Luke 1:5-13 Meaning: When Ordinary Faith Meets Extraordinary News
5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
7But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
8Now while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his division
9according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
11An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.
13But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
5There 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.
6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,
9According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13But the angel said unto 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.
5There was in the days of Herod, king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8Now it came to pass, while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,
9according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the hour of incense.
11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.
13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest, by name Zacharias, of the course of Abijah, and his wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elisabeth;
6and they were both righteous before God, going on in all the commands and righteousnesses of the Lord blameless,
7and they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and both were advanced in their days.
8And it came to pass, in his acting as priest, in the order of his course before God,
9according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot was to make perfume, having gone into the sanctuary of the Lord,
10and all the multitude of the people were praying without, at the hour of the perfume.
11And there appeared to him a messenger of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of the perfume,
12and Zacharias, having seen, was troubled, and fear fell on him;
13and the messenger said unto him, `Fear not, Zacharias, for thy supplication was heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear a son to thee, and thou shalt call his name John,
5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest, by name Zacharias, of the course of Abia, and his wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth.
6And they were both just before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
8And it came to pass, as he fulfilled his priestly service before God in the order of his course,
9it fell to him by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter into the temple of the Lord to burn incense.
10And all the multitude of the people were praying without at the hour of incense.
11And an angel of [the] Lord appeared to him, standing on the right of the altar of incense.
12And Zacharias was troubled, seeing [him], and fear fell upon him.
13But the angel said to him, Fear not, Zacharias, because thy supplication has been heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Meaning in one sentence
Luke 1:5-13 introduces Zechariah and Elizabeth, a faithful couple facing barrenness.
Context
Luke opens his Gospel with a quiet scene in the Jerusalem temple. It is the time of Herod the Great, and the Jewish people have not heard a direct word from God for four hundred years. A priest named Zechariah is serving his week of duty, chosen by lot for the honor of burning incense in the sanctuary. Outside, the people pray as the smoke rises. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth are both from priestly families, described as righteous and blameless. But they have no children, and they are both old. Into that long silence and waiting, an angel steps in. The message changes everything.
Key Words
Two Greek words carry the weight of this passage. First, dikaioi (righteous) in verse 6. Commentators note this means more than polished behavior. It describes people who live in right relationship with God, the kind of righteousness that runs deeper than keeping rules. Luke pairs it with amemptoi (blameless), a word that means no one can bring a charge against them. This is not perfectionism, it is a life lived openly before God, even in struggle.
Second, the angel tells Zechariah that his deēsis (prayer) has been heard. This Greek word means a specific request, an entreaty. It is not vague hoping. And the verb eisēkousthē is in the past tense: has been heard. That suggests the answer was already on its way before Zechariah saw the angel. God heard the prayer before the angel spoke. The timing reminds us that God's answer is often older than our awareness of it.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen Zechariah and Elizabeth as models of faithful waiting. Many Protestant commentators, like Calvin, emphasize that Luke begins with John the Baptist as the dawn before the Sun of Righteousness rises. Catholic and Orthodox traditions honor the couple as saints, pointing to their priestly lineage and devotion as preparation for God's work. The early church read this passage as the close of the old covenant era and the opening of the new. Both traditions find here a shared truth: God acts in history through ordinary people who trust him when hope seems gone.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume that Zechariah and Elizabeth were sinless because Luke says they were 'righteous before God' and 'walking blamelessly.' In fact, the Bible never teaches that any human is sinless except Christ. Luke uses these words to describe their wholehearted devotion, not their perfection. The same passage shows Zechariah struggling with fear and doubt when the angel appears. Righteousness in Scripture means a faithful life, not a flawless one.
Living This Out
You might be in a season where your longest prayer has gone unanswered. Maybe it is a child, a marriage, a job, or a healing. Zechariah and Elizabeth kept serving God anyway. Zechariah went to work at the temple, did his duty, burned the incense. Then God showed up in the middle of the ordinary routine. This week, try this: bring one specific prayer that feels hopeless back into conversation with God. Do not pretend you are not tired. Just offer it again, like incense rising. He hears it. He has not forgotten.
Main takeaway: God breaks long silences through ordinary people who keep faith alive in the waiting.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Zechariah and Elizabeth wanted a baby for a very long time, but they never stopped loving God. One day an angel came with amazing news. God always remembers the people who love Him.
For ages 9, 12
Have you ever prayed for something for years and felt like nobody heard you? Zechariah and Elizabeth knew that feeling. But they kept serving God faithfully. Then, when Zechariah was doing his regular job in the temple, God sent an angel with a promise. Sometimes God answers prayers in ways we least expect, often while we are just doing our ordinary tasks. Keep trusting, even when the answer is slow.
Questions People Ask
Why does Luke start his Gospel with John the Baptist instead of Jesus?
Luke wants to show that the story of Jesus is the climax of a long history of God's work. John the Baptist was the last prophet before Jesus, the one who would prepare people's hearts. By beginning with Zechariah and Elizabeth, Luke connects the New Testament to the Old Testament story of faithful people waiting for God's rescue.
What does it mean that Zechariah and Elizabeth were 'righteous before God'?
This is not about being perfect or sinless. The Greek word 'dikaios' describes people who live in right relationship with God. They trusted God, obeyed his commands, and tried to live faithfully. Their righteousness was a real devotion, not just outward show.
Was Zechariah's prayer in verse 13 for a child or for the deliverance of Israel?
The angel says 'your prayer has been heard' right before promising a son, so most Christians understand that Zechariah had been praying for a child. Some commentators also see a prayer for the redemption of Israel in the background. Both are possible, and the angel's answer covers both: John will bring joy to his parents and prepare the way for the Messiah.
Why did the angel appear in the temple and not somewhere else?
The temple was the place where God had promised to meet his people. Zechariah was serving as a priest, doing an ancient and holy duty. This setting shows that the new thing God is about to do grows directly out of the old covenant. Also, the people outside praying show that Zechariah's personal moment is connected to the whole community's hope.
What does John's name mean and why is it important?
John (in Hebrew, Yochanan) means 'the Lord is gracious.' The name is significant because John's birth is a gift of grace to a long-barren couple and to all of Israel. The angel gives the name directly, showing that God is in charge of this child's identity and mission.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study