7. But they had no child, for Elizabeth was barren; and both were far advanced in years.
8. Now while on duty, serving as priest before God in the order of his division,
9. As was the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter [the sanctuary of] the temple of the Lord and burn incense. [Exod. 30:7.]
10. And all the throng of people were praying outside [in the court] at the hour of incense [burning].
11. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
12. And when Zachariah saw him, he was troubled, and fear took possession of him.
13. But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zachariah, because your petition was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you must call his name John [God is favorable].
14. And you shall have joy and exultant delight, and many will rejoice over his birth,
15. For he will be great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord. And he must drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit even in and from his mother's womb. [Num. 6:3.]
16. And he will turn back and cause to return many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God,
17. And he will [himself] go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn back the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient and incredulous and unpersuadable to the wisdom of the upright [which is the knowledge and holy love of the will of God]–in order to make ready for the Lord a people [perfectly] prepared [in spirit, adjusted and disposed and placed in the right moral state]. [Isa. 40:3; Mal. 4:5, 6.]
18. And Zachariah said to the angel, By what shall I know and be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.