Luke 1:14

KJV

And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} thou {G4671} shalt have {G2071} joy {G5479} and {G2532} gladness {G20}; and {G2532} many {G4183} shall rejoice {G5463} at {G1909} his {G846} birth {G1083}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He will be a joy and a delight to you, and many people will rejoice when he is born,

Berean Standard Bible

He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,

American Standard Version

And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The angelic announcement to Zacharias regarding the birth of his son, John the Baptist, promises a profound and multifaceted joy. This joy will not only be deeply personal for Zacharias and Elizabeth, transforming their long-held sorrow and barrenness into celebration, but it will also extend broadly, causing many to rejoice at John's arrival. This verse encapsulates the divine delight accompanying the unfolding of God's redemptive plan and the anticipation of a new era of salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 1:14 is nestled within the opening narrative of Luke's Gospel, specifically the miraculous announcement of John the Baptist's birth to his father, Zacharias, a priest, while he was serving in the temple ([Luke 1:5-25](/luke/1-5-25 "Luke 1:5-25 - The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold")). This divine intervention follows a period of 400 years of prophetic silence, signaling God's active re-engagement with His people. The angel Gabriel's message to Zacharias, which includes the details of John's unique calling and the joy his birth would bring, parallels the later announcement of Jesus' birth to Mary ([Luke 1:26-38](/luke/1-26-38 "Luke 1:26-38 - The Annunciation to Mary")), establishing a clear connection between the two figures and their respective roles in God's redemptive history. Zacharias's initial doubt, leading to his temporary muteness ([Luke 1:20](/luke/1-20 "Luke 1:20 - Zacharias Struck Dumb")), underscores the extraordinary nature of this divine promise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, barrenness was often perceived as a curse or a sign of divine disfavor, bringing significant shame to a family. For Zacharias and Elizabeth, both described as righteous and advanced in years ([Luke 1:6-7](/luke/1-6-7 "Luke 1:6-7 - Zacharias and Elizabeth")), the inability to have children would have been a lifelong sorrow. The setting in the Temple, where Zacharias was performing his priestly duties, emphasizes the sacred and covenantal nature of this announcement. The expectation of a Messiah and a forerunner to prepare His way was deeply ingrained in Jewish eschatological hopes, drawn from Old Testament prophecies such as [Malachi 3:1](/malachi/3-1 "Malachi 3:1 - The Messenger of the Covenant") and [Isaiah 40:3](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3 - A Voice Crying in the Wilderness"). The joy promised in this verse, therefore, would resonate deeply with a people longing for divine intervention and the fulfillment of ancient promises.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Intervention and Fulfillment**, demonstrating God's active involvement in human history to bring about His purposes, often through seemingly impossible circumstances. Secondly, the theme of **Joy and Celebration** is central, portraying the appropriate human response to God's faithfulness and the dawning of salvation history. This joy is not merely personal but communal, foreshadowing the "good tidings of great joy" announced at Jesus' birth ([Luke 2:10](/luke/2-10 "Luke 2:10 - The Angel's Announcement to the Shepherds")). Thirdly, it underscores the theme of **Preparation for the Messiah**, as John's birth and subsequent ministry are explicitly linked to preparing the way for the Lord ([Luke 1:17](/luke/1-17 "Luke 1:17 - John's Spirit and Power")). Finally, the narrative emphasizes **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant Promises**, as the long-awaited birth signals the beginning of the end of the prophetic silence and the commencement of the new covenant era.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Joy (Greek, _chará'_):** From G5479. This term signifies a deep, inner spiritual delight, a calm happiness often associated with divine grace and the presence of God. It denotes a profound, settled gladness that transcends circumstances, rooted in a right relationship with God and the anticipation of His redemptive work.
* **Gladness (Greek, _agallíasis'_):** From G20. Denotes exultant, overflowing joy or jubilant celebration, often with an outward expression. It conveys a sense of leaping for joy, an ecstatic and demonstrative delight that is not merely internal but finds expression in public rejoicing. Its combination with _chará_ emphasizes both the profound internal experience and the jubilant outward manifestation of delight.
* **Rejoice (Greek, _chaírō'_):** From G5463. A primary verb meaning to be cheerful, calmly happy, or well-off. It indicates a state of being glad or celebrating, often used in greetings. In this context, it describes the active participation of "many" in the joy surrounding John's birth, signifying a widespread and active celebration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt have joy and gladness":** This initial clause directly addresses Zacharias, promising him a profound personal experience of delight. The use of both "joy" (_chará_) and "gladness" (_agallíasis_) is significant, indicating a comprehensive and intense emotional response. It speaks to a deep, internal spiritual contentment coupled with an overflowing, exultant celebration. This promise directly counters the sorrow and shame of barrenness, transforming it into a source of divine blessing and exuberant happiness for Zacharias and Elizabeth.
* **"and many shall rejoice at his birth":** This second clause expands the scope of the promised joy beyond the immediate family. The term "many" (_polýs_) suggests a significant number of people, indicating a widespread impact. Their "rejoicing" (_chaírō_) at John's birth points to the public recognition of God's hand in this miraculous event and the understanding of its prophetic significance. This communal joy foreshadows John's pivotal role in preparing the nation for the coming Messiah, making his birth a cause for national, not just familial, celebration.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 1:14 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Repetition** and **Emphasis** through the use of synonymous terms for joy ("joy," "gladness," "rejoice"). This redundancy is not superfluous but serves to intensify the promised emotional experience, highlighting its depth, breadth, and significance. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as the widespread rejoicing at John's birth subtly hints at his future role as the forerunner of the Messiah, whose arrival would bring even greater joy to "all people" ([Luke 2:10](/luke/2-10 "Luke 2:10 - The Angel's Announcement of Great Joy")). Furthermore, the angelic pronouncement itself functions as a **Divine Promise** or **Prophecy**, establishing the certainty of God's plan despite human limitations and doubt. The contrast between Zacharias's initial disbelief and the angel's unwavering declaration underscores the divine authority and inevitability of this joyful event.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 1:14 is a powerful declaration of God's faithfulness and His active involvement in human history to bring about His redemptive purposes. The joy promised here is not merely a human emotion but a divine gift, flowing from the fulfillment of long-awaited promises. It signifies the dawning of a new era, where God's silence is broken, and His plan of salvation begins to unfold in tangible ways. John's birth, though seemingly a private family matter, is presented as an event of profound public and theological significance, initiating the preparatory phase for the arrival of the Messiah. This joy, therefore, is intrinsically linked to the advent of salvation and the restoration of God's relationship with His people.

