1:15 strong drink. There is no indication that John the Baptist was dedicated as a Nazarite. Neither the angel nor his father mentioned that such was his calling. Rather, abstinence from alcoholic drink was appropriate for a man filled with the Holy Spirit (note Ephesians 5:18). While total abstinence may not be an explicit commandment of Scripture, John’s example is surely an example to follow for any believer who sincerely desires his life to be Spirit-filled and Spirit-led.

1:15 from his mother’s womb. Of no other person in the Bible is such an amazing testimony recorded! Truly, except for Christ, John was the greatest among men (see note on Matthew 11:11). It is noteworthy that this was the first direct word from God to Israel since the days of Malachi in over four hundred years.