Translation from the book:

Στεργίου Ν. Σάκκου, Ἑρμηνεία στό κατά Λουκᾶν Εὐαγγέλιο, τόμ. Α΄, 

ἐκδ. «ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΕΛΠΙΣ» ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΑΔΕΛΦΟΤΗΤΑ, Θεσ/νίκη 2008, σσ. 30-47

(Stergios N. Sakkos [Read CV], A Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Luke, vol. A', pp. 30-47) 

   Saint John the Baptist is the person who connects the Old Testament with the New Testament. His birth was prophesized by Malachi, the last prophet of the Old Testament (see 3:1. 4:4-5). According to Mark the evangelist, John signifies “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ” (1:1). He is the morning star that heralds “the sunrise (= sun) from the heights” (Lk 1:78).

  Since Luke the evangelist is planning to narrate the facts “from the beginning” (Lk 1:3), he starts by making a reference to the miraculous way of John’s conception. Thus, he gives validity to the testimony of John the Baptist concerning Jesus.

1,5. Ἐγένετο ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις Ἡρῴδου τοῦ βασιλέως τῆς Ἰουδαίας ἱερεύς τις ὀνόματι Ζαχαρίας ἐξ ἐφημερίας Ἀβιά, καὶ ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ ἐκ τῶν θυγατέρων Ἀαρών, καὶ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτῆς Ἐλισάβετ.
1:5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife, one of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

  Following the example of the historians and the prophets of the Old Testament (Hos 1:1; Amos 1:1; Mic 1:1; Zeph 1:1; Zech 1:1; Is 1:1; Jer 1:1-3) the evangelist is used to giving the time coordinates of the facts he narrates. In this way he confirms that he describes a truly historical fact and connects the story of the divine economy to the history of mankind. The accurate reference to historical facts gives the ability to anyone who wants to examine and verify the Gospel’s truth. In ancient times the chronology was stated by using the names of distinguished people, emperors, administrative officials and other political or religious rulers. Luke the historian notes that this fact, the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist (see comments on 1:3) at the beginning of his narration, took place during “the days of Herod, king of Judea”.
  Herod, who is mentioned here, is known in history as Herod Ι the Great. He is the first and most important leader of the Herod dynasty, which ruled in Palestine for about 140 years after the Hasmonean dynasty. He was a ruthless, cunning and extremely ambitious person. Even though he was an Idumean – a descendant of Esau (Edom) and not of Jacob (Israel), he managed to ascend the throne and rule the people of Israel using every means of diplomacy and flattery. His life was marked by a multitude of criminal actions. One of them is the slaughter of the infants of Bethlehem. His behavior even to his own family was that of a hardened tyrant. Driven by suspicion he did not hesitate to murder his wife Mariamne I, whom he extremely loved and was jealous of, their two children Alexander and Aristobulus, as well as a number of other relatives. When the emperor Augustus was informed that among the boys Herod murdered in Syria was one of his sons, he made the following pun in Greek, the language spoken by all roman aristocrats: “It’s better to be a pig (ὗς) than a son (υἱός) of Herod”. Herod was one of the most bloodthirsty people in history. Today, aside from the memory of his inhumane brutality, a number of the ruins of cities, palaces and fortresses he built, remain.
  The title of the king was still existent during the roman dominance but it was deprived of its earlier status and grandeur. In fact, Herod –as well as his predecessors and his successors– were local rulers with limited power, subjugated and accountable to the roman ruler of the wider area. In the New Testament there are three other kings by the name of Herod. The first is his son, Herod Antipas (see Lk 3:1.19; 13:31) his grandson, Herod Agrippa I (see Acts 12) and his great-grandson, Herod Agrippa II (see Acts 26).
  Palestine (Galilee, Samaria, Judea, Perea) as well as a part of Koili Syria were under the jurisdiction of Herod. Judea was a part of Palestine but “Judea” here is used in a wider sense. It means the whole Palestine in general (cf. Lk 23:5; Acts 10:37; 11:1.29).
  The term “division” denotes the priestly service in the Temple for a week but also the order of priests who carried out that service. When King David reorganized the Judaic worship by introducing the psalms, he went on to organize the Levites and the priests. The body of the priests was divided into twenty-four orders-lots (see 1 Chron 24). Their shift-service was repeated every twenty-four week cycle. Abijah was a descendent of Eleazar, son of Aaron, and head of the eighth out of the twenty-four priestly orders. After the end of the Babylonian captivity only four priestly orders returned from exile. These were again divided into twenty-four keeping the ancient names. Zechariah did not belong to the original division of Abijah, which never returned, but to the one that arose after the Babylonian captivity.
  Zechariah’s wife came from the daughters of Aaron, she was a descendant of Aaron. As a general rule, every Israelite chose his wife from the tribe he belonged to. Only priests, descendants of the Levite tribe, could marry a woman of any tribe, since they lived scattered all over Palestine (see Num 35:1-8). However, the marriage of a couple coming both from the tribe of Levi was a mark of a special racial authenticity. Zechariah’ wedding was in such a way. So, both of John the Baptist’s parents held a Levi’s lineage.
  The names of John’s parents are directly related to his mission. The name Zechariah means: “the one God remembers”, that is “God-remembered”. While the name Elizabeth is translated as “my God is my vow” or “God has vowed to protect me”, God-protected. Messiah’s arrival which would be announced by John the Baptist (the forerunner), declared that God remembered His people and fulfilled the vows He gave, concerning His divine protection.

