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Ordinary Time · Nativity of St John the Baptist: Vigil · Year A

Luke 1:5-17

The Angel Foretells the Birth of John

June 24, 2026

Angel Appearing to Zacharias, Domenico Ghirlandaio
Angel Appearing to Zacharias, Domenico Ghirlandaio, 1486–1490Tornabuoni Chapel, Santa Maria Novella, Florence
In the Tornabuoni chapel. The angel appears at the altar while a crowd of recognisable Florentine humanists stand about in the foreground, visibly uninterested.Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: the Benedictus is what Zechariah finally says once his voice comes back, and this is the moment it is taken away.Domenico GhirlandaioA Florentine fresco painter who ran one of the busiest workshops in the city and had the young Michelangelo as an apprentice. He put his patrons and their neighbours into sacred scenes, in the clothes they actually wore.Tornabuoni Chapel, Santa Maria Novella, FlorenceThe choir chapel of Florence's Dominican church, frescoed by Ghirlandaio for a banking family who put themselves in every scene.Tornabuoni Chapel, Santa Maria Novella, Florence
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 1:5-17Lk 1:5-17
Second Reading1 Pet. 1:8-121 Pt 1:8-12
First ReadingJer. 1:4-10Jer 1:4-10
Responsorial PsalmPs. 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab+17 (6b)Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab+17 (6b)

Overview & Insights

"He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God." (Luke 1:16)

The angel Gabriel appears to the priest Zechariah in the temple and announces that his aged wife Elizabeth will bear a son to be named John. The child will be filled with the Holy Spirit and go before the Lord in the spirit of Elijah.

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Take it further: Luke 1:5-17

Commentary

Luke 1: The Birth of John and Jesus ForetoldLk 1: The Birth of Jn and Jesus Foretold Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the whole chapter.

Luke 1 CommentaryLk 1 Commentary Precept Austin

A deep gathering of quotations, word studies, and cross references worked verse by verse.

Luke 1:5 CommentariesLk 1:5 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentaries on the announcement to Zechariah in one place.

Barnes' Notes on Luke 1Barnes' Notes on Lk 1 StudyLight

Albert Barnes' notes on the whole first chapter of Luke.

Luke 1 Scripture ReflectionsLk 1 Scripture Reflections Word on Fire · Bishop Barron

Catholic homiletic reflections gathered on the infancy narrative and the forerunner's birth.

Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, Cycle B, Sunday ConnectionNativity of Saint Jn the Baptist, Cycle B, Sunday Connection Loyola Press · Sunday Connection

Catholic background, reflection questions, and family prayer for the feast.

Background & Word Study

Gospel of Luke Overview (Luke 1-9)Gospel of Lk Overview (Lk 1-9) BibleProject

An animated overview of the opening movement of Luke's Gospel.

Luke 1:5 Greek InterlinearLk 1:5 Greek Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for the annunciation to Zechariah.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Luke 1Catena on Lk 1 Catena

Patristic and medieval comments compiled verse by verse for Luke 1.

Sermons & Reflections

Nativity of St. John the Baptist: Free ResourcesNativity of St. Jn the Baptist: Free Resources Young Catholics

A curated set of Catholic reflections, activities, and prayers for the feast.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

A curated image index for the readings of the day across the history of Christian art.

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