Introduction (verses 1 – 4)
Luke was a doctor, and he accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys. As well as writing this gospel, he also wrote the book of Acts, and each book is addressed to his friend Theophilus. Theophilus appears to have been a person of some importance by the fact that he is addressed as “most excellent,” which was quite often the way officials in government were addressed. Luke writes later than others, and he refers to the fact that many who were eyewitnesses have declared already the matters which are “most surely believed” among the Christians. These witnesses are described by Luke as official ministers of the word (verse 2), and by this time both Matthew and Mark would have written their gospels. Luke declares that “it seemed good to me also” to gather this material together, having checked its authenticity, and so to write. However, what he wrote was under the guidance and control of the Holy Spirit of God. Luke had acquired an accurate knowledge of the life of Christ from the very first and now wishes to set out the details in an orderly way, with method, to confirm the things Theophilus has already been taught.
Zacharias and Elisabeth (verses 5 – 25)
Fitness of the couple
Luke begins by telling us about the character of this godly couple, who were to become the parents of John the Baptist. Both were righteous, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the law, blameless (verse 6).
Function of Zacharias’ service.
Officially Zacharias was a priest and functioned according to the course of priests to which he belonged by burning incense at the altar of incense in the temple holy place. There were twenty-four courses of priests in the Jewish system, and he belonged to the course of Abijah (1 Chronicles 24.10). Elisabeth was also of priestly descent and is called a daughter of Aaron, the original high priest. They were now advanced in years but had no children, owing to Elisabeth’s physically barren condition. The offering of incense was linked with prayer (Psalm 141.2 Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense), and as he offered in the Holy Place the people prayed outside.
Favour shown by God
It was then that Gabriel appeared on the right side of the altar. The right side is usually the side of favour, and clearly God was showing His favour in what was to happen to this couple.
Fear of Zacharias
Understandably, Zacharias was terrified and agitated when he saw the angel (verse 12).
Foretelling of a son
He is told not to be afraid and that God has heard his prayer in the past and is now answering it. (Note: Zacharias means “remembered of Jehovah.”) His wife will have a son and his name is to be called John. He would bring them joy and gladness, and many others would also rejoice when John was born.
Features of John described
He was going to be great before God and would be a Nazarite. Nazarites were separated to God, did not drink alcohol and made sure they were free from any defiling contacts in their lives. That is, separated in: appetite, associations and appearance (compare Numbers 6). John was to be filled with the controlling power of the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb and would turn many of the Jews to God. He was also to be the forerunner of Messiah, going before Him in the same zeal and power that Elijah had, to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord into the world.
Failure of Zacharias to believe
In verse 18, Zacharias can’t believe this can happen as both he and his wife were too old. The angel then emphasises who he is, and where he has come from, and that this is the message God has sent him to deliver. As a consequence of not believing, Zacharias is to be struck dumb until the child is born. By this time, the people waiting outside were becoming concerned that Zacharias was so long in the temple. When he eventually came out and they saw he was dumb, they realised he had seen a vision from God in the temple.
Fulfilment in the conception of Elisabeth
When the work of Zacharias was finished at the temple he returned home. Just as the angel predicted, Elisabeth became pregnant and for five months was confined to her house. She accepted that this was the Lord dealing with her and that he was treating her with favour in taking away the stigma of her previously barren condition.