1,6. Ἦσαν δὲ δίκαιοι ἀμφότεροι ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, πορευόμενοι ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ἐντολαῖς καὶ δικαιώμασι τοῦ Κυρίου ἄμεμπτοι.
1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

  The word “righteous” in the Holy Bible describes the pious, god-fearing and virtuous man, the man of God. It is strongly emphasized that the parents of John the Baptist were both pious in the eyes of God, according to His judgment, who knows every heart. “To be righteous in the eyes of God”, an ancient scholar assures “is the perfect praise, since He is the one and only who knows the heart of people”. Zechariah and Elizabeth led their life observing the law, all the moral orders, the commandments and the ritual ones, too. Of course, they were not sinless, but they were blameless. No one could blame them for deviations in their moral life or in the ritual practice.

1,7. Καὶ οὐκ ἦν αὐτοῖς τέκνον, καθότι ἡ Ἐλισάβετ ἦν στεῖρα, καὶ ἀμφότεροι προβεβηκότες ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις αὐτῶν ἦσαν.
1:7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

  Being childless caused great sorrow and shame to the Jews. It was a sign of God’s disfavor. Zechariah and Elizabeth were suffering this great pain until their old age: they had no child. However, they remained devoted to God. Undoubtedly, this would had been one of the strongest wishes in their prayers but their piety was not connected with the satisfaction of their desire to have a child. This is real piety: love and unconditional trust to God and not one of a transaction relationship.
  The fact that Elizabeth was unable to conceive and the couple was old prove that the birth of John the Baptist was not of course beyond the laws of nature, but it was definitely beyond human ability, it was a miracle.
  In the Holy Bible there are three kinds of births mentioned:
a) Natural birth: That is according to the laws of nature. In this way almost all people on earth are born.
b) Birth by promise: This takes place regardless of the laws of nature, since it relies upon God’s miraculous intervention. Some of the greatest people of the Old and the New Testament were born this way such, as Isaac, Samson, Samuel, Virgin Mary, St John the Baptist, including some of the saints in the Orthodox Church. The parents of all the above had no human ability or hope to have a child. However, they were given God’s promise and gave birth to the child of that promise, who in all cases was a great person, serving God’s plan.
c) The supernatural and unique birth in the history of mankind: It is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ “by the Holy Spirit and Virgin Mary”, as we declare in the Symbol of faith.

1,8-9. Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ ἱερατεύειν αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ τάξει τῆς ἐφημερίας αὐτοῦ ἔναντι τοῦ Θεοῦ, κατὰ τὸ ἔθος τῆς ἱερατείας ἔλαχε τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὸν ναὸν τοῦ Κυρίου.
1: 8-9 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the Temple of the Lord and burn incense.

