There was in the days of Herod the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

But the angel said to him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

And Zacharias said to the angel, By what shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife far advanced in years.

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple.

And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,

Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zacharias, who perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say to you, It shall be required of this generation.