Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a priest named Zechariah. He was of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before God. They blamelessly obeyed all the commandments and ordinances of God (Greek: kurios: God). They had no child for Elizabeth was barren and they both were well advanced in years. read more.
He faithfully executed the priest's duties before God. The custom was to draw lots to see who served in the temple. It was his turn to enter into the temple of God and burn incense. The whole crowd of people prayed outside at the hour of incense. God's angel appeared to him when he was standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled. When he saw the angel he was filled with fear. Have no fear Zechariah, said the angel, for God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elisabeth will have a son and his name will be John. You will be filled with joy, and many will be happy at his birth. He will be great in the eyes of God. He will not drink wine or strong drink and he will be full of Holy Spirit from the time of his birth. Great numbers of the children of Israel will return to Jehovah their God because of him. (1 Samuel 7:3) He will go before God in the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and wrongdoers to the way of righteousness. This will make ready a people whose hearts have been directed to Jehovah (YHWH). (Malachi 3:1) Zechariah asked: How might I be certain of this for my wife and I are old? The angel answered: I am Gabriel, whose place is before God. I have been sent to give you this good news. You will be without voice or language till the day when these things happen. Your lack of faith in what I say has caused this. The people were waiting for Zechariah. They were surprised he was in the Temple for such a long time. When he came out he could not speak to them. They realized he saw a vision in the temple. Instead of talking he made signs to them. When the days of his priestly service ended he went home. His wife Elisabeth became pregnant. She remained in seclusion for five months. She said: This is the way God has dealt with me by taking away my reproach among men. (1 Samuel 1:11)

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a priest named Zechariah. He was of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before God. They blamelessly obeyed all the commandments and ordinances of God (Greek: kurios: God). They had no child for Elizabeth was barren and they both were well advanced in years. read more.
He faithfully executed the priest's duties before God. The custom was to draw lots to see who served in the temple. It was his turn to enter into the temple of God and burn incense. The whole crowd of people prayed outside at the hour of incense. God's angel appeared to him when he was standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled. When he saw the angel he was filled with fear. Have no fear Zechariah, said the angel, for God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elisabeth will have a son and his name will be John. You will be filled with joy, and many will be happy at his birth. He will be great in the eyes of God. He will not drink wine or strong drink and he will be full of Holy Spirit from the time of his birth. Great numbers of the children of Israel will return to Jehovah their God because of him. (1 Samuel 7:3) He will go before God in the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and wrongdoers to the way of righteousness. This will make ready a people whose hearts have been directed to Jehovah (YHWH). (Malachi 3:1) Zechariah asked: How might I be certain of this for my wife and I are old? The angel answered: I am Gabriel, whose place is before God. I have been sent to give you this good news. You will be without voice or language till the day when these things happen. Your lack of faith in what I say has caused this. The people were waiting for Zechariah. They were surprised he was in the Temple for such a long time. When he came out he could not speak to them. They realized he saw a vision in the temple. Instead of talking he made signs to them. When the days of his priestly service ended he went home. His wife Elisabeth became pregnant. She remained in seclusion for five months. She said: This is the way God has dealt with me by taking away my reproach among men. (1 Samuel 1:11) The next month God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth in Galilee to a virgin named Mary. Mary was engaged to Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said: Greetings highly favored one. God is with you. She was greatly troubled by this and wondered about the meaning of this salutation. The angel said to Mary: Do not fear for you have found favor with God. You will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son. You will call his name Jesus. He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. Jehovah God will give him the throne of his father David. (Isaiah 11:1-10) He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will not end. Mary asked the angel: How is this to be for I have had no intercourse with a man? The angel replied: Holy Spirit would come to you and the power of the Most High will envelope you. Because of this the newborn will be called the Son of God. Your relative Elisabeth has also conceived a son even in her old age. This so-called barren woman is in her sixth month. When God speaks, these things are possible. Mary said: Look, Jehovah's servant. Let it happen to me as you spoke. The angel departed from her. (1 Samuel 1:11) Mary traveled with haste to the city of Judah in the hill country. She entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elisabeth. When Elisabeth heard the greeting from Mary, the babe leaped in her womb. Elisabeth was filled with Holy Spirit. She shouted loudly: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me? When I heard your greeting the baby leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she that believes. That which God spoke will be fulfilled. Mary said: My life magnifies Jehovah my God. (1 Samuel 2:1) My heart and mind rejoice in God my Savior. He has looked on the low position of his servant. All generations from now on will call me blessed. He that is mighty has done great things to me. Holy is his name. His mercy is to all generations for all who respect him. He shows strength with his arm. He scatters the proud in the thoughts of their heart. He removes rulers from their thrones and exalts the humble. He fills the hungry with good things and sends the rich away empty handed. He has helped Israel his servant that he might remember mercy. He spoke to our fathers. To Abraham and his seed forever. Mary stayed with Elisabeth about three months, and returned to her house. Now it was time for Elisabeth to give birth. She gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that Jehovah magnified his mercy towards her; and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they circumcised the child. They planned to call him Zechariah, after the name of the father. His mother spoke up and said: He shall be called John.


