K&B

K&B
K&B

zoeken
B&K
19
Zechariah and John the Baptist and Mary
Index stories
Previous
Next

   k&B  

The Qur’an and the Bible also come together in the story of Zechariah. Both books describe the wonder of the elderly woman, in the Bible called Elizabeth (few women are named in the Qur’an), who became pregnant with John the Baptist. His birth was announced by an angel, who told Zechariah that he would be struck dumb as a sign. In the Bible, this dumbness was his punishment for not believing the angel, and in the Qur’an, Zechariah himself asked for a sign.

The Bible and the Qur’an complement each other on the relationship of the Zechariah family to Mary, who came to prominence as the mother of Jesus in the next chapter.

Mary was the daughter of the prophet Imran. When Mary’s mother was pregnant with her, Imran died. His wife then swore an oath that her child (whom she presumed would be a son) would grow up in the temple where her brother-in-law, Zechariah, was a priest. When the child turned out to be a girl, she still wanted to keep her promise to God despite women not being allowed in the temple in those days. Mary’s uncle Zechariah agreed to take care of the child and built her her own house within the temple precincts. He was amazed when the little girl was mysteriously provided with food and drink.

This background gives the Bible story of the meeting between Elizabeth and Mary more depth. The Qur’an places the elderly lady as Mary’s aunt. married to the priest who had raised and educated her. The unborn John recognised Jesus as his Lord. The meeting was full of joy. The stories here do not form parallels, but complement each other.

The Bible story covering the life and death of John the Baptist is not in the Qur’an. Nor is the epithet ‘Baptist’ to be found in there, and there is no mention of a meeting between John and Jesus. In the Bible, John, who baptised Jesus, is famous for preparing the way of the Lord.

The Qur’an does, however, accord John great importance. He is included in the list of distinguished prophets/messengers. Both books describe John as an extremely peace-loving and ascetic man.

Bijbel
   k&B   Bijbel

Elizabeth’s pregnancy
… there was a priest by the name of Zechariah… His wife Elizabeth was from the family of Aaron. (Brother to Moses.) Both of them were good people… But they did not have children. Elizabeth could not have any, and both Zechariah and Elizabeth were already old. All at once an angel from the Lord appeared… Zechariah was confused and afraid when he saw the angel. But the angel told him: Don't be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayers. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son, and you must name him John. …the Holy Spirit will be with him from the time he is born. John will lead many people in Israel to turn back to the Lord their God. He will go ahead of the Lord… That is how John will get people ready for the Lord. Zechariah said to the angel: “How will I know this is going to happen? My wife and I are both very old.” The angel answered, “I am Gabriel, God's servant, and I was sent to tell you this good news. You have not believed what I have said. So you will not be able to say a thing until all this happens. But everything will take place when it is supposed to.” The crowd was waiting for Zechariah and kept wondering why he was staying so long in the temple. When he did come out, he could not speak… and they knew he had seen a vision. He motioned to them with his hands, but did not say a thing. Soon after that, his wife was expecting a baby… Luke 1: 5-7, 11-13, 15-22, 24











Elizabeth and Mary
A short time later Mary hurried to… Zechariah's home, where she greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, her baby moved within her. The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth. Then in a loud voice she said to Mary: God has blessed you more than any other woman! He has also blessed the child you will have. Why should the mother of my Lord come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, my baby became happy and moved within me.
Luke 1: 39-44

Mary said: “With all my heart I praise the Lord, and I am glad because of God my Savior. He cares for me, his humble servant. He always shows mercy to everyone who worships him. God gives the hungry good things to eat, and sends the rich away with nothing.“ Luke 1: 46-48, 50, 53

A baby for Elizabeth
When Elizabeth's son was born, her neighbors and relatives… were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said: “No! His name is John.” The people argued: “No one in your family has ever been named John.” So they motioned to Zechariah to find out what he wanted to name his son. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet. Then he wrote: “His name is John.” Everyone was amazed. Right away, Zechariah started speaking and praising God. Luke 1: 56-64

The Holy Spirit came upon Zechariah, and he began to speak: “You, my son, will be called a prophet of Godin heaven above. You will go ahead of the Lord to get everything ready for him.” Luke 1: 67, 76

John the Baptist – life and death
As John grew up, God's Spirit gave him great power. John lived in the desert until the time he was sent to the people of Israel. Luke 1: 80

