Zacharias, a priest of the division of Abijah, is a significant biblical figure whose account is primarily found in the Gospel of Luke. He is the father of John the Baptist and the husband of Elizabeth, a relative of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The account of Zacharias provides a profound example of obedience intertwined with moments of doubt and divine intervention.

Priestly Duties and Divine Encounter

Zacharias was a righteous man, described as "walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord" (Luke 1:6). His life was marked by faithful service in the temple, where he performed his priestly duties. It was during one of these duties, while burning incense in the temple, that Zacharias encountered the angel Gabriel. This divine messenger brought the astonishing news that Zacharias and Elizabeth, despite their advanced age and Elizabeth's barrenness, would have a son named John. This child was to be a forerunner to the Messiah, filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb, and destined to turn many in Israel back to the Lord (Luke 1:13-17).

Doubt and Consequence

Despite his righteousness, Zacharias initially responded with doubt, questioning the possibility of the angel's message due to his and Elizabeth's old age. "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years," he asked (Luke 1:18). This moment of skepticism led to a temporary consequence: Gabriel declared that Zacharias would be mute until the prophecy was fulfilled, as a sign of the truth of God's promise (Luke 1:19-20).

Fulfillment and Obedience

The fulfillment of the angel's prophecy came to pass as Elizabeth conceived and bore a son. On the eighth day, during the circumcision ceremony, there was a discussion about the child's name. Despite the expectations of others to name the child after his father, Zacharias, in obedience to the angel's command, wrote on a tablet, "His name is John" (Luke 1:63). Immediately, his speech was restored, and he praised God, filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied about the role of his son in God's redemptive plan (Luke 1:64-79).

Legacy of Obedience

Zacharias's account is a testament to the complexities of faith and obedience. His initial doubt was met with a divine sign that ultimately led to a deeper understanding and fulfillment of God's will. Through his obedience in naming his son John, Zacharias played a crucial role in the unfolding of God's salvation history. His life exemplifies the journey from doubt to faith, highlighting the importance of trusting in God's promises and the blessings that follow obedience.Luke 1:6
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Nave's Topical Index

Obedience to God the Way to Faith in Christ.
... to believe in Him, ordinarily implies that we are living in obedience to God ... Zacharias
and Elisabeth, to whom the approach of Christ's kingdom was first revealed ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xiv obedience to god.htm

Elijah Come Again
... Zacharias knew who 'He' was ... to be that the phrase means to bring back to the descendants
of the ancient fathers of the nation the ancestral faith and obedience. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/elijah come again.htm

His Holy Covenant
... unceasing presence all the day, as the unceasing security of our obedience and our ...
do believe that God's word is true, and say with Zacharias, "Blessed be the ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter xvii his holy covenant.htm

Matt. Iv. 12
... the Fathers, so He too hath prophets; to which purpose Zacharias also spake ... other
things, one may perceive this; and from their ready obedience, and abandonment ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xiv matt iv 12.htm

The Magnificat
... To disbelievers in the Incarnation the hymns of Mary and Zacharias are, of course ...
Mary bows in lowly obedience, and looks up in as lowly, conscious need of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the magnificat.htm

Woes on the Pharisees
... self-denial and humiliation, these very persons stifle their convictions, and refuse
obedience. ... the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 67 woes on the.htm

The Sacrifice of Christ.
... For this obedience every one is responsible; for instance in trade, and in the ... were
declared by the Saviour to be guilty of the blood of Zacharias, the blood ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/vii the sacrifice of christ.htm

Critical Notes.
... or the Virgin's Song, ver.46-55; the Benedictus, or the Song of Zacharias, ver.67 ...
2:10-18 and v.8 and 9, where it is said that he learned obedience, and, being ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/critical notes.htm

A New Age and New Standards
... There must be, first, better obedience to the moral principles already recognized
and accepted by ... the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter vi a new age.htm

Elijah, the Praying Prophet
... I stand." We are here reminded of Gabriel's words to Zacharias in informing ... more
unflinching devotion, more courage, and more readiness of obedience, and more ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/v elijah the praying prophet.htm

Does God reward us for being obedient to His Word? | GotQuestions.org

Why does Christ's righteousness need to be imputed to us? | GotQuestions.org

Why is faith without works dead? | GotQuestions.org

Obedience: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus