Zacharias becomes mute (Luke 1:19-25)

Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord - for we walk by faith, not by sight - we are of good courage . . . (NASB) 2 Cor. 5:6-8

And James 4:2 tells us that we do not have because we do not ask. That means God has not planned everything in our lives. Our prayers can change things. Zacharias and Elizabeth might not have been the parents of John the Baptist if they had not asked for a child.

Faith is a big issue to God. Faith is required to become a Christian. We are told that we must believe in Jesus.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (NASB) John 3:16

Why is this true? We are not sure, but it might be traced back to Adam and Eve. Sin entered the world because Eve did not believe God. Is it possible that because they did not believe that God now requires us to believe? Whatever the answer might be, God wants His righteous ones to believe Him. Faith honors God.

Zacharias had a test of faith and he failed it. But it was a critical test since he was a righteous man (v.6) who should have believed God. Therefore, Gabriel responded with this,

The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." (NASB) Luke 1:19-20

When Gabriel answered, the Greek language tells us that Gabriel responded strongly and emphasized the fact that he was Gabriel and he represented God. I wonder how Zacharias felt after his response? Did he realize his mistake? Even if he did, he was too late. Gabriel was now going to give him a sign that the announcement was real. The sign was a simple one. Zacharias would not be able to speak until his son was born. That is a sign we know that Zacharias understood. That was a miracle.

Honor To God. Luke records very little about the conversation between Gabriel and Zacharias. This is normal in the gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John do not attempt to tell us everything that occurred or everything that was said. They give us the highlights. The next verse implies that Gabriel and Zacharias spent a long time together because the people were worried.

The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute. (NASB) Luke 1:21-22

But when he came out, they understood that he had had an encounter with God or an angel. Zacharias now knew what it was like not to be able to speak.

Zacharias did not go home immediately. He remained in Jerusalem in order to complete his priestly responsibilities.

When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home. After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, "This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men." (NASB) Luke 1:23-25

When his ministry was over, he went back home. Luke 1:39 tells us that Zacharias and Elizabeth lived in the hill country. Since they were of priestly descent, many believe that they came from Hebron (Josh. 21:13) or the surrounding region.

Sometime after he arrived at home, his wife became pregnant. It is interesting that she kept herself in seclusion for five months. At six months Zacharias would have had to return to Jerusalem in order to serve at the temple again. The one trip between Jerusalem and Hebron or the surrounding region was probably about one week.