The Prediction of John the Baptist’s Birth

5 It happened that in the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest, Zechariah by name, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife[fn] from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous in the sight of God, living blamelessly in all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7 And they did not have[fn] a child, because Elizabeth was barren. And they were both advanced in years.[fn]

8 And it happened that while[fn] he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood he was chosen by lot to enter into the temple of the Lord to burn incense. 10 And the whole crowd of the people were praying outside at the hour of the incense offering. 11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was terrified when he[fn] saw the angel,[fn] and fear fell upon him.

• 13 But the angel said to him,“Do not be afraid, Zechariah,
• because your prayer has been heard,
• and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
• and you will call his name John.
• 14 [fn] and many will rejoice at his birth.
• 15  and he must never drink wine or beer,
• and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit
  • while he is[fn] still in his mother’s womb.
  • 16 to the Lord their God.
  • 17  in the spirit and power of Elijah,
• to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,
• and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous,
  • to prepare for the Lord a people made ready.”

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “By what will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years!”[fn] 19 And the angel answered and[fn] said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because[fn] you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and began to wonder[fn] when[fn] he was delayed in the temple. 22 And when he[fn] came out he was not able to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them, and remained unable to speak. 23 And it happened that when the days of his service came to an end, he went away to his home.

24 Now after these days, his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days in which he has concerned himself with me,[fn] to take away my disgrace among people.”