  When it was Zechariah’ turn to minister his priestly service, the offering of sacrifice and incense, the lot was drawn to him to enter the Temple of the Lord and burn incense. This service was originally appointed by God to the high priest (see Ex 30,1-10) and then to the priests (see Num 18:7; De 33:10).
  The lot was drawn twice a day just before offering the incense, to appoint the priest who would carry out this honorary task of burning incense, in the morning and in the afternoon. It is not mentioned at which of these two cases Zechariah entered the Temple. By the large number of the people gathered it could be assumed that it was during the afternoon offering, unless it was Saturday whereby many people might have been gathered in the morning incense offering.
  The one and only Temple of the Jewish nation was the luxurious and majestic Temple built with divine guidance by King Solomon. For four centuries it was the central worship place of God (Jehovah), the landmark and glory of Israel. However, it was totally destroyed as well as the whole Jerusalem by the Babylonian conquerors (587 BC). When the Israelites came back from the Babylonian captivity, Zerubbabel, who was the leader of the people, undertook the reconstruction of the Temple. This was completed by 516 BC after many obstacles. This was the Temple that Herod I wanted to replace by a more majestic building. The construction began in about 20-19 BC and was completed in 62-64 AD, during the administration of Albinos, that is, a few years before the Temple was destroyed by the Romans.
  At the area of the Temple Mount, where there was a series of structures, such as galleries and courtyards covering the Moriah hill, the Temple sanctuary building was raised in the most prominent spot. It was divided into two unequal parts. The first and bigger one was the Holy Place with the Table of the showbread, the golden lamp and the altar of incense. The second part was the Holy of the Holies a small square space which sheltered the Ark of Covenant between the two golden cherubim. However, in the new Temple of Herod the Holy of the Holies remained empty. The Ark was not there anymore. There was only a rather high stone base in its place. The high priest placed the censer on this stone. The priests who were ministering entered daily in the Holy Place, while the Holy of the Holies could be entered only by the high priest once a year, to offer the sacrifice of Atonement.
  Zechariah, after taking coals from the altar of burnt-offering, which was in the outer courtyard, entered the Holy Place. He put the coals on the altar of incense and put the incense upon them.

1,10. καὶ πᾶν τὸ πλῆθος ἦν τοῦ λαοῦ προσευχόμενον ἔξω τῇ ὥρᾳ τοῦ θυμιάματος.
1:10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.

  The people were praying outside in the spacious courtyard of the Temple, which was divided into four distinct yards: the Court of Priests, the Court of the Israelites, the Court of Women and the Court of the Gentiles. The Jews used to pray by raising their hands. This symbolized the fact that their prayer went high to the throne of God according to the psalm (Ps 140:2): “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice”.

1,11. ῎Ωφθη δὲ αὐτῷ ἄγγελος Κυρίου ἑστὼς ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου τοῦ θυμιάματος.
1:11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

  The verb “appeared” usually expresses a miraculous appearance, a vision. The fact that the angel appeared “standing on the right side of the altar of incense” declares that he had a high rank, was sent by God and brought a happy message. The angel’s appearance to Zechariah asserts that the latter was indeed “righteous” and blameless, worthy of an angel’s visit.

1,12. Καὶ ἐταράχθη Ζαχαρίας ἰδών, καὶ φόβος ἐπέπεσεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτόν.
1:12. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.

  When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and afraid. His reaction in front of the unexpected visitor, who was sent by God, was natural. God’s people feel fear and awe when they realize that something supernatural is being revealed to them. Quite the contrary, nowadays some visionaries often boast easily and refer to supposed revelations or conversations between them and saints!

1,13. Εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ ἄγγελος· μὴ φοβοῦ, Ζαχαρία· διότι εἰσηκούσθη ἡ δέησίς σου, καὶ ἡ γυνή σου Ἐλισάβετ γεννήσει υἱόν σοι, καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἰωάννην.
1:13. 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 encouraged Zechariah with the urge “Do not be afraid”. Later he would address to Virgin Mary with the same words (see verse 30). He also strengthened him, as he spoke to him intimately and called him by his name. Zigavenus comments that the angel reassured Zechariah in order to listen carefully to what he would announce.
  “Your prayer has been heard”, the angel reassured Zechariah. This prayer was:
a) The prayer of that moment for the forgiveness of his own sins and of all the people, which was depicted and symbolized by incense.
b) The request for the coming of the Messiah, whom all God’s people were waiting for and especially the priests were praying for.
c) Zechariah’s personal request, which he persistently and imploringly addressed in the past, to be given a child by the Lord.
  God would fulfill all three of these interrelated requests: Zechariah would have a son, who would announce the good news that the Messiah had come and would redeem the world from sin.
  The Jews used to give their children names that signified either family adventures or events related to the child’s birth or the parents’ feelings. The baby’s name was often the first word or phrase the mother said at the time of the birth. In certain cases, which were very important for the salvation plan, God himself defined the name (see Gen 17:5, 32:28). This happened with Zechariah’s son, too. God wanted him to be called John, Johanna, which means gift of Yahweh, that is, of God, “Theodoritos” or “Theodoros” or gift by God, “Dorotheos”. Indeed, this child proved to be God’s gift not only for his parents but for all mankind, too.

