John the Baptist's father, Zacharias, was part of the Jewish priesthood and his mother, Elizabeth, was related to Mary, the mother of Jesus, receiving a divine visitation foretelling their son's mission as a forerunner to the Messiah. [1] John the Baptist's education was carefully overseen by his fairly well educated priest father, Zacharias. [2] Zacharias and Elizabeth barely sustain their livelihood with their small farm, supplemented by Zacharias' temple allowance. [3]
Despite his initial skepticism, Zacharias eventually became fully convinced of the prospective motherhood of Elizabeth, believing in the destiny of their son. [4] Zacharias believed in Gabriel's visitation only after a dream, leading to the birth of John the Baptist. [5] Joseph conferred with Zacharias in Jerusalem about Jesus becoming the Jewish deliverer. [6]
Zacharias, Elizabeth, and Mary believed that Jesus would become the Messiah, prompting Joseph to remain in Bethlehem for Jesus to grow up as David's successor. [7] Zacharias prearranged with Simeon and Anna to identify Jesus in the procession of first-born children at the temple. [8] Zacharias sent wise men to Bethlehem to find the “light of life” as a babe named Jesus. [9]
Zacharias, warned by a believer in the coming Messiah, saved Joseph from Herod’s massacre by sending a messenger the night before Jesus and his family fled to Egypt. [10]
Zacharias died in July, A.D. 12, leading John to struggle with the Nazarite vow and ultimately seek purification in Jerusalem, before making plans for the future and eventually settling in the Engedi colony. [11]
See also: UB 123:3.4.