Study Desk

In the days of Herod [the Great], king of Judea, there was a certain priest whose name was Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron [the first high priest of Israel], and her name was Elizabeth.

Now it happened while Zacharias was serving as priest before God in the appointed order of his priestly division,

"You will have great joy and delight, and many will rejoice over his birth,

for he will be great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord; and will never drink wine or liquor, and he will be filled with and empowered to act by the Holy Spirit while still in his mother's womb.

The people [outside in the court] were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering about his long delay in the temple.

When his time of priestly service was finished, he returned to his home.

Now after this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she secluded herself completely, saying,

"He will be great and eminent and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;

and He will reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end."

"For He has looked [with loving care] on the humble state of His maidservant; For behold, from now on all generations will count me blessed and happy and favored by God!

"For He who is mighty has done great things for me; And holy is His name [to be worshiped in His purity, majesty, and glory].

"AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO [stand in great awe of God and] FEAR HIM.

"He has done mighty deeds with His [powerful] arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.

"He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,

Just as He promised to our fathers, To Abraham and to his descendants forever."

Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown His great mercy toward her, and they were rejoicing with her.

It happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child [as required by the Law], and they intended to name him Zacharias, after his father;

but his mother answered, "No indeed; instead he will be called John."

Then they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called.

And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote as follows, "His name is John." And they were all astonished.