to which course did zecharias the father of john the baptist belong

by Leann Barrows 8 min read

According to the Gospel of Luke, during the reign of king Herod, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the course of Abia, whose wife Elizabeth was also of the priestly family of Aaron.

What did Zechariah do for John the Baptist?

As John the Baptist's father, he raised his son as a Nazarite, a holy man pledged to the Lord. Zechariah contributed, in his way, to God's plan to save the world from sin .

What happened to Zechariah’s father?

Then Zechariah’s father, the high priest Jehoiada, led an uprising to return King Joash to the throne. But when Jehoiada died at 130 years old (v. 15), King Joash forgot his allegiance to God and the family of Jehoiada and turned to idolatry. [4]

Why was Zechariah doubtful that John would be the Messiah?

Further, Gabriel said John would be a great man who would lead many to the Lord and would be a prophet announcing the Messiah. Zechariah was doubtful because of his and his wife's old age. The angel struck him deaf and mute because of his lack of faith until the child would be born.

Who was John the Baptist’s father?

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist The father of John the Baptist, and husband of Elizabeth. He was a priest belonging to the order of Abijah.

What are the 24 courses of priests?

Role in the TempleDivisionNameScriptural ReferenceFirstJehoiarib1 Chronicles 24:7SecondJedaiah1 Chronicles 24:7ThirdHarim1 Chronicles 24:8FourthSeorim1 Chronicles 24:820 more rows

What do we know about Zacharias the father of John the Baptist?

Zechariah was a Jewish high priest and prophet who lived an exemplary life dedicated to God. He was responsible for the incense in the temple where God's people brought offerings to Him. He was also a descendant of King David, having been born into the house of Judah.

What was Zechariah known for?

Zechariah, also spelled Zacharias, (flourished 6th century bc), Jewish prophet whose preachings are recorded in one of the shorter prophetical books in the Old Testament, the Book of Zechariah (q.v.).

Are there two Zechariah's in the Bible?

Zechariah Ben Jehoiada, son of the High Priest in the times of Ahaziah and Joash. See also: Tomb of Zechariah, a monument named after him in Jerusalem.

Who was Zechariah the father of John the Baptist?

In the Bible he is the father of John the Baptist, a priest of the sons of Aaron in the Gospel of Luke (1:67–79), and the husband of Elizabeth who is a relative of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:36)....Zechariah (New Testament figure)Saint ZechariahBorn1st century BCDied1st century BC (or early AD) Jerusalem (Matthew 23:35), the Levant5 more rows

What is the main message of the book of Zechariah?

The main emphasis is that God is at work and all His good deeds, including the construction of the Second Temple, are accomplished "not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit." Ultimately, YHWH plans to live again with His people in Jerusalem. He will save them from their enemies and cleanse them from sin.

Who named John the Baptist?

When he saw the angel, he was terrified. But the angel said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John” (Luke 1:13).

Who is Zechariah in the Bible summary?

Zechariah prophesied from the second to the fourth year of the reign of Darius, about 520 to 518 B.C. (see Zechariah 1:1; 7:1). Along with his contemporary Haggai, Zechariah was instrumental in organizing and inspiring the Jews to finish rebuilding the temple (see Ezra 5:1; 6:14).

What is the background of the Book of Zechariah?

The book of Zechariah is set initially in 520 BCE, some twenty years after the first Jews returned from exile in Babylon to the region of Judah (Yehud). Earlier prophets had promised a glorious restoration of the nation (e.g., Zeph. 3:20).

How many years was it between Zechariah and Jesus?

Zechariah lived, and the book was written, 500 or so years before Jesus was born. The Book of Zechariah is one of the Old Testament books most frequently quoted in the New Testament. Zechariah's prophecy begins with many vivid and complex visions that are interpreted by an angel (for Zechariah and for us).

What happened to the prophet Zechariah?

After the death of Jehoiada, Zechariah condemned both King Jehoash and the people for their rebellion against God (2 Chronicles 24:20). This so stirred up their resentment against him that at the king's commandment they stoned him, and he died "in the court of the house of the Lord" (24:21).

What does the name Zachariah mean?

God remembersZechariah, with many variant forms and spellings such as Zachariah and Zacharias, is a theophoric masculine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God remembers". It comes from the Hebrew word zakhar, meaning to remember, and yah, one of the names of the God of Israel.

Why was Zechariah important to John the Baptist?

