Skit | Story of Zachariah and John

Lesson Overview

What would a reporter do if her biggest interview of the year was with a man who couldn’t say a single word?

In this humorous Bible skit, Angel Bright, a fictional reporter for the Jerusalem Herald, attempts to interview a priest named Zachariah. There’s just one problem. Zachariah can’t speak!

As the interview unfolds, children discover how the angel Gabriel announced that Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth would have a son, even though they were both advanced in years. Zachariah struggled to believe the promise, but God fulfilled His word, and their son John was born.

Main Point: God keeps His promises, even when we don’t understand how He will fulfill them.

Bible Connection

Luke 1:13: “But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.”

Luke 1:18: “And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.”

Luke 1:20: “And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.”

Luke 1:63: “And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.”

Luke 1:64: “And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.”

Cast and Supplies

• Angel Bright: An enthusiastic reporter for the fictional Jerusalem Herald
• Zachariah: A priest who cannot speak after questioning Gabriel’s announcement
• Gabriel: The angel who announces God’s promise
• Elizabeth: Zachariah’s wife, optional for the naming scene
• Reporter notebook and pen
• Writing tablet, small whiteboard, or cardboard sign
• Simple Bible-era costumes
• Optional microphone prop
• Bible

Preparation

Read Luke 1:5-25 and Luke 1:57-66 before presenting the skit.

Prepare a writing tablet or cardboard sign with the words HIS NAME IS JOHN for the naming scene. You can have Zachariah write the words during the performance or reveal a prepared sign.

Rehearse Zachariah’s gestures and Angel Bright’s confused reactions. The humor works best when Zachariah tries to communicate something important while the reporter repeatedly misunderstands him.

Explain that Angel Bright and the Jerusalem Herald are fictional additions used to tell the Bible story. The conversations and jokes are dramatized, but the main events come from Luke 1.

The skit may include jokes about Zachariah and Elizabeth’s ages. Luke tells us they were both advanced in years but does not give their exact ages.

One important detail: Luke says Zachariah entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense and Gabriel appeared beside the altar of incense. The passage does not say Zachariah entered the Holy of Holies.

How to Present the Skit

The dialogue below is a suggested script you can adapt for your class.

Introduce Angel Bright as a reporter searching for a very unusual story.

Say: “Today we’re going to meet a reporter named Angel Bright. She works for the Jerusalem Herald, and she’s trying to get the biggest interview of her career. There’s just one little problem. The man she wants to interview can’t talk!”

Have Angel Bright enter with her notebook and a microphone prop, if you’re using one.

Angel Bright: “Hello, everyone! Angel Bright here, reporting for the Jerusalem Herald! I’ve been sent to interview a priest named Zachariah. Apparently, something incredible happened to him at the temple!”

Zachariah enters.

Angel Bright: “Excuse me, sir! Have you seen a priest named Zachariah?”

Zachariah points to himself.

Angel Bright: “Yes, you! I’m asking if you’ve seen him!”

Zachariah points to himself again.

Angel Bright: “Oh! You know him personally?”

Zachariah nods enthusiastically.

Angel Bright: “Wonderful! Where can I find him?”

Zachariah gestures toward himself again.

Angel Bright: “Why do you keep pointing at yourself?”

Zachariah grabs the writing tablet and writes his name.

Angel Bright: “ZACHARIAH? Wait a minute. YOU’RE Zachariah?”

Zachariah nods.

Angel Bright: “Perfect! Then let’s begin our interview. First question: What happened at the temple?”

Zachariah opens his mouth but cannot speak.

Angel Bright: “Well? I’m waiting!”

Zachariah gestures helplessly.

Angel Bright: “This might be the most difficult interview I’ve ever conducted!”

Allow the children to laugh before continuing.

Pause the skit briefly to explain the biblical setting.

Say: “Zachariah was a priest who served God. He and his wife Elizabeth were righteous people who wanted to obey the Lord. But they had never been able to have children, and now they were both advanced in years.”

Explain that Zachariah was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense while the people prayed outside.

Continue the skit.

Angel Bright: “All right, Zachariah. Let’s try something easier. Were you at the temple?”

Zachariah nods.

Angel Bright: “Were you offering incense?”

Zachariah nods again.

Angel Bright: “Did something unusual happen?”

Zachariah nods excitedly and points upward.

Angel Bright: “Something fell from the ceiling?”

Zachariah shakes his head.

Angel Bright: “A bird flew into the temple?”

Zachariah shakes his head even harder.

Angel Bright: “An angel appeared?”

Zachariah nods enthusiastically.

Angel Bright: “AN ANGEL? Now THAT is news!”

Have Gabriel enter to reenact what happened.

Explain that Gabriel appeared on the right side of the altar of incense. Zachariah was troubled and afraid when he saw him.

Read Luke 1:13: “But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.”

Gabriel: “FEAR NOT, ZACHARIAS! YOUR PRAYER IS HEARD! YOUR WIFE ELISABETH SHALL BEAR YOU A SON, AND YOU SHALL CALL HIS NAME JOHN!”

Zachariah: “A SON? AT OUR AGE?”

Explain that Gabriel announced that the child would bring joy and gladness. John would be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb and would help prepare people for the Lord.

Angel Bright: “Wait a minute! You’re telling me that Zachariah and Elizabeth were going to have a baby?”

Zachariah nods.

Angel Bright: “But weren’t they both pretty old?”

Zachariah nods again.

Angel Bright: “How old? Ninety? A hundred? A hundred and fifty?”

