Zechariah in the New Testament was a priest, and the father of John the Baptist. He and his wife Elizabeth were both righteous people who obeyed all of God’s commandments (Luke 1:6). They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were very old (Luke 1:7). He is perhaps most famous for becoming mute due to his unbelief.
Zechariah Becomes Mute
The Bible says an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah while he was performing his duties in the sanctuary. The angel delivered a message to him that his prayer had been heard and that his wife Elizabeth would give birth to a son who was to be named John. Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen?” He did not believe the angel because he and his wife were so old. (Luke 1:11-18)
The angel Gabriel told Zechariah because of his unbelief he would become mute and unable to speak until the baby was born. When Zechariah came out of the temple he was not able to speak to the people who were waiting on him. He made signs and gestures to them, but remained unable to speak. After he returned home Elizabeth indeed became pregnant. (Luke 1:20-24)
He Speaks Again
At the circumcision of Zechariah and Elizabeth’s newborn child, the relatives who were there wanted to name the child after his father. Elizabeth was insistent that his name would be John. Still unable to speak, Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and surprised everyone when he wrote, “His name is John.” The Bible says instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God. (Luke 1:59-64)
The chapter ends with what is known as Zechariah’s Song. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and began to prophesy in what many believe was in the form of a song. (Luke 1:67-79)
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