As John the Baptist's father, Zechariah played a key role in God's plan of salvation because of his righteousness and obedience. God worked a miracle in his life to provide a herald to announce the coming of the Messiah, another indication that the life of Jesus was divinely planned.

What was Zechariah's occupation?

Occupation: Priest of God's temple. A member of the clan of Abijah (a descendant of Aaron ), Zechariah went to the temple to carry out his priestly duties. At the time of Jesus Christ, there were about 7,000 priests in Israel, divided into 24 clans. Each clan served at the temple twice a year, for a week each time.

Why did Zechariah not live to see his son?

Because of his old age when John was born , Zechariah likely did not live to see his son prepare the way for Jesus, which happened when John was about 30 years old. God graciously revealed to Zechariah and Elizabeth what their miracle son would do, even though they never lived to see it come to pass.

How did Zechariah serve God?

Zechariah served God devoutly in the temple. He obeyed God as the angel had instructed him. As John the Baptist's father, he raised his son as a Nazarite, a holy man pledged to the Lord. Zechariah contributed, in his way, to God's plan to save the world from sin .

What did Zechariah write on his tablet?

When neighbors and relatives made signs to Zechariah about the baby's name, the old priest took a wax writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John.". Immediately Zechariah regained his speech and hearing. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he praised God and prophesied about his son's life.

What did Mary say to her baby when she greeted her?

When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth's womb leaped for joy. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth proclaimed Mary's blessedness and favor with God: At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Why did the angel strike John deaf and mute?

Zechariah was doubtful because of his and his wife's old age. The angel struck him deaf and mute because of his lack of faith until the child would be born.

Who is Zechariah in the New Testament?

Zechariah. Annunciation of the Angel to Zechariah by Domenico Ghirlandaio (1490, fresco in the Tornabuoni Chapel, Florence) Priest, Prophet, Guardian of Mary, Devotee, Martyr. Born.

Who is Zechariah in the Bible?

Zechariah ( Hebrew: זְכַרְיָה ‎ Zəḵaryāh, "remember Yah "; Greek: Ζαχαρίας; Zacharias in KJV; Zachary in the Douay–Rheims Bible; Zakaryya or Zakaryaʾ ( Arabic: زكـريـا ‎) in Islamic tradition) is a figure in the New Testament and the Quran, and venerated in Christianity and Islam. In the Bible he is the father of John the Baptist, ...

What did Zechariah announce to his wife?

The Gospel of Luke states that while Zechariah ministered at the altar of incense, an angel of the Lord appeared and announced to him that his wife would give birth to a son, whom he was to name John, and that this son would be the forerunner of the Lord ( Luke 1:12–17 ).

When is Zechariah and Elizabeth celebrated?

In the Greek Orthodox calendar, Zechariah and Elizabeth are also commemorated on June 24. The Church of San Zaccaria in Venice, Italy claims to house the relics of Zechariah, entombed alongside those of Saint Athanasius of Alexandria.

Why was Elizabeth's marriage childless in Luke?

When the events related in Luke began, their marriage was still childless, because Elizabeth was "barren", and they were both "well advanced in years" ( Luke 1:5–7 ). The duties at the temple in Jerusalem alternated between each of the family lines that had descended from those appointed by king David ( 1 Chronicles 24:1–19 ).

Who was the uncle of Isa?

He points out that Yahya was a relative of Isa, while Eliyas was one who was present at the Transfiguration of Isa on the Mount, as mentioned in the New Testament. Zakariyah meanwhile, through marriage, was the uncle of Isa and his son Yayha was referred to as Eliyas in the New Testament.

Where is Zechariah's tomb?

Domenico Ghirlandaio 's fresco Zechariah Writes Down the Name of His Son (1490, fresco in the Tornabuoni Chapel, Florence) The Tomb of Absalom, built in the 1st century CE in the Kidron Valley; an inscription added three centuries later claims that it is Zechariah's tomb.

Why is Zechariah not in the 8th order of Abijah?

So we know that Zechariah was not serving in the 8th order of Abijah during one of the three festivals because he WAS serving “in the order of his division”.

What did King David do during Passover?

The answer is this. King David instituted that all regular priestly courses were to be temporarily suspended during Passover, Tabernacles and Pentecost. These were times when Israel flooded Jerusalem to celebrate. 2 Chronicles 5:11 tells us during the Feast of Tabernacles the priests “did not wait by course”.

How long did it take to serve twice in the Temple?

