Zacharias was from the priestly family of Abijah, one of the twenty-four groups that served in the temple twice a year. Elizabeth, his wife, was a descendent of Aaron, the first priest. One would expect that they would produce priestly offspring. This, however, did not seem likely to happen since they were childless and “they both were now well stricken in years” (Luke 1:7). When it was Zacharias’ turn to burn incense in the temple, an angel of the Lord told him that he would be a father. He was unable to believe what he was told, so as punishment for disbelief and as a sign to him, he was struck dumb. As soon as his time serving in the temple was up he returned to his home in the hill country of Judah, soon after Elizabeth was pregnant with their first child. Zacharias and Elizabeth were faithful to God’s command and named their son John instead of Zacharias, as others expected (Luke 1:59). Instantly after consenting to name the child John, Zacharias could speak again. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he prophesied that John would be “called the prophet of the Highest” (Luke 1:76). After this prophecy nothing more is known of Zacharias and Elizabeth. We do not know if they saw their son begin his ministry, but we do know they raised him to be “strong in the spirit” (Luke 1:80). –JK