Luke 1:13

“But the angel said unto him, fear not, Zacharias, etc.] He calls him by his name; for holy men are known to angels in person, and by name; to whom they are ministering spirits, and for whose good they are concerned; and bid him not be afraid, as the angel also said to the women at Christ's sepulchre, (<402805>Matthew 28:5) for he saw by his countenance and gestures, that he was greatly surprised and terrified at the sight of him: for thy prayer is heard; which he had many years ago put up for a son; for it cannot be thought that he had been now praying for one, being in such an advanced age, and having for years past given up all hopes of one, and was even unbelieving, when he was told by…”

“thy prayer is heard--doubtless for offspring, which by some presentiment he even yet had not despaired of. John--the same as "Johanan," so frequent in the Old Testament, meaning "Jehovah's gracious gift."”

“Thy prayer is heard - That is, thy prayer for offspring. This, among the Jews, was an object of intense desire. No prospect was more gloomy to them than that of dying childless, so that their “name should perish.” Special pains, therefore, had been taken in the law to keep up the names of families by requiring a man to marry his brother’s wife, Deuteronomy 25:5. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Thy prayer is heard - Let us observe with pleasure, that the prayers of pious worshippers come up with acceptance before God; to whom no costly perfume is so sweet, as the fragrancy of an upright heart. An answer of peace was here returned, when the case seemed to be most helpless. Let us wait patiently for the Lord, and leave to his own wisdom the time and manner wherein he will appear for us. Thou shalt call his name John - John signifies the grace or favour of Jehovah. A name well suiting the person, who was afterward so highly in favour with God, and endued with abundance of grace; and who opened a way to the most glorious dispensation of grace in the Messiah's kingdom. And so…”

“Fear: Luk 24:36-40; Jdg 6:23; Dan 10:12; Mat 28:5; Mar 16:6 thy prayer: Gen 25:21; Sa1 1:20-23; Psa 118:21; Act 10:31, and they, Gen 17:10, Gen 18:14; Jdg 13:3-5; Sa1 2:21; Kg2 4:16, Kg2 4:17; Psa 113:9; Psa 127:3-5 thou: Luk 1:60-63, Luk 2:21; Gen 17:19; Isa 8:3; Hos 1:4, Hos 1:6, Hos 1:9, Hos 1:10; Mat 1:21 Luke 1:14”