The Bible says each course was to “come in on the Sabbath” and “go out on the Sabbath (2 Chronicles 23:8; 2 Kings 11:50). Over the period of less then one year (48 weeks) each priestly course would serve twice in the Temple, according to the rotation. Each session would be separated by 6 months.

Who was John the Baptist's father?

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. The father of John the Baptist, and husband of Elizabeth. He was a priest belonging to the order of Abijah. While he was offering incense in the Temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him, and told him that his wife Elizabeth who had been barren for many years would give birth to a son, ...

Where is Zechariah's story in the Bible?

Zechariah's story is found in 2 Kings 14:29 and in 2 Kings 15:8-12. Next person in the Bible: Zechariah, King of Israel. Go to People in the Bible or Women in the Bible. x. Thank you!

What were Zechariah's prophecies?

Zechariah's prophecies came from visions that showed God's power, God's judgment of sin, the importance of spiritual strength, and the promise of things to come, including the promise of the Messiah. Zechariah's prophecies often looked far into the future, a future in which the Jews would again be exiled from their homeland ...

Who is Zechariah in 2 Kings 15?

Zechariah is described as an evil king in 2 Kings 15:9. He was the fourth and final king to be descended from Jehu. This fulfilled God's prophecy to Jehu of allowing Jehu's son, grandson, and great-grandson to reign as kings of Israel for destroying the dynasty of the evil King Ahab (2 Kings 10:30). Zechariah's story is found in 2 Kings 14:29 and ...

Who was the 14th king of Israel?

Zechariah , King of Israel. Zechariah became the 14th King of Israel. He was the son of King Jeroboam II and he reigned for only 6 months around 746 BC. He was assassinated by Shallum, who then became king.

Who inspired the Jews to rebuild the Temple?

During that era, many Jews were returning from the Babylonian Captivity to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians. Zechariah, the son of Iddo, was instrumental in inspiring his fellow Jews to rebuild the Temple (see Ezra 6:14).

Did Zechariah believe in the angel?

Zechariah, who was an old man, did not believe the angel, and because of his disbelief, was struck dumb unable to speak, until the prophecy was fulfilled. When the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, she did bear a son.

How old was John when Zacharias died?

After an illness of several months Zacharias died in July, A.D. 12, when John was just past eighteen years of age. This was a time of great embarrassment to John since the Nazarite vow forbade contact with the dead, even in one's own family. Although John had endeavored to comply with the restrictions of his vow regarding contamination by the dead, he doubted that he had been wholly obedient to the requirements of the Nazarite order; therefore, after his father's burial he went to Jerusalem, where, in the Nazarite corner of the women's court, he offered the sacrifices required for his cleansing.

Where did John and Elizabeth go to visit Mary and Jesus?

In September of this year Elizabeth and John made a journey to Nazareth to visit Mary and Jesus. John had just about made up his mind to launch out in his lifework, but he was admonished, not only by Jesus' words but also by his example, to return home, take care of his mother, and await the "coming of the Father's hour.".

What did the Engedi colony do?

The Engedi colony included not only Nazarites of lifelong and time-period consecration but numerous other ascetic herdsmen who congregated in this region with their herds and fraternized with the Nazarite brotherhood. They supported themselves by sheep raising and from gifts which wealthy Jews made to the order.

Why did John and Elizabeth return to their home?

Since John refused to accept the priest's allowance due him from the temple funds, by the end of two years they had all but lost their home; so they decided to go south with the sheep herd.

Did John return to Hebron?

As time passed, John returned less often to Hebron, while he made more frequent visits to Engedi. He was so entirely different from the majority of the Nazarites that he found it very difficult fully to fraternize with the brotherhood.

Who appears to Zechariah?

Gabriel appears to Zechariah while Zechariah is performing one of his duties as a priest—burning incense inside the temple—and worshipers are praying outside. Verses 11 through 13 describe how the encounter between archangel and priest begins:

Why did Zechariah and Elizabeth have children?

But Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth had struggled with infertility, and then they got too old to have biological children naturally. When Gabriel made his announcement, Zechariah didn't believe that he could become a father supernaturally. So Gabriel took away Zechariah's ability to speak until after his son was born.

What happens after John the Baptist is born?

Later in his Gospel (Luke 1:57-80), Luke describes what happens after John is born: Zechariah demonstrates his faith in the message that God gave Archangel Gabriel to deliver to him, and as a result, God restores Zechariah's ability to speak. Verses 59 to 66 record: "On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, ...

