Luke 1:7

Elizabeth’s condition was identical to Sarah’s (Genesis 17:16-17; cf. 1 Samuel 1:5-11). Her childless state embarrassed her (cf. Luke 1:25), and her advanced age removed the hope of bearing children from her. Whenever the Old Testament said a woman had no child it also recorded that God gave her one later. [Note: Marshall, The Gospel . . ., p. 53.] Therefore this statement prepares the reader for a miracle.

Priests were not disqualified from serving in the temple by age, but only by infirmity. [Note: Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, 1:135.]