Zechariah | The Wolfe Notes

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the EasyEnglish Bible translation.

Notes on Zechariah

(from Luke 1:5-24 and 62-64)

Annotation Notes, Summary, N/W/L Statements, Key Verse, God's Character, Prayer, Action 

Frozen Forest by Walderbell at Pixabay

1. Annotation Notes

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, x a cross reference, ! a connection, and italics a referenced source.

1. ? What does the name Zechariah mean?
1. Yahweh remembers ("Zechariah" at Behind the Name)
2. *What a fitting name. Though Zechariah might have felt forgotten, through the birth of his son John, Zechariah knows he is indeed remembered by Yahweh.
2. ? Zechariah was "from the family of Abijah" (Luke 1:5) Who is that family? 
1.  x Aaron's descendants, the priests, were in the following groups...Zadok and Ahimelech helped David to put Aaron's descendants into groups...They told each group what their work would be to serve God...They used lots to decide the work of each group...When they threw the lots, they would choose a family from Eleazar's descendants, then a family from Ithamar's descendants, and so on. This is the list of the group leaders as they chose them, one by one...Jehoiarib, Jedaiah, Harim, Seorim, Malkijah, Mijamin, Hakkoz, Abijah... (excerpts from I Chronicles 24:1-18).
3. ! Just as Job was known for obeying God's commands, so were Zechariah and Elizabeth. 
1. x This is the report about Noah and his family. Noah was a good man. He was the only person at that time who lived in a completely right way. He stayed near to God in his life. Genesis 6:9 
2. x When Abram was 99 years old, the LORD appeared to him. The LORD said, 'I am God Almighty. In all your life, obey me and do nothing wrong. Genesis 17:1
3. x There was a man who lived in a place called Uz. His name was Job. He was a good and honest man. He was afraid to make God angry. He refused to do evil things. Job 1:1
4. They were not perfect, but they broke no explicit commandments. (NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible)
5. This detail is mentioned to challenge their reputation; many believed childlessness was a curse. (NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible)
4. ? Zechariah's job was to burn incense (Luke 1:9). What was the purpose of burning incense?
1. This was a special, once-in-a-lifetime assignment. (NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible and The Voice)
1. * An indication that God is already at work!
5. Luke 1:12 states that Zechariah was very surprised and afraid. The Voice reminds us that it was not normal for a priest to hear from God, that was the role of a prophet.
6. ! We know the command to not fear has many cross references. Here are a few:
1. x After this, the LORD spoke to Abram in a dream. God said, 'Do not be afraid Abram. I will keep you safe. I myself will give you many good gifts.' Genesis 15:1
2. x Then the LORD said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid. Continue to be brave! Take the whole army with you and go to attack Ai. This time, I will give the king and all his people to you. I will also give to you the city and its land. Joshua 8:1
3. x But the LORD said to him, "Do not worry. Do not be afraid. You will not die because of this.' Judges 6:23
4. x Then he said to me, 'Daniel, do not be afraid. God has listened to your prayers since the time that you first turned to him. You wanted to understand about God. You put yourself under his authority. So I have come to bring the answer to your prayers. Daniel 10:12
5. x He said to me, 'Do not be afraid. God loves you very much. Have peace in your mind. Now be strong and brave! When he said this, I felt stronger. I said, 'Sir, please speak to me now. You have made me strong again.' Daniel 10:19
7. ? In Luke 1:18, Zechariah doubts. It's not unreasonable to doubt, don't we see it in many other stories like this one?
1. x But Abram said, 'Almighty LORD, how can I be sure that this land will belong to me?' Genesis 15:8
2. x Abraham fell down so that his face touched the ground. He laughed and he said to himself, 'I am now 100 years old. That is too old to have a son. Sarah is 90 years old, so she could never give birth to a child. That is too old to have a child...So Sarah laughed to herself. She thought, 'I have become old and weak. My husband is old. I will never have a baby and be happy like that.' Genesis 17:17, 18:12
3. x Gideon replied, 'If you are pleased with me, please do something special. I want to know that you really are the LORD who is speaking to me...Gideon said to God, 'I want to know that you will do what you have promised to me. If you will really use me to rescue Israel, please show me that it is true. I will do this: I will put the wool of a sheep's skin out on the stone floor. During the night, please cause the dew to make it wet. If it is wet but the ground around it is dry, I will know that it is true. You will use me to rescue Israel, as you have promised. Judges 6:17, 36
4. x Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, 'What will show me that the LORD will make me well again? How will I know that I will go up to the LORD's temple on the third day from now?' II Kings 20:8
8. Luke 1:21 tells us the other priests were concerned about the length of time Zechariah remained in the "special room". The NIV offers that the priests were concerned he might be the recipient of divine punishment. 
9. * How frustrating it must have been for Zechariah to lose his speech so suddenly. Then, to have to go out and try to communicate with the priests after just performing this once-in-a-lifetime role. Oof! (Luke 1:22)
10. ? How long were the days of his ministration? How long from promise to fulfillment?
11. * Zechariah's restoration of speech is a symbol of his obedience. (Luke 1:64)

2. Summary

Luke first introduces Zechariah and Elizabeth, a couple who descended from the tribe of Aaron and led blameless lives. Yet, they lived in shame because they had no children. One day, when Zechariah was serving in the temple, he encountered Gabriel, an angel who stood before the Lord God. He told Zechariah that Elizabeth would become pregnant, and they should name their son John. But, Zechariah did not believe it. So, he became mute until John was born. When Zechariah emerged form the holiest place, everyone saw that he could not speak. His muteness continued until he confirmed, after his son's birth, that the baby's name would be John. With his newly restored voice, Zechariah praised God.