Again, I say to you, that if two of you are in agreement on earth about anything for which they will make a request, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Verse ConceptsAgreement, Before GodAgreementAgreeing For GoodTwoPrayer, God's Promises ConcerningBelievingAnswered PromisesPrayer MeetingsAgreeingAttractionTwo PeopleOur Father In HeavenRelationship Of Father And SonPraying Together

The whole crowd of people prayed outside at the hour of incense. Verse ConceptsPrayer MeetingsWhen To Pray

When they heard they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said: Jehovah, you are God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all in them. Verse ConceptsAgreement, Before GodCreation, Origin OfGod's Ownership Of EverythingPraying LoudlyEarth, Creation OfNatureCreation Of The Physical HeavensSeaPrayer MeetingsPraying Together

After he thought about what happened he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnamed Mark. Many were gathered there to pray. Verse ConceptsAgreement, Before GodHousesPrayer, In The ChurchSleeplessnessPrayer MeetingsChurch GatheringsPraying TogetherPrayer During PersecutionIdentity

When the time came we left there and went on our journey. All the disciples, their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city. We knelt down on the beach and prayed, and said goodbye. Verse ConceptsBeachesKneelingPrayer, As Asking GodPrayer, In The ChurchPrayer, Practicalities OfPrayer MeetingsSeashoresAll PeopleI Pray For Yougoodbyes

The whole crowd of people prayed outside at the hour of incense. Verse ConceptsPrayer MeetingsWhen To Pray

He will take an incense burner full of burning coals from the altar in Jehovah's presence, and two handfuls of finely ground, sweet-smelling incense. He will bring them up to the canopy. He must place the incense on the fire in Jehovah's presence. The cloud of incense will cover the throne of mercy. This is over the words of God's promise, so that he will not die.

Moses said to Aaron: Take your incense burner, put burning coals from the altar and incense in it, and go quickly into the congregation to make peace with Jehovah for the people. Jehovah shows his anger! A plague has started. Aaron took his incense burner, as Moses told him. He ran into the middle of the assembly, because the plague had already begun among the people. He put incense on the incense burner to make peace with Jehovah for the people.

The whole crowd of people prayed outside at the hour of incense. Verse ConceptsPrayer MeetingsWhen To Pray