1,14. καὶ ἔσται χαρά σοι καὶ ἀγαλλίασις, καὶ πολλοὶ ἐπὶ τῇ γεννήσει αὐτοῦ χαρήσονται.
1:14. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth.

  John’s birth would give joy not only to his parents but also to many others. Moreover, this joy would be great, because this birth would be a response, as mentioned above, to three great requests. This joy began with the first movements in his mother’s womb and reached its peak when John began his public action. When the crowd gathered to hear John’s preaching, and to be baptized by him, they saw the long-awaited Messiah, being finger-pointed by the great prophet.

1,15. ῎Εσται γὰρ μέγας ἐνώπιον τοῦ Κυρίου, καὶ οἶνον καὶ σίκερα οὐ μὴ πίῃ, καὶ Πνεύματος ἁγίου πλησθήσεται ἔτι ἐκ κοιλίας μητρὸς αὐτοῦ.
1:15. For he will be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.

  Many people are called great by others, but they are insignificant in the eyes of God. John would be great in the sight of the Lord, because he would please God both with his life and with his teaching (see Mt 5:19). His greatness was seen, indeed, both in his holiness and in his mission. His life was the life of an earthly angel and his teaching was inspired by the Holy Spirit. John, according to the Lord’s testimony (see Mt 11:11), is the greatest man ever born by a woman. He is greater than all the patriarchs and prophets, because he was counted worthy to see and baptize "whom they foretold", as we chant in the Apolytikion of his celebration.
  The Old Testament refers to the order of the Nazirites, who were dedicated to God. These were married. Their devotion was evident from the fact that they did not cut their hair and did not drink wine or other intoxicating drinks. This usually happened for a specific period of time (see Num 6:1-21). Some, however, remained Nazirites for life, such as Samson and Samuel. Zechariah’s chosen son would be included among them, because according to the angel’s revelation “he shall drink no wine nor strong drink”. In addition, John would live an ascetic life and would remain a virgin.
  The expression “he will be filled with the Holy Spirit” is often found in the New Testament and especially in St. Luke’s texts. It means "he will be flooded with the Holy Spirit" and shows very aptly that the Holy Spirit permeates and overwhelms the whole existence of the person to whom it is given. John would deny the intoxication of wine but would live the intoxication of the Holy Spirit that would fill his existence (see Eph 5:18). This prophetic word found its fulfillment very soon. In Elizabeth’s meeting with Virgin Mary, John even before he was born, already from his mother’s womb, was filled by the Holy Spirit and leaped with joy in front of Virgin Mary and her unborn baby (see Lk 1:41).

1,16. καὶ πολλοὺς τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ ἐπιστρέψει ἐπὶ Κύριον τὸν Θεὸν αὐτῶν.
1:16. He will bring back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.

  The word “Lord” translates into Greek the Hebrew four-letter name of the one and only God Yahweh (transliterated as YHWH). The Jews also identified God with other names, such as Adonai, Sabaoth, Elohim. Because they reverently avoided pronouncing the name Yahweh, they wrote it along with one of God’s other names, without pronouncing it. They usually wrote "Yahweh Elohim" which means Lord God. In the New Testament this name was given to Jesus Christ.
  According to the angel’s message, Zechariah’s son would announce the coming of the kingdom of God and with the preaching of repentance would reconcile many of the Israelites “to the Lord their God”, that is, to Jesus Christ. This verse, then, is one of the biblical testimonies that confirm that Jesus is the incarnated Yahweh and proves his divinity (cf. Jn 20:28, Acts 20:28).
  John would address the message of repentance to everyone. However, not everyone would accept it, but “many”. These will surely taste the joy of redemption (see verse 14).

1,17. καὶ αὐτὸς προελεύσεται ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ ἐν πνεύματι καὶ δυνάμει Ἠλιού, ἐπιστρέψαι καρδίας πατέρων ἐπὶ τέκνα καὶ ἀπειθεῖς ἐν φρονήσει δικαίων, ἑτοιμάσαι Κυρίῳ λαὸν κατεσκευασμένον.
1:17. 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.

