Cyrus had defeated the Babylonians and allowed the Israelites to return to Jerusalem. These verses are referred to as a servant song. Here the servant was identified as Israel, and the task was to be a light to the nations. Christians have read this as a prefiguration or reflection of the coming of the Messiah because Jesus is also a Light to the nations.

Paul reminded the people in the synagogue that Jesus came from the lineage of King David. God sent Jesus to be a saviour for Israel. John the Baptist came to tell of Jesus' coming. Paul emphasised that Israel was special in God's eyes.

Zechariah had not believed the angel Gabriel who told him that Elizabeth would have his son, so his speech was taken from him. Eight days after John was born, Elizabeth and Zechariah took him to the temple to be circumcised. When Zechariah named the child John, he was able to speak once more. During the time of Elizabeth's pregnancy, Zechariah had grown in humility and reliance on the Lord.