Adam Clarke, on Luke 1:80

“And the child grew, and was strengthened in spirit; and was in the deserts until the day of his manifestation to Israel.”

“The child grew - Increased in stature and bodily vigor. And waxed strong in spirit - had his understanding Divinely illuminated and confirmed in the truths of God. And was in the deserts - the city of Hebron, the circumjacent hill country, and in or near Nazareth. Till the time of his showing, or manifestation - till he was thirty years of age, before which time the law did not permit a man to enter into the public ministry, Num 4:3. See also Luk 3:23. So much has already been said, by way of practical improvement of the different subjects in this important chapter, as to preclude the necessity of any addition here.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.