  In ancient times, before the royal procession, certain soldiers marched and played trumpets to announce the king’s arrival. The kings of the East, when they started a trip, sent a messenger to prepare the road and their accommodation. Today a special security goes ahead and announces that a high rank person is coming. Such would be the role of John; “he will go on before the Lord”. With his preaching he would prepare the way for the Lord to follow. That is why he is called the Forerunner.
  He would also be a prophet with the spiritual gifts and power of Elijah, “in the spirit and power of Elijah”. The Lord himself assured us that “this is Elijah who is to come” (Mt 11:14, cf. 17:12). If we compare the life and action of Elijah and John the Forerunner, we will find, in fact, that they have many similarities. They were both virgins and ascetics. They dwelled in the desert, wore leather belts, and lived without any comfort eating simple food. They exercised strict criticism over the people, the pseudo-prophets and the impious rulers. They were ardent preachers of repentance. They zealously developed a great activity for the prevalence of justice and caused with their courage the displeasure and revenge of the people in power. Because of a corrupt woman, Elijah was exiled and John was beheaded.
  John’s mission also included “to turn the hearts of the parents to their children”, referring to the prophecy of Malachi: “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction” (Mal 4:4-5). "Fathers" are the patriarchs and prophets of Israel, who were distinguished for their piety. "Children" are the contemporaries of Malachi, who had strayed away from the piety of their fathers and lived in infidelity and corruption. Their apostasy resulted in God’s abhorrence but also the disapproval of their fathers. A similar situation -unfaithfulness and immorality- characterized the people in John’s time. He, as a messenger of God with the preaching of repentance, came to reconnect the fathers with the children, that is, to bring his contemporaries back to the life of faith and piety, so that the hearts of the fathers may rest in them again.
  With the phrase “and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous”, the same meaning is emphasized in other words. John with his preaching will inspire those who are disobedient the wise spirit of righteous people, and he will make them obedient and pious. Thus, he will prepare the people, “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord”, in order to be ready to receive and accept the Lord. Through John’s baptism "with water", the people were, in fact, prepared to receive Jesus Christ’s baptism "by the Holy Spirit".

1,18. Καὶ εἶπε Ζαχαρίας πρὸς τὸν ἄγγελον· κατὰ τί γνώσομαι τοῦτο; ἐγὼ γάρ εἰμι πρεσβύτης καὶ ἡ γυνή μου προβεβηκυῖα ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις αὐτῆς.
1:18. And Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years".

  Zechariah’s words do not denote a query but a sign of unfaithfulness. He thought it was impossible to have a child after so many years of a fruitless marriage. Thus, he asked for a sign in order to believe. In the Old Testament there were some people who asked for a sign (see also Gen 15:2-8, Ex 4:1-6, Judg 6:36-40, 2 Kings 20:8, Is 7:11) and God did not deny it. However, the spirit and the mood of the person who asks for it are different in each case. Furthermore, Zechariah knew of previous examples of childless and elderly parents who were given a child, when it was God’s will. He should have remembered Abraham and Sarah, the parents of Samson and Samuel, and finally David’s declaration that God is “who maketh the barren woman to dwell in a house, a mother rejoicing over children” (Psalm 112:9).

1,19. Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ ἄγγελος εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἐγώ εἰμι Γαβριὴλ ὁ παρεστηκὼς ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἀπεστάλην λαλῆσαι πρός σε καὶ εὐαγγελίσασθαί σοι ταῦτα.
1:19. And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news.

  The angel introduced himself and announced his mission. He was Gabriel “who stands in the presence of God” and appears before God ready to do His will immediately. One more reason Zechariah should not had shown lack of faith was the authority of the heavenly messenger. It is as if he were saying to him: "Of course you are an old man, but I am Gabriel, God’s aide, that’s why my word will be fulfilled".
  Gabriel is the angel who revealed to Daniel the defeat of the Persians by Alexander the Great (Dan 8) and defined after how many "weeks" the Messiah would come. He himself would later bring God’s message to Virgin Mary (see Lk 1:26).
  In the Bible there are many instances in which we see angels serving God’s will and plan (cf. Heb 1:14). Three angels brought to Abraham the message that he would have a son (see Gen 18:1-15). Angels saved Lot and his family in Sodom (Gen 19:16). An angel brought the message of God to Virgin Mary (Lk 1:26). An angel informed the shepherds about Christ’s birth (Lk 2:10). Angels also announced the resurrection of the Lord to the myrrh-bearers (Lk 24:4). St. John Chrysostom exclaims: “Understand the honor, how great it is, when God sends angels as ministers to people as if to friends”.

