in the land, and he must do it single handed. He had disciples, but when it came to confrontations with the Pharisees, it was his ministry alone, and his disciples looked to him to see what he would say. He must be completely sure of his calling, of his message, and of the cost he was prepared to pay in obeying God. His elderly parents thanked God for his childhood, but they had made sacrifices to God all their lives, and they were happy when the time came to give him up to the Lord for a further stage in his training. Once he reached manhood he left home and went into the deserts away from the company of men, away from the luxury and comfort of king’s palaces. He would live simply, on basic foods which went with a life of self-restraint. His lifestyle was to be wholly consistent with his message, and his message was going to be a stern message, which people would take seriously because they saw the steel in his personal conduct. There he remained until the Spirit indicated that his ministry should begin, and a more public phase of his life should begin. John knew he would face enemies, but he was content to the serve the Lord faithfully.