Luke 1: 1-25, Good News for Zechariah

The gospel of Luke opens with a prologue, explaining the author's motives.

Luke 1: 1-4, Introduction
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Luke claims to have talked to eyewitnesses and wants Theophilus ("friend of God") to know that the claims in this letter are "certain".  Luke is not an eyewitness, but refers to others who are. Who, most likely, were some of these eyewitnesses? Why does Luke write this if "many" others have already done so?

Luke 1: 5-7, The priest Zechariah
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

Apparently all descendants of Aaron were priests. These two were committed priests, worshiping God fully and carefully.

How did Luke learn about this couple?  Did he hear of this from Mary?

Luke 1: 8-17, An angel with a message
Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

It would have been quite an honor to go into the Holy Place and burn incense. William Barclay says most priests would not get this opportunity simply because there were too many priests.  Barclay also says that some Jewish writings indicated that a single man or a man without children was ostracized from God's presence. Could Zechariah have been aware of those thoughts as he ministered at the altar?

What do angels look like?  Often in Scriptures their first statements are "Do not be afraid." Other than that, we generally have no description of them.

How recently was Zechariah praying for a son?  What does wine and alcohol have to do with the son? What is John's mission to Israel? (Why is that important? Why not the Gentiles?) Who will John represent/model when he speaks to Israel?

Luke 1: 18-20, Zechariah's question
Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."

The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."

This is a rare naming of an angel; he is named nowhere else except in the book of Daniel.  Was the angel angry with Zechariah? (I hope not -- I would have certainly asked this question!)

Notice what the angel says about when his words will come true.

Luke 1: 21-25, God's favor to Elizabeth
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."

Is there another explanation for his silence? One might wonder if Zechariah had a stroke! But then he is quite capable, in all other ways, to communicate what happened.

Notice the sensitivity of the people. Apparently this appearance and conversation with the angel (and the angel's leaving) took considerable time. Then when Zechariah comes out, he has to make signals to them, probably to explain himself?

Did he just go on with the ceremony? What was the ceremony he was leading? What is Elizabeth's reaction to her pregnancy?

For further thought: What really are angels? What do they look like? Can you imagine the scene with Zechariah?

We continue with the story of Mary and Elizabeth tomorrow....

Meanwhile, you might enjoy this short video on Luke's introduction to the birth of Jesus.