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The Birth of John the Baptist as Foretold by Luke                                    Lesson 3

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold – Luke 1:5-25

 5In 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. 6Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years. 8Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13But 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. 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15for 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. 16Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17And 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." 18Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."  19The 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. 20And 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."

 21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22When 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. 23When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25"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."

 

 5In 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. 6Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

  • Children were considered a blessing – being barren was seen as a curse.

 Thought to Ponder:

We always see angels as friendly and joyful – does the Bible bear that out?

If you look through the Bible, you will find that when approached by an angel people were always frightened.

 

8Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

  • At this time there were approximately 20,000 priests who served throughout the country. It was customary for them to be divided into 24 groups (families) – all descended from Aaron. Each group took turns serving in the Temple for a week. They would have drawn lots. (1 Chronicles 24:3-19) Zachariah was a member of the Abijah division.
  • Some scholars believe Zechariah’s service happened on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), however only the appointed High Priest was to offer sacrifices on this day. Additionally, Leviticus 16:2-4, 11-17 outlines the procedure which would have included smearing blood on the alter. Luke does not mention this. Additionally, there is no mention of him on the list of High Priests in the archived records that record who served in this capacity from 2 BC until 70 AD.
  • During the Tamid sacrifice (Exodus 29:36-42) which occurred twice a day (in the morning and then around 3 in the afternoon) a priest would enter the Holy Place in the Temple and burn incense during the sacrifice.  The lots determined who would enter the sacred room to burn the incense; so, it is probable that Zechariah was the priest who performed the rite. (You could only do this once in your lifetime.) Remember, the smoke carried their prayers to heaven. Zechariah’s service probably occurred around the time of Yom Kippur (this feast occurs in the fall. So John would have been born in the summer).
    • In John 3:30 John says “He must become greater, and I must become less.” As the summer progresses, the days becomes shorter. If Jesus was born around or after the 23rd of December the days would be growing longer.
    • Note: The church celebrates the feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24th (the day of his birth) 9 months earlier would have been in September which would have been near the Feast of Tabernacles (falls 5 days after Yom Kippur). Luke 1:36 tells us that Elizabeth was in her 6th month. 6 months from September 23rd takes us to March 23rd and the church celebrates the Annunciation on March 25th (very close to the spring equinox.) 9 months from March 25th takes us to December 25th. The early church established this time line – we will discuss further when we sturdy the birth of Jesus.
    • Seasonal divisions were established in Genesis 8:22 just after the flood and the cycles of the moon determined the Old Covenant liturgical calendar.

 

11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13But 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. 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15for 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. 16Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17And 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 was foretold that a prophet would precede the Messiah to announce His coming
    • Isaiah 40:3, 5; Malachi 3:1; Matthew 3:1-3.

 

18Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."  19The 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. 20And 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." 21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22When 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. 23When his time of service was completed, he returned home.

 

Thought to Ponder:

When Zechariah asked, “How can I be sure of this,?” was he asking for a miraculous sign?

Does you faith depend on proof of God’s activities?

 

24After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25"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."

  • The disgrace Elizabeth felt for not being able to bare children was erased in a miraculous manner.

Click Here "The Birth of Jesus Foretold" lesson 4.

About Us

RCR Ministries was born out of a sincere desire to help all who seek God to find Him. It is our hope that by providing you with sound interpretation of the scriptures along with the historical background that you will gain a foundation of God's word that will lead you to a un-shakable personal relationship with him. A realtionship where by you will experience a steadfast confidence  in His love, compassion, and grace.  Learn More

Our Goal

It is our desire to study the word of God by keeping it in context with all the teachings of the Bible. We strive to not add to or take away from God's Holy Word. Instead, we will ask you to move through the old and new testaments that weave the rich fabric that is the Word of God. We stand on His Holy Word which is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

The New International Version is used unless otherwise stated.

Before You Begin

Dear Heavenly Father,

Praise and glory to the one true Living God, the alpha and the omega. Holy, Holy, Holy is   your   name.   Thank   you Father, for your son Jesus Christ who redeemed us from our sins. And thank you for this day and everything you have brought to me. May my prayer rise to you as sweet incense from the alter. I ask that you guide me, Father, through your Word. Please open my heart and mind to recieve your word and please reveal your Holy Truth. Please dwell in me and help me to live each day of my life in keeping with your Word. In the Holy name of Jesus Christ, I pray and ask it. Amen.