Luke 1:67

KJV

¶ And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} his {G846} father {G3962} Zacharias {G2197} was filled {G4130} with the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151}, and {G2532} prophesied {G4395}, saying {G3004},

Complete Jewish Bible

His father Z'kharyah was filled with the Ruach HaKodesh and spoke this prophecy:

Berean Standard Bible

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

American Standard Version

And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 1:67 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of John the Baptist's birth, as Zacharias, his father, is miraculously filled with the Holy Spirit and immediately begins to prophesy. This divine empowerment, following nine months of divinely imposed muteness due to his initial disbelief, signifies his full spiritual restoration and serves as God's affirmation of the unfolding redemptive plan, articulated through Zacharias's inspired words concerning the Messiah and John's preparatory role.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic resolution of Zacharias's muteness. For nine months, Zacharias had been unable to speak, a consequence of his doubt regarding the angel Gabriel's prophecy about his son, John ([Luke 1:20](/luke/1-20 "Gabriel's Prophecy to Zacharias")). At the circumcision and naming ceremony, when pressured to name the child after himself, Zacharias's wife, Elizabeth, insisted on "John," a name confirmed by Zacharias in writing. The moment he wrote "John," his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God ([Luke 1:64](/luke/1-64 "Zacharias's Speech Restored")). Luke 1:67 then describes the immediate, supernatural consequence of this restoration: a filling of the Holy Spirit leading to prophecy, which unfolds in the subsequent verses as the "Benedictus" ([Luke 1:68-79](/luke/1-68-79 "The Benedictus: Zacharias's Prophecy")). This sequence highlights God's faithfulness, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the divine endorsement of John's unique role.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Luke 1 unfold within a Jewish context deeply steeped in messianic expectation. For centuries, prophetic voices had been silent in Israel, with Malachi being the last recognized prophet. The appearance of an angel, the miraculous birth of a child to elderly parents, and Zacharias's subsequent prophecy would have been understood as profound signs of God's renewed activity and the imminent fulfillment of ancient promises. The ceremony of naming a child on the eighth day, often after a family member, was a deeply ingrained cultural practice. Zacharias's defiance of this tradition by insisting on "John" (a name meaning "the Lord is gracious") was a public declaration of obedience to divine command and a recognition of the child's unique, God-given identity. The concept of being "filled with the Holy Spirit" was known from Old Testament accounts of prophets and leaders, indicating divine empowerment for specific tasks or revelation.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 1:67 contributes significantly to several key themes woven throughout Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Intervention and Fulfillment of Promise**. The miraculous birth of John and the restoration of Zacharias's speech are direct acts of God, demonstrating His active involvement in human history to bring about His redemptive plan, long foretold by prophets like Isaiah ([Isaiah 40:3](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah's Prophecy of a Forerunner")) and Malachi ([Malachi 3:1](/malachi/3-1 "Malachi's Prophecy of a Messenger")). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Empowering Role of the Holy Spirit**. Zacharias's filling with the Spirit is not merely an emotional experience but an enabling for divine utterance, foreshadowing the Spirit's role in empowering Jesus's ministry ([Luke 4:14](/luke/4-14 "Jesus Filled with the Spirit")) and later, the apostles ([Acts 2:4](/acts/2-4 "Pentecost: Apostles Filled with the Spirit")). Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Prophecy and Preparation**, as Zacharias's subsequent words will clearly articulate John's role as the forerunner to the Messiah, preparing the way for the Lord, a central message of Luke's introductory chapters ([Luke 1:76-77](/luke/1-76-77 "John's Prophetic Role")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **filled (Greek, _plḗthō'_):** From G4130, this verb signifies being "filled up," "completely filled," or "overwhelmed." It denotes a complete saturation or permeation, not merely a partial presence. In this context, it indicates a divine impartation of the Holy Spirit that fully imbues Zacharias, enabling him for a specific, supernatural purpose. This is a common term used in the New Testament to describe a powerful, often sudden, anointing of the Spirit for a particular task or utterance.
* **Holy Ghost (Greek, _hágios pneûma'_):** Comprising G40 (hágios, "sacred, holy, pure") and G4151 (pneûma, "spirit, breath, wind"), this phrase refers to the third person of the Trinity, the divine Spirit of God. The combination emphasizes the Spirit's divine nature and His role as the source of all holiness and divine inspiration. Zacharias was not merely speaking from his own thoughts or emotions, but under the direct, sanctifying influence and power of God's Spirit.
* **prophesied (Greek, _prophēteúō'_):** From G4395, this verb means "to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, or exercise the prophetic office." It indicates that Zacharias's utterance was not his own spontaneous praise, but a divinely inspired message, revealing God's will and future plans. This act positions Zacharias within the lineage of Old Testament prophets, signaling a new era of divine revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost":** This clause describes the supernatural event that empowered Zacharias. Following his nine-month period of muteness, which was a consequence of his initial disbelief, his speech is restored. Immediately upon this restoration, and likely as a direct result of his obedience and renewed faith, God sovereignly fills him with the Holy Spirit. This filling is not a general spiritual experience but a specific anointing for a divine purpose, indicating God's affirmation of Zacharias and the unfolding events.
* **"and prophesied, saying":** This clause states the direct outcome of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit's filling enabled Zacharias to speak not merely his own thoughts or praise, but words of divine revelation. The phrase "saying" introduces the content of his prophecy, known as the Benedictus, which follows in the subsequent verses ([Luke 1:68-79](/luke/1-68-79 "Zacharias's Prophecy")). This prophetic utterance confirms God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and outlines the redemptive roles of both the coming Messiah and Zacharias's son, John.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 1:67 employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Zacharias's experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesying anticipates the greater outpouring of the Spirit on Jesus and later on the apostles at Pentecost, marking the beginning of the New Covenant era. The **contrast** between Zacharias's previous muteness (a symbol of his doubt and unbelief) and his sudden, Spirit-filled speech (a symbol of faith, restoration, and divine empowerment) is stark and impactful. This transformation serves as a powerful **symbolism** for God's grace and ability to restore and use even those who have faltered. The entire scene also functions as a **theophany** or divine manifestation, where God's presence and power are tangibly demonstrated through the miraculous restoration of speech and the impartation of prophetic insight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 1:67 is a profound theological statement on God's active involvement in human history and the vital role of the Holy Spirit in His redemptive plan. Zacharias's filling with the Spirit and subsequent prophecy echo the Old Testament pattern of prophetic inspiration, signaling that God's voice, long silent, was once again speaking powerfully to His people. This event underscores the continuity of God's work from the Old Covenant to the New, demonstrating His faithfulness to His promises concerning the Messiah. It highlights that divine revelation, empowerment for ministry, and understanding of God's purposes are gifts of the Holy Spirit, preparing the way for the greater outpouring of the Spirit that would characterize the age of the church.

