In the Spirit and Power of Elijah

In Luke 1:5–25, the promise of John the Baptist's birth and mission is announced in a 6-
fold chiastic structure.
I. Zechariah and Elizabeth are righteous and blameless but childless (vs. 5–7).
II. Zechariah serves in the sanctuary (vs. 8–9).
III. The people pray (v. 10).
IV. Zechariah responds to the angel's appearance by being
troubled and afraid (vs. 11–12).
V. The angel addresses Zechariah's fear (v. 13a).
VI. The angel announces John the Baptist's
birth and mission (vs. 13b–17)
IVʹ. Zechariah responds to the angel's message with doubt
(v. 18).
Vʹ. The angel addresses Zechariah's doubt
(vs. 19–20).
IIIʹ. The people wait and wonder (v. 21–22).
IIʹ. Zechariah leaves the sanctuary (vs. 22–23).
Iʹ. Zechariah and Elizabeth conceive a child (vs. 24–25).