Why does Gabriel encourage Zechariah not to respond to fear?

Although the incredible sight of an archangel showing up right in front of him startles Zechariah, Gabriel encourages him not to respond in fear, since fear is incompatible with the good purposes for which God sends his holy angels on missions.

What does Gabriel tell Zechariah about the fallen angels?

Gabriel tells Zechariah not only that he'll have a son but also that the son should have a specific name: John. Later, when Zechariah faithfully chooses that name for his son rather than following other people's advice ...

What verses does Zechariah come out?

The story continues in verses 21 through 25: Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

What did Zechariah say to the angel when he saw him?

When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 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.".

What happened to John the Baptist's father?

[36] The narrative blamed the Jews for Zacharias’s death, as he supposedly allowed Mary to stand in a part of the temple reserved exclusively for virgins. [37] The Jews felt Mary’s presence violated the sanctity of the temple because, from their perspective, Mary’s maternity disproved her virginity. The Jews stoned Zacharias for allowing her to enter.

Who was Zechariah's father?

Then Zechariah’s father, the high priest Jehoiada, led an uprising to return King Joash to the throne.

What does the Protevangelium of James focus on?

[33] The Protevangelium of James focuses on the perpetual virginity of Mary and the immaculate conception of Mary, which freed her from original sin . Hennecke New Testament Apocrypha, 1:333, 345, 372–73, 401. [34] Hennecke New Testament Apocrypha, 373–74.

What is the most common personal name in the Bible?

Portrait by Tiffany Simmons. The most frequently occurring personal name in the Bible is Zechariah (also spelled Zachariah or in the New Testament as Zacharias ). At least thirty kings, princes, priests, prophets, servants, sons, trumpet players, and gatekeepers claim this name, which means “Jehovah remembers.”.

What is the significance of the apocryphal account of John?

The apocryphal account elevates John to take over Jesus’ role as king. Furthermore, Herod’s search for John stretched the story to include Zacharias’ martyrdom, which is not biblical. Third, the Protevangelium disregards the passage of time between the Lucan and Matthean accounts.

Where did Zechariah live?

The second Zechariah we consider lived in the sixth century BC and became categorized as the eleventh of the twelve minor prophets in the Hebrew Bible. Initially, he lived in Babylon among the captives and then left Babylon to assist Zerubbabel in rebuilding Jerusalem (see Zechariah 8:8; Ezra 5:1–2; 6:14).The book of Zechariah is named after him and begins with his genealogy, “the word of the Lord [came] unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet” (Zechariah 1:1). The book includes eight visions and multiple prophecies—including the famous foretelling of the promised Messiah: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass” (Zechariah 9:9). The New Testament quotes the book of Zechariah more than any of the other so-called minor prophets; in particular, the Gospel of Matthew quotes Zechariah three times, suggesting Matthew’s familiarity with “Zechariah, the son of Berechiah” (Zechariah 1:1). [7]

Why did the Jews stone Zacharias?

The Jews stoned Zacharias for allowing her to enter. Even a Muslim legend described what happened to Zacharias (spelled Zakariya ), the father of John the Baptist.

Where in the Bible does it say Zacharias was slew between the Temple and the altar?

In Matthew 23:35 Jesus said that Zacharias was slew between the Temple and the altar.#N#“When Herod’s edict went forth to destroy the young children, John was about six months older than Jesus, and came under this hellish edict, and Zacharias caused his mother to take him into the mountains, where he was raised on locusts and wild honey. When his father refused to disclose his hiding place, and being the officiating high priest at the Temple that year, was slain by Herod’s order, between the porch and the altar, as Jesus said.” (Teachings, p. 261. Compare Matthew 23:35.) The Bible Dictionary makes reference to 2cronicles 24:20-24,but this is another Zacharias not the father of John the Baptist. For which of Zacharias Christ was reffering for??? One lived 800 years B.C.

Why was Zachariah stoned in the Temple?

Zachariah was stoned in the courtyard of the Temple because he called the people to repentance. They had forsaken the Lord and served idols.

Who was the second king of Israel?

There was a second Zachariah the son of Jeroboam, who was the last king of Israel from the lineage of Jehu. Zachariah only ruled for six months and was slain by Shallum. Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was slain between the porch and the altar of the Temple as recorded in Matthew 23:35 for not disclosing his son’s hiding place as you ...

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