We knew from the outset that Fallout 76 was going to be the centerpiece of Bethesdas big show. Introduction from the NIV Study Bible | Go to Haggai Author. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth had never had any children and now they were too old. Zechariah's death is recorded in the Bible in 2 Chronicles 24:20-22, while Elizabeth's death is not specifically mentioned in Scripture. Ive covered this question in a lot more detail here. by Jeffrey Kranz | Dec 2, 2016 | Bible characters | 14 comments. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He was later married to Mary and Joseph. The Book of Zechariah introduces him as the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo. B.C. He was 74. An author or editor confused two famous Old Testament Zechariahs and accidentally gave the paternity of the minor prophet, "Zechariah, the son of Berechiah" (Zechariah 1:1), to the high priest "Zechariah son of Jehoiada" (2 Chronicles 24:20), who was "stoned . According to the Bible, Elizabeth was approximately six months pregnant with John the Baptist when Mary, who was also pregnant with Jesus, visited her. This is based on the idea Herod the Great died in 4 B.C., and Jesus must have been born around two years earlier, since Herod "killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under" (Matt. . Only chapters 1-8 contain the prophecies of Zechariah; chapters 9-14 must be attributed to at least two other, unknown authors. After Elizabeth completed her fifth month of pregnancy, her relative Mary was visited by the same angel, Gabriel. He was probably in his late fifties or early sixties. Many scholars believe Jesus was referring to the Zechariah mentioned in 2 Chronicles 24:20-21. When the events related in Luke began, their marriage was still childless, because Elizabeth was "barren", and they were both "well advanced in years" (Luke 1:57). This would put Elizabeths age somewhere between 50-60 years old. All who heard were astonished at Zechariahs sudden change from muteness to praising God (Luke 1:65). They both prayed to God for a son, and both dedicated their children to God. In reply, the angel identified himself as Gabriel, sent especially by God to make this announcement, and added that because of Zechariah's doubt he would be struck dumb and "not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed". Both of them were very patient with the Lord and thus, were able to give birth to a child who would be called the Baptizer. Her story is told in Luke 1:5-80. The apparent fact that Jeshua's life spanned the entire captivity-punishment of Israel adds an additional dimension to Zechariah 3.) [3] In the Bible he . Zechariah ben Jehoiada Possible allusion by Jesus, Tomb of the Prophets Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi, Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zechariah_(Hebrew_prophet)&oldid=1116483730, This page was last edited on 16 October 2022, at 20:24. Even though Zechariah was old when John was born, he rejoiced at this new life because he knew that it represented hope for all humanity. Those who refuse to accept and walk in harmony with the commands of God cannot prosper. The priests were descendants of Aaron, the first high priest of Israel. Historians and theologians agree that Jesus was approximately thirty-three years old at the time of His crucifixion. [2] The Book of Ezra names Zechariah as the son of Iddo, [3] but it is likely that Berechiah was Zechariah's father, and Iddo was his grandfather. But was Jesus referring to this particular Zechariah when He rebuked the hard-hearted Pharisees? But chapters 9 to 14 of the Book of Zechariah are an early example of apocalyptic literature. Some accounts suggest a couple others died of natural causes as well, but John's tradition is the most firmly established. The title of this book comes from its traditional writer, as is true of all the prophetical books of the Old Testament. Zechariah declared Gods message when the Spirit of God came upon him (24:20). Although the Bible does not give an exact date for Johns birth, we know that he was older than Jesus because he was already preaching and baptizing when Jesus began his ministry. It is also possible that Elizabeth had difficulty conceiving due to her advanced age. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John . Ravi Zacharias, a prominent evangelical Christian leader and author who died of cancer last May at age 74, led a double life of coerced sexual gratification from massage therapists, his organization, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM), said Thursday. His wife, Elizabeth, was seven months pregnant when the angel appeared to her. Zechariahs death is recorded in the Bible in 2 Chronicles 24:20-22, while Elizabeths death is not specifically mentioned in Scripture. As far as the culture of Jesus time goes, it was more important that Joseph be a blood descendant of David than Mary. Zechariah began his ministry 16 years after the return from Babylonian Captivity in 520/519 B.C. Real Questions. Both lived relatively long lives for their time periods. Luke fills his first chapter with callbacks and allusions to the miraculous of significant figures in Israels history. No, it should not happen, but it does. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your bedroom should be a serene place for you to feel rested and rejuvenated. The problem with Geisler's view, and those who follow it, is that there is no record in the Old Testament of a Zechariah son of Berechiah being murdered. - Hezekiah. Zechariah is thought to have been born around 520 BCE, and he died around 458 BCE. 2023 - Know How Community. . Mary remained about three months before she returned to her own house (Luke 1:2345;56). Bible Who was Zechariah in the Old Testament? Zekaryah), means Yahweh remembers, or Yahweh has remembered. This prophet was probably a Levite or a priest ( Neh. Luke 1:5-25. Both Zechariah and Mary sing praises to God, through Elizabeth's inspiration. When Zechariahs son was born, he experienced a miraculous healing. Omissions? It is the Zechariah in 2 Chronicles, and Jehoiada is his grandfather; Berekiah, his unnamed father. Most Bible scholars see Zechariahs predictions in chapters 7 to 14 as Messianic prophecies. Join our email list, and well send you some of our best free resourcesplus well tell you whenever we make something new. Moses: The Old Testaments Greatest Prophet. His prophecy took place in the 4th year of Darius. It should be noted that the Book of Revelation predicts the end of history and uses some images found in the book of Zechariah. Updated on May 06, 2019. The whole Gospel story is built on the Davidic lineage, and this includes both Mary and Josephs lineage is given to prove this. Therefore, God appointed Zechariah and Haggai to arouse the Jews to rebuild the temple. The Sad End of a Good King. Zechariah, who was the guardian of Mary in the Temple, would sometimes go to see Mary. This was a time of great embarrassment to John since the Nazarite vow forbade contact with the dead, even in one's own family. Why was Zechariah killed, and what circumstances led up to that tragedy? 12 But when Christ 2 had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he k sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time l until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. Once, he saw that Mary was busy eating fruits and . RZIM released an independent report by . Zechariah and Elizabeth were both quite old when they died. When Jesus began his ministry, John recognized him as the long-awaited Savior. Zechariah was an old man when John the Baptist was born. As time passed, John returned less often to Hebron, while he made more frequent visits to Engedi. TRUTH is published monthly by the Klang church of Christ in order to help educate, edify, encourage, and equip the saints of God. Lamech was 182 when Noah was born and according to the Bible's timeline, Adam was still alive for the first 56 years of Lamech's life. A priest is someone whose responsibilities included offering sacrifices and taking care of the Temple of the Lord, and blessing the Lord's name ( 1 Chr 23:13 ). Its possible that there was some mix, but I dont think we necessarily need to apply the DNA test to Jesus. In Luke's gospel, the doctor does describe them both as 'very old.' . Scholars thus refer to a "second" and "third" Zechariah: Deutero-Zechariah . What was the meaning and importance of the baptism of John the Baptist. In similar fashion, when the angel tells Zechariah that his wife will bear a son in her old age, Zechariah does not believe it. God worked a miracle in his life to provide a herald to announce the coming of the Messiah, another indication that the . Yahweh remembers) was a common one among the Israelites identifying at least 27 different individuals in the Old Testament, perhaps 30. . He died en route to Lithuania on March 4, 1484, and was buried with a copy of a Marian hymn he frequently recited. Although we dont know her exact age, we do know that she was considered to be old enough to be barren and have long since given up hope of ever having children. Verse 1. The birth of John the Baptist was the first step toward salvation. In the Old Testament, in Zechariah 12:10, the prophet prophesies: "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps . On Sunday, WFAA spoke with the mother of the victim who died. [3] In the Bible he is the father of John the Baptist, a priest of the sons of Aaron in the Gospel of Luke (1:6779), and the husband of Elizabeth who is a relative of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:36). Most of our stories of Jesus birth start with an angel speaking to either Mary or Joseph, right? When Zechariah saw John for the first time, he knew that this child was special. The Last King of Israel. 