The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified, and fear overwhelmed him.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.

Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I know that this will happen? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.”

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering at his delay in the sanctuary.

where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father.

Zechariah’s Prophecy

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against this generation.