Luk 1:5 | MHM | STEP | The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold This section tells how John the Baptist’s birth was announced. It shows the faithfulness of God’s promises and the way He prepared for the coming of the Messiah. The story focuses on the parents of John—Zechariah and Elizabeth—and the special role their family would play in God’s plan. v. 5 : In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah from the division of Abijah, and his wife Elizabeth was from the line of Aaron. Both were righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and regulations of the Lord . Yet, they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years. The fact that they were childless, despite their faithfulness, shows that even the righteous can face hard trials. It also prepares for a miraculous event, just as with Abraham and Sarah or Hannah in the Old Testament (see Genesis 18:11–14; 1 Samuel 1:5

a Gen.18.11-Gen.18.14 1Sam.1.5-1Sam.1.20

‏ Luke 1:5

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

This section tells how John the Baptist’s birth was announced. It shows the faithfulness of God’s promises and the way He prepared for the coming of the Messiah. The story focuses on the parents of John—Zechariah and Elizabeth—and the special role their family would play in God’s plan.

v. 5: In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah from the division of Abijah, and his wife Elizabeth was from the line of Aaron. Both were righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. Yet, they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years. The fact that they were childless, despite their faithfulness, shows that even the righteous can face hard trials. It also prepares for a miraculous event, just as with Abraham and Sarah or Hannah in the Old Testament (see Genesis 18:11–14; 1 Samuel 1:5–20 ^a).