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a priest named Zechariah. He was of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before God. They blamelessly obeyed all the commandments and ordinances of God (Greek: kurios: God). They had no child for Elizabeth was barren and they both were well advanced in years. read more.
He faithfully executed the priest's duties before God. The custom was to draw lots to see who served in the temple. It was his turn to enter into the temple of God and burn incense. The whole crowd of people prayed outside at the hour of incense. God's angel appeared to him when he was standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled. When he saw the angel he was filled with fear. Have no fear Zechariah, said the angel, for God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elisabeth will have a son and his name will be John. You will be filled with joy, and many will be happy at his birth. He will be great in the eyes of God. He will not drink wine or strong drink and he will be full of Holy Spirit from the time of his birth. Great numbers of the children of Israel will return to Jehovah their God because of him. (1 Samuel 7:3) He will go before God in the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and wrongdoers to the way of righteousness. This will make ready a people whose hearts have been directed to Jehovah (YHWH). (Malachi 3:1) Zechariah asked: How might I be certain of this for my wife and I are old? The angel answered: I am Gabriel, whose place is before God. I have been sent to give you this good news. You will be without voice or language till the day when these things happen. Your lack of faith in what I say has caused this. The people were waiting for Zechariah. They were surprised he was in the Temple for such a long time. When he came out he could not speak to them. They realized he saw a vision in the temple. Instead of talking he made signs to them. When the days of his priestly service ended he went home. His wife Elisabeth became pregnant. She remained in seclusion for five months. She said: This is the way God has dealt with me by taking away my reproach among men. (1 Samuel 1:11) The next month God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth in Galilee to a virgin named Mary. Mary was engaged to Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said: Greetings highly favored one. God is with you. She was greatly troubled by this and wondered about the meaning of this salutation. The angel said to Mary: Do not fear for you have found favor with God. You will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son. You will call his name Jesus. He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. Jehovah God will give him the throne of his father David. (Isaiah 11:1-10) He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will not end. Mary asked the angel: How is this to be for I have had no intercourse with a man? The angel replied: Holy Spirit would come to you and the power of the Most High will envelope you. Because of this the newborn will be called the Son of God. Your relative Elisabeth has also conceived a son even in her old age. This so-called barren woman is in her sixth month. When God speaks, these things are possible. Mary said: Look, Jehovah's servant. Let it happen to me as you spoke. The angel departed from her. (1 Samuel 1:11) Mary traveled with haste to the city of Judah in the hill country. She entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elisabeth. When Elisabeth heard the greeting from Mary, the babe leaped in her womb. Elisabeth was filled with Holy Spirit. She shouted loudly: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me? When I heard your greeting the baby leaped in my womb for joy.


Again, I say to you, that if two of you are in agreement on earth about anything for which they will make a request, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Verse ConceptsAgreement, Before GodAgreementAgreeing For GoodTwoPrayer, God's Promises ConcerningBelievingAnswered PromisesPrayer MeetingsAgreeingAttractionTwo PeopleOur Father In HeavenRelationship Of Father And SonPraying Together

The whole crowd of people prayed outside at the hour of incense. Verse ConceptsPrayer MeetingsWhen To Pray

When they heard they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said: Jehovah, you are God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all in them. Verse ConceptsAgreement, Before GodCreation, Origin OfGod's Ownership Of EverythingPraying LoudlyEarth, Creation OfNatureCreation Of The Physical HeavensSeaPrayer MeetingsPraying Together

After he thought about what happened he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnamed Mark. Many were gathered there to pray. Verse ConceptsAgreement, Before GodHousesPrayer, In The ChurchSleeplessnessPrayer MeetingsChurch GatheringsPraying TogetherPrayer During PersecutionIdentity

When the time came we left there and went on our journey. All the disciples, their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city. We knelt down on the beach and prayed, and said goodbye. Verse ConceptsBeachesKneelingPrayer, As Asking GodPrayer, In The ChurchPrayer, Practicalities OfPrayer MeetingsSeashoresAll PeopleI Pray For Yougoodbyes


Again, I say to you, that if two of you are in agreement on earth about anything for which they will make a request, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Verse ConceptsAgreement, Before GodAgreementAgreeing For GoodTwoPrayer, God's Promises ConcerningBelievingAnswered PromisesPrayer MeetingsAgreeingAttractionTwo PeopleOur Father In HeavenRelationship Of Father And SonPraying Together

The whole crowd of people prayed outside at the hour of incense. Verse ConceptsPrayer MeetingsWhen To Pray

When they heard they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said: Jehovah, you are God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all in them. Verse ConceptsAgreement, Before GodCreation, Origin OfGod's Ownership Of EverythingPraying LoudlyEarth, Creation OfNatureCreation Of The Physical HeavensSeaPrayer MeetingsPraying Together

After he thought about what happened he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnamed Mark. Many were gathered there to pray. Verse ConceptsAgreement, Before GodHousesPrayer, In The ChurchSleeplessnessPrayer MeetingsChurch GatheringsPraying TogetherPrayer During PersecutionIdentity

When the time came we left there and went on our journey. All the disciples, their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city. We knelt down on the beach and prayed, and said goodbye. Verse ConceptsBeachesKneelingPrayer, As Asking GodPrayer, In The ChurchPrayer, Practicalities OfPrayer MeetingsSeashoresAll PeopleI Pray For Yougoodbyes


