Zacharias

Zacharias is the Greek form of Zechariah. (1.) The father of John the Baptist, a priest of the division of Abijah who ministered in the Jerusalem temple (Luke 1:5–79). During his priestly service, the angel Gabriel appeared to him at the altar of incense and announced that his barren wife Elizabeth would bear a son who would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah. Zacharias doubted, and was struck mute until the child was born and named. His canticle at John's naming — the Benedictus (Luke 1:67–79) — is a major christological hymn of the nativity narratives. (2.) The son of Barachias, mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 23:35 and Luke 11:51 as the last of the prophets murdered in the temple, slain between the altar and the sanctuary — likely Zechariah son of Jehoiada of 2 Chronicles 24:20–21, though the name Barachias raises questions about the identification.