7-Blogging the New Testament. Lecture Two: John the Baptist

Part Seven begins.

We continue Lecture Two on John the Baptist. We turn to Luke 1.5-25.

Luke 1:5-25 (New King James Version) John’s Birth Announced to Zacharias. The Word itself bears witness to its own power, clarity. We quote the text in the NKJV with the Westcott-Hort text following. This is the Word of the LORD. Thanks be to God.

Prior to reading it, we pray:[1]

The Third Sunday in Advent

"O LORD Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare the way before thee; Grant that ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight, who livest and reignest with the Father and Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen."

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. 8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. 23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

From the Westcott-Hort 1881 edition. Commentary will follow the Greek text.

5 εγενετο εν ταις ημεραις ηρωδου βασιλεως της ιουδαιας ιερευς τις ονοματι ζαχαριας εξ εφημεριας αβια και γυνη αυτω εκ των θυγατερων ααρων και το ονομα αυτης ελισαβετ

6 ησαν δε δικαιοι αμφοτεροι εναντιον του θεου πορευομενοι εν πασαις ταις εντολαις και δικαιωμασιν του κυριου αμεμπτοι

7 και ουκ ην αυτοις τεκνον καθοτι ην [η] ελισαβετ στειρα και αμφοτεροι προβεβηκοτες εν ταις ημεραις αυτων ησαν

8 εγενετο δε εν τω ιερατευειν αυτον εν τη ταξει της εφημεριας αυτου εναντι του θεου

9 κατα το εθος της ιερατειας ελαχεν του θυμιασαι εισελθων εις τον ναον του κυριου

10 και παν το πληθος ην του λαου προσευχομενον εξω τη ωρα του θυμιαματος

11 ωφθη δε αυτω αγγελος κυριου εστως εκ δεξιων του θυσιαστηριου του θυμιαματος

12 και εταραχθη ζαχαριας ιδων και φοβος επεπεσεν επ αυτον

13 ειπεν δε προς αυτον ο αγγελος μη φοβου ζαχαρια διοτι εισηκουσθη η δεησις σου και η γυνη σου ελισαβετ γεννησει υιον σοι και καλεσεις το ονομα αυτου ιωαννην

14 και εσται χαρα σοι και αγαλλιασις και πολλοι επι τη γενεσει αυτου χαρησονται

15 εσται γαρ μεγας ενωπιον κυριου και οινον και σικερα ου μη πιη και πνευματος αγιου πλησθησεται ετι εκ κοιλιας μητρος αυτου

16 και πολλους των υιων ισραηλ επιστρεψει επι κυριον τον θεον αυτων

17 και αυτος προελευσεται ενωπιον αυτου εν πνευματι και δυναμει ηλιου επιστρεψαι καρδιας πατερων επι τεκνα και απειθεις εν φρονησει δικαιων ετοιμασαι κυριω λαον κατεσκευασμενον
18 kαι ειπεν ζαχαριας προς τον αγγελον κατα τι γνωσομαι τουτο εγω γαρ ειμι πρεσβυτης και η γυνη μου προβεβηκυια εν ταις ημεραις αυτης

19 και αποκριθεις ο αγγελος ειπεν αυτω εγω ειμι γαβριηλ ο παρεστηκως ενωπιον του θεου και απεσταλην λαλησαι προς σε και ευαγγελισασθαι σοι ταυτα

20 και ιδου εση σιωπων και μη δυναμενος λαλησαι αχρι ης ημερας γενηται ταυτα ανθ ων ουκ επιστευσας τοις λογοις μου οιτινες πληρωθησονται εις τον καιρον αυτων

21 και ην ο λαος προσδοκων τον ζαχαριαν και εθαυμαζον εν τω χρονιζειν εν τω ναω αυτον

22 εξελθων δε ουκ εδυνατο λαλησαι αυτοις και επεγνωσαν οτι οπτασιαν εωρακεν εν τω ναω και αυτος ην διανευων αυτοις και διεμενεν κωφος

23 και εγενετο ως επλησθησαν αι ημεραι της λειτουργιας αυτου απηλθεν εις τον οικον αυτου

24 μετα δε ταυτας τας ημερας συνελαβεν ελισαβετ η γυνη αυτου και περιεκρυβεν εαυτην μηνας πεντε λεγουσα

25 οτι ουτως μοι πεποιηκεν κυριος εν ημεραις αις επειδεν αφελειν ονειδος μου εν ανθρωποις

John the Baptist was born during the reign of Herod the Great (37-4 B.C.). He was born to two godly parents of priestly stock and education, a special breed within the house of Israel.

Both parents were “righteous before God,” “walking before the LORD,” and “blameless” in the way. This does not mean they were “sinless,” but were people who confessed their sins, embraced the Messianic promises, understood the Levitical system and penal, vicarious atonement (e.g. Day of Atonement, daily sacrifices, the scape goat and the various offerings), and walked in the godly and upright paths of Israel. Proof of such residual sin will appear soon enough when Zacharias has the temerity to disbelieve Gabriel’s message to him.

