Zacharias
Israelite / Jew Jewish priest of the course of Abia · Life of Christ · New Testament
- Also called
- Zechariah
- Name means
- 'the LORD remembers'
- Role
- Priest; father of John the Baptist
- When
- c. 7-5 BC
What they did
While burning incense in the temple, the angel Gabriel told him that his wife would bear a son; because he doubted he was unable to speak until John was born, and then he prophesied, praising God.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
His song (the Benedictus) proclaims that God was visiting and redeeming his people, and that his son would go before the Lord to prepare his ways.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, Luke 1:68 (KJV)
Bible references
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Luke 1:5-6 (KJV)
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. Luke 1:13 (KJV)
And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. Luke 1:18-20 (KJV)
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, Luke 1:67-68 (KJV)
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; Luke 1:76 (KJV)
Family
- Spouse(s)
- Elisabeth
- Children
- John the Baptist