Luke 1:76Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But as kings have their companions in arms, who stand nearest to them, so John, who was the friend of the Bridegroom, went before Him nigh unto His coming. And this is what follows, For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways. For some prophets have preached the mystery of Christ at a distance, but he preached it nearer the time, that he might both see Christ, and declare Him to others.

It may seem unusual for Zacharias to address a child in this manner, as it is typically inappropriate to speak to an infant who has yet to grasp understanding. However, one could argue that this child had a remarkable origin, as it was said to have been active and prophetic in the womb at the arrival of Mary, and it is not implausible that he comprehended his father's words even postnatally. “Thou shalt come,” Zacharias proclaims, “before the face of the Lord,” aware that he would soon be separated from John, who was destined to retreat into the wilderness. Why will he 'forsake'? In order to 'prepare His ways.' These ways refer to the souls that the Lord approaches. Thus, the forerunner was tasked with preparing hearts for the Lord to inhabit.

Take note, I implore you, that indeed Christ is the Most High, of whom John was the forerunner, both in terms of his birth and his ministry. What more can be said to those who belittle His Divinity? How can they overlook the fact that when Zacharias proclaimed, "And thou shalt be called a prophet of the Most High," he was referring to God, the same God of all the other prophets?

And you, O child, will be known as a prophet of the Highest. You will go before the Lord to prepare His paths. The Spirit was present in both the child and the elder. ‘And you shall go before His face,’ not merely as the prophets who served solely as announcers of His splendor.

In prophesying of the Lord he rightly addresses the prophet, shewing that prophecy also is a gift of the Lord, in order that he might not, while enumerating public benefits, seem to be so ungrateful as to be silent of his own. Hence it is said, And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest.

He then begins to foretell the future of his own son, John, stating: "And you, O child, will be called a prophet of the Most High." Indeed, many recognized him as a prophet. For you shall go before the Lord to prepare His paths. Here, he refers to Christ as Lord, whose forerunner and messenger, John, prepared the way while he was in the wilderness among the Jews. The specific nature of His paths is elucidated in the third chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, where it is written: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’"

The reason I suppose that Zacharias hastened to speak to his son, was because he knew that John was shortly about to be a sojourner in the wilderness, and that he himself should see him no more.

But all they who by preaching cleanse the hearts of their hearers from the filth of their sins, prepare a way for the coming of wisdom into the heart.

Unless indeed Zacharias be supposed to have wished as soon as he was able to speak, to proclaim for their instruction who were present, the future gifts of his son, which he had long before learnt from the Angel. Let the Arians however hear that our Lord Christ, whom John went before prophesying of Him, Zacharias calls “the Most High,” as it is said in the Psalms, A man was born in her, and the most highest has established her. (Ps. 87:5.)

Zechariah's attention now shifts to his son. What is this message being directed at the infant? Could it not be considered a prophetic declaration? Prophets often spoke to inanimate objects, and indeed, the words of Zechariah resonate with prophetic fervor. His newborn son was exceptional. While still in his mother's womb, he perceived Mary's greeting; undoubtedly, he now hears the prophetic words of his father, which create a profound impact on his spirit and being. Blessed Theophylact comments on this phenomenon: "It is remarkable that Zacharias addresses the infant, and isn’t it equally remarkable that the child, while in his mother's womb, foretold the arrival of the Messiah?" What words are spoken to this child?

The prophecy is conveyed to his own young John. Here, the Lord is referred to as Christ, and John’s role in preparing the paths for Christ signifies that he led people to recognize Him and to believe in Him. Through this belief, the Lord comes to reside and move within the hearts of individuals.

As Zechariah gazes upon his newborn son, he articulates his role as a prophet of the Most High, acting as the precursor for the Lord, also known as the Messiah. The purpose of this precursor is to prepare the path for the Lord, as stated in Isaiah 40 and Malachi 3-4. This Forerunner will accomplish his mission by enlightening the people about the salvation that comes through the forgiveness of sins, granted by God's abundant and gracious mercy.

He appeared before the presence of the Lord to make ready His path. This imagery comes from the practice of Eastern kings, who were accompanied by heralds and envoys who cleared the route and proclaimed the approach of the king (Gen. 41:43; Esther 6:11).

"And you, child," etc.: this conveys the prophetic message also concerning his son John. "You shall be called": meaning you will be recognized as such by others. "Prophet": a remarkable envoy of God, tasked with proclaiming His divine will to humanity, as directly revealed to him by God. "The Most High," signifying God. "For you shall go before," etc.: this specifies John's unique role within his prophetic mission. "Before the face of the Lord," referring to Jesus Christ, who is God in human form. "To prepare the ways," as referenced in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:11, and noted in Matthew 3:3 and Mark 1:2.