So, the child [i.e., John] grew and became strong in [his] spirit and stayed in the desert until the day when he appeared publicly to the Israelites.
Luke 7:24 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) And when the messengers sent by John left, Jesus began saying to the crowds about John, “What did you expect to see when you went out into the desert? A tall stem swaying in the wind? More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? Amplified Bible - Classic Edition And the messengers of John having departed, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: What did you go out into the desert to gaze on? A reed shaken and swayed by the wind? American Standard Version (1901) And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind? Common English Bible After John’s messengers were gone, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A stalk blowing in the wind? Catholic Public Domain Version And when the messengers of John had withdrawn, he began to speak about John to the crowds. "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind? Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak to the multitudes concerning John. What went ye out into the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind? |
So, the child [i.e., John] grew and became strong in [his] spirit and stayed in the desert until the day when he appeared publicly to the Israelites.
[During this time], while Annas and Caiaphas [Note: This man was Annas’ son-in-law. See John 18:13] were head priests, God’s message came to John [the Immerser], son of Zacharias, [when he was] in the desert [of Judea].
The person who does not find an occasion for having doubts about my identity is fortunate indeed.”
What did you expect to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? Look, people who wear elaborate outfits and bask in luxury live in kings’ palaces.
He replied, “I am the voice of a man who is calling out in the desert, [urging people to] ‘Make the road for the Lord straight,’ as Isaiah the prophet said, [Isa. 40:3].”
Then we will no longer be [spiritual] babies, tossed back and forth [by waves], and blown around by every wind of [false] teaching, [deceived] by the clever trickery of people using deceptive schemes.
Such people are like springs that give no water and clouds driven by the winds. [Only] the blackest darkness awaits them.
Therefore, dearly loved ones, since you know about these things ahead of time, be on your guard so that you are not led astray by the error of lawless people, and [thus] fall from your own stability [i.e., your safe or secure position in Christ].