Study Desk

When the days of his service were over, he went home.2 Kings 11:5; 1 Chronicles 9:25;">[xr]

After this,After those days">[fn] his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months. She said,

She was startled by his statement and tried to figure out what his greeting meant.Luke 1:12;">[xr]

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his forefather David.2 Samuel 7:11-12; Psalm 132:11; Isaiah 9:6-7; 16:5; Jeremiah 23:5; Mark 5:7; Revelation 3:7;">[xr]

He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end."Daniel 2:44; Obadiah 1:1:21-26; Micah 4:7; John 12:34; Hebrews 1:8;">[xr]

for he has looked favorably on his humble servant.1 Samuel 1:11; Psalm 138:6; Malachi 3:12; Luke 11:27;">[xr] From now on, all generations will call me blessed,

because the Almighty has done great things for me.Psalm 71:19; 111:9; 126:2-3;">[xr] His name is holy.

His mercy lasts from generation to generationGenesis 17:7; Exodus 20:6; Psalm 103:17-18;">[xr] for those who fear him.

He displayed his mighty power with his arm.Psalm 33:10; 98:1; 118:15; Isaiah 40:10; 51:9; 52:10; 1 Peter 5:5;">[xr] He scattered people who were proud in mind and heart.in the mind of their heart">[fn]

He helped his servant Israel,Psalm 98:3; Jeremiah 31:3,20;">[xr] remembering to be merciful,

according to the promise he madejust as he spoke">[fn] to our ancestorsGenesis 17:19; Psalm 132:11; Romans 11:28; Galatians 3:16;">[xr] - to Abraham and his descendants forever."

Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.Luke 1:14;">[xr]

On the eighth day they went to circumcise the child. They were going to name him Zechariah after his father,Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:3;">[xr]

but his mother said, "Absolutely not! He must be named John."Luke 1:13;">[xr]

So they motioned to the baby'sto his">[fn] father to see what he wanted to name him.

He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And everyone was amazed.Luke 1:13;">[xr]

Suddenly, Zechariah'shis">[fn] mouth was opened, his tongue was set free, and he began to speak and to praise God.Luke 1:20;">[xr]

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:Joel 2:28;">[xr]

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel!Exodus 3:16; 4:31; 1 Kings 1:48; Psalm 41:13; 72:18; 106:48; 111:9; Luke 7:16;">[xr] He has taken care of his people and has set them free.

He has raised up a mighty Saviora horn of salvation">[fn] for usPsalm 132:17;">[xr] from the family of his servant David,