Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

Luke 1

5 There was g in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, h of the division of i Abijah. His j 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, 1 his lot fell k to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 l 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 m the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, n 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 o you shall call his name John. 14 "And you will have joy and gladness, and p many will rejoice at his birth. 15 "For he will be q great in the sight of the Lord, and r shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, s even from his mother's womb. 16 "And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 t "He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' 2 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, u "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 v Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you 3 these glad w tidings. 20 "But behold, x 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 y 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 z take away my reproach among people."

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 2:1
    Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem.
  2. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 24:1
    Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
    1 Chronicles 24:10
    The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah.
  3. Cross References
    Nehemiah 12:4
    Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah.
  4. Cross References
    Leviticus 21:13
    And he shall take a wife in her virginity.
    Leviticus 21:14
    A widow or a divorced woman or a defiled woman or a harlot - these he shall not marry; but he shall take a virgin of his own people as wife.
  5. Cross References
    Exodus 30:7
    Aaron shall burn on it sweet incense every morning; when he tends the lamps, he shall burn incense on it.
    Exodus 30:8
    And when Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense on it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
    1 Chronicles 23:13
    The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses; and Aaron was set apart, he and his sons forever, that he should sanctify the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister to Him, and to give the blessing in His name forever.
    2 Chronicles 29:11
    "My sons, do not be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and that you should minister to Him and burn incense."
  6. Cross References
    Leviticus 16:17
    There shall be no man in the tabernacle of meeting when he goes in to make atonement in the Holy Place, until he comes out, that he may make atonement for himself, for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel.
  7. Cross References
    Exodus 30:1
    You shall make an altar to burn incense on; you shall make it of acacia wood.
  8. Cross References
    Judges 6:22
    Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the LORD. So Gideon said, "Alas, O Lord GOD! For I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face.
    Daniel 10:8
    Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength.
    Luke 2:9
    And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
    Acts 10:4
    And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
    Revelation 1:17
    And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, " Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
  9. Cross References
    Luke 1:57
    Now Elizabeth's full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son.
    Luke 1:60
    His mother answered and said, "No; he shall be called John.
    Luke 1:63
    And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John." So they all marveled.
  10. Cross References
    Luke 1:58
    When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.
  11. Cross References
    Luke 7:24 - 28
    When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
  12. Cross References
    Numbers 6:3
    He shall separate himself from wine and similar drink; he shall drink neither vinegar made from wine nor vinegar made from similar drink; neither shall he drink any grape juice, nor eat fresh grapes or raisins.
    Judges 13:4
    Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean.
    Matthew 11:18
    "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
  13. Cross References
    Jeremiah 1:5
    "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
    Galatians 1:15
    But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace.
  14. Cross References
    Malachi 4:5
    Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Befo...
    Malachi 4:6
    And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to t...
    Matthew 3:2
    And saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven ...
    Matthew 11:14
    And if you are willing to receive it, he is Eli...
    Mark 1:4
    John came baptizing in the wilderness and preac...
    Mark 9:12
    Then He answered and told them, "Indeed, Elijah...
  15. Cross References
    Genesis 17:17
    Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, "Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?
  16. Cross References
    Daniel 8:16
    And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, "Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.
    Matthew 18:10
    Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
    Hebrews 1:4
    Having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
  17. Cross References
    Luke 2:10
    Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
  18. Cross References
    Ezekiel 3:26
    I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be mute and not be one to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious house.
    Ezekiel 24:27
    'on that day your mouth will be opened to him who has escaped; you shall speak and no longer be mute. Thus you will be a sign to them, and they shall know that I am the LORD.'"
  19. Cross References
    2 Kings 11:5
    Then he commanded them, saying, "This is what you shall do: One-third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath shall be keeping watch over the king's house.
    1 Chronicles 9:25
    And their brethren in their villages had to come with them from time to time for seven days.
  20. Cross References
    Genesis 30:23
    And she conceived and bore a son, and said, "God has taken away my reproach.
    Isaiah 4:1
    And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, "We will eat our own food and wear our own apparel; Only let us be called by your name, To take away our reproach.
    Isaiah 54:1
    Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, You who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate Than the children of the married woman," says the LORD.
    Isaiah 54:4
    Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; For you will forget the shame of your youth, And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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