Years later, John the Baptist started preaching in the desert of Judea. He said: “Turn back to God! The kingdom of heaven will soon be here.” John wore clothes made of camel's hair. He had a leather strap around his waist and ate grasshoppers and wild honey. From Jerusalem and all Judea and from the Jordan River Valley crowds of people went to John. They told how sorry they were for their sins, and he baptized them in the river. Matthew 3: 1-2, 4-6

John also told the people: “Someone more powerful is going to come. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!” Mark 1: 7-8

Jesus left Galilee and went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John kept objecting and said: “I ought to be baptized by you.” Matthew 3: 13-14

So he (Herod) ordered a guard to go to the prison and cut off John's head. It was taken on a platter to the girl... Matthew 14: 9-11

   k&B   Zechariah and his son John
(This is) a recital of the Mercy of thy Lord to His servant Zechariah. Behold! he cried to his Lord in secret, praying: “O my Lord! infirm indeed are my bones, and the hair of my head doth glisten with grey: but never am I unblest, O my Lord, in my prayer to Thee! “Now I fear (what) my relatives (and colleagues) (will do) after me: but my wife is barren: so give me an heir as from Thyself –  (One that) will (truly) represent me, and represent the posterity of Jacob; and make him, O my Lord! one with whom Thou art well-pleased!” (His prayer was answered): “O Zechariah! We give thee good news of a son: His name shall be John: on none by that name have We conferred distinction before.” Surah 19: 2-7

While he was standing in prayer in the chamber, the angels called unto him: “(Allah) doth give thee glad tidings of Yahya, witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah, and (be besides) noble, chaste, and a prophet – of the (goodly) company of the righteous.” Surah 3: 39

He (Zechariah) said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son, when my wife is barren and I have grown quite decrepit from old age?” He (Allah or his angel) said: “So (it will be) thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: I did indeed create thee before, when thou hadst been nothing!'“ (Zechariah) said: “O my Lord! give me a Sign.” “Thy Sign,” was the answer, “Shall be that thou shalt speak to no man for three nights, although thou art not dumb.” So Zechariah came out to his people from him chamber: He told them by signs to celebrate Allah’s praises in the morning and in the evening. Surah 19: 8-11

So We listened to him: and We granted him Yahya: We cured his wife's (Barrenness) for him. Surah 21: 90

Zechariah and Mary
Behold! a woman of 'Imran said: “O my Lord! I do dedicate unto Thee what is in my womb for Thy special service: So accept this of me: For Thou hearest and knowest all things.” When she was delivered, she said: “O my Lord! Behold! I am delivered of a female child!” Allah knew best what she brought forth - “And no wise is the male Like the female. I have named her Mary, and I commend her and her offspring to Thy protection from the Evil One, the Rejected.” Right graciously did her Lord accept her: He made her grow in purity and beauty: To the care of Zechariah was she assigned. Every time that he entered (Her) chamber to see her, He found her supplied with sustenance. He said: “O Mary! Whence (comes) this to you?” She said: “From Allah, for Allah Provides sustenance to whom He pleases without measure.” Surah 3: 35-37

His name is John
“We give thee good news of a son: His name shall be John: on none by that name have We conferred distinction before.”
Surah 19: 7















John, the righteous prophet
We gave him Isaac and Jacob: all (three) guided: and before him, We guided Noah, and among his progeny, David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron: thus do We reward those who do good: And Zechariah and John, and Jesus and Elias: all in the ranks of the righteous: And Ishmael and Elisha, and Jonas, and Lot: and to all We gave favour above the nations: These were the men to whom We gave the Book, and authority, and prophethood… Surah 6: 84-86, 89

(To his son came the command): “O John! take hold of the Book with might”: and We gave him Wisdom even as a youth, And piety (for all creatures) as from Us, and purity: He was devout, and kind to his parents, and he was not overbearing or rebellious. Surah 19: 12-14

John, witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah, and (be besides) noble, chaste, and a prophet – of the (goodly) company of the righteous.” Surah 3: 39

So Peace on him the day he was born, the day that he dies, and the day that he will be raised up to life (again)!Surah 19: 15

Koran and Bible side by side (Marlies ter Borg & Karima Bisschop) © 2007 Unieboek bv

k&b
K&B nederlands
English
Arabic
K&B
IkonWereldomroepIkon
afsluiter