When Herod was king of Judea, there lived in a little town near Jerusalem a priest named Zachary, and his wife Elizabeth. They were both good and just, obedient to all the Commandments of God.When Herod was king of Judea, there lived in a little town near Jerusalem a priest named Zachary, and his wife Elizabeth. They were both good and just, obedient to all the Commandments of God.
But Zachary and Elizabeth were already getting very old, and still they had no child. Every day, therefore, they implored God to send them a son.
One day it was Zachary's turn as priest to offer incense in the Temple. He was alone inside, for the people stayed outside and prayed. Taking incense in a golden cup, he poured it out on the altar and burned it.
Suddenly an angel appeared on the right side of the altar. The Angel said to Zachary, "God has heard your prayers. Your wife shall bear you a son, whom you shall call John. He will bring you great joy. He shall be blessed all his life, and do great things for God. He shall convert many people to the Lord their God, making them ready to receive the promised Saviour."
Zachary was filled with doubt at the words of the Angel. He asked, "How can Elizabeth have a son, when she is already very old?"
The Angel replied, "I am Gabriel, the Angel of God. He sent me to tell you these things. But you have not believed, and therefore you shall be punished. Until all I have told you shall have taken place, you shall not be able to speak."
Outside of the Temple the people were praying. After some time, as Zachary did not come out, they began wondering why he stayed so long inside. At last, however, he came out. But he could not speak to them. He only made signs to tell them that he had seen a vision.
Zachary was dumb till the day of his son's birth, because he had not believed the Angel Gabriel.
The son of Zachary and Elizabeth was to grow up as the Precursor of Our Lord, as one to go before Him. He was to tell the people about the coming of Jesus. He was to be known as John the Baptist.
- from My Bible History in Pictures, by Bishop Louis LaRavoire Morrow, D.D., 1934; it has the Imprimatur of Archbishop Michael J O'Doherty of Manila, Philippines