What does Luke 1:14 mean?
Before concepts like retirement and social security, a person's care in old age was mostly through children. This was especially important for women, who had fewer opportunities to earn income. Culturally, children were considered blessings and signs of productivity. During the New Testament era, unlike today, a childless marriage was an awkward and embarrassing situation. Zechariah and Elizabeth are righteous, God-fearing people saddened as they age without having conceived a child (Luke 1:5–7). An angel has just informed Zechariah that his prayers will be answered; his wife will bear a son (Luke 1:13).Given the reputation of this couple, and the sadness of their condition, this will certainly be cause for celebration. Elizabeth will make mention of this as she rejoices (Luke 1:25). Even further, the child will bring joy far beyond his immediate family and neighbors. This son will come to be known as John the Baptist. His ministry will set the stage for the earthly ministry of the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Luke 1:15–17; 3:2–3).
Luke 1:5–25 explains how Elizabeth, the childless wife of a priest, learns that she will give birth to a prophet. This child will eventually be known as John the Baptist. Her husband, Zechariah, learns this from an angel but doubts due to his advanced age. As a result, he is rendered temporarily mute, and likely deaf as well (Luke 1:62). As predicted, he and Elizabeth conceive and await the birth of their son. This occurs several months before Elizabeth's relative, Mary, receives even more amazing news from an angel.
The angel Gabriel predicts two miraculous births. The first is a son born to Zechariah and Elizabeth: an older, childless priest and his wife. Because Zechariah initially doubts this message, he is temporarily made unable to speak. Their child will be known as John the Baptist, a powerful herald of the Messiah. The Promised One whom John will proclaim is the second birth predicted by Gabriel. He tells an engaged virgin, Mary, that God will miraculously conceive His Son in her. The two women meet and rejoice over their blessings. John's arrival sets the stage for Luke's familiar account of the birth of Jesus Christ.