Again, I say to you, that if two of you are in agreement on earth about anything for which they will make a request, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Verse ConceptsAgreement, Before GodAgreementAgreeing For GoodTwoPrayer, God's Promises ConcerningBelievingAnswered PromisesPrayer MeetingsAgreeingAttractionTwo PeopleOur Father In HeavenRelationship Of Father And SonPraying Together

The whole crowd of people prayed outside at the hour of incense. Verse ConceptsPrayer MeetingsWhen To Pray

When they heard they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said: Jehovah, you are God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all in them. Verse ConceptsAgreement, Before GodCreation, Origin OfGod's Ownership Of EverythingPraying LoudlyEarth, Creation OfNatureCreation Of The Physical HeavensSeaPrayer MeetingsPraying Together

After he thought about what happened he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnamed Mark. Many were gathered there to pray. Verse ConceptsAgreement, Before GodHousesPrayer, In The ChurchSleeplessnessPrayer MeetingsChurch GatheringsPraying TogetherPrayer During PersecutionIdentity

When the time came we left there and went on our journey. All the disciples, their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city. We knelt down on the beach and prayed, and said goodbye. Verse ConceptsBeachesKneelingPrayer, As Asking GodPrayer, In The ChurchPrayer, Practicalities OfPrayer MeetingsSeashoresAll PeopleI Pray For Yougoodbyes

The whole crowd of people prayed outside at the hour of incense. Verse ConceptsPrayer MeetingsWhen To Pray

I will bring them to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar. My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. Verse ConceptsHouse Of GodProperty, HousesWorship, Results OfOutcastsGod's DwellingMillenial SacrificesAcceptance


Two men went to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. Verse ConceptsRich, TheJewish SectsTwo PeopleCharacteristics Of PhariseesPraying For OthersGoing To ChurchPrayingtaxespharisees


The whole crowd of people prayed outside at the hour of incense. Verse ConceptsPrayer MeetingsWhen To Pray

The people will enter Jehovah's presence at the time of the appointed festivals. Those entering through the north gate to worship must leave through the south gate. Those entering through the south gate must leave through the north gate. They must not leave through the same gate they entered. They must leave through the opposite gate. Verse ConceptsPilgrimageNot Turning AsideNorth GatesSouth GatesFestivals Observed

The Levitical priests arose and blessed the people. Their voice was heard and their prayer came to God's holy dwelling place, to heaven. Verse ConceptsAnswered PrayerBenedictionsHeaven, Glimpsed By Humans

Jehovah said to me: Stand in the court of the Temple and proclaim all I have commanded you to say to the people who come from the towns of Judah to worship there. Do not omit anything. Verse ConceptsCourtyardCommands, in OTScripture, Sufficiency OfSubtracting From God

Stand at the gate of Jehovah's house and proclaim there this word: 'Hear the word of Jehovah, all you of Judah who enter by these gates to worship Jehovah! Verse ConceptsHearingProphecy, Methods Of OtWorship, Acceptable AttitudesStanding In The Gateway

Hezekiah read the letters from the messengers. Then he went to Jehovah's Temple and shared them with Jehovah. He prayed: Jehovah of Hosts, God of Israel, you are enthroned above the angels. You alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You made heaven and earth.

Show 6 more verses
A great trumpet will sound. Those who were perishing in Assyria and those who were exiled in Egypt will come and worship Jehovah on the holy mountain in Jerusalem. Verse ConceptsMission, Of IsraelTrumpetWorship, Places OfOutcastsHow To Worship GodTrumpets At The End

The prince must enter from the outside through the entrance hall of the gateway. He must stand by the doorposts of the gateway. Then the priests must prepare the prince's burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He must worship at the entrance of the gateway and then leave. The gate must not be closed until evening. The common people must worship at the door of the gateway in the presence of Jehovah on the weekly days of worship and on New Moon Festivals.

Now they of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to request the favor of Jehovah. Therefore speak to the priests of the house of Jehovah of Hosts, and say to the prophets: Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these many years?

The inhabitants of one city will go to another, saying, 'Let us go speedily to entreat the favor of Jehovah, and to seek Jehovah of Hosts; I will go also. Yes, many peoples and strong nations will come to seek Jehovah of Hosts in Jerusalem, and to request the favor of Jehovah.

