Luke emphasizes that Jesus’s story is rooted in the story of God’s earlier acts for his people. Luke’s first account after his preface (1:1-4) evokes the story of Abraham and Sarah, an aged couple without children. While some may have associated their condition of childlessness with judgment, Luke is clear that Zechariah and Elizabeth, like Abraham and Sarah before them, were righteous, keeping God’s commandments. Luke values those faithful to the law, from Joseph and Mary (2:21-24, 42) to Simeon (2:25), Joseph (23:50-51), Jesus’s women followers (23:56), Ananias (Acts 22:12) and others.
Zechariah belonged to the division of Abijah, the eighth of the 24 priestly divisions mentioned in 1 Chron 24 (1 Chron 24:10). Priests would offer incense in the temple each morning and evening (Exod 30:7-8), but given the large number of priests at this time, most never had the privilege of performing this duty. Casting lots proved a fair way for priests and Levites to decide who would get this or other privileges (1 Chron 24:31; 25:8; 26:13-14). People trusted that God controlled the outcome of the lots (Prov 16:33), thereby reducing contention (Prov 18:18).
Not only Zechariah (Luke 1:13) but others (1:10) were praying at this time; Luke often emphasizes how major events can occur at times of prayer (e.g., 3:21; 9:29; Acts 1:14; 3:1). The angel Gabriel (Luke 1:19; cf. Dan 8:16; 9:21) suddenly appears to Zechariah, standing to the right of the incense altar. In Zech 3:1 Satan stood at the right hand of Joshua the high priest to accuse him, but the Lord’s angel defended him; on this occasion of good news, however, the Lord’s angel appears without Satan. Angels are deeply involved in announcing the good news of the birth of both Jesus and his forerunner (Luke 1:26; 2:9-13), as they were at some special births in the Old Testament (Gen 16:11; Judg 13:3).
But while Zechariah’s son John would be special, it was especially in his role of introducing Jesus, the most special of all. Luke makes clear the connection, but also Jesus’s superiority, by the way he arranges the entire account.
| 1:11: the angel Gabriel appears | 1:26: the angel Gabriel appears |
| 1:12: the vision’s recipient troubled | 1:29: the vision’s recipient troubled |
| 1:13: Do not be afraid | 1:30: Do not be afraid |
| 1:13: reason for miracle | 1:30: reason for miracle |
| 1:13: child’s name (John) | 1:31: child’s name (Jesus) |
| 1:15: child will be great | 1:32: child will be great |
| 1:15: filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb | 1:35: conceived through the Holy Spirit |
| 1:16-17: mission | 1:32-33: mission |
| 1:18: question | 1:34: question |
| 1:19-20: proof or explanation | 1:35-37: proof or explanation |
| 1:20: Zechariah muted for unbelief | 1:38, 45: Mary praised for faith |
| 1:80: child grows | 2:40, 52: child grows |
While many features are identical, John is merely filled with the Spirit, like some Old Testament figures. Jesus, by contrast, is conceived by the Spirit. Already with the appearance of the angel in 1:13, Luke prepares us for what is to follow.
