Zacharias Ministers in the Temple
Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
Luke is very exact in giving precise historical and chronological information. This is seen in these words, as well as other references to major historical persons, events and dates.
This Herod, known as Herod the Great, was a descendant of Esau (cf. Gen 27:39–40). Born in 73 b.c., he was appointed King of the Jews by the Roman Senate in 40 b.c. He ruled until his death in March or April, 4 b.c. Archelaus (Mt 2:22), Philip (Lk 3:1), and Herod Antipas (Lk 23:7–12, 15) were his sons. Herod Agrippa I of Acts 12:1–6, 19–23 was his grandson, and Herod Agrippa II of Acts 25–26 was his great-grandson.
Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Zacharias (means the Lord remembers) was a priest belonging to the division of Abijah, one of the twenty-four shifts into which the Jewish priesthood had been divided by David (1 Chron. 24:10). Each shift was called on to serve at the temple in Jerusalem twice a year from Sabbath to Sabbath. There were so many priests at this time that the privilege of burning incense in the Holy Place came only once in a lifetime, if at all.
Elizabeth (means the oath of God) was also descended from the priestly family of Aaron. She and her husband were devout Jews, scrupulously careful in observing the OT Scriptures, both moral and ceremonial. Of course, they were not sinless, but when they did sin, they made sure to offer a sacrifice or otherwise to obey the ritualistic requirement.
Luke 1:7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
This couple had no children, a reproachful condition for any Jew.
Doctor Luke notes that the cause of this was Elizabeth’s barrenness. The problem was aggravated by the fact that they were both well advanced in years.
Luke 1:8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, :9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. :10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.
One day Zacharias was performing his priestly duties in the temple. This was a great day in his life because he had been chosen by lot to burn incense in the Holy Place. The people had gathered outside the temple and were praying. No one seems to know definitely the time signified by the hour of incense.
It is inspiring to notice that the Gospel opens with people praying at the temple and it closes with people praising God at the temple. The intervening chapters tell how their prayers were answered in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus. How can we apply this to our lives?
Luke 1:11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. :12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. :13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. :14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
With priest and people engaged in prayer, it was an appropriate time and setting for a divine revelation. What can we learn from this?
An angel of the Lord appeared on the right side of the altar—the place of favor. At first Zacharias was terrified; none of his contemporaries had ever seen an angel. But the angel reassured him with wonderful news. A son would be born to Elizabeth, to be named John (the favor or grace of Jehovah). In addition to bringing joy and gladness to his parents, he would be a blessing to many.
Luke 1:15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
This child would be great in the sight of the Lord (the only kind of greatness that really matters). First of all, he would be great in his personal separation to God; he would drink neither wine (made from grapes) nor strong drink (made from grain).
Secondly, he would be great in his spiritual endowment; he would be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. (This cannot mean that John was saved or converted from birth, but only that God’s Spirit was in him from the outset to prepare him for his special mission as Christ’s forerunner.)
Luke 1:16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. :17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Thirdly, he would be great in his role as herald of the Messiah. He would turn many of the Jewish people to the Lord.
His ministry would be like that of Elijah, the prophet—seeking to bring the people into right relationship with God through repentance.
As G. Coleman Luck points out: His preaching would turn the hearts of careless parents to a real spiritual concern for their children. Also he would bring back the hearts of disobedient, rebellious children to the “wisdom of the just.”
In other words, he would strive to gather out of the world a company of believers who would be ready to meet the Lord when He appeared. This is a worthy ministry for each of us.
Notice how the deity of Christ is implied in verses 16 and 17. In verse 16, it says that John would turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Then in verse 17 it says that John would go before Him. To whom does the word Him refer? Obviously to the Lord their God in the preceding verse. And yet we know that John was the forerunner of Jesus. The inference then is clear. Jesus is God.
Luke 1:18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
The aged Zacharias was struck by the sheer impossibility of the promise.
Both he and his wife were too old to become the parents of a child. His plaintive question expressed all the pent-up doubt of his heart.
Luke 1:19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.
The angel answered first by introducing himself as Gabriel (strong one of God). Though commonly described as an archangel, he is mentioned in the Scripture only as one who stands in the presence of God and who brings messages from God to man (Dan. 8:16; 9:21).
Luke 1:20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”
Because Zacharias had doubted, he would lose the power of speech until the child was born.
Whenever a believer entertains doubts concerning God’s word, he loses his testimony and his song.
Unbelief seals the lips, and they remain sealed until faith returns and bursts forth in praise and witness.
Luke 1:21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. :22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
Outside, the people were waiting impatiently; ordinarily the priest who was burning incense would have appeared much sooner. When Zacharias finally came out, he had to communicate with them by making signs. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple.
Hinson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 121). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
MacArthur, J. F., Jr., MacDonald, Farstad, Believers Bible; Hinson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 2195). Nashville: Thomas Nelson
