Bible Figure
Zechariah
father of John the Baptist; New Testament biblical character
Zechariah was a priest, the husband of Elizabeth, and the father of John the Baptist. While serving in the Temple, he received Gabriel's announcement that Elizabeth would bear a son who would prepare people for the Lord. Because Zechariah doubted the message, he was unable to speak until John's birth, when his speech returned and he prophesied in praise of God's saving work.
Biography
Luke 1 introduces Zechariah as a priest of the division of Abijah, married to Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron. Both are described as righteous, but they were childless and advanced in age. While Zechariah was serving in the Temple and had been chosen by lot to burn incense, Gabriel appeared and announced that Elizabeth would bear a son named John. The child would be great before the Lord and would prepare a people for Him. Zechariah asked how he could know this, citing the couple's age. Gabriel responded that Zechariah would be silent until the promise was fulfilled because he had not believed the message. Elizabeth conceived. At John's birth relatives expected the child to be named after his father, but Elizabeth insisted on John. Zechariah confirmed the name in writing; immediately his speech returned. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he delivered the prophecy traditionally called the Benedictus, praising God's redemption and describing his son as the prophet who would go before the Lord to prepare His ways.
Biblical Significance
Zechariah stands at the opening of Luke's Gospel as a link between Israel's priestly worship and the arrival of the messianic age. His temporary unbelief is answered by God's faithful fulfillment, and his Spirit-inspired prophecy interprets John's ministry as preparation for the Lord and Jesus' coming as the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.