Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 1:65

"And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea." — Luke 1:65 (ASV)

And fear came, and so on. The word fear often denotes religious reverence. The remarkable circumstances attending the birth of John, and the fact that Zacharias was suddenly restored to speech, convinced them that God was there, and filled their minds with awe and veneration.