Chapter 1.2 - In the Beginning

The importance of Yochanan (John the Baptizer) is very understated. During the this time in Jewish history many false messiahs and prophets came and went. But only one fulfilled every prophecy in its time (though some remain to be fulfilled) and only one had the foretold "voice in the wilderness" who accepted Y'shua's claim as the Messiah in the midst of all the noise and chaos and persecution.

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Luke 1:5-25

*Translation: Complete Jewish Bible

5In the days of Herod, King of Y’hudah, there was a cohen named Z’kharyah who belonged to the Aviyah division. His wife was a descendant of Aharon, and her name was Elisheva. 6Both of them were righteous before God, observing all the mitzvot and ordinances of Adonai blamelessly. 7But they had no children, because Elisheva was barren; and they were both well along in years.

8One time, when Z’kharyah was fulfilling his duties as cohen during his division’s period of service before God, 9he was chosen by lot (according to the custom among the cohanim) to enter the Temple and burn incense. 10All the people were outside, praying, at the time of the incense burning, 11when there appeared to him an angel of Adonai standing to the right of the incense altar. 12Z’kharyah was startled and terrified at the sight. 13But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Z’kharyah; because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elisheva will bear you a son, and you are to name him Yochanan. 14He will be a joy and a delight to you, and many people will rejoice when he is born, 15for he will be great in the sight of Adonai. He is never to drink wine or other liquor, and he will be filled with the Ruach HaKodesh even from his mother’s womb. 16He will turn many of the people of Isra’el to Adonai their God. 17He will go out ahead of Adonai in the spirit and power of Eliyahu to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready for Adonai a people prepared.”

18Z’kharyah said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man; my wife too is well on in years.” 19“I am Gavri’el,” the angel answered him, “and I stand in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, to give you this good news. 20Now, because you didn’t believe what I said, which will be fulfilled when the time comes, you will be silent, unable to speak until the day these things take place.”

21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Z’kharyah; they were surprised at his taking so long in the Temple. 22But when he came out unable to talk to them, they realized that he had seen a vision in the Temple; speechless, he communicated to them with signs.

23When his period of his Temple service was over, he returned home. 24Following this, Elisheva his wife conceived, and she remained five months in seclusion, saying, 25“Adonai has done this for me; he has shown me favor at this time, so as to remove my public disgrace.”

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Context Questions:

What is the significance of Z’kharyah's position?

Tanakh and Prophetic references