Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 1:22
And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
22. And when he came out ] The moment of the priest’s reappearance from before the ever-burning golden candlestick, and the veil which hid the Holiest Place, was one which powerfully affected the Jewish imagination, Sir 50:5-21 .
he could not speak unto them ] They were waiting in the Court to be dismissed with the usual blessing, which is said to have been usually pronounced by the other priest. Num 6:23-26. “Then he” (the High Priest Simon) “went down and lifted up his hands over the whole congregation of the children of Israel, to give the blessing of the Lord with his lips, and to rejoice in His name. And they bowed themselves down to worship the second time, that they might receive a blessing from the Most High.” Sir 50:20 .
a vision ] Optasian. Used especially of the most vivid and ‘objective’ appearances, Luk 24:23; Act 26:19 ; 2Co 12:1; Dan 9:23.
he beckoned unto them ] Rather, he was himself making signs to them.
remained speechless ] “Credat Judaeus ut loqui possit” (let the Jew believe that he may be able to speak) says St Augustine. Origen, Ambrose, and Isidore, see in the speechless priest vainly endeavouring to bless the people, a fine image of the Law reduced to silence before the first announcement of the Gospel. The scene might stand for an allegorical representation of the thesis so powerfully worked out in the Epistle to the Hebrews (see Heb 8:13). Zacharias became dumb, and Saul of Tarsus blind, for a time. “Praeludium legis ceremonialis finiendae Christo veniente.” Bengel.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Had seen a vision – The word vision means sight, appearance, or spectre, and is commonly applied to spirits, or to beings from another world. When he came out of the temple, it is probable that they suspected that something of this nature had detained him there, and that, on inquiry of him, he signified by a nod that this was the case. He was unable to speak, and they had no way of perceiving it but by such a sign. On the word vision, see the notes at Isa 1:1.
For he beckoned unto them – That is, by beckoning unto them, or by a sign, he informed them of what he had seen.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 22. They perceived that he had seen a vision] As the sanctuary was separated from the court by a great veil, the people could not see what passed, but they understood this from Zacharias himself, who, , made signs, or nodded unto them to that purpose. Signs are the only means by which a dumb man can convey his ideas to others.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
22. speechlessdumb, and deafalso (see Lu 1:62).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when he came out, he could not speak unto them,…. Or deliver the benediction they were waiting for:
and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: which he made them to understand, by the gestures he used: for he beckoned unto them; nodding his head, or by some motions of his hands the Ethiopic version adds, “with his hand”: or of his lips; for the signs of a dumb man are distinguished into , and q; the one is a sign which is expressed by the head and hands; and the other is a sign expressed by the lips: hence that rule, r
“a dumb man beckons, and is beckoned to; and Ben Bethira says, he moves his lips, and lips are moved to him:”
and remained speechless; to the time the angel fixed.
q Bartenora in Misa. Gittin, c. 5. sect. 7. r Misn. ib.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Perceived (). Second aorist indicative. Clearly knew because he was not able to pronounce the benediction from the steps (Nu 6:24-26).
Continued making signs ( ). Periphrastic imperfect again. He nodded and beckoned back and forth (, between). Further proof of a vision that caused his dumbness.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
They perceived [] . Clearly perceived. See on Mt 7:16, and verse 4.
He beckoned [ ] . Better Rev., continued making signs. Again the participle with the finite verb, denoting frequent repetition of the same signs. Wyc., was beckoning.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And when he came out,” (ekselthon de) “Then upon going outside,” or when he came outside of the temple, in view of the waiting people.
2) “He could not speak unto them,” (ouk edunato lalesai autois) “He was unable to speak to them,” because of a paralysis or dumbness of speech, as a direct judgment from God because of his unbelief, Luk 1:20.
3) “And they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple:” (kai epegnosen hoti opasin heoraken en to nao) “And they realized that he had seen a vision while he was in the temple,” by some motion of the hands of expression of his countenance, which was all he could do. He could not bless them, or explain his extended absence, Luk 24:23; 2Co 12:1.
4) “For he beckoned unto them,” (kai autos en dianeuon autois) “And he was continually motioning to them,” talking or communicating with them with physical gestures, with his hands and expressions of his eyes, by which he signified what had happened.
5) “And remained speechless.” (kai dieminen kophos) “And he ‘remained dumb,” or paralyzed in speech, could not talk or apparently hear either, Luk 1:62. As Zacharias became dumb, so Saul became blind for a temporary time, till the will of God, by chastisement, was fulfilled in the life of both, Act 9:8; Act 9:12; Act 9:17-19.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(22) A vision.The word is used as distinguished from dream, to imply that what had been witnessed had been seen with the waking sense. The look of awe, the strange gestures, the unwonted silence, all showed that he had come under the influence of some supernatural power.
He beckoned unto them.The tense implies continued and repeated action.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
22. When he came out From the Holy Place. Zacharias now comes forth, near the Great Altar, and presents himself to the people, viewing him from below in the courts of Israel, and of the women.
They perceived that he had seen a vision It was customary for a priest to return forthwith from the holy place, so that the people might be sure that no judgment had befallen him for malperformance of office, or for any defect of the service. Zacharias, being speechless, indicated by signs that a divine manifestation had been made to him.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And when he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he continued making signs to them, and remained dumb.’
