John the Baptist Is Announced

1:5 During the reign of Herod king of Judea, there lived a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and he had a wife named Elizabeth, who was a descendant of Aaron. 1:6 They were both righteous in the sight of God, following all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. 1:7 But they did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both very old. 1:8 Now while Zechariah was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 1:9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the holy place of the Lord and burn incense. 1:10 Now the whole crowd of people were praying outside at the hour of the incense offering. 1:11 An angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense, appeared to him. 1:12 And Zechariah, visibly shaken when he saw the angel, was seized with fear. 1:13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son; you will name him John. 1:14 Joy and gladness will come to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, 1:15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 1:16 He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 1:17 And he will go as forerunner before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him." 1:18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is old as well." 1:19 The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 1:20 And now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will be silent, unable to speak, until the day these things take place." 1:21 Now the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they began to wonder why he was delayed in the holy place. 1:22 When he came out, he was not able to speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision in the holy place, because he was making signs to them and remained unable to speak. 1:23 When his time of service was over, he went to his home. 1:24 After some time his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she kept herself in seclusion. She said, 1:25 "This is what the Lord has done for me at the time when he has been gracious to me, to take away my disgrace among people."

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Luke begins with Zechariah and Elizabeth, a righteous priestly couple who were old and childless. While Zechariah served in the temple, the angel Gabriel announced that Elizabeth would bear a son named John. This child would bring joy, call Israel back to the Lord, and prepare the people for the coming Lord. Zechariah did not believe the message, so he was made mute until the promise was fulfilled. Elizabeth then conceived and praised the Lord for removing her disgrace.

Luke places this event in Herod’s day, in the temple, and within Israel’s priestly life. Zechariah and Elizabeth were both righteous before God, yet they had no child because Elizabeth was barren and they were very old. Their hardship was real, but it was not proof that God had rejected them.

While Zechariah was burning incense in the holy place, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. The people outside were praying, so the scene was full of worship and expectation. The angel told Zechariah not to be afraid, because his prayer had been heard. Elizabeth would bear a son, and he was to be named John. His birth would bring joy, not only to his parents but to many others.

John would be great in the sight of the Lord. He would be set apart for God’s service, and he would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth. His mission would not be private or small. He would turn many in Israel back to the Lord their God. He would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, preparing a people ready for the Lord.

Zechariah asked how this could happen, since both he and Elizabeth were old. Gabriel answered that he stood in the presence of God and had been sent with good news. Because Zechariah did not believe the angel’s words, he would be silent until the promise came true. This silence was both a sign and a discipline.

When Zechariah came out, he could not speak, and the people understood that he had seen a vision. After his service ended, he returned home. Elizabeth then became pregnant and later praised the Lord for taking away her disgrace among people. The passage shows that God keeps His word, works through human weakness, and begins His saving work by preparing His people for the Lord.

• Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous before God, so their barrenness was not proof of divine displeasure.
• God answered in the temple, showing that this birth belonged to His larger saving plan for Israel.
• John’s birth was announced as good news because his life would prepare people for the coming Lord.
• John would call Israel back to the Lord and prepare a people ready for Him.
• Zechariah’s unbelief brought a disciplinary sign of muteness until the promise was fulfilled.
• Elizabeth’s conception showed that God had been gracious to her and had removed her disgrace.

• Do not assume that long barrenness means God has rejected the faithful.
• Do not make the claim that John was definitely a Nazirite; the passage does not say that.
• Believe God’s word rather than demanding proof on your own terms.
• Read this passage in Luke’s larger story of Israel’s hope, the temple, and the coming Lord.

God begins His saving work in continuity with His promises to Israel. He speaks in the temple, through a priest, by an angel, and announces the one who will prepare the way for the Lord. John’s birth is part of God’s orderly plan to ready a people for the coming of Jesus.

When life is painful or delayed, do not assume God has forgotten you. Receive His word with faith. Let this passage remind you that God can turn shame into praise and can use hard seasons for His redemptive purpose. True readiness for the Lord includes repentance, obedience, and a heart turned back to Him.

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