When he taught, he said: Is it not written, my house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? But you have made it a den of robbers. Verse ConceptsHouse Of GodUnity, God's Goal OfPeople In CavesStatus Of The TempleThe Gospel To The Nationsthieves

I went back to Jerusalem. Then I have a vision while I prayed in the temple. Verse ConceptsDisciples In The TempleWhere To Pray

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a priest named Zechariah. He was of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before God. They blamelessly obeyed all the commandments and ordinances of God (Greek: kurios: God). They had no child for Elizabeth was barren and they both were well advanced in years. read more.
He faithfully executed the priest's duties before God. The custom was to draw lots to see who served in the temple. It was his turn to enter into the temple of God and burn incense. The whole crowd of people prayed outside at the hour of incense. God's angel appeared to him when he was standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled. When he saw the angel he was filled with fear. Have no fear Zechariah, said the angel, for God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elisabeth will have a son and his name will be John. You will be filled with joy, and many will be happy at his birth. He will be great in the eyes of God. He will not drink wine or strong drink and he will be full of Holy Spirit from the time of his birth. Great numbers of the children of Israel will return to Jehovah their God because of him. (1 Samuel 7:3) He will go before God in the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and wrongdoers to the way of righteousness. This will make ready a people whose hearts have been directed to Jehovah (YHWH). (Malachi 3:1) Zechariah asked: How might I be certain of this for my wife and I are old? The angel answered: I am Gabriel, whose place is before God. I have been sent to give you this good news. You will be without voice or language till the day when these things happen. Your lack of faith in what I say has caused this. The people were waiting for Zechariah. They were surprised he was in the Temple for such a long time. When he came out he could not speak to them. They realized he saw a vision in the temple. Instead of talking he made signs to them. When the days of his priestly service ended he went home.

Now it was time for Elisabeth to give birth. She gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that Jehovah magnified his mercy towards her; and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they circumcised the child. They planned to call him Zechariah, after the name of the father. read more.
His mother spoke up and said: He shall be called John. They all said: None of your relatives are called by this name. They made signs to his father, what he would have him called. He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, His name is John. They were all amazed. Immediately his tongue loosed, his mouth opened and he spoke, blessing God.

Two men went to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. Verse ConceptsRich, TheJewish SectsTwo PeopleCharacteristics Of PhariseesPraying For OthersGoing To ChurchPrayingtaxespharisees

The whole crowd of people prayed outside at the hour of incense. Verse ConceptsPrayer MeetingsWhen To Pray


Again, I say to you, that if two of you are in agreement on earth about anything for which they will make a request, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Verse ConceptsAgreement, Before GodAgreementAgreeing For GoodTwoPrayer, God's Promises ConcerningBelievingAnswered PromisesPrayer MeetingsAgreeingAttractionTwo PeopleOur Father In HeavenRelationship Of Father And SonPraying Together

The whole crowd of people prayed outside at the hour of incense. Verse ConceptsPrayer MeetingsWhen To Pray

When they heard they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said: Jehovah, you are God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all in them. Verse ConceptsAgreement, Before GodCreation, Origin OfGod's Ownership Of EverythingPraying LoudlyEarth, Creation OfNatureCreation Of The Physical HeavensSeaPrayer MeetingsPraying Together

After he thought about what happened he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnamed Mark. Many were gathered there to pray. Verse ConceptsAgreement, Before GodHousesPrayer, In The ChurchSleeplessnessPrayer MeetingsChurch GatheringsPraying TogetherPrayer During PersecutionIdentity

When the time came we left there and went on our journey. All the disciples, their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city. We knelt down on the beach and prayed, and said goodbye. Verse ConceptsBeachesKneelingPrayer, As Asking GodPrayer, In The ChurchPrayer, Practicalities OfPrayer MeetingsSeashoresAll PeopleI Pray For Yougoodbyes

This was in the time when Annas and Caiaphas were chief priests. The word of God was delivered to John the son of Zechariah. He was in the wilderness. Verse ConceptsHigh Priest, In NtRankSin, Accepting Forgiveness OfLiving In The Wilderness