And when he did come out they waited expectantly for the priestly blessing (Num 6:24-26) which would normally follow the offering of the incense. But it soon became apparent to them that the blessing was not coming. They realised that Zacharias was unable to speak to them, and they gathered that he must have seen a vision in the Temple, for the only way in which he could communicate with them was with signs.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Luk 1:22. For he beckoned unto them, He made signs to them. The word , rendered speechless, signifies deaf, as well as dumb, the latter being generallythe consequence of the former; and accordingly it is concluded from Luk 1:62 that Zacharias lost his hearing with his speech during that interval.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Luk 1:22-23 . , . . .] by the inference ab effectu ad causam; and very naturally they recognise as the latter an appearance of God or an angel, since, in fact, it was in the sanctuary that the dumbness had come on, and the agitating impression might even cause death, Jdg 6:23 , al. In spite of the , Olshausen thinks that this does not refer to the silence of Zacharias, but probably to the excitement in his whole appearance, which Bleek also mixes up.
, he on his part , corresponding to that which they perceived.
] he was employed in making signs to them ( Sir 27:22 ; Lucian, V. H. 44), namely, that he had seen a vision.
. . . .] namely, the week in which the class of Abia (see Luk 1:5 ) had the temple service. On the verb, comp. Luk 1:57 ; Luk 2:6 ; Luk 2:21 f.; also Gal 4:4 ; Eph 1:10
. . ] Luk 1:39 f., also Luk 1:56 : . .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
Ver. 22. He could not speak unto them ] Hereupon a divine thus descants: Tacuit pater vocis, et cessit in miraculum: Vox si sileat, cedit in contradictionem. Numquid aeque obmutescit pater et filius? Iohannes et Zacharias? Numquid et praeco mutus est? Let us leave to the Papists (saith another) ministrorum muta officia, populi caeca obsequia, their ministers’ dumb offices; their people’s blind obedience.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
22. ] They knew, by some excitement, visible in his manner. It was not his office to pronounce the benediction , but that of the other incensing priest; so that his ‘not being able to speak,’ must mean, in answer to the enquiries which his unusual appearance prompted. This answer he gave by a sign: and the question was also by signs; for (see Luk 1:62 ) he was deaf , as well as dumb, which indeed is the strict meaning of , , Hesych [8]
[8] Hesychius of Jerusalem, cent. vi.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Luk 1:22 . : from his dazed look they inferred that the priest had seen a vision (chap. Luk 24:23 , 2Co 12:1 ). : making signs all he could do; he could not bless them, e.g. , if that was part of his duty for the day, or explain his absence (here only).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
speak: i.e. pronounce the usual blessing (Num 6:24).
perceived = clearly perceived, or recognised. Greek. epiginosko. App-132.
had seen. Greek. horao. App-133.
beckoned = kept making signs.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
22.] They knew, by some excitement, visible in his manner. It was not his office to pronounce the benediction, but that of the other incensing priest; so that his not being able to speak, must mean, in answer to the enquiries which his unusual appearance prompted. This answer he gave by a sign: and the question was also by signs; for (see Luk 1:62) he was deaf, as well as dumb, which indeed is the strict meaning of – , , Hesych[8]
[8] Hesychius of Jerusalem, cent. vi.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Luk 1:22. , to speak) for instance, to give the blessing. Zacharias, as being dumb, was in the meantime excluded from the exercise of all the functions of a priest. This constitutes the prelude to the termination of the ceremonial law, now that Christ is coming.-, they perceived) A benefit thus accompanied the very punishment of Zacharias. Thereby all were stirred up to attention.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
for: Joh 13:24, Act 12:17, Act 19:33, Act 21:40
Reciprocal: Lev 9:23 – came out Num 12:6 – in a vision Luk 1:20 – thou shalt Luk 1:62 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2
A vision is defined as something that appears to one either while awake or asleep. As Zacharias had become speechless since he entered the temple, the people realized that something supernatural had occurred.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
[He beckoned unto them.] There is also, Luk 1:62; they made signs. The deaf and dumb man, he nods to them, and they nod to him.
The Talmudists distinguish the judgments given by a dumb man into the nodding of the head; and the dumb man’s making signs.
“If any person be dumb, and yet hath his understanding, should they say to him, May we write a bill of divorce to thy wife, and he nod with his head; they make the experiment upon him three times,” etc. And a little after they do not much rely upon the signs of the deaf and dumb man. For as it is in the same place, the dumb person, and the deaf and dumb, differ. Gloss: “The one can hear and not speak; the other can neither hear nor speak.”
Amongst the doctors, the deaf and dumb person is commonly looked upon as one made so by some fit of palsy or apoplexy, by which the intellectuals are generally affected: whence the deaf and dumb are, according to the traditional canons, deprived of several offices and privileges of which others are capable.
This case therefore of Zacharias might have occasioned a considerable question, whether he ought not to have been sequestered from his ministry, and deprived of all the privileges of his priesthood, because he had been struck deaf and dumb, but that it happened to him in so signal and extraordinary a way.
Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels
Luk 1:22. They perceived. They probably asked why he had remained so long, and at once found that he was both deaf (Luk 1:62) and dumb, as the word speechless implies. From this they inferred that he had seen a vision in the temple, which was confirmed by Zacharias himself; for he (on his part, in response) was making signs to them, doubtless trying to hint what had happened. When the voice of the preacher (Isaiah 40) is announced, the priesthood of the Old Testament becomes silent (Chemnitz), or can, at best, only make signs.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 22
Beckoned; made signs, indicating that he had seen an extraordinary vision.