The Forerunner Announced

Luke 1:5–25 (NIV84)

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.

First Point

6Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.

First Point

7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

First Point

8Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,

First Point

9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

First Point

10And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

First Point

11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

First Point

12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.

First Point

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.

First Point

14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,

First Point

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.

First Point

16Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God.

First Point

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.”

First Point

18Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

First Point

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.

First Point

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.”

First Point

21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.

First Point

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.

First Point

23When his time of service was completed, he returned home.

First Point

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

First Point

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.”

First Point