All the villagers eagerly awaited the birth of this child. Elizabeth's advanced age suggested that her chances of becoming a mother were coming to an end. Zechariah's condition, having become mute for the nine months of the pregnancy, also astonished those who witnessed it. It is therefore understandable that the arrival of this child raised questions.
We know that Zechariah continued to carry out his duties in the temple, which suggests that he had not yet reached the retirement age of 50 (Numbers 4.3). His wife, probably younger, was considered barren by the standards of the time. By comparison, a Jewish man in the first century often already had a large family by the age of 25.
The choice of name does not follow tradition, but Zechariah obeys the instructions of the angel Gabriel. "John" means "God is gracious". This meaning is reflected in his miraculous birth, but also in his prophetic message in the wilderness announcing the Messiah as king.
The villagers, who have witnessed a birth considered unlikely, even impossible, conclude that this child will play an important role in the future. They do not fully understand what is happening; they are unaware that the birth of the Messiah is near. We note that they spread the news of this extraordinary birth, undoubtedly accompanied by personal comments and interpretations.
This birth must surely have reminded everyone of the story of Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, as recounted in Genesis 22.1-18.
John belongs to the priestly class, descended from Levi through both his mother and his father, who served in the temple. We are given one detail about his youth: ‘the hand of the Lord was with him’. He will live according to the Nazirite vow, like the great prophets of Jewish history, in keeping with the instructions of the angel Gabriel.