Except for Matthew’s account of the Nativity of Jesus, Luke is the only evangelist to write of the events surrounding His early years. He tells the story of the messenger-angel Gabriel and Zechariah, the father of John the Baptizer, second cousin to Jesus.
Zechariah was one of the priests of the Temple in Jerusalem. There were far more priests than were needed, so they used to take turns. Each served for a week at a time and then went home until his turn came around again. Zechariah’s home was in a little village out in the country, about five miles from Jerusalem. His wife was Elizabeth, who like Abraham’s wife Sarah had never had a baby although she and Zacharias had both prayed fervently for one. The couple was old and had given up all hope that their prayers would be answered.
Zechariah entered the Temple. No one could see into the sanctuary. Everyone else waited for him to leave and tell them that incense had been offered. As Zechariah stood by the altar spreading incense onto hot coals, he suddenly saw an angel standing next to the altar.
He became terrified. The angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayers have been answered. Elizabeth is about to have a baby, a son. You will name him John. He will bring great joy to you and to many other people because he will prepare the way for the Lord and make His people ready to receive Him.”
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“I am Gabriel who stands in God’s presence and I have been sent to you to bring this good news. Since you have not believed my words which will come true at their appointed time you will be silenced and lose your power of speech until after the child has been born.” With that, Gabriel zapped Zechariah mute.
Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah outside the sanctuary and were wondering why it was taking him so long. When he finally did come out and could not speak, they realized that he had had a vision in the sanctuary. He could only gesture to them and remained speechless. He returned home to Elizabeth who eventually did conceive a child.
On the eighth day friends and neighbors came together to celebrate the circumcision of the boy. They wanted to name him Zechariah after his father but Elizabeth spoke up, “No, he is to be called John.” They said to her that no one in the family had that name and gestured to his father asking him what he wanted the boy named. Zechariah wrote on a tablet, “His name is John.” Immediately he regained his speech, fulfilling the prophesy of the Archangel Gabriel.