v1-4     Luke was writing to Theophilus (as in Acts 1.1-3).  He is “most excellent”, indicating some position, perhaps an official or governor. Luke himself may have been converted at Antioch; he spent much time with Paul on his later missionary journeys, and suffered imprisonment with him; see Col 4.14; 2 Tim 4.11; Philm 2.4.

            Luke wrote about the life of Jesus Christ; this thing “was not done in a corner” (Acts 26.26), there were eye-witnesses (2 Pet 1.16; 1 John 1.1-3), and “servants of the word,” indicating integrity and honesty. Luke had “carefully investigated” all the facts, so he was able to write an orderly account, even though he was not an eye-witness himself.

            Luke wrote historical fact, linking the events of the life of Christ with specific dates (v5; 2.1-2, 42; 3.1), and with rulers and kings (v5; 2.1-2; 3.1-2). Thus, what he wrote will stand up to close examination. As Christians, we may know the certainty of the things we have been taught, and have believed.

v5-6            Details about Zechariah (Zacharias) and Elizabeth; a faithful, godly couple. They were part of the remnant, a few within Israel who truly looked for the Messiah’s coming. Although Luke wrote primarily about Jesus Christ, we see many other individuals and their part in the story.

v7            Elizabeth was barren, like Sarah, Hannah, and Samson’s unnamed mother. There are clear parallels here with John Baptist, Samson, and Samuel:

-                                  a barren mother; 1.7; Judg 13.2; 1 Sam 1.6;

-                                  Nazirite; 1.15; Judg 13.5; 1 Sam 1.11;

-                                  began to deliver the people; 1.16-17; Judg 13.5; 1 Sam 3.19-21;

-                                  anointed by the Spirit of God; 1.15; Judg 13.25; 1 Sam 3.21.

Each was born in God’s time to fulfil God’s purpose.

Although scripture is clear about a husband’s faithfulness to his wife, some Rabbis taught that a priest should leave his barren wife. Zechariah had no such intention.

v8-9     The practice of the priests was to burn incense before the altar of incense in the temple, see 1 Chr 24.

v10      The hour of incense, or the hour of prayer, Acts 3.1.

v11      God intervened in history; the appearance of the angel of the Lord, to call our attention, ultimately, to the birth of Jesus Christ. Luke records a number of such visits. The fact that the angel was at the right side of the altar indicates an eye-witness account.

v12            Zechariah, although a faithful man, was afraid at the sight of the angel.

v13-16            The promise of a son. Zechariah and Elizabeth had prayed for a son, and had borne only disappointment. John was set apart from the womb (Jer 1.5), and filled with the Holy Spirit from birth. He would bring joy to many, and turn many back to God. His Nazirite vows, like those of Samson and Samuel, are chosen by God Himself.

v17      John came in the spirit and power of Elijah, fulfilling Mal 4.5-6. Like Samuel and Samson also, he was a man of great zeal and energy in his service of God, he worked alone, often suffering criticism and persecution. Yet, each one had a mighty impact in the nation.

v18            Zechariah’s doubts were perhaps understandable, but he was rebuked for his unbelief. We must learn to take God at His word. But we also note that God’s plan here was not hindered by Zechariah’s unbelief.

            Both Mary (v29) and the shepherds (2.9) were also afraid. An angelic appearance is not something we can take in our stride.

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