What is the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth?

Response

Zechariah (also known as Zacharias or Zachariah) was a priest from the tribe of Levi who served the Lord during the reign of Herod in Judea. Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, was also a descendant of Aaron, and the Bible describes them as devout and godly individuals (Luke 1:5-6). When their story is introduced in the Bible, they are elderly and had not been able to have children (verse 7), despite their prayers.

Luke 1:8–9 recounts that it was Zechariah’s opportunity to enter the temple and burn incense as part of his priestly responsibilities. This was a unique honor. While Zechariah was in the holy place, the angel Gabriel appeared to him “standing at the right side of the altar of incense” (verse 11). Gabriel informed Zechariah that his prayers had been heard. God had selected him and Elizabeth to have a son who would prepare the way for the promised Messiah (verses 13–17). They were instructed to name him John, and he would be filled with the Holy Spirit and consecrated to the Lord’s service even before birth.

However, Zechariah questioned the angel’s message, stating, “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years” «And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. », (Luke 1:18). Due to his disbelief, Zechariah was rendered speechless until the birth of his son (verse 20). Upon leaving the temple, Zechariah was unable to speak before the crowd. Through his gestures, the people realized that he had experienced a vision while in the temple (verse 22).

Zechariah went back home, and Elizabeth conceived, just as the angel had foretold. When Elizabeth was in her sixth month, the angel Gabriel also appeared to Mary, her relative, and informed Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah.Jesus (Luke 1:30-31). Mary immediately went to visit Elizabeth, where she received additional confirmation of the angel’s message: when Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby John leaped in her womb (verse 41). Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaimed to Mary, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! . . . Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (verses 42 and 45).

After Elizabeth gave birth to her son, friends and relatives assumed he would be named after his father, Zechariah. However, Zechariah gestured for writing tools and wrote, “His name is John” «And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. », (Luke 1:63). Immediately, Zechariah regained his speech and praised God for His redemption (verse 68), His faithfulness to His promises (verses 69–73), and His salvation (verse 74). Zechariah then prophesied about his son, John: “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him” (verse 76). Zechariah concluded his inspired words by reverting to the messianic theme, praising God for His “tender mercy” and anticipating the Christ: “The rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace” (verses 78–79).

The baby of Zechariah and Elizabeth grew up to be the man known as John the Baptist «In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judæa, », (Matthew 3:1). John’s message of repentance prepared people’s hearts for faith in Jesus Christ.