The Birth of John the Baptist

When the time was fulfilled for Elizabeth to give birth, she bore a son, and her neighbors and relatives rejoiced with her upon hearing of the great mercy shown by the Lord (Luke 1:57-58). On the eighth day, the people came to circumcise the child and intended to name him Zechariah after his father. However, Elizabeth intervened and stated that he would be called John. The observers noted that no one in her family had that name and used signs to ask the father what he wished the child to be called (Luke 1:59-62). Zechariah requested a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John," which caused the people to marvel.

Immediately following this act, Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak and praise God. A fear came over all who lived around them, and these events were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea (Luke 1:63-65). All who heard these things wondered what the child would become, as the hand of the Lord was with him. Zechariah was then filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, stating that God had visited and redeemed His people, raising up a horn of salvation in the house of David (Luke 1:66-69).

Zechariah spoke of the child being called the prophet of the Most High, who would go before the Lord to prepare His ways and give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins (Luke 1:76-77). The prophecy attributed this to the tender mercy of God, whereby the dayspring from on high visited to give light to those sitting in darkness. The text records that the child grew and became strong in spirit. He remained in the deserts until the day of his manifestation to Israel (Luke 1:80). The text does not say the specific location of the deserts or the exact nature of his physical growth.