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a priest named Zechariah. He was of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before God. They blamelessly obeyed all the commandments and ordinances of God (Greek: kurios: God). They had no child for Elizabeth was barren and they both were well advanced in years. read more.
He faithfully executed the priest's duties before God. The custom was to draw lots to see who served in the temple. It was his turn to enter into the temple of God and burn incense. The whole crowd of people prayed outside at the hour of incense. God's angel appeared to him when he was standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled. When he saw the angel he was filled with fear. Have no fear Zechariah, said the angel, for God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elisabeth will have a son and his name will be John. You will be filled with joy, and many will be happy at his birth. He will be great in the eyes of God. He will not drink wine or strong drink and he will be full of Holy Spirit from the time of his birth. Great numbers of the children of Israel will return to Jehovah their God because of him. (1 Samuel 7:3) He will go before God in the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and wrongdoers to the way of righteousness. This will make ready a people whose hearts have been directed to Jehovah (YHWH). (Malachi 3:1) Zechariah asked: How might I be certain of this for my wife and I are old? The angel answered: I am Gabriel, whose place is before God. I have been sent to give you this good news. You will be without voice or language till the day when these things happen. Your lack of faith in what I say has caused this. The people were waiting for Zechariah. They were surprised he was in the Temple for such a long time. When he came out he could not speak to them. They realized he saw a vision in the temple. Instead of talking he made signs to them. When the days of his priestly service ended he went home. His wife Elisabeth became pregnant. She remained in seclusion for five months. She said: This is the way God has dealt with me by taking away my reproach among men. (1 Samuel 1:11) The next month God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth in Galilee to a virgin named Mary. Mary was engaged to Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said: Greetings highly favored one. God is with you. She was greatly troubled by this and wondered about the meaning of this salutation. The angel said to Mary: Do not fear for you have found favor with God. You will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son. You will call his name Jesus. He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. Jehovah God will give him the throne of his father David. (Isaiah 11:1-10) He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will not end. Mary asked the angel: How is this to be for I have had no intercourse with a man? The angel replied: Holy Spirit would come to you and the power of the Most High will envelope you. Because of this the newborn will be called the Son of God. Your relative Elisabeth has also conceived a son even in her old age. This so-called barren woman is in her sixth month. When God speaks, these things are possible. Mary said: Look, Jehovah's servant. Let it happen to me as you spoke. The angel departed from her. (1 Samuel 1:11) Mary traveled with haste to the city of Judah in the hill country. She entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elisabeth. When Elisabeth heard the greeting from Mary, the babe leaped in her womb. Elisabeth was filled with Holy Spirit. She shouted loudly: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me? When I heard your greeting the baby leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she that believes. That which God spoke will be fulfilled. Mary said: My life magnifies Jehovah my God. (1 Samuel 2:1) My heart and mind rejoice in God my Savior. He has looked on the low position of his servant. All generations from now on will call me blessed. He that is mighty has done great things to me. Holy is his name. His mercy is to all generations for all who respect him. He shows strength with his arm. He scatters the proud in the thoughts of their heart. He removes rulers from their thrones and exalts the humble. He fills the hungry with good things and sends the rich away empty handed. He has helped Israel his servant that he might remember mercy. He spoke to our fathers. To Abraham and his seed forever. Mary stayed with Elisabeth about three months, and returned to her house. Now it was time for Elisabeth to give birth. She gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that Jehovah magnified his mercy towards her; and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they circumcised the child. They planned to call him Zechariah, after the name of the father. His mother spoke up and said: He shall be called John. They all said: None of your relatives are called by this name. They made signs to his father, what he would have him called. He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, His name is John. They were all amazed. Immediately his tongue loosed, his mouth opened and he spoke, blessing God. Everyone nearby was in fear. These accounts spread abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea. All that heard them wondered in their heart, saying, What will this child be? For the hand of Jehovah was with him. His father Zechariah was filled with Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel. He has visited his people and brought them redemption. (Psalm 72:18) He raised up a horn of salvation (power of deliverance) for us in the house of his servant David He spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from ages past. He provided salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us. He shows mercy towards our fathers and remembers his holy covenant. It was the oath he spoke to Abraham our father. He gave us deliverance out of the hand of our enemies so we could serve him without fear. May we serve in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. Your child will be called the prophet of the Most High. You will go in advance of Jehovah God to make his ways ready. (Malachi 3:1) To give knowledge of salvation to his people in the remission of their sins. A rising of light will visit us from on high because of the tender mercy of our God. The light will shine on them who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. It will guide our feet into the way of peace. The child grew and became spiritually strong. He lived in the deserts till the time came to show himself to Israel.