Gospels Part 077
Zechariah was on the receiving end of an unusual miracle. Was this miracle God’s way of helping this elderly priest prepare to become the father of the one who would prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah?
As we covered last time, Zechariah received a stunning message from the angel Gabriel and reacted with shock and disbelief. In response, Gabriel tells him in Luke 1:20:
“And now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will be silent, unable to speak, until the day these things take place” (New English Translation [NET]).
Gabriel assures Zechariah that his message will happen regardless of whether Zechariah believes it. To assure Zechariah that this miracle will happen, another miracle immediately takes place—he is suddenly unable to speak.
I’ll add here that the word “silent” or “mute” can mean either “mute” or “deaf” or perhaps both, depending on the context. Zechariah is apparently made deaf as well as mute, because Luke 1:62 records that people made signs to Zechariah asking what he would name his son and he responds by writing the name on a tablet. They wouldn’t have made signs unless he couldn’t hear and understand what they were saying.
This may sound harsh for Zechariah to be made deaf and mute for not believing Gabriel’s message. But is it? Let’s think this through. Zechariah has just been told that he’s going to have a son in his old age. And not just any son—his son is going to be the prophesied one who will prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. A miracle about to take place—Zechariah and Elizabeth are going to have a son in their old age. The angel Gabriel wants to leave no doubt that he is giving Zechariah a divine message from God. So, another miracle is going to take place beginning that very moment—Zechariah is going to be deaf and mute until his son is born.
Is that such a bad thing? It may sound harsh to us but think about it. Zechariah in nine months is going to be the father of the one who will prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. If an angel appeared to you and told you that, what would be your reaction? You would probably be in a daze for the next nine months! Initially you’d probably be thrilled, but then the realization would hit you that you’re going to be the father of the one who will prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah!
Mentally and emotionally, you would need months to prepare yourself for that. You would need to answer all the questions racing through your mind, such as “How do I rear this boy?” “How do I teach and train him?” “What do I teach and train him?” If this happened to you or me, we would probably appreciate the isolation to meditate and focus on these things. So being deaf and mute for nine months is probably nowhere near as bad as it sounds here. It was likely a blessing to help Zechariah prepare himself for this enormous change in his life!
Meanwhile, outside the Temple the people are wondering what’s taking Zechariah so long. Continuing in Luke 1:21-25:
“Now the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they began to wonder why he was delayed in the Holy Place” (NET).
They’ve never seen someone take so long to do the incense offering, and they’re wondering what’s going on. Something is out of the ordinary.
“When he came out, he was not able to speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision in the Holy Place, because he was making signs to them and remained unable to speak” (NET).
So, he was unable to speak, but he was gesturing to tell them what had happened.
“When his time of service was over, he went to his home” (NET).
After that week had ended, the priests of the course of Abijah, including Zechariah, returned to their homes until they would next gather to resume their services at the temple.
“After some time his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she kept herself in seclusion. She said, ‘This is what the Lord has done for me at the time when he has been gracious to me, to take away my disgrace among people’” (NET).
So, this woman who has been looked down on for so long, who has been whispered about, who people were sure must have been punished by God because she is childless, is vindicated. She is to give birth to one foretold in several ancient prophecies. She is now going to be considered honorable, one whose son would become a great prophet in an astounding way.
Why did Elizabeth hide herself away five months? We’re not told. Perhaps, considering her age, she simply didn’t want to risk losing the baby, so she isolated herself. Or maybe she was just overwhelmed by everything that had taken place, and like Zechariah she could use the time to be by herself and process what they had been told—that they would have a son who would be the one to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus the Messiah.
This is the remarkable story of Elizabeth and Zechariah, the one whose name means “remembered by God.” God remembered faithful Zechariah and Elizabeth and gave them a son whom they were to name “God is a gracious giver.” Again, there is a lot to this story when we understand the background!
© 2026 Scott Ashley. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
Course Content
Scott Ashley
Scott Ashley was managing editor of Beyond Today magazine, United Church of God booklets and its printed Bible Study Course until his retirement in 2023. He also pastored three congregations in Colorado for 10 years from 2011-2021. He and his wife, Connie, live near Denver, Colorado.
Mr. Ashley attended Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, graduating in 1976 with a theology major and minors in journalism and speech. It was there that he first became interested in publishing, an industry in which he worked for 50 years.
During his career, he has worked for several publishing companies in various capacities. He was employed by the United Church of God from 1995-2023, overseeing the planning, writing, editing, reviewing and production of Beyond Today magazine, several dozen booklets/study guides and a Bible study course covering major biblical teachings. His special interests are the Bible, archaeology, biblical culture, history and the Middle East.