12:10). The Zechariah referenced is the father of John the Baptist. According to the Gospel of Luke, the child, named John, was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth. Filled with holy spirit he prophesied: "Young child, you will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will pioneer before Jehovah to make his ways . . The High Stakes of the Roundup Cancer Lawsuit: Why Billions of Dollars are on the Line, 5 Ways to Get Money for Investment Property, Vintage Portraits From Photos: A Timeless Expression Of Character, Top Vacation Home Marketing Strategies to Maximize Profit. The Gospel of Luke states that while Zechariah ministered at the altar of incense, an angel of the Lord appeared and announced to him that his wife would give birth to a son, whom he was to name John, and that this son would be the forerunner of the Lord (Luke 1:1217). Again, its possible that Mary also had some Davidic blood, but not necessary. Corrections? Was John the Baptist an Essene? Zechariah and Elizabeth. Evidently, at the time of Nehemiah (13 years after Ezra arrived) Joiakim was already an old man, so his son Eliashib was helping him as high priest (Neh. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. Answer. [10][11] Zias and Puech suggest the inscription may refer to another 'Zekariah' mentioned by Josephus and the Talmud who was martyred in the time of Vespasian. Work resumes on temple. It says she was a daughter of Aaron. Book of Zechariah, also spelled Zacharias, the 11th of 12 Old Testament books that bear the names of the Minor Prophets, collected in the Jewish canon in one book, The Twelve. The angel tells Zechariah that his wife will bear a son: one who will go before the Lord (Jesus). [6] However, some scholars still identify him with the later prophet Zechariah, rather than the priest Zechariah of the 9th century BCE, as the Gospel of Matthew records his name as "Zechariah son of Berechiah", and the prophet Zechariah is indeed listed as the son of Berechiah.[8]. What Happened to Zechariah When His Son was Born? This conversation would have taken place beforeMarys or Josephs visit from angels announcing the coming birth of Christ. (19) Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the LORD; and they testified against them, but they would not listen. Zechariah was the son of Berechiah and the grandson of Iddo. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Both lived relatively long lives for their time periods. The Zechariah in question is simply unknown. If you feel an answer is not 100% Bible based, then leave a comment, and we'll be sure to review it. But the angel who visits him does mention that he had prayed to have a son (Lk 1:13). 24 Joash was seven years old when he began his forty-year reign in Jerusalem. Do the five loaves and two fish have any significance in the Bible? Zacharias was of a priestly family and that involved spiritual duties. Zechariah and Elizabeth were a couple of obedient people. But none of these things mattered to him as much as the birth of his son, John. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! The age of John the Baptist is also mentioned in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Where did Elizabeth and Zechariah live? Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (Luke 1:68-69). Gods does not exhibit wrath arbitrarily. He had been unable to speak since the day of his sons birth, but when he was finally able to talk again, he praised God for His goodness. 8. [2] The Book of Ezra names Zechariah as the son of Iddo,[3] but it is likely that Berechiah was Zechariah's father, and Iddo was his grandfather. Zechariah was 84 years old when he passed away, and Elizabeth was 63 years old. Eventually, Jehodia had died at a very old age of 130. Zechariahs commitment to Gods will was costly for him it cost him his life! His prophecy took place in the 4th year of Darius. His name means "Yahweh has remembered," which might also be a good summary of the prophetic work that bears his name. 2 And Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the d His birth was a miracle because his parents were very old and Zechariah's wife was barren. She called out with a loud voice, and said . The Catholic Church commemorates him as a saint, along with Elizabeth, on September 23rd as it is believed that his temple duty before John the Baptist's conception took place on the Day of Atonement. The child