Luke 1:11-17
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Luke 1:11-17: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 11: “Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.”
Zechariah, a priest, was performing his duties in the temple. Suddenly, an angel appeared. The right side of the altar is significant. It symbolizes favor and authority.
Verse 12: “When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.”
Zechariah was terrified. Encounters with the divine often evoke fear. This reaction is common in biblical narratives.
Verse 13: “But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.’
The angel reassures Zechariah. His prayers for a child are answered. The name “John” means “God is gracious.”
Verse 14: “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth.”
John’s birth will bring personal joy to his parents. It will also bring joy to many others. His life will have a significant impact.
Verse 15: “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.”
John will have a special status before God. He will live a life of Nazirite-like dedication. The Holy Spirit will empower him from the womb.
Verse 16: “He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.”
John’s mission is to lead people back to God. His ministry will spark a spiritual revival among the Israelites.
Verse 17: “And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
John will prepare the way for Jesus. He will have a ministry like Elijah’s, calling for repentance and reconciliation. His work will ready the people for the coming of the Lord.