Soon after the birth of John, “the tongue of Zacharias was loosed, and he spake and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them; and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all that heard them, laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him; and his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts until the day of his showing unto Israel.” {2SP 45.2}

Snart efter Johannes fødsel, “fik han atter mund og mæle, og han talte og priste Gud. Da kom der frygt over alle de omkringboende, og alt dette blev meget omtalt i hele Judæas bjergland. Og alle, som hørte det, lagde sig det på sinde og sagde: »Hvad mon der skal blive af dette barn? Thi Herrens hånd var med ham. Og Zakarias, hans fader, blev fyldt af Helligånd, og han profeterede. . . . . Og barnet voksede til og blev styrket i Ånden; og han var i ørkenerne indtil den dag, da han skulle træde frem for Israel."