The Annunciation to Zechariah

During the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the division of Abijah. His wife, Elizabeth, was from the daughters of Aaron. Both were described as righteous before God, yet they had no child because Elizabeth was barren and they were both advanced in years. While Zechariah was performing his priestly service before God in the order of his division, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the Lord to burn incense (Luke 1:5-9). The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of the incense offering.

An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled and fear fell upon him. The angel told him not to be afraid, stating that his prayer had been heard and Elizabeth would bear a son to be named John. The angel promised that this child would be great before the Lord, would drink no wine or strong drink, and would be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb. Zechariah asked how he could be sure of this, as he and his wife were old. The angel identified himself as Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and stated he was sent to bring this good news (Luke 1:11-19).

Because Zechariah did not believe the words, Gabriel stated that Zechariah would be silent and unable to speak until the day these things took place. The people outside wondered why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them and made signs to them, remaining mute. After his days of service were completed, he went to his home. Following these days, Elizabeth conceived and hid herself for five months, acknowledging that the Lord had looked upon her to take away her reproach among people (Luke 1:20-25).