{Strong drink} (sikera). A Hebrew word transliterated into
Greek, an intoxicating drink. Here only in the N.T. John was to
be a personal "dry" or Nazarite ( Nu 6:3 ). {Shall not drink}
(ou m(8820)pi(8869)). Strong prohibition, double negative and second
aorist subjunctive. {The Holy Ghost} (pneumatos hagiou). The
Holy Spirit in contrast to the physical excitement of strong
drink (Plummer). Luke uses this phrase 53 times, 12 in the
Gospel, Mark and John 4 each, Matthew 5 times. {Even from his
mother's womb} (eti ek koilias m(8874)ros autou). A manifest
Hebraism. Cf. verse  41 .