Topical Bible: Vision of Zacharias in the Temple

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The Vision of Zacharias in the Temple is a significant event recorded in the Gospel of Luke, marking the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist. This event is pivotal in the New Testament narrative, as it sets the stage for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The account is found in Luke 1:5-25.

Context and Background

Zacharias, also known as Zechariah, was a priest of the division of Abijah. He was married to Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron, and both were righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord (Luke 1:6). Despite their faithfulness, they were childless, and both were advanced in years (Luke 1:7).

The Vision

The vision occurred while Zacharias was serving as a priest before God. According to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense (Luke 1:8-9). This was a significant duty, as the burning of incense symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God.

As Zacharias performed his duties, the angel Gabriel appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense (Luke 1:11). Zacharias was troubled and fear fell upon him (Luke 1:12). Gabriel reassured him, saying, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John" (Luke 1:13).

The Message of the Angel

Gabriel's message was profound. He foretold that John would be a joy and delight to many, and that he would be great in the sight of the Lord. John was to abstain from wine and strong drink and would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb (Luke 1:14-15). Gabriel further explained that John would turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God and would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:16-17).

Zacharias' Doubt and Consequence

Despite the angel's message, Zacharias expressed doubt, questioning how this could be possible given his and Elizabeth's old age (Luke 1:18). Gabriel responded by affirming his identity as one who stands in the presence of God and was sent to deliver this good news. As a consequence of his disbelief, Zacharias was rendered mute until the fulfillment of the angel's words (Luke 1:19-20).

Aftermath

The people outside the temple were waiting for Zacharias and were amazed at his delay. When he emerged, he was unable to speak, and they realized he had seen a vision in the temple. He communicated with them through signs and remained speechless (Luke 1:21-22).

After completing his service, Zacharias returned home, and Elizabeth conceived, remaining in seclusion for five months. She expressed her gratitude, saying, "The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people" (Luke 1:24-25).

Significance

The Vision of Zacharias in the Temple is a testament to God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. It highlights the importance of faith and obedience, as well as the role of John the Baptist as the forerunner to Christ. This event underscores the divine orchestration of salvation history, preparing the way for the coming of the Savior.

Nave's Topical Index

Luke 1:13-22
But the angel said to him, Fear not, Zacharias: for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elisabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
... prayed in silence] without [outside the sanctuary, in the temple courts, particularly ...
Compare Acts 3:1. The text favors the idea that Zacharias' vision came in ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/v annunciation to zacharias of.htm

The Story of the Angel by the Altar
... About six months after Zacharias saw the vision in the Temple, the same angel Gabriel
was sent from the Lord to a city in the part of the land called Galilee ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the angel.htm

The Birth of John Foretold. Chs. 1:5-25
... waited for the usual benediction, when they found that Zacharias had been stricken
with dumbness, they concluded he had seen a vision in the Temple, and he ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the birth of john.htm

The Voice in the Wilderness
... forth from the holy place, his face was shining with the glory of God, "and they
perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple." Zacharias communicated to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 10 the voice in.htm

The Third vision "In Heaven"
... This third vision "in heaven" closes with the words ... the Kingdom and David; and with
the Temple and Solomon ... all that was announced in the Song of Zacharias (Luke 1 ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the third vision in heaven.htm

The Promised Birth of John the Baptist.
... Zacharias, and they marvelled while he tarried in the temple. And when he came out,
he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the promised birth of john.htm

The Angels of the Advent.
... too wonderful for Zacharias to believe, and when he went out of the temple he was
dumb, and all the people who waited for him knew that he had seen a vision. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter i the angels of.htm

Luke.
... pronoun in the plural: "When he [Paul] had seen the vision, straightway we ... The
appearance of the angel of the Lord to Zacharias in the temple announcing the ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 82 luke.htm

In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God...
... 101] And when Zacharias went out, he was not able to speak unto them: so they knew
that he had seen in the temple a vision; and he made signs unto them, and [24 ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section i in the beginning.htm

The House of Zacharias.
... leads us up the steep mountain of vision, and opens ... land was full of the grape-harvest,
Zacharias left his ... Reaching the temple he would lodge in the cloisters ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/ii the house of zacharias.htm