Page 350 - Bible History

THE REDEE R AMONG MEN 323
A VIEW OF AIN-KAREM
God.'' But Zachary doubted the word of the angel. He said, '' How shall I know this, for I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years?" The angel, an­ swering, said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stand before God, and am sent to speak to thee and to bring thee these good tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb and shalt not be able to speak until the day wherein these things shall come to pass, because thou hast not believed my word.''
Outside, the people were waiting for Zachary and they wondered why he stayed so long in the Temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. He made signs to them and remained dumb. Then they understood that he had seen a vision in the Temple.
Six months later, the angel Gabriel was sent from T God into a city of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin :nun •