Luke 1:66-67

And all who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then shall this child be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,’

The news and the rumours spread around concerning all these strange things that had been happening to Zacharias and Elisabeth, and no doubt improved with the telling, with the result that all were wondering exactly what John was going to grow up to be. It was clear to all that God had a special purpose for him. He thus grew up in an area where there was a spirit of expectancy.

‘And the hand of the Lord was with him.’ It was apparent to all who knew him that he had a special relationship with God, and they recognised that God was with him and was blessing him and preparing him for something, although none knew what. This probably especially came out in his response to synagogue teaching. And probably none were surprised when eventually he deserted his home for the wilderness, and began to dress like a prophet in goatskins. This too would be an indication that the hand of the Lord was with him. The wilderness tended to be the place where godly people went when they wanted to get away from the influences and vindictiveness of the world. It was where Elijah had gone. It was where the devout religious communities tended to go. It was the right place for a man of God.