1,20. καὶ ἰδοὺ ἔσῃ σιωπῶν καὶ μὴ δυνάμενος λαλῆσαι ἄχρι ἧς ἡμέρας γένηται ταῦτα, ἀνθ᾿ ὧν οὐκ ἐπίστευσας τοῖς λόγοις μου, οἵτινες πληρωθήσονται εἰς τὸν καιρὸν αὐτῶν.
1:20. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.

  Zechariah would temporarily become mute. This would be a sign for him and the people. This is certainly not the sign he had asked for. It was a “punishment” for his lack of faith. St. John Chrysostom comments: “Your tongue, which showed lack of faith through words, it shall also accept the punishment for it”. Zechariah, who spoke in disbelief, learned to believe through his silence. The Bible also mentions some people, who after a great revelation, suffered some alteration without permanent damage. For example, for a short period of time Jacob limped (Gen 32:31), Paul couldn’t see (Acts 9:8). Zechariah’s silence would last “until the day that these things come to pass”, that is until everything the angel informed him about would come true. Indeed, his tongue loosened the day his son was circumcised and was named John (see Lk 1:64).
  Man’s lack of faith does not abolish God’s trustworthiness. God’s promises “will be fulfilled in their due time”.

1,21-22. Καὶ ἦν ὁ λαὸς προσδοκῶν τὸν Ζαχαρίαν, καὶ ἐθαύμαζον ἐν τῷ χρονίζειν αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ ναῷ. Ἐξελθὼν δὲ οὐκ ἠδύνατο λαλῆσαι αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἐπέγνωσαν ὅτι ὀπτασίαν ἑώρακεν ἐν τῷ ναῷ· καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν διανεύων αὐτοῖς, καὶ διέμενε κωφός.
1:21-22. And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they wondered at his delay in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he made signs to them and remained dumb.

  While the smoke of incense was rising, the priest went out and blessed the people (Num 6:22-27). Zechariah’s delay made the people wonder what was happening. When he appeared, he tried to give explanations with gestures. From his inability to speak, because he was troubled and upset, it became clear that he “had seen a vision”. In addition, Zechariah had also lost his hearing as it is obvious from the continuation of the narrative. The phrase “remained dumb” here means unable to speak and hear (i.e., deaf-mute).

1,23-25. Καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἐπλήσθησαν αἱ ἡμέραι τῆς λειτουργίας αὐτοῦ, ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ. Μετὰ δὲ ταύτας τὰς ἡμέρας συνέλαβεν Ἐλισάβετ ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ, καὶ περιέκρυβεν ἑαυτὴν μῆνας πέντε, λέγουσα ὅτι οὕτω μοι πεποίηκεν ὁ Κύριος ἐν ἡμέραις αἷς ἐπεῖδεν ἀφελεῖν τὸ ὄνειδός μου ἐν ἀνθρώποις.
1:23-25. When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she hid herself, saying, "Thus the Lord has done to me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men".

  When “his time of service” -a week- was over and the division of Abijah had finished their service at the temple, Zechariah went home. He lived in a mountain town in Judea (see verse 39), the name of which we do not know.
  “After these days” which means after the days of Zechariah’s service, Elisabeth became pregnant. Initially, she did not talk to anyone about her pregnancy, “for five months she hid herself”. She rejoiced alone and enjoyed the great blessing of God for five months. She shared it with others when it became apparent. The first to learn about this event was Virgin Mary. She was informed about it by Gabriel, who visited her six months after his appearance to Zechariah.
  Elizabeth's gratitude to the Lord was infinite, because he removed from her the shame of childlessness. The very fact and all the wonderful signs that accompanied it caused in her a sense of awe, so that she would say: “Thus the Lord has done to me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people”.
  The event of the Annunciation is then followed. The two events quoted below by St. Luke suggest that the imperfect Levitical priesthood -the Old Testament- was now being replaced by Christ’s perfect Davidic -the New Testament. The priesthood of Aaron, the praise and glory of Israel, was only a symbol and a type-form. The whole point of its mission was to lead to Christ, the high priest “in the order of Melchizedek” (Heb 7:11-14). The real meaning of the Levitical priesthood is expressed in the person of the righteous and blameless priest Zechariah, who ministered for the atonement of himself and the people and was given a son, who would be the forerunner of the Lord.

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