Christ's Life Prior to His Ministry I: Sections 5 & 6

Annunciation--to announce

Section 5
ANNUNCIATION TO ZECHARIAH (Jerusalem ca. 6 B.C.)
Lk 1:5-25

Zechariah and Elizabeth are introduced as righteous people.  Zechariah is serving his turn in the temple, offering incense, when Gabriel, an angel of the Lord, appears. People are praying and waiting outside the temple. Gabriel tells him that his wife will bear a child who will come in the spirit of Elijah to turn people's hearts to God.  He will be "great before the Lord," and "must not drink wine or strong drink."  This child is to be set aside and will have the Holy Spirit from the womb.  Zechariah asks "how shall this be," which is interpreted as a lack of faith,  so Gabriel gives him a "sign," striking him mute until these things occur.  Elizabeth conceives and keeps it to herself for five months.  She feels God has taken away her shame.

"Luke frequently tells of the ministration of angels (Lk 1:26 2:9,13,21 12:8 15:10 16:22 22:43 24:4,23). They are also often mentioned in the Book of Acts (Ac 5:19 8:26 10:3,7,22 11:13 12:7,8,9 12:10,11,15,23 27:23). There had been no appearance of an angel for about four hundred years." -Fourfold Gospel

Section 6
ANNUNCIATION TO MARY
(Nazareth ca. 5 B.C.)
Lk 1:26-38

 "Luke alone tells us where Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. That Nazareth was an unimportant town is shown by the fact that it is mentioned nowhere in the Old Testament, nor in the Talmud, nor in Josephus, who mentions two hundred four towns and cities of Galilee. The way in which Luke introduces Galilee and Nazareth shows that he wrote to those unfamiliar with Palestine. Galilee comprised the lands of Zebulun, Naphtali, Issachar and Asher. It was rich in trees and pastures. Its people were hardy and warlike." -Fourfold Gospel

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.  Luke 1:31-33

(v 34) "And Mary unto the angel, How shall this be" Her question indicates surprise, not disbelief. Unlike Zacharias, she asked no sign. The youthful village maiden, amid her humble daily duties, shows a more ready faith in the far more startling message than the aged priest in the holy place of the temple in the atmosphere. -FG

Unlike Zacharias, Mary didn't question Gabriel's statement. She simply questioned the methodology. "I know not a man," said Mary. "I have no man to help me," said the lame man (see Joh_5:7). Could this be the same thing we so often say when we ask, "What man, what leader, what pastor, what author is going to help me?" But watch Gabriel's answer…It's not a man who will bring fruitfulness to our lives. It's the Holy Spirit. -Jon Courson

 Learn Mary’s secret. Feel that God is all; that, whether He makes you great, or leaves you unknown, it is the best for you, because it is His work. -Stopford A. Brooke, M. A., BI


The fourfold gospel takes time to flesh out the particulars of Christ's kingdom.  1. It shall not be received as a bribe from Satan, 2. Not by force 3. but as a gift of God.  Daniel alludes to this kingdom multiple times.