Nonetheless, their lifestyle was one of godliness.

Elizabeth was barren and both her and her husband, Zacharias, were “advanced” in years. Apparently, there was no retirement system for priests.

He did his duty according to his “division of Abijah.” That is, he served on a rotating basis in the Herodian Temple. (Model of Temple to the right.) There were 24 divisions and Abijah was the eighth of twenty-four (I Chronicles 24.10). As such, Zacharias probably would have served twice per year. Given the large body of priests serving at anytime, we may surmise that service inside the Temple itself may have been rare. It was at this time that Gabriel appeared, not out of due season or by chance.

Zacharias does his duty “to burn incense.” On his left, or the southern side, would be the gold lamp stand, bearing witness to God the “Light and Salvation” of Israel. On his right hand, or northern side, would be the Table of Shewbread with twelve loaves of bread symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel and a continuing reminder of Israel’s creation and redemption. We are told he went into the “Temple of the LORD.”

The faithful were gathered in the outer precincts for prayer/s. While inside, the angel Gabriel stands at the right hand of the altar of incense, to the north side, a minor detail in the story with the earmarks of a first-hand witness account.

As usual with theophanies and epiphanies, when the veil of the spiritual world is opened to the human...profound fear arises. We must bear this in mind. This is why we cannot constantly, if ever again, be involved in the false piety of the enthusiasts. In other words, the charisphons are done with this aging scribbler. We are told to walk in the fear of the LORD, in His presence. It is no time for yapping enthusiasts. Zacharias, according to the biblical pattern, is afraid.

The Angel advises him not to be afraid. Several things are revealed. First, Zacharias’ prayer has been heard regarding the barrenness of his wife. Fecundity and children were a covenant blessing (Psalm 127.3-5). This was a source of sadness. But the prayer/s had been heard. Of course, God had known of the prayers and answers them sovereignly. This one will be answered affirmatively. The essence is, “Zacharias, Elizabeth will have a child.”

Secondly, the name will be John, or “The LORD is gracious.”

Third, there will be, according to the Angel, joy, gladness and rejoicing over the birth of the Baptist. While we become acquainted with his ministry later, the surrounding circumstances will be thanksgiving. This will, we believe, have informed the Baptist’s early upbringing, along with a steadfast resolve in the service of His Saviour, even to death.

Fourth, the Angel informs us that the Baptist will be “Great in the sight of the LORD.” No greater thing could be said about a man, woman or child. Here was an infallible prediction and revelation of an aspect of the eternal decrees.

Fifth, he would not drink wine or strong drink. Some have thought he was a Nazarite. He was of priestly stock.

Sixth, he would be “filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb,” a statement made about no other man in the New Testament. However, regeneration often happens there--in the womb--or in the sacrament of baptism, usually but never necessarily. Justifying faith may come years later. This lad, however, was converted in the womb and grew up from his tenderest years loving His God and believing. (Regeneration issues in faith, not the reverse.)

Seventh, while a personal and immediate prayer was answered for the priestly family, a far greater challenge and promise was on the horizon. He will have a decisive ministry and role in Israel’s life and for the history of humanity.

The Baptist will “turn the children of Israel to the LORD.” He will go forward in the power and spirit of the ancient prophet Elijah. He will turn the foolish, obstinate, and dead-ears to the “wisdom of the just.”

Eighth, while the Baptist would have tremendous impact on his fellow believers and new joins, his greatest work was to “make a people ready for the LORD.” He would precede and prepare the way for the Messiah, the Lamb that taketh away the sins of the world. This was the Baptist’s chief purpose: to herald the Saviour’s presence.

The picture to the right is Jan Brueghel the Elder’s rendering of the Baptist preaching.

When the Angel utters these matters, Zacharias does not believe and he issues the grounds for his view: we are “well advanced in years.”
Zacharias gets recalibrated by Angel Gabriel regarding the Source of the message and its certainty, the indubitable cure for unbelief. Gabriel reminds the shaken priest that he is an Angel that stands in the presence of the LORD. The intersection of the other world with this world informs the priest of his creaturely majesty and power.

Zacharias gets a “few other words” from above. The message is that the Gabriel was “sent” to tell of “the glad tidings,” which is the equivalent of the Gospel. But, Zacharias is told he’ll be dumb and speechless for his unbelief. A wonderful reminder that a man or woman best serves the LORD when he listens first. Also, a wonderful reminder of the sovereignty of God.

That divine sovereignty is rehearsed when the Angel tells his pupil about “my words which will be fulfilled in their own time” (Luke 1.20).

Zacharias apparently is a long time in the Temple. He exits, leaves an impression with observers that he has seen a vision, and is speechless. Elizabeth bears the Baptist, goes into seclusion for five months, and—in faith—expresses her faith by saying, Thus has the LORD dealt with me, when he took away my reproach.

To be continued.

Part Seven endeth.

[1] The Book of Common Prayer according to the Use of the Reformed Episcopal Church (Philadelphia: The Reformed Episcopal Church Society, Limited, 1932), 89.