In the days of Herod [the Great], king of Judea, there was a certain priest whose name was Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron [the first high priest of Israel], and her name was Elizabeth.

When Zacharias saw the angel, he was troubled and overcome with fear.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your petition [in prayer] was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.

And Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in age.”

The people [outside in the court] were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering about his long delay in the temple.

and she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

It happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child [as required by the Law], and they intended to name him Zacharias, after his father;

And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished.

Now Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him, and he prophesied, saying,

in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas [his son-in-law], the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.