Luke 1:20-22

1:20 And now, ¹  because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, ²  you will be silent, unable to speak, ³  until the day these things take place.”

1:21 Now ⁴  the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they began to wonder ⁵  why he was delayed in the holy place. ⁶  1:22 When ⁷  he came out, he was not able to speak to them. They ⁸  realized that he had seen a vision ⁹  in the holy place, ¹⁰  because ¹¹  he was making signs to them and remained unable to speak. ¹² 

[1:20]  ¹ tn Grk “behold.”

[1:20]  ² sn The predicted fulfillment in the expression my words, which will be fulfilled in their time takes place in Luke 1:63-66.

[1:20]  ³ sn Silent, unable to speak. Actually Zechariah was deaf and mute as 1:61-63 indicates, since others had to use gestures to communicate with him.

[1:21]  ⁴ tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

[1:21]  ⁵ tn The imperfect verb ἐθαύμαζον (eqaumazon) has been translated as an ingressive imperfect.

[1:21]  ⁶ tn Or “temple.” See the note on the phrase “the holy place” in v. 9.

[1:22]  ⁷ tn Grk “And when.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[1:22]  ⁸ tn Grk “and they.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[1:22]  ⁹ tn That is, “he had had a supernatural encounter in the holy place,” since the angel came to Zechariah by the altar. This was not just a “mental experience.”

[1:22]  ¹⁰ tn Or “temple.” See the note on the phrase “the holy place” in v. 9.

[1:22]  ¹¹ tn Grk “and,” but the force is causal or explanatory in context.

[1:22]  ¹² tn Grk “dumb,” but this could be understood to mean “stupid” in contemporary English, whereas the point is that he was speechless.