Zechariah and Elizabeth were a righteous, elderly couple mentioned in the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament. Though devout, they struggled with the grief of being childless in their old age. The Bible tells of how God blessed them with a miraculous pregnancy resulting in the birth of John the Baptist, the prophet who would one day announce and prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ.
Zechariah was a Jewish priest of the division of Abijah (Luke 1:5). He was married to Elizabeth who was also from a priestly family. The Bible describes them as both being righteous before God, carefully observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly (Luke 1:6). Yet despite their faithfulness, they had no children because Elizabeth was barren and they were both very old (Luke 1:7).
One day, Zechariah was chosen by lot to enter the inner sanctuary of the temple to burn incense while the assembled worshipers prayed outside (Luke 1:8-10). This was a great privilege that priests would often only experience once in a lifetime. But while Zechariah ministered alone inside the temple, the angel Gabriel suddenly appeared at the right side of the altar (Luke 1:11). Zechariah was startled and overwhelmed with fear, but the angel told him not to be afraid for his prayer had been heard. Elizabeth would bear him a son and he was to name him John (Luke 1:13). Gabriel declared that John would be great in God’s sight – filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. The child would turn many Israelites back to the Lord and go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah as the forerunner to the Messiah (Luke 1:15-17).
Doubting the likelihood of this promise due to their old age, Zechariah asked the angel how he could be sure it would happen (Luke 1:18). In response, Gabriel identified himself by name and declared he had been sent from the very presence of God to bring this good news. Because of Zechariah’s unbelief, Gabriel said he would be silent, unable to speak until the day the child was born (Luke 1:19-20). When Zechariah emerged after taking longer than usual in the temple, he was unable to speak to the people waiting outside. While he remained mute, he managed through gestures to indicate he had seen a vision (Luke 1:21-22).
After Zechariah’s time of temple service ended, he returned home. Soon after, Elizabeth became pregnant and she thanked the Lord for taking away her disgrace by giving her a child in her old age (Luke 1:23-25). The Bible notes that Elizabeth remained in seclusion for the first five months of her miraculous pregnancy. In the sixth month, the same angel Gabriel was sent from God again – this time to a virgin girl named Mary who was engaged to Elizabeth’s relative Joseph from the line of David (Luke 1:26-27).
Gabriel appeared to Mary in Nazareth with the stunning news that she had found favor with God and would miraculously conceive through the power of the Holy Spirit, giving birth to Jesus the Son of God (Luke 1:28-33). Mary asked how this could happen since she was still a virgin. The angel confirmed the pregnancy would be divinely empowered and revealed the old and formerly barren Elizabeth was already in her sixth month of pregnancy showing nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:34-37).
Humbling herself to the Lord’s will despite not fully understanding how it would unfold, Mary believed and accepted the angel’s words. She set out to visit Elizabeth soon after Gabriel’s appearance (Luke 1:38-40). When Mary arrived and called out a greeting, the baby leaped inside Elizabeth’s womb and she was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41). In a loud voice, Elizabeth enthusiastically praised Mary and the Christ child she had been chosen to bear. Though they had yet to meet, Elizabeth understood through the Holy Spirit that Mary would be the mother of her Lord (Luke 1:42-45).
Mary responded with her famous Magnificat hymn of praise to God for choosing her for this humble, privileged role and looking with favor on her lowliness (Luke 1:46-55). She stayed with Elizabeth about three months before returning home just before Elizabeth gave birth (Luke 1:56-57).
When Elizabeth’s child was born, her neighbors and relatives rejoiced at the Lord’s great mercy in removing her disgraceful childlessness. On the eighth day when the baby was circumcised according to Jewish custom, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. But Elizabeth insisted he must be called John just as the angel had commanded (Luke 1:57-60). Still mute from the encounter months earlier, Zechariah wrote on a tablet, “His name is John,” and immediately his ability to speak was restored. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah began to prophecy praising God and prophesying about the special role for which their son had been set apart (Luke 1:64-79).
