Zacharias in the Temple

The words

1. Aaron

   Luke introduces Zacharias, a priest, and adds that his wife Elisabeth “was of the daughters of Aaron”: like him, she was descended from Aaron.

   Luke 1:5 (opens a new tab) · NIV: Luke 1:5 (opens a new tab) · 1 Chronicles 24:1; 1 Chronicles 24:10 (opens a new tab)

2. Abia

   Abijah, in the NIV’s spelling.

   Luke places Zacharias in the course of Abia; during that division’s service, his lot is to burn incense in the temple.

   Luke 1:5; Luke 1:8–9 (opens a new tab) · NIV: Luke 1:5 (opens a new tab)

3. Altar

   Luke places the angel on the right side of the altar of incense; Zacharias sees him and is troubled and afraid.

   Luke 1:11–12 (opens a new tab)

4. Barren

   Unable to conceive, in the NIV’s wording.

   Luke says they had no child because Elisabeth was barren, then records the angel’s promise that she will bear a son named John.

   Luke 1:7 (opens a new tab) · Luke 1:13 (opens a new tab) · NIV: Luke 1:7 (opens a new tab)

5. Beckoned

   Made signs, in the NET’s rendering.

   When Zacharias comes out unable to speak, he beckons to the waiting people; Luke says they perceive that he has seen a vision.

   Luke 1:21–22 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 1:18-25 (opens a new tab)

6. Blameless

   Luke applies blameless to how both follow the Lord’s commandments and ordinances, describing their shared observance before the temple scene begins.

   Luke 1:6–9 (opens a new tab)

7. Incense

   Zacharias is chosen by lot to burn incense inside the temple, while the gathered people pray outside at the time of the offering.

   Did you know?

   Exodus 30:7–8 gives instructions for Aaron to burn incense when tending the lamps in the morning and lighting them in the evening.

   Luke 1:9–10 (opens a new tab) · Exodus 30:7–8 (opens a new tab)

8. Ministration

   When the days of Zacharias’s ministration are complete, he returns to his own house; Luke then tells of Elisabeth conceiving.

   Luke 1:23–24 (opens a new tab)

9. Reproach

   Disgrace, in the NET’s rendering of Elisabeth’s words.

   After conceiving, Elisabeth keeps herself secluded for five months and says the Lord has acted to “take away my reproach among men.”

   Did you know?

   Genesis 30:22–24 uses similar words for Rachel: “God hath taken away my reproach,” she says when she bears the son named Joseph.

   Luke 1:24–25 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 1:18-25 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 30:22–24 (opens a new tab)

10. Righteous

    Luke calls Zacharias and Elisabeth righteous before God; the praise embraces both husband and wife before the angel’s promise of a child.

    Luke 1:5–7 (opens a new tab) · Luke 1:13 (opens a new tab)

11. Speechless

    Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak because he did not believe the promise, until the words are fulfilled.

    Did you know?

    Later, after Zacharias writes “His name is John,” Luke says his mouth opens immediately and he speaks, praising God.

    Luke 1:19–22 (opens a new tab) · Luke 1:63–64 (opens a new tab)

12. Stricken

    Luke calls both husband and wife well stricken in years; Zacharias later cites his own old age and his wife’s years when questioning the angel.

    Luke 1:7 (opens a new tab) · Luke 1:18 (opens a new tab)

13. Strong Drink

    Fermented drink other than wine, in the NIV’s wording.

    The angel says John will drink neither wine nor strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.

    Luke 1:13–15 (opens a new tab) · NIV: Luke 1:15 (opens a new tab)

14. Vision

    The waiting people conclude that Zacharias has seen a vision when he emerges unable to speak and communicates by signs.

    Luke 1:21–22 (opens a new tab)

15. Zacharias

    Zechariah, in the NIV’s spelling.

    Luke introduces Zacharias as a priest during Herod’s reign; the angel addresses him by name, tells him not to fear and says his prayer is heard.

    Luke 1:5 (opens a new tab) · Luke 1:13 (opens a new tab) · NIV: Luke 1:5 (opens a new tab)