Church Fathers Commentary Luke 1:11-14

"And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of altar of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he saw [him], and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth." — Luke 1:11-14 (ASV)

St. John Chrysostom: When Zacharias entered the temple to offer prayers to God for all people, interceding between God and man, he saw an angel standing inside, as it is said, And there appeared to him an angel.

St. Ambrose of Milan: It is well said that an angel appeared to Zacharias, who suddenly saw him. This is the expