Luke 1:66

KJV

And all they that heard [them] laid [them] up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} all {G3956} they that heard {G191} them laid them up {G5087} in {G1722} their {G846} hearts {G2588}, saying {G3004}, What {G5101} manner {G686} of child {G3813} shall {G2071} this {G5124} be {G2071}! And {G2532} the hand {G5495} of the Lord {G2962} was {G2258} with {G3326} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Everyone who heard of them said to himself, "What is this child going to be?" For clearly the hand of ADONAI was with him.

Berean Standard Bible

And all who heard this wondered in their hearts and asked, “What then will this child become?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.

American Standard Version

And all that heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, What then shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 1:66 captures the profound public reaction to the miraculous events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist, specifically the restoration of Zechariah's speech and his subsequent prophetic utterance. Those who witnessed or heard of these extraordinary occurrences were deeply impacted, internalizing the significance of what transpired and openly wondering about the future and destiny of this divinely appointed child. The verse culminates with a powerful theological affirmation: "And the hand of the Lord was with him," declaring God's active presence, favor, and providential guidance over John from his earliest days, setting the stage for his unique role in salvation history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 1:66 concludes a dramatic sequence of events that began with the angel Gabriel's announcement to Zechariah in the temple, promising him a son, John, despite his and Elizabeth's old age and barrenness ([Luke 1:5-25](/luke/1-5-25 "Luke 1:5-25 - Angel's Announcement to Zechariah")). Zechariah's doubt led to his temporary muteness ([Luke 1:20](/luke/1-20 "Luke 1:20 - Zechariah's Muteness")). Nine months later, at John's circumcision, the family's insistence on naming him Zechariah was overridden by Elizabeth, who declared his name would be John. When Zechariah confirmed this in writing, his speech was miraculously restored ([Luke 1:57-64](/luke/1-57-64 "Luke 1:57-64 - John's Birth and Zechariah's Speech Restored")). This immediate context of divine intervention and fulfilled prophecy sets the stage for the public's reaction in verse 66, which then naturally transitions into Zechariah's Spirit-filled prophecy, the Benedictus ([Luke 1:67-79](/luke/1-67-79 "Luke 1:67-79 - Zechariah's Prophecy (Benedictus)")), further solidifying John's prophetic identity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events surrounding John's birth unfolded in the hill country of Judea, likely in a small, close-knit community where news traveled quickly and miraculous occurrences would be widely discussed. In ancient Israel, a miraculous birth, especially to elderly or barren parents, was a clear sign of divine favor and often indicated that the child was destined for a special purpose, as seen with Isaac ([Genesis 18:9-15](/genesis/18-9-15 "Genesis 18:9-15 - Birth of Isaac Foretold")) and Samuel ([1 Samuel 1:19-20](/1_samuel/1-19-20 "1 Samuel 1:19-20 - Birth of Samuel")). The restoration of Zechariah's speech after a period of divine judgment would have been perceived as a profound act of God, confirming the authenticity of the angelic message and the divine appointment of John. The community's "laying up" of these things in their hearts reflects a common practice of pondering significant events, especially those with spiritual implications, in a culture deeply attuned to signs and wonders from God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Intervention and Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's active involvement in human history, orchestrating events to fulfill His redemptive plan. The miraculous circumstances of John's birth and Zechariah's restored speech are undeniable proofs of God's hand at work. Secondly, it underscores **Prophetic Anticipation and Preparation**. The people's question, "What manner of child shall this be!" reflects their recognition that John was no ordinary child, but one marked for a unique, divinely ordained purpose, foreshadowing his role as the forerunner of the Messiah, as prophesied in [Malachi 3:1](/malachi/3-1 "Malachi 3:1 - Messenger to Prepare the Way"). Finally, the verse emphasizes the theme of **Public Witness and Response to God's Works**. The community's deep reflection ("laid them up in their hearts") and widespread discussion ("all they that heard them") illustrate the impact of God's mighty acts on those who witness them, prompting wonder and spiritual contemplation, much like Mary's response to the events surrounding Jesus' birth in [Luke 2:19](/luke/2-19 "Luke 2:19 - Mary Pondered These Things").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This primary verb signifies more than just auditory perception; it implies attentive listening, understanding, and even obedience. In this context, "all they that heard" suggests that the news of Zechariah's restored speech and John's naming spread widely, and people not only heard the facts but grasped their profound implications, leading to their subsequent pondering and questioning.
