What does Luke 1:13 mean?

God sent a single angel to kill 185,000 soldiers, in one night, during the reign of king Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:35). Just one angel is adequate to destroy an entire city (1 Chronicles 21:15). Despite artwork depicting them as kindly choir members, or pudgy babies, biblical angels very often inspire abject terror. Most accounts of someone's first encounter with an angel involve references to fear, and usually reassurance from the angel (Luke 1:30; 2:10; Matthew 28:4; Acts 10:3–4; Numbers 22:3; Judges 6:22–23). When Zechariah sees an angel in the Holy Place of the temple, he's understandably shaken (Luke 1:11–12).

This angel has not come for destruction or judgment, but to deliver wonderful news. Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, are honorable people who have sadly never had children (Luke 1:5–7). The angel's announcement suggests that prayers for a child have been a regular part of Zechariah's life. Now, those requests will be granted. Elizabeth will conceive, at last, and they will have a son.

The angel commands that the child be named John, and future generations will refer to him as John the Baptist. The angel also instructs Zechariah to raise the child under special care (Luke 1:14–17) as he will be an important herald of God's salvation (Luke 3:2–3).