grew up and "waxed strong in spirit", but remained in the deserts of Juda until he assumed the ministry that was to earn him the name "John the Baptist" (Luke 1:80; 3:23; Matthew 3:1). What about His motive for doing such? His mother's name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. Which slanderers? Zechariah was a priest in the Jerusalem temple. It means that they followed the commands thoroughly: especially the commands that involvedcleansing themselves of sin (making sacrifices). The angel told her that she was the father of a baby boy. and he died in 440 B.C. Zechariah and Elizabeth were both quite old when they died. Because Zechariah was from the tribe of Levi. One year his name was chosen to enter the Holy of Holies, to minister at the altar of incense, and to make morning and evening intercession for the people. Zechariah as depicted by James Tissot. In Flanders Fields Poet John Crossword Clue, Select a picture and receive a message from the Guardian Angel, Wwe Backlash 2006 John Cena Vs Triple H Vs Edge, 7 Residential Solar Maintenance Errors and How to Avoid Them, 4 Errors with Kitchen Renovations and How to Avoid Them, An Informative Guide to Livestock Transportation, A Tool That You Need If You are Into Live Stream. Scripture infers that they died when he was a young man and John then lived in the desert of Judea. What are the Gnostic Gospels? So when she suddenly became pregnant in her old age, it was truly a miracle from God. Elizabeth confirmed that all he had said about their child was true (Luke 1:66-67). Lesson Guide - Zechariah. Early Christians, of course, recognized the great war (in which the Temple was destroyed) as sort of a necessary tribulation ending the prior age and preceding the age of God's rule; thus, Jesus' message in today's verse described all of mankind's history from beginning (Abel) to end . Luke 1:24, 25, 39-45, NW. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. Luke 1:36 NASB and the king James says cousin. Your email address will not be published. Thanks. Certainly, these prophecies help shed light on Jesus suffering, death and resurrection. The Scriptures describe Elizabeth as a woman who is "righteous in the eyes of God, careful to obey all of the Lord's commands and regulations" (Luke 1:6). [4] His prophetical career probably began in the second year of Darius the Great, king of the Achaemenid Empire (520 BCE). How to Connect Bluetooth Speakers to Xbox One, Dolls from the Jungle A journey into the world of, Marinate Chicken for Two Days and Youll Have the Perfectly, The Best Coffee Maker: What It Is, How It Works, And What To, What Furniture Stores Use Progressive Leasing. Although John had endeavored to comply with the restrictions of his vow regarding contamination by the dead, he doubted that he had been wholly obedient to the requirements of the Nazarite order; therefore, after his father's burial he went to Jerusalem, where, in the Nazarite corner of the women's court, he offered the sacrifices required for his cleansing. It is believed that Elizabeth was already seven months pregnant when she was told of her babys birth. [7] Jesus' words are interpreted as: from the first victim of a murder (Abel), to the last martyr (Zechariah), by which Zechariah ben Jehoiada was more likely meant, as representing the last of the martyrs recorded in the Masoretic Text. The prophet Zechariah is just one of over thirty men named Zechariah in the Old Testament. Book of Zechariah. Zechariah (also called Zacharias or Zachariah) was a priest from the tribe of Levi who served the Lord during the reign of Herod in Judea. Slowly read this historical fact again: Because you have forsaken the LORD, he also has forsaken you (24:20). The prophet was contemporary with the prophet Haggai (Zech. He was so entirely different from the majority of the Nazarites that he found it very difficult fully to fraternize with the brotherhood. Here is what the Bible tells us in 2 Chronicles 24:17-22: . Some say that he was an old man, while others believe he was younger. Tools. Why was Zechariah killed, and what circumstances led up to that tragedy? As far as the authors of the gospels were concerned, Marys bloodline doesnt seem to be as important as Josephs. The bible mentions that both mothers were barren. According to the Bible, Zechariah was an old man when John the Baptist was born. David, did you read the post I linked to earlier in this thread? How Old was Zechariah When John the Baptist was Born, DISCOVER JESUS The Birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57-80) ESV, How Old was Elizabeth When John the Baptist was Born, How Old was Elizabeth in the Bible When She Gave Birth, How Old was John the Baptist When Jesus was Born, How Old was Zechariah And