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

Luke 1:5-17

The Angel Announces John's Birth to Zechariah

June 24, 2028

Apparition of the Angel to Zacharias, Domenico Ghirlandaio
Apparition of the Angel 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.You will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur, because you did not believe my words.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... to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." (Luke 1:16-17)

While Zechariah serves in the Jerusalem temple, the angel Gabriel announces that his barren wife Elizabeth will bear a son who will go before the Lord in the spirit of Elijah. Zechariah's doubt is met with the promise of a child set apart from birth.

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Commentary

Luke 1 CommentaryLk 1 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Walks through Gabriel's announcement to Zechariah.

Luke 1 CommentaryLk 1 Commentary Precept Austin

Verse-by-verse resource collection on the chapter.

Luke 1:5 CommentariesLk 1:5 Commentaries BibleHub

Gathers classic commentary on Zechariah's priestly service.

Luke 1 (Barnes)Lk 1 (Barnes) StudyLight

Barnes on the angel's promise concerning John.

Luke 1 (Gill)Lk 1 (Gill) StudyLight

Gill's exposition offers a second close reading of the annunciation.

Background & Word Study

Luke 1:5 InterlinearLk 1:5 Interlinear BibleHub

Shows the Greek behind the angel's announcement.

Luke 1-9 OverviewLk 1-9 Overview BibleProject

Video overview covering the infancy narrative in Luke.

The Church Fathers

Luke 1Lk 1 Catena

Patristic comment gathered verse by verse on the annunciation.

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