But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 13. Thy prayer is heard. We cannot suppose, as Saint Augustine observes, (l. ii. QQ. Evang. c i, tom. 3, part 2, p. 249. Ed. Ben.) that he was praying to have children, when his wife was so advanced in years; that he did not think possible; but he was praying for the people, and for the coming of the Messias. See Saint John Chrysostom hom. ii. de incomprehensibili, tom. 1, p. 454. Nov. Ed. Ben. Witham.—Zachary so far despaired of having any offspring, that he did not believe the angel, when he made him the promise. When therefore the angel says, thy prayer is heard, we must understand it of the prayer he offered in behalf of the people, to whom salvation and remission of sins were to be brought by Christ. The angel, moreover, told him of the birth of his son, who was to be the precursor of Christ. Saint Augustine.—The son that is to be born of thee, will shew that thy prayer is heard, when he cries out, behold the Lamb of God. S. Chrysos.—It is always a mark of singular merit, whenever the Almighty either appoints or changes the name of a man. Ven. Bede.—The name of John is derived from the Hebrew word, Jochanan, which frequently occurs in the Old Testament, as 1 Chronicles 3:15 and 6:9. and 12:12. and so forth and signifies, blessed with grace or divine favour; see also in Isaiah 30:18, 19.