* **hearts (Greek, _kardía'_):** Prolonged from a primary Latin root, "cor," this term refers to the innermost being of a person—the seat of thoughts, feelings, will, and moral character. To "lay them up in their hearts" means to internalize, ponder deeply, and retain these events, not merely as fleeting news but as significant divine acts worthy of profound consideration and memory. It indicates a spiritual and intellectual processing of God's work.
* **hand (Greek, _cheír'_):** This word, potentially from a root relating to grasping, literally means the physical hand, but here it is used figuratively. Especially in Hebraic idiom, "the hand of the Lord" (Greek, _cheír kýrios'_) signifies God's active power, presence, favor, protection, and providential care. It denotes divine intervention, empowerment for a specific task, or the direct influence of God's might. Its presence "with him" indicates God's special anointing and guidance over John from his earliest days.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all they that heard [them] laid [them] up in their hearts":** This clause describes the profound internal response of the community. The "them" refers to the miraculous events—Zechariah's muteness, John's birth, his naming, and Zechariah's restored speech. To "lay them up in their hearts" means to store these events deeply in their minds and spirits, to ponder them, to reflect on their significance, and to understand that they were not ordinary occurrences but divine interventions. This suggests a process of spiritual discernment and memory.
* **"saying, What manner of child shall this be!":** This phrase reveals the external, verbalized reaction of the people. Their question expresses a mix of awe, wonder, and profound curiosity. They recognized that John's birth was extraordinary, marked by divine signs, and therefore anticipated that he was destined for a unique and significant purpose. It highlights their recognition of God's active hand and their anticipation of John's future role, which they intuitively knew would be special.
* **"And the hand of the Lord was with him.":** This is a powerful, declarative statement from the narrator, confirming the divine reality behind the people's wonder. "The hand of the Lord" is a potent Old Testament idiom signifying God's active power, sovereign favor, protective presence, and empowering anointing. Its presence "with him" affirms that John was under God's special care, guidance, and preparation from infancy, destined for the specific prophetic ministry for which he was born.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 1:66 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Idiom** through the phrase "the hand of the Lord." This is a well-established Old Testament expression (e.g., [Exodus 9:3](/exodus/9-3 "Exodus 9:3 - Hand of the Lord on Livestock"), [1 Kings 18:46](/1_kings/18-46 "1 Kings 18:46 - Hand of the Lord on Elijah"), [Ezekiel 3:14](/ezekiel/3-14 "Ezekiel 3:14 - Hand of the Lord on Ezekiel")) signifying God's active power, presence, and favor. Its use here immediately conveys divine endorsement and purpose for John. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as the people's questioning, "What manner of child shall this be!", anticipates John's future prophetic ministry as the forerunner of Christ. Their wonder serves to build narrative tension and expectation for John's unique role. Finally, the phrase "laid them up in their hearts" can be seen as a form of **Metaphor**, representing the deep internal processing and spiritual reflection on the miraculous events, rather than a literal physical action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 1:66 serves as a crucial theological bridge, connecting the miraculous circumstances of John's birth to his divinely ordained purpose. It underscores the theme of divine election and preparation, demonstrating that God actively chooses and equips individuals for His redemptive plans from their earliest moments. The community's wonder and the affirmation of "the hand of the Lord" reveal a God who is intimately involved in human affairs, working through specific individuals to bring about His will. This verse highlights that God's plan is not haphazard but meticulously orchestrated, with every detail, including a child's birth and early life, serving His ultimate purposes. It invites believers to recognize and trust in God's sovereign hand in their own lives and in the unfolding of history.

