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Luke 1:18-25
By J.D. Myers | January 23, 2009
In the narrative section of 1:5-25 Zacharias has been shown that against all odds, God answers prayer (v. 13), especially in relation to God’s promises in Scripture. The nation of Israel wondered if God would ever provide a Messiah, and Zacharias wondered if God would ever provide him a son. God was now bringing both to fruition in answer to their prayers. Zacharias’ response in Luke 1:18-25 foreshadows the response of Israel.
The Response of Zacharias
1:18. Upon hearing that God would provide a son to Zacharias in response to his prayers (1:13), the response of Zacharias is surprising. Rather than rejoice at receiving an answer to prayer, he reveals doubt by asking “How shall I know this?” He is not asking how God can accomplish what the angel proclaimed, but rather, how he can know the truth of what the angel has proclaimed. He does, of course, give a justification for his doubt, in that he is an old man, and [his] wife is well advanced in years. (I find it humorous that he doesn’t say his wife is old. He is a wise man.)
1:19. The angel proclaims that Zacharias an know the truth of what has been said because the angel is Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. The word angel means “messenger” and messages from God through His messengers (i.e., angels) can always be trusted. Furthermore, Gabriel says that God Himself sent Gabriel to bring…these glad tidings. It is difficult to guess tone of voice in written words, but one cannot almost hear incredulity in the voice of Gabriel. The message he has proclaimed should be something to rejoice in, not questioned and doubted.
1:19. As a result of Zacharias’ lack of faith, Gabriel says that Zacharias will be mute until the day John is born. The reason is because Zacharias did not believe the message which was spoken to him. (Doubting God is always a “dumb” thing to do.)
The question may be asked why Zacharias is punished for his question when Mary is not punished for a nearly identical question after Gabriel announces to her that she will give birth to Jesus (cf. 1:34). There are several possible explanations.
First, whereas Zacharias had been praying for a son (1:13), it is doubtful that Mary had been praying for a son, since she was a virgin. Therefore, her question is much more natural. Second, Zacharias’ question indicated a lack of belief. He asked how he could know the truth of what the angel had said. Since Zacharias didn’t know the truth of what he was being told, he didn’t believe it, as the angel indicates (1L:20). Mary’s question, on the other hand, does not indicate lack of belief. She was asking about the mechanics. She wanted to know how God was going to make her pregnant since she was a virgin (1:34). Though the angel only explained that it would be a miracle, she believed and said “Let it be done to me” (1:38). So the primary differences between Zacharias and Mary are prayer for, and faith in, the promises of God.
The contrast between the two is stark, especially from a first century perspective. Zacharias was a man, a priest, and elderly. From a first century perspective, he should be the one who is wise and full of faith. Mary, however, was a young, unmarried woman. She would have been viewed as ignorant, unlearned, and as such, not capable of great faith. However, the tables are turned, the roles are reversed, and a young, untrained woman is shown to be wiser and more full of faith than an experienced, learned, religious leader. This is emphasized even further in Mary’s song (often referred to as the Magnificat) in Luke 1:46-55.
Reproach Removed
1:21-23. The exchange between Zacharias and Gabriel took more time than was usual for the lighting of the incense, and so the people… marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. It is possible that some of them thought maybe he had been struck dead by God, thereby confirming the suspicion that Elizabeth’s barrenness was a result of sin after all. However, he did come out, but when he did, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. Visions were rare and coveted blessings, and so in this way, some of Zacharias’ reproach was removed. When his time in the temple was complete, he departed to his own house.
1:24-25. Soon after Zacharias arrived home, his wife Elizabeth conceived. Though her conception was in the normal manner, it was nevertheless miraculous due to her age. In this way, her conception has many parallels to the conception of Sarah (Gen 21:1-2), and in a lesser way Rachel (Gen 25:21). It is unclear why she hid herself five months, though Luke indicates that it had something to do with God taking away her reproach among people. As a barren woman, she would have been treated as one cursed by God. Now that she was pregnant, God had removed this stigma from her, and all who thought ill of her would not only see that God had not only blessed her, but done so in miraculous fashion. Her reproach had been removed, and her son would usher in another miraculous son, who would remove the reproach of all people (cf. Col 1:21-22).
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