* For many years Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, prayed earnestly to have a child, but did not have one. Then when they were very old, God answered their prayers and gave them a son.
* Zechariah prophesied that his son John would be the prophet who would announce and prepare the way for the Messiah.
__*[22:01](rc://en/tn/help/obs/22/01)__ Suddenly an angel came with a message from God to an old priest named __Zechariah__. __Zechariah__ and his wife, Elizabeth, were godly people, but she had not been able to have any children.
__*[22:02](rc://en/tn/help/obs/22/02)__ The angel said to __Zechariah__, "Your wife will have a son. You will name him John."
__*[22:03](rc://en/tn/help/obs/22/03)__ Immediately, __Zechariah__ was unable to speak.
__*[22:07](rc://en/tn/help/obs/22/07)__ Then God allowed __Zechariah__ to speak again.