* [Isaiah 40:3-5](/isaiah/40-3-5 "Isaiah 40:3-5 - The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness"): This prophecy speaks of a voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord, a role explicitly attributed to John the Baptist, whose coming would bring about the revelation of God's glory and salvation to all flesh.
* [Malachi 3:1](/malachi/3-1 "Malachi 3:1 - The Messenger of the Covenant"): Foretells the coming of a messenger who will prepare the way before the Lord, directly linking John's ministry to Old Testament expectations of a divine visitation.
* [Luke 2:10-11](/luke/2-10-11 "Luke 2:10-11 - The Birth of Jesus Announced"): The angel's announcement of "good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people" at Jesus' birth echoes and amplifies the joy promised at John's birth, revealing the ultimate source and culmination of this divine gladness.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 1:14 serves as a profound reminder that God's plans, though often unfolding in unexpected ways and on His own timeline, ultimately bring immense and multifaceted joy. For Zacharias and Elizabeth, it was the joy of a long-awaited child, a testament to God's power to overcome barrenness and fulfill promises. For "many," it was the joy of witnessing God's faithfulness and the beginning of the fulfillment of ancient prophecies concerning the Messiah's coming. In our own lives, this verse encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in God's timing and His perfect plan, even when circumstances seem impossible or hopes are deferred. It challenges us to recognize that our lives, when surrendered to God's purpose, can become channels of joy and blessing not only for ourselves but for a wider community. Like John, we are called to live lives that point others to Christ, and in doing so, we participate in a divine narrative that brings true, lasting, and exultant gladness into the world. This verse invites us to embrace the divine joy that accompanies God's active hand in history and His unfolding salvation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "barren" areas in your life, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, are you waiting for God to bring forth joy and fruitfulness?**
* **How does the promise of "joy and gladness" in this verse encourage you to trust God's timing and His ability to do the impossible?**
* **In what ways can your life, like John's, become a source of "rejoicing" for "many" as you point them towards God's redemptive work?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "joy and gladness" being mentioned together in Luke 1:14?**

Answer: The combination of "joy" (Greek, _chará_) and "gladness" (Greek, _agallíasis_) in [Luke 1:14](/luke/1-14 "Luke 1:14 - The Promise of Joy") emphasizes the comprehensive and profound nature of the emotional response to John's birth. _Chará_ signifies a deep, inner spiritual delight and calm happiness, often associated with God's presence and grace. _Agallíasis_ denotes an exultant, overflowing, and often outwardly expressed jubilant celebration. Together, they convey that the joy would be both deeply personal and internally felt by Zacharias and Elizabeth, and also outwardly demonstrative and shared by many, reflecting the immense significance of this miraculous event as a sign of God's active hand in salvation history.

**Why would "many" rejoice at John the Baptist's birth, rather than just his immediate family?**

Answer: "Many" would rejoice at John's birth because his arrival was understood as a significant prophetic event, signaling the imminent fulfillment of God's promises and the dawning of the Messianic age. John was divinely appointed to be the forerunner of the Messiah, preparing the way for the Lord ([Luke 1:17](/luke/1-17 "Luke 1:17 - John's Spirit and Power")). His birth, therefore, was not merely a private family matter but a public sign that God was breaking His long silence and beginning to act decisively in history to bring salvation to His people. This widespread rejoicing reflected the national anticipation of God's redemptive work and the recognition of John's pivotal role in that divine plan, echoing prophecies found in [Malachi 3:1](/malachi/3-1 "Malachi 3:1 - The Messenger of the Covenant") and [Isaiah 40:3](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3 - A Voice Crying in the Wilderness").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Luke 1:14 speaks specifically of the joy surrounding the birth of John the Baptist, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning are found in Jesus Christ. John's entire ministry, and indeed his very existence, was to prepare the way for the Lord, to be the voice crying in the wilderness that pointed to the coming Savior ([John 1:23](/john/1-23 "John 1:23 - John the Baptist's Identity")). The joy and gladness promised at John's birth were but a prelude to the "good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people" that accompanied the birth of Jesus ([Luke 2:10](/luke/2-10 "Luke 2:10 - The Angel's Announcement of Great Joy")). Jesus is the ultimate source of true and lasting joy, for He is the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ provides the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life, offering a joy that is not dependent on circumstances but rooted in a restored relationship with God ([Romans 15:13](/romans/15-13 "Romans 15:13 - God of Hope")). The joy at John's birth was a sign that God's redemptive plan was in motion; the joy in Christ is the realization of that plan, bringing ultimate salvation and everlasting gladness to all who believe ([Philippians 4:4](/philipians/4-4 "Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord Always")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 1:58

And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

Proverbs 15:20

¶ A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Proverbs 23:24

The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise [child] shall have joy of him.

Genesis 21:6

And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, [so that] all that hear will laugh with me.

Proverbs 23:15

My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.