3. N/W/L Statements

1. I NOTICED that God's hand was clearly at work throughout Zechariah's story: from his lineage, to his righteous living, to being chosen for a special once-in-a-lifetime, randomly-chosen assignment, to the encounter with Gabriel - an angel who stands in the presence of God, to a miraculous pregnancy, to an in utero spirit-filled child, to a promise of prophecy fulfillment. And still Zechariah doubted. Which continues Luke's theme of doubt.
2. I WONDER why Gabriel struck him silent for his doubt when Jesus allowed Thomas to feel His wounds (John 20:27), He caught Peter when He started falling into the sea (Matthew 14:27-31), and He freed the man's son from demonic possession even though he doubted (Mark 9:17-27). Perhaps, it's a lesson that echoes "From whom much is given (righteousness), much is expected" (Luke 12:48). As it was of Job.
3. I think God wants us to LEARN that:
1. God wants us to trust in Him and not doubt. Though we may be punished for doubting, our lack of faith does not nullify His faithfulness. Afterall, God still performed a marvelous work through Zechariah and strengthened Zechariah's faith. (See Luke 1:67-80.)
2. Even good and just people have their doubts, but we're still expected to believe.
3. This was a test for Zechariah. What he showed God, was that he was willing to serve God, but still doubted Him. He likely grew by learning he should doubt less and trust more.

4. Key Verse

Because you didn't believe my message, you will not be able to talk - not another word - until you experience the fulfillment of my words. Luke 1:20 VOICE

This verse reminds me that there is a punishment for unbelief, but, as punishment should be, it is intended to help Zechariah grow. Zechariah was forced to be still and listen so he could clearly experience the fulfillment of God's promise to him.

5. God's Character

1. God has plans for us from before the beginning of the world.
• You see all things; You saw me growing, changing in my mother's womb; Every detail of my life was already written in Your book; You established the length of my life before I ever tasted the sweetness of it. Psalm 139:16 VOICE
• For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
2. God's plans will be accomplished.
• From the beginning, I say what will happen at the end. Long ago, I spoke about future things that have not yet happened. I say this: "My purpose will not change. I will do everything that I want to do." Isaiah 46:10 (See our Isaiah 46 notes.)
• God is able to make all things happen just like he decides. He chose us to be his own people, because we are united with Christ. In the beginning, God had already decided that this was his purpose. Ephesians 1:11
• But whatever the LORD decides to do will always happen. His thoughts will not change from one century to the next. Psalm 33:11
3. God is not to be doubted; what He says is true.
• But surely, nothing is too difficult for the LORD to do. At this time next year, I will return to you and Sarah will have a son.' Genesis 18:14
• Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not be sad or afraid. Believe in God, and also believe in me. John 14:1
• Yes! The Lord's message is true. We can always trust him to do what is right. Psalm 33:4
4. But, God is also merciful and corrects us so that we grow.
• God speaks to you as his children. Do not ever forget these words in the Bible that will make you strong: 'My son, when the Lord shows you what is right, do not easily forget it. Do not be upset when he punishes you. The Lord does that to everyone that he loves. He punishes everyone that he accepts as a son.' When you have troubles in your life, you must be patient and strong. Remember that God is teaching you what is right because you are his children. There has never been any son whose father did not punish him. Hebrews 12:5-7 (See also Proverbs 3:11-12)
• Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Revelation 3:19 NIV
• Now if a servant who is given clear instructions by his master doesn't follow those instructions but instead is complacent and apathetic, then he will be punished severely. But if a servant doesn't know what his master expects and behaves badly, then he will receive a lighter punishment. If you are given much, much will be required of you. If much is entrusted to you, much will be expected of you. Luke 12:47-48 VOICE

6. Pray

Father God, there are times I do doubt. I relate to Zechariah, even though what You ask me to believe is not too difficult. Help me in my unbelief, Lord. Remind me that You can move mountains, and teach me to live and pray like I believe it!

7. Act

When I doubt, 

1. I will recognize it as a time of testing. 
2. I will see it as an opportunity to SHOW God the truth about what I feel in complete sincerity and to trust Him to GROW me through it. 
3. I will remind myself that growth takes time, and strive to endure it with patience and gratitude.
4. I will choose to remain faithful, even when I don't get it.

Sample these related posts:

• To understand our 7-step rhythm for Bible study.
• To browse our notes on Luke, the author.
• For 2026 Bible study plan suggestions.
• To see faithfulness throughout the Proverbs 31 poem.
• To surrender your plan for His. 

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