Parent and Family Background
Zechariah was a Jewish high priest and the husband of Elizabeth. Both Elizabeth and Zechariah were very old and they were never able to have any children. In this passage, an angel tells Zechariah that he and Elizabeth are going to have a baby and to name him John. Later, Elizabeth gave birth to a son, John. As an adult, he was known as John the Baptist, who proclaimed that Jesus was coming.
Elizabeth and Zechariah
Luke 1:5-19
In the days when Herod was King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah. He had a wife named Elizabeth. Both were good people in God’s eyes. They observed all the commandments and laws of the Lord.
The couple had no children because Elizabeth was unable. And now they were too old to conceive a child.
One day, Zechariah was chosen to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the people gathered outside to pray, Zechariah prayed inside and burned the incense. Then, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. At first, Zechariah was afraid of what he saw.
The angel spoke to Zechariah, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth is going to give birth to a son and you will name him John. His birth will bring joy and gladness to you and many others. Your child will be great in God’s eyes. He will be filled with the Spirit. He will help others to love God.”
Then Zechariah spoke to the angel, “How can this be true? My wife and I are much too old to have children.”
The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I was sent to announce to you this good news.”
Connecting to Faith First - Legacy Edition
Grade 2, chapter 6
Grade 3, chapter 3
Connecting to Faith First®
Grade 2, chapter 6
Grade 3, chapter 3
Grade 4, chapter 25