News about these remarkable events spread quickly throughout the hill country of Judea. Those who heard it wondered what the future held for this child, for it was clear the hand of the Lord was with him (Luke 1:65-66).
So in his mercy, God heard Zechariah and Elizabeth’s prayers granting them a son in their old age. This miracle child would prepare the way for Christ and many rejoiced at God’s blessing which removed Elizabeth’s shame of barrenness. Though Zechariah initially doubted, he and his wife both faithfully accepted Gabriel’s message and were able to see John’s foretold birth and holy calling come to pass through divine empowerment. Their story provides insight into God’s graciousness in responding to human shortcoming with redemption, restoration and purpose.
The account offers hope that God hears the long-unfulfilled desires of His faithful people’s hearts. Though the story focuses on God’s plan unfolding through two righteous, humble believers, it points toward the greater hope and salvation soon to be realized for all through the life and ministry of their promised son John and John’s cousin Jesus.
The events foretold to Zechariah and Elizabeth ultimately act as preparation for the coming of the long-awaited Messiah. Their miraculous pregnancy helps show that nothing is impossible for God. Despite old age and physical limitations, God overcame their barrenness. This parallels God’s later overcoming human limitations by sending His Son to be born fully divine yet clothed in human flesh through the virgin Mary.
Zechariah and Elizabeth’s story sets the stage for God to use humanly impossible circumstances like virgin birth to accomplish His divine, redemptive purposes. Their lives helped fulfill Old Testament prophecy about a forerunner announcing the Messiah’s coming. God rewarded their persistent faith and granted them the joy of parenthood in line with His timing and will.
Though we may not fully grasp God’s plans as they unfold, Zechariah and Elizabeth’s example encourages us to walk blamelessly according to the Lord’s commands. It teaches us to accept by faith what God declares He will do, though its fulfillment may seem improbable or delayed. Their story reminds us that with God nothing is impossible. He is able to use ordinary people of humble faith to accomplish His extraordinary plans.
In her old age and barrenness, Elizabeth represents those who may feel hopeless and marginalized. Yet God saw her, heard her need, and had great plans to bless her. Her society saw infertility as shameful and disgraceful. But God’s favor was not limited by her condition or age. His grace overcomes human limitations.
Elizabeth shows that when we feel insignificant or like outsiders, God can grant us purpose. Her son John was chosen and set apart before he was even conceived. Elizabeth teaches us that those who remain faithful through long disappointment will one day rejoice when God’s promises are fulfilled. What seems fruitless by human standards can still produce spiritual fruit in God’s economy.
Meanwhile, Zechariah represents how even the righteous can miss what God is doing if they view life from an earthly perspective rather than a heavenly one. Though a priest, Zechariah at first failed to embrace Gabriel’s prophetic announcement with faith. His muteness sternly rebuked his unbelief, reminding us that we should not impose human limitations on God’s ability and willingness to work in our lives.
Yet God was merciful in using this time of silence to teach Zechariah rather than rejecting him. The birth and naming of John brought joy and the restoration of his speech. Zechariah responded to this newfound faith with grateful praise and prophecy. His example reminds us to look expectantly for God’s redemptive response to our failures and shortcomings.
Together, Zechariah and Elizabeth model virtues like faithfulness, righteousness, gratitude, humility and surrender to God’s will. Their steadfast devotion and miraculous blessing inspire us to persevere in prayer. They call us to hold onto faith when circumstances seem impossible, trusting that God remains willing and able to overcome human limitations. With open hearts, we too may experience His redemption turning shame into joy and childlessness into spiritual fruitfulness.
In His merciful provision, God granted Zechariah and Elizabeth a son in old age. This miracle birth fulfilled prophecy, announced the coming Messiah, and revealed God’s power over human limitations. The couple’s faithful example continues to inspire perseverance, gratitude and openness to however God may choose to work through our lives.