* [Jeremiah 1:5](/jeremiah/1-5 "Jeremiah 1:5 - Jeremiah Called from the Womb")
* [Galatians 1:15](/galatians/1-15 "Galatians 1:15 - Paul Called from Birth")
* [Acts 11:21](/acts/11-21 "Acts 11:21 - The Hand of the Lord with Believers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The public's reaction to John's miraculous beginnings in Luke 1:66 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Their deep pondering ("laid them up in their hearts") and curious questioning ("What manner of child shall this be!") model a posture of spiritual attentiveness. In a world often characterized by fleeting attention and quick judgments, this verse calls us to slow down, to observe God's work around us—whether in grand, miraculous displays or in the quiet, unfolding providence of everyday life—and to deeply internalize its significance. It reminds us that God is always at work, often in ways that defy human expectation, preparing individuals and circumstances for His purposes. Just as the "hand of the Lord" was upon John, guiding and empowering him for his unique calling, so too does God's hand rest upon His people today, equipping us for the specific roles He has ordained. This should inspire both wonder and trust, encouraging us to discern His leading and to step into our callings with faith, even when the path ahead is uncertain or seems extraordinary.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How often do I truly "lay up" God's works in my heart, pondering their significance rather than simply observing them?**
* **What "manner of child" might God be shaping me to be, and how can I better discern and cooperate with His "hand" in my life?**
* **In what ways have I seen the "hand of the Lord" at work in my own life or in the lives of those around me, and how has that deepened my faith?**

### FAQ
**What does "the hand of the Lord was with him" signify for John the Baptist?**

Answer: The phrase "the hand of the Lord was with him" is a powerful biblical idiom signifying God's active presence, sovereign favor, protective care, and empowering anointing. For John the Baptist, it meant that he was under God's special guidance and preparation from his earliest days. It indicated that God had a specific purpose for his life—to be the forerunner of the Messiah—and was actively equipping him for that unique role. This divine endorsement confirmed that John's life and future ministry were not accidental but part of God's meticulously orchestrated plan for salvation history. This idiom is also used in the Old Testament to describe God's power in delivering Israel ([Exodus 9:3](/exodus/9-3 "Exodus 9:3 - Hand of the Lord on Livestock")) and empowering prophets like Elijah ([1 Kings 18:46](/1_kings/18-46 "1 Kings 18:46 - Hand of the Lord on Elijah")) and Ezekiel ([Ezekiel 3:14](/ezekiel/3-14 "Ezekiel 3:14 - Hand of the Lord on Ezekiel")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Luke 1:66 focuses on John the Baptist, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in how John's divinely appointed life and ministry directly prepared the way for Jesus Christ. The "hand of the Lord" on John was not an end in itself, but a powerful testament to God's meticulous planning for the arrival of His Son. John, empowered by the Spirit from birth ([Luke 1:15](/luke/1-15 "Luke 1:15 - John Filled with the Holy Spirit")), would later fulfill the prophecy of being the voice crying in the wilderness, making straight the way for the Lord ([Isaiah 40:3](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3 - Voice in the Wilderness")). His entire purpose, from his miraculous conception to his powerful preaching, was to point to Jesus, the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Thus, the wonder and anticipation surrounding John in Luke 1:66 ultimately find their complete answer and purpose in the person and work of Jesus, the promised Messiah, for whom John was merely the divinely prepared herald. John himself declared, "He must increase, but I must decrease" ([John 3:30](/john/3-30 "John 3:30 - He Must Increase")), beautifully illustrating how his entire life was a Christ-centered preparation.

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

Acts 11:21

And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

Luke 2:51

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Genesis 39:2

And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

Luke 2:19

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart.

Luke 2:40

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Psalms 119:11

¶ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Luke 9:44

Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.