Zachariah gives her an annoyed look.

Angel Bright: “All right, all right! I won’t ask!”

Explain that the Bible does not give their exact ages. The important point is that having a child seemed impossible to them, but God had made a promise.

Read Luke 1:18: “And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.”

Zachariah: “HOW CAN I KNOW THIS WILL HAPPEN? I’M AN OLD MAN, AND MY WIFE IS OLD TOO!”

Gabriel: “I AM GABRIEL, THAT STAND IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD!”

Explain that Gabriel had been sent to bring Zachariah good news. But Zachariah did not believe his words.

Read Luke 1:20: “And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.”

Gabriel: “YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SPEAK UNTIL THESE THINGS HAPPEN, BECAUSE YOU DID NOT BELIEVE MY WORDS!”

Zachariah opens his mouth to respond, but no sound comes out.

Zachariah: (Silently opens his mouth and gestures in surprise.)

Angel Bright: “OH! So THAT’S why you can’t talk!”

Zachariah nods.

Angel Bright: “You could have told me that earlier!”

Zachariah stares at her.

Angel Bright: “Oh. Right. Sorry.”

Explain that when Zachariah came out of the temple, the people realized he had seen a vision because he could not speak and was making signs to them.

Explain that Zachariah returned home after completing his priestly service. Elizabeth later became pregnant, just as Gabriel had announced.

Say: “Even though Zachariah had struggled to believe the message, God did exactly what He promised!”

Continue the skit.

Angel Bright: “This is incredible! But wait. Did Elizabeth really have the baby?”

Zachariah nods excitedly.

Angel Bright: “SHE DID? Then this story just keeps getting better!”

If Elizabeth is included, have her enter carrying a wrapped doll.

Elizabeth: “GOD HAS SHOWN US GREAT MERCY!”

Angel Bright: “Congratulations! This is wonderful news!”

Explain that when the baby was born, Elizabeth’s neighbors and relatives rejoiced with her.

Explain that on the eighth day, the family and neighbors gathered for the child’s circumcision and naming.

They expected the baby to be named Zacharias after his father.

Angel Bright: “Well, this should be easy! We’ll name the baby Zachariah Junior!”

Zachariah shakes his head.

Angel Bright: “No? Zachariah the Second?”

Zachariah shakes his head again.

Angel Bright: “Little Zach?”

Zachariah gestures more urgently.

Angel Bright: “All right! What DO you want to name him?”

If Elizabeth is present, she answers.

Elizabeth: “NOT SO; BUT HE SHALL BE CALLED JOHN.”

Angel Bright: “JOHN? But nobody in your family has that name!”

Explain that this is what the people said in Luke 1:61. They then made signs to Zachariah to find out what he wanted the baby to be called.

Have Zachariah take the writing tablet.

Build suspense as he slowly writes the words.

Angel Bright: “All right, everyone! This is the moment we’ve been waiting for! What is the baby’s name?”

Zachariah turns the tablet around.

HIS NAME IS JOHN

Read Luke 1:63: “And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.”

Angel Bright: “HIS NAME IS JOHN! Well, that settles it!”

Zachariah suddenly begins to speak.

Zachariah: “PRAISE THE LORD!”

Angel Bright: “AAAAH! YOU CAN TALK!”

Zachariah: “PRAISE BE TO GOD!”

Angel Bright: “THIS IS AMAZING! FIRST YOU COULDN’T TALK, AND NOW YOU CAN!”

Read Luke 1:64: “And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.”

Explain that Zachariah’s ability to speak returned immediately after he confirmed the name God had chosen.

Explain that the people were amazed by what had happened. News of these events spread throughout the hill country of Judea.

They wondered what kind of child John would become.

Say: “God had a special purpose for John. He would grow up to become John the Baptist, preaching repentance and preparing people for the coming of Jesus Christ.”

Angel Bright: “So let me get this straight. God promised Zachariah a son. Zachariah didn’t believe it. He couldn’t speak for months. Then the baby was born, they named him John, and Zachariah could speak again?”

Zachariah: “THAT’S RIGHT!”

Angel Bright: “And God kept His promise exactly as He said He would?”

Zachariah: “YES! GOD IS FAITHFUL!”

Angel Bright: “Well, folks, you’ve heard it here first! Angel Bright reporting for the Jerusalem Herald. GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES!”

Have Angel Bright, Zachariah, Gabriel, and Elizabeth, if included, take a bow.

Teacher Follow-Up

Say: “Zachariah and Elizabeth had wanted a child for many years. By the time Gabriel announced that they would have a son, they were both advanced in years. Zachariah couldn’t understand how it could happen.”

Say: “But God knew exactly what He was doing. He promised them a son, told them to name him John, and fulfilled His word!”

Say: “Zachariah struggled to believe what Gabriel told him. The Bible shows us that unbelief was serious, but it also shows that God was faithful to His promise.”

Say: “Sometimes we don’t understand how God is working. We can ask honest questions, learn what His Word teaches, and continue trusting Him.”

Say: “Why did Zachariah write, ‘His name is John,’ instead of naming the baby after himself?”

Allow children to answer.

Say: “Because Gabriel had already told him what the child’s name should be! Zachariah was confirming the name God had given.”

Say: “Gabriel told Zachariah that his words would be fulfilled in their season. God’s promise came true at the appointed time.”

Say: “We don’t always understand God’s timing, and that doesn’t mean every wish we have will happen exactly as we want. But we can trust that God is faithful to His Word.”