A SCEPTICAL ATHEISTIC BIBLE STUDY OF THE
GOSPELS – THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
Only Luke’s Gospel sees these events as significant. John The Baptist’s birth only slightly precedes that of Jesus and proves to be mysterious (or hokum) in its own right.
In the age of Herod, Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, are hoping to have a child, but Elizabeth is barren, and the couple are getting elderly now. Their dream of a son or daughter is beginning to seem unrealistic.
Zechariah works in the temple preparing incense for the services. He is conducting this duty when the Archangel Gabriel pops by for a visit. He tells Zechariah that Elizabeth is going to get pregnant at last, and that her son will be a powerful prophet, preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah himself.
Zechariah finds the likelihood of this unrealistic, given his age and feeble-ness. That he is talking to a supernatural entity doesn’t seem to convince him. Gabriel cruelly strikes Zechariah dumb for harbouring any doubt, and tells him that he will remain so until his son is born.
Shortly after her pregnancy commences, Mary, mother of Jesus, is told of Elizabeth’s pregnancy by Gabriel (what a gossip). Mary goes to visit her friend, who’s infant son leaps with joy in her womb on sensing the presence of Jesus, still six months younger than himself. In effect, Jesus’ first miracle occurs even before he is born.
Mary returns to Joseph, and a few months later, Elizabeth gives birth to John. However, at his circumcision, the Rabbi is about to name the infant Zechariah after his father. Elizabeth insists the name must be John, as instructed by Gabriel. In consulting Zechariah, they are astonished when his dumbness is removed and he speaks once again. The miracle convinces them – John is special.
Zechariah doesn’t seem to shut up after this. He goes into a long eulogy prayer in honour of his son, the coming Messiah, God, etc.
John doesn’t do much for some time. He grows up, goes off into the wilderness and starts baptizing people, biding his time for Christ’s coming.
It’s not surprising that the other Gospel authors ignore this sub-plot – John has little to do other than announce Jesus is God and then get executed on the whims of a stripper. His importance is over-stated here.
© Copyright. Arthur Chappell
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