Elizabeth When They Died. 17-year-old Zechariah Trevino, spoke with WFAA on Sunday to share more about her son. . Luke 1:5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. John and Elizabeth returned to their home and began to lay plans for the future. The same thing happened in Israel after Joshua died (Judges 2:7,10), and it was not Joshuas fault. John had just about made up his mind to launch out in his lifework, but he was admonished, not only by Jesus' words but also by his example, to return home, take care of his mother, and await the "coming of the Father's hour." Updated on September 15, 2020. Thursday . As the oldest woman in the Bible, Zechariah was about 30 years old when Jesus was born. Why are they not part of the Bible. . You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. While still a virgin, Gabriel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. Ravi Zacharias, who spent his life defending Christianity through books and lectures, has died. Some people believe that John may have been as old as 30 when Jesus was born, but most scholars believe he was closer to 20. It doesnt tell us how, but one of Marys grandparents must have married someone from the tribe of Levi. Joiakim's son was Eliashib (Neh. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. As soon as Zechariah had written on a writing table: "His name is John", he regained the power of speech, and blessed "the Lord God of Israel" with a prophecy known as the Benedictus or "Song of Zechariah" (Luke 1:5779). 444 BC . Going back to Joshua, what did Jehovah tell him about prosperity and success? When Gods faithful preachers proclaim his truth today, do not be surprised if some hearers, including weak members of the Lords church, turn against the messenger of truth. In our lifetime on earth, we make our best effort to teach the truth, live the truth, and defend the truth. Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, and entered into the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. The evangelist states that both the parents were righteous before God, since they were "blameless" in observing the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 458 BC - Second group returns with Ezra. 12:10-14). Before Jesus died, he entrusted his mother Mary to the beloved disciple (John 19:26-27), who is most widely believed to be John.. Zechariah[a][1] was a person in the Hebrew Bible traditionally considered the author of the Book of Zechariah, the eleventh of the Twelve Minor Prophets. The book of Luke records that Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, were righteous, God-honoring people who had no children and were well past childbearing years (Luke 1:6-7). 1:1; Haggai 1:1). This would likely mean that Zechariah was at least 60 years old when John was born. The scribes of the Old Testament and the Jewish Mishnah are needed to calculate the birthdate of Jesus. May we never become so self-centered, so cold, and so proud that we fail to express and manifest sincere gratitude for those who have helped us along the path of life. This amazing story reminds us that God can do anything, even use an elderly woman to give birth! Here are five relaxing scents you can use in your bedroom. (21) So they conspired against him, and at the commandment of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the LORD. 3:1). Both Elizabeth and Zechariah were barren. Nevertheless, she joyfully welcomed Mary into her home and praised God for His goodness in sending His Son. where he discharged the duties of the priesthood, and where he died and was buried by the side of . Zechariahs prophecies were focused on the coming Messiah and the restoration of Israel. St. John the Baptist, (born 1st decade bce, Judaea, Palestine, near Jerusalemdied 28-36 ce; feast day June 24), Jewish prophet of priestly origin who preached the imminence of God's Final Judgment and baptized those who repented in self-preparation for it; he is revered in the Christian church as the forerunner of Jesus Christ. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. In order to find out when Saint John the Baptist was born, we need to know that Zechariah was at least ninety years old. How old is Helmut Zacharias? 1. The Book of Zechariah introduces him as the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo. John grew up to be a great prophet who preached about Jesus Christ the Savior of the world! 2 min read. The name Barachias or Barachiah is not in the Old Testament" (2000, p. 30). Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy when Mary, the mother of Jesus, came to visit her. May 19, 2020, 10:49 AM PDT. Family of the 17-year-old victim said he died in the shooting while trying to protect his 16-year-old cousin. Zechariah's wife, Elizabeth, was also a descendant of Aaron, and the Bible says they were godly, devout people ( Luke 1:5-6 ). Tamil - Annex Room (Building B), 11, Jalan Teluk Pulai,41100 Klang,Selangor, Malaysia, 8.00pm - English Bible Class (Main Auditorium, Building A). The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates the feast day of Zechariah on September 5, together with Elizabeth, who is considered a matriarch. English - Main Auditorium (Building A) Then the LORD struck the king, so that he was a leper until the day of his death; so he dwelt in an isolated house. Who Was Herod? In contrast, a woman who is seventy years old and is pregnant can give birth to a healthy baby. The Church of San Zaccaria in Venice, Italy claims to house the relics of Zechariah, entombed alongside those of Saint Athanasius of Alexandria. Updates? So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.'" After a period of desert solitude, John the Baptist emerged . What a beautiful demonstration of His power and grace. So, based on these two pieces of evidence, it seems safe to say that Zechariah was probably between 60-80 years old when John the Baptist entered the world. It was sin sin of which the people refused to repent, that brought on the wrath of God. After announcing in 2 Kings 4:21 that he became king, a brief summary of Azariah's life and reign appears in 2 Kings 15:1-7. That is just what Zechariah told the people: Thus says God: Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD, so that you cannot prosper? (24:20). Zechariah was one of the minor prophets of the Old testament. God wants all to be saved. John was the son of Prophet Zechariah , one of the prophets of the Children of Israel ( ). Only once in a priest's lifetime was this awesome responsibility assigned. As John the Baptist's father, Zechariah played a key role in God's plan of salvation because of his righteousness and obedience. Did John the Baptist's father die a martyr? Even though John was younger than Jesus, he played a very important role in preparing the way for him. Indeed, 2 Chronicles 24:20 does mention "Zechariah the son of Jehoiada" who was stoned "in the court of the house of the Lord" (24:21). When the Bible begins their story, they are both old and childless . Zedekiah was twenty one years old when he ascended the shaky throne of Judah, in the year 3327. What Happened to Zechariah the Father of John the Baptist. 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.". Helmut Zacharias would have been 82 years old at the time of death or 95 years old today. Jack Zavada. The prophet was contemporary with the prophet Haggai (Zech. The Lord forsakes those who forsake Him. 723. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Theresa, I dig into this question on my list of facts about Mary. He joyfully proclaimed, Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29). Zechariah is also believed by some Muslims to have been a martyr. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. By. It was a sad thing in those days to have no children. After experiencing symptoms of tuberculosis, Casimir foresaw his death and prepared for it by deepening his devotion to God. (20) Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, Thus says God: Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD, so that you cannot prosper? Once Jehoida had passed Joash began to do evil. Afterward, the boy was named John the Baptist, which is the name of the baby. Citing their advanced age, Zechariah asked with disbelief for a sign whereby he would know the truth of this prophecy. But he preferred to remain single, focusing his life on the service of God and the good of his people. The baby Jesus was a boy. We create research-based articles and handy infographics to help people understand the Bible. Joseph was a kind man who did not intend to denounce Mary in public but was considering divorcing her in private until the angel appeared to him in a dream and informed him that Mary was still chaste but was pregnant of the Holy Ghost with the son of God! Before Jesus came and died on the cross, people worshipped in a building called a temple. Zechariah asks how he can be sure that such an outlandish promise will come to pass. After that, John continued to follow Jesus and proclaim his good news until the day he was arrested by Herod. Despite the rebellion of His people, God kept on sending prophets to testify against them. Mary then traveled to visit her relative Elizabeth, having been told by the angel that Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy. Although it was referred to as such in the 1st century, Absalom had lived centuries earlier.[12]. They supported themselves by sheep raising and from gifts which wealthy Jews made to the order.