A bearded figure in elaborate priestly robes stands at the left, holding an open folio with both hands and turning slightly to the right. His costume glimmers with gold embroidery and delicate white fabric, including a long undergarment with wide sleeves and a mantle fastened by a brooch, while a veil falls from his ornate headdress. A shaft of light descends from the upper right corner, illuminating his face and the book, while the rest of the scene recedes into deep shadow.

To the right, an octagonal table covered with a richly patterned, dark cloth supports a large silver vessel and the priest's staff, both catching the light's reflection. Behind the table, an armchair is just visible, its form partly concealed by darkness and the heavy folds of a curtain that fills the background. Rembrandt arranges the composition so that the figure of Zechariah stands isolated in a pool of golden light, surrounded by rich textures and subtle details, from the metallic glint of the headdress to the soft shimmer of the drapery.

The brushwork is meticulous, with fine highlights on the fabric and metal, and a velvety darkness in the background that enhances the drama of the scene. Researchers at the Rijksmuseum have confirmed the painting as a genuine work by Rembrandt after a two-year technical and stylistic investigation, using advanced methods previously applied to The Night Watch. The Rijksmuseum's analysis found materials, alterations, and artistic quality consistent with Rembrandt's work from this period, and the painting is now on long-term loan to the museum.