Holy Bible - Obsidian Study Guide

Zechariah (Priest)

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Zechariah (Priest)

Overview

Biography

Zechariah and Elizabeth were both “righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless” (Luke 1:6), yet they were childless and well advanced in years — a situation that echoed the stories of Abraham and Sarah, Elkanah and Hannah, setting the reader to expect extraordinary divine intervention.

While serving his priestly division in the temple, Zechariah was chosen by lot to burn incense in the Holy Place — a once-in-a-lifetime honor for a common priest. The angel Gabriel appeared to him and announced that his wife would bear a son to be named John: great before the Lord, filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb, turning many of the children of Israel to God, coming “in the spirit and power of Elijah” to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Zechariah questioned the promise (“I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years,” Luke 1:18) and was struck mute until the promise was fulfilled.

Zechariah remained mute throughout the pregnancy. At the circumcision of the child, when the family expected to name him after his father, Elizabeth declared his name was John. The relatives appealed to Zechariah, who asked for a writing table and wrote “His name is John” (Luke 1:63). Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he praised God. His prophetic canticle — the Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79) — is among the great NT hymns, tracing the promised redemption from David through to his son’s role as prophet preparing the way.

Key Events

  • Annunciation — Gabriel’s announcement to Zechariah in the temple of the coming birth of John (Luke 1:8-22)
  • Visitation — his wife Elizabeth’s encounter with Mary (Luke 1:39-56); Zechariah is still mute
  • Birth of John the Baptist — his muteness broken; the Benedictus spoken (Luke 1:57-80)

Key Verses

“And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.” — Luke 1:19 (KJV)

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people.” — Luke 1:68 (KJV)

Cross-References

  • Elizabeth — wife; also elderly, righteous, descended from Aaron
  • John the Baptist — son; the forerunner of the Messiah
  • Gabriel — the angel who appeared to him in the temple
  • Luke — the only Gospel that records Zechariah’s story in full
  • Elijah — the spirit and power of Elijah was prophesied to rest on John

Notes

  • Zechariah’s unbelief (contrasted with Mary’s faith in the same chapter) resulted in a sign of judgment/grace — silenced until fulfillment
  • The Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79) is a masterpiece of biblical theology, reading Israel’s whole history in light of the coming Messiah and John’s forerunner role
  • His name means “YHWH has remembered”

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