Verse 7. This couple had borne the sorrow to an advanced age of being childless. They had not become bitter or resentful toward God. They persevered in their service to God.

Verse 8,9. In this particular week the priestly course of Abijah was called upon to serve at the Temple. Zacharias was one. Each day the lot was cast for the various duties for that day. On that day Zacharias was chosen by lot to burn incense in the Holy Place in the morning and again about 3 in the afternoon.

Verse 10. In the temple court outside the Sanctuary, public gatherings for prayer typically took place three times a day. The first and last of these gatherings took place at the same time as the burning of incense.

Zacharias was presenting the incense offering on the golden alter in the holy place, a great multitude were praying in the outer temple court. When the signal was given, the incense was offered. The incense represented true consecration to God. As the smoke of the incense ascended, the people fell down with hands spread out in silent prayer. All was quiet throughout the area. This lot normally fell to a priest only once in his lifetime.

Verse 11. It was during these moments that an angel of the Lord appeared to Zacharias. He stood all at once on the honored right side of the golden altar on which Zacharias was offering the incense.

Verse 12. Zacharias was overtaken with fear in this most solemn moment when the angel appeared.

Verse 13. The angel assured him that he had no need to fear, but that God had heard his prayer. This prayer was most likely for the salvation of his people through the promised Messiah. The angel assured him that a great privilege was to be visited upon him and his wife.

Elisabeth was to bear him a son who would be the forerunner and proclaim the coming redeemer. God in this way was also fulfilling their years of prayer for a child, even though they were so advanced in age. The child was to be called John, the name meaning 'the Lord is merciful', or 'the gracious gift of God'.

Verse 14. His parents as well as any other will rejoice at the child's coming into the world. After so long a time without a prophet, the coming of John will be a great blessing to the devout followers of God.

Verse 15. This child will be great in the sight of the Lord, so the reaction will be great rejoicing. He will neither drink wine nor any other strong drink. He will be constantly full of the Holy Ghost and receive from Him the necessary strength and inspiration to fulfill his divine calling. The Old Testament prophets were as a rule only temporarily filled with the Spirit, but John will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the beginning of his life.

Verse 16. The true function of a prophet was to call the wayward and sinful people back to God and true righteousness (Jeremiah 3:17; Ezekiel 3:19, Daniel 9: 13). He will be successful.

Verse 17. He will be more than any ordinary prophet. He will go before the Lord and prepare the way for the Messiah. What was prophesied in the last Old Testament Book of Malachi 3:1 "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come saith the Lord of hosts."

In Malachi 4:5, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet, before the great and terrible day of the Lord." Jesus Himself said of John that he was the prophet Elijah who was to come. Christ's coming brought the judgment of God in Israel because the majority of the people had refused to accept Him.

The angel declares that John will appear in the manner of Elijah. The hearts of those in a family will be reunited. John's calling for repentance will cause those who answer that call to give up their sinful ways. This would bring the formerly rebellious into religious harmony with their believing ancestors (forefathers). All this works to prepare a people to be spiritually awakened and expectant of the coming of the Lord.

Verse 18. Zacharias is overwhelmed. How can these things be? Elisabeth is not only barren, but also far advanced in age as he also is. He wants to believe but hesitates in asking for a sign of the truth of this prophecy.

Verse 19. Certainly he knew the story of Abraham and Sarah who had been given Isaac in their advanced age. Sarah had also been barren. His lack of belief in the absolute power and mercy of God is unmerited, so he is chastised.

Zacharias calls himself 'an old man'. In contrast, the angel states: "I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to bring thee these glad tidings". How can Zacharias doubt such a message from such a messenger, sent from the immediate presence of God, especially to him?