Luke 1:16-17 16 And many of the children ( descendants ) of Israel ( Jacob; cf. Genesis 32:28 ) shall he turn ( convert, bring back ) to the Lord their God ( true repentance and restoration to covenant faithfulness ). 17 And he shall go before him ( John as forerunner of the Christ; cf. Malachi 3:1 ) in the spirit and power of Elias ( Elijah’s prophetic spirit and boldness; cf. Malachi 4:5-6 and Matthew 17:12-13 ), to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children ( see les