John the Baptist's birth was a miraculous, God-ordained event that marked the arrival of the prophesied forerunner of the Messiah.
According to the Gospel account Les Feldick opens, John's parents were well past age, so his birth was extraordinary. At his naming, both Elizabeth and Zacharias insisted his name be John, and Zacharias's speech was immediately restored. He then praised God and was filled with the Holy Spirit, confirming God's hand on the child.
Luke 1:64 — Shows the miraculous restoration of Zacharias's speech after he confirmed the name John.
Luke 1:67 — Shows Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, indicating divine involvement in John's birth.
In Luke 1, when the child was to be named, Elizabeth said he should be called John, and Zacharias, still unable to speak, confirmed it in writing. Immediately his mouth was opened, and he praised God (Luke 1:64). Fear came on all their neighbors, and these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea. Those who heard them 'laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him' (Luke 1:66). His father Zacharias was then 'filled with the Holy Ghost' (Luke 1:67). The Gospel of John adds that 'There was a man sent from God, whose name was John' (John 1:6), sent to 'bear witness of the Light' (John 1:7). Jesus later said, 'Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist' (Matthew 11:11).
Les Feldick emphasizes the miraculous nature of John's birth. He notes that John came from parents 'really past age, much like Isaac did' (Clip 3). He also draws attention to the amazement at the naming: rather than using a family name, Elizabeth declared 'his name will be John,' and Zacharias, who had been stricken dumb, confirmed it in writing on a tablet. The people were amazed, and Les says 'this was a miracle in the works' (Clip 1). When Zacharias's speech returned and he praised God, Les points out that he was filled with the Holy Spirit, showing that God's hand was at work (Clip 2). Les also places John's birth in the prophetic program: John was 'a prophesied Old Testament prophet' (Clip 4), sent from God to bear witness of the Light (Clip 6), and Jesus declared him the greatest born of women (Clip 5).
Les Feldick says John's parents were 'really past age, much like Isaac did,' making his birth miraculous. This parallels the Old Testament pattern of God providing a child beyond natural expectation.
When Elizabeth named the child John, the family was amazed because it was not a family name. Zacharias, still unable to speak, asked for a writing tablet and wrote the name John. Les says everyone was amazed 'because this was a miracle in the works.' Immediately afterward, Zacharias's mouth was opened and he praised God.
Scripture records that fear came on all who lived around them, and these sayings were noised abroad throughout the hill country of Judea. Those who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, 'What manner of child shall this be?' and the hand of the Lord was with him. Les highlights that this was about John the Baptist, not Christ.
Les explains that John the Baptist was a prophesied Old Testament prophet. In John's Gospel, he was a man sent from God to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. John himself said he baptized with water unto repentance, but the one coming after him would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Jesus said, 'Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.' Les notes that Jesus was speaking to Jews, and he quotes this to show John's unique place.
Why Israel Failed to Evangelize the World — Isaiah to Acts
They should have known. Oh, I've told my classes a thousand times, I've told them once. Israel should have known who He was. The Old Testament was full of it. Israel could have known who He was if they had just studied the book, but Israel did not know. Now, you know, we're getting to the same place in America.
The Naming of John
Les explains that Zacharias, the priest father of John, was stricken dumb, and at the birth, Elizabeth chose the name John instead of a family name, and Zacharias confirmed it in writing.
The Miracle Confirmed
Les describes the miracle: Zacharias's mouth was opened, he praised God, fear spread, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Miraculous Birth
Les notes John's birth was miraculous because his parents were past age, much like Isaac's parents.
A Prophesied Prophet
Les says John the Baptist was a prophesied Old Testament prophet, connecting his birth to prior biblical prophecy.
Jesus' Assessment of John
Les quotes Jesus that no greater than John was born of women, though the least in the kingdom is greater.
Sent to Bear Witness
Les says John was a man sent from God to bear witness of the Light, showing the purpose of John's birth.
John's Own Testimony
Les quotes John the Baptist saying he baptizes with water, but the coming Christ will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, showing the distinct role John was born to fill.
Luke 1:64: And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
Records the immediate restoration of Zacharias's speech, affirming the divinely given name John.
Luke 1:66: And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Shows the response of the people, wondering what sort of child John would be.
Luke 1:67: And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Shows that Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit after John's birth.
John 1:6: There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
Introduces John as a man sent from God.
John 1:7: The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
Explains John's purpose — to bear witness of the Light.
Matthew 11:11: Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Jesus' declaration of John's greatness among those born of women.
Matthew 3:11: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
John's own testimony that his baptism was with water, but Christ's would be with the Holy Ghost and fire.
Yes. Les Feldick notes that John came from parents who were really past age, much like Isaac's parents, so his birth was extraordinary (Clip 3).
The Bible says that after Zacharias's speech was restored, fear came on all around them, and these sayings were noised abroad through Judea. People laid them up in their hearts and asked that question because they recognized God's hand on the child (Luke 1:66; Clip 2).
Les says John was a prophesied Old Testament prophet sent from God to bear witness of the Light, and that he baptized with water while the coming one would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Clips 4, 6, 7).
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Failed to Evangelize the World — Isaiah to Acts