The Conception of St. John the Baptist
Luke 3:5-25
John the Baptist was a man whom Christ said was more significant than a prophet (Matt. 11: 7-11). John’s mission was to pave the way and to testify of the savior of humanity. His testimony would serve as an excellent witness to many of the apostles and followers of John the Baptist that Jesus Christ was we said he was. It is interesting to note that Luke decided to begin his testimony of Christ with a conception of John the Baptist.
Zacharias – The father of John the Baptist. The name Zacharias is a common Jewish name which means “he who remembers Jehovah” or “he whom Jehovah remembers.” He was a priest after the course of Abia or Abijah. Abijah was a descendant of Aaron, a Levi. A “course” represented a week of service. Service in the temple was on a 24-week rotation system. Aaron had four sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Nadab and Abihu died and had no children (Leviticus 10:1-2, 1 Chronicles 24:2). When David was king over all of Israel, he divided the temple responsibilities among the remaining sons of Aaron (Eleazar and Ithamar). During this division, 24 descendant of Aaron were represented, 16 from Eleazar, and eight from Ithamar. Lots were cast to determine the order of rotation.
At first glance, we may assume that Zachariah was a descendant of Abijah. After the Babylonian exile only four of the 24 family’s returned, Jedaiah, Immer, Pashur, and Harim (Ezra:36-39). At that time the 24 courses were divided among the four remaining families. Zacharias is not a descendant of Abijah.
Zacharias is a Levi, a son of Aaron, a Priest that is a temple worker.
Elizabeth – the mother of John the Baptist. The name means ‘one who’s oath is by God’ Elizabeth was a Levi. Elizabeth was barren all her life.
Zacharias and Elizabeth were recognized as righteous people, ones that kept all the commandments and ordinances of God. They were both old. Elizabeth is referred to as “well stricken in years (reference).” This may suggest she is past the age of menopause. The idea of having a child is impossible.
It was Zacharias week to perform duties at the temple. Currently, his assignment “was to burn incense when he went into the temple.” According to the law of Moses incense was burnt twice a day, at the beginning of the day when you first enter the temple, and at the end of the day when they finished with all the temple ordinances. It is not clear if this was the morning event or that evening event. An important thing to note is that there was a multitude of people praying outside of the temple at the time of Incense. It is possible that it was near the end of the day when most of the sacrifices were completed, and people were praying outside the temple. (Exodus 30:1-9)
While burning the incense the angel Gabriel appears before Zacharias. He was afraid, but Gabriel reassures him that he does not need to fear him. Gabriel says.
Fear not, Zacharias: for the I prayer is heard; and I wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (reference)
There is much to consider from what Gabriel said.
Zacharias and Elizabeth will have a son, and his name will be John. Zacharias knows that his wife is barren. Elizabeth is old and most likely beyond the age of having children (reference). This will constitute a miracle.
John “shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.” Abstaining from alcohol was not a new concept among the Israelites. When someone would abstain from alcohol, it is called the Vow or Law of the Nazarite (What is the Law of the Nazarite?). The is a vow dates back to the time of Moses. (Numbers 6:1-21)
“Many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.” This statement explains much concerning the state of the Jews during this time. The house of Israel had been scattered for a while, and their religion and people were becoming corrupt. Like in the time of Elijah, when most of the Israelite nation had become corrupt and wicked. Years of corrupt Kings and leaders had brought the nation to ruin (reference). It was the same in Jesus and John’s time. The religion was corrupt and only a few humbly following God. I sometimes wonder if we in our time have become like them. Are we “swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the Lord your God”? (1 Nephi 17:45)
“And he (John) will go before him (Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elias,..”
Elias is a reference to Elijah the prophet. It is also a reference to Malachi 4:5. The scope of this article will not adequately cover the concept of the spirit of Elijah (see What is the spirit of Elijah?, The Prophet Elijah). The Israelites knew that someday a Savior would come. But, before the Savior’s return, another would come as promised in Malachi chapter 4. The spirit of Elijah has profound and far-reaching meanings throughout the history of the children of God and still has meant today. When Elijah was on the earth, he was given two significant commandments, to anoint new Kings, and anoint the next prophet (ref). The other thing Elijah did is reestablish the rightful religion among the children of Israel (ref). John the Baptist would do all three; he would anoint and baptize the king of the Jews, the ultimate prophet, and the one with the true religion, Jesus the Christ.
Later in Christ’s ministry, he talks about how who John was and how important he was. (ref, see also Life of John the Baptized).
Zacharias was probably more surprised about having a child than seeing an angel standing next to the altar of incense. He informed the angel that he was an old man. His wife was barren and could not conceive. Elizabeth was well beyond the age of having children, past menopause. Having a child was extremely unlikely, If not impossible.
Gabriel expected a better response. Gabriel announces his position among the angels of God “that stands in the presence of God.” Gabriel is no regular angel; he has to privilege to be where God is, he stands in the presence of God when God speaks Gabriel hears it. Gabriel left an existence of God with the message directly from God. This was not a hand-me-down message. Gabriel brought the news personally to Zacharias directly from the presence of God. Gabriel expected Zacharias to be happy and show a little gladness.
Zacharias did not believe Gabriel so Zacharias was made dumb. Zacharias did speak until John is born.
The people outside were concerned because Zacharias had stayed in the temple so long. When Zacharias comes out the people assumed he had seen a vision, that something miraculous must of happened. Zacharias waved them over to him, but he could not speak nor would he speak until his son was born. After finishing his appointed time at the temple, Zacharias returns home.
Sometime after returning home, Elizabeth becomes pregnant. The amount of time that passes between his return and Elizabeth growing pregnant is unclear. The verse reads merely “after those days.” Which can mean little?
When Elizabeth becomes pregnant, she decides hides herself away. After sixth months Mary comes to visit Elizabeth, most likely with a fascinating story about how Mary is pregnant too. After three months Mary returns home to Joseph.
Luke 1: 26-38 – The visitation of Gabriel to Mary. (see The Divine Conception of Jesus the Christ)
Luke 1: 67-79 – Zacharias prophesies of the meaning and future of John the Baptized. (see The Prophecy of Zacharias)
Luke 1: 80
