Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 1:5

"There was in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth." — Luke 1:5 (ASV)

As has already been said, the style of this section is different from the classical style of vv.1–4. Likewise, the method of dating differs from that used later in 3:1, where Luke is interested in establishing a more precise point of historical reference. In this verse his only concern is to locate the events in the reign of Herod (king of Judea 37–4 B. C.). Luke emphasizes the Jewish roots of Christianity by mentioning that, not only was Zechariah a priest, but his wife Elizabeth had also been born into the priestly line. They are a truly pious couple wholly devoted to God. Their childlessness clearly did not imply any sin.