* [Numbers 11:25](/numbers/11-25 "The Spirit on the Elders")
* [Joel 2:28-29](/joel/2-28-29 "Prophecy of the Spirit's Outpouring")
* [Acts 2:4](/acts/2-4 "Pentecost: Filled with the Holy Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zacharias's experience in Luke 1:67 offers a powerful testament to God's transformative grace and His sovereign purposes. His journey from initial doubt, leading to a period of silence and reflection, to being filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesying, is deeply encouraging. It reminds us that God can redeem our failures and use our past weaknesses for His glory. This verse challenges us to consider our own openness to the Holy Spirit's leading and empowerment. Just as Zacharias was filled for a specific purpose—to declare God's unfolding plan—believers today are empowered by the Spirit for witness, service, and understanding God's truth. Our response to God's mighty works in our lives should, like Zacharias's, be one of praise, proclamation, and humble submission to His divine will. It invites us to trust in God's faithfulness, even when circumstances seem impossible, knowing that He is always at work to fulfill His promises.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Zacharias's journey from doubt to prophecy encourage you in your own walk of faith?**
* **In what ways do you believe the Holy Spirit empowers believers today for service and witness?**
* **What "prophecies" or truths about God's character and plan might the Spirit be calling you to declare in your own context?**
* **How can we cultivate a greater openness to being "filled with the Holy Spirit" in our daily lives?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Zacharias being "filled with the Holy Ghost" specifically at this moment?**

Answer: Zacharias being "filled with the Holy Ghost" at this precise moment is highly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it marks the culmination of his spiritual restoration after a period of divinely imposed muteness due to his initial unbelief in the angel Gabriel's message ([Luke 1:20](/luke/1-20 "Zacharias's Muteness")). His obedience in naming his son John, as commanded, immediately precedes the restoration of his speech ([Luke 1:64](/luke/1-64 "Zacharias's Speech Restored")). The filling of the Spirit is God's affirmation of his renewed faith and a powerful endorsement of the unfolding redemptive history. Secondly, it signifies divine empowerment for a specific purpose: prophecy. Zacharias is not merely praising God, but delivering a divinely inspired message, the Benedictus ([Luke 1:68-79](/luke/1-68-79 "The Benedictus")), which articulates God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and the roles of both John and the Messiah. This event serves as a bridge, connecting the Old Testament pattern of prophetic inspiration with the new era of the Spirit's work, foreshadowing the greater outpouring at Pentecost.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 1:67, with Zacharias being filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesying, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the new covenant inaugurated through Him. Zacharias's prophecy, the Benedictus ([Luke 1:68-79](/luke/1-68-79 "Zacharias's Prophecy")), directly points to the coming Messiah as the "horn of salvation" and the one who will "give knowledge of salvation to his people." The Holy Spirit, who empowered Zacharias for prophetic utterance, is the same Spirit who descended upon Jesus at His baptism ([Luke 3:22](/luke/3-22 "Jesus's Baptism and the Spirit")) and empowered His entire ministry ([Luke 4:14](/luke/4-14 "Jesus Filled with the Spirit")). Furthermore, Zacharias's experience foreshadows the greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit promised by Christ ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "The Promise of the Holy Spirit")) and fulfilled at Pentecost ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Pentecost: The Spirit Poured Out")). Through Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension, the Spirit is poured out on all believers, enabling them to live lives of witness and truth, just as Zacharias was enabled to speak God's truth. Thus, Zacharias's Spirit-filled prophecy is a testament to the sovereign plan of God, culminating in Christ, who is the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King, and through whom the Spirit is now freely given to empower His church for its mission.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joel 2:28

¶ And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

Luke 1:41

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

Luke 1:15

For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

2 Samuel 23:2

The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word [was] in my tongue.

2 Peter 1:21

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.

Numbers 11:25

And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that [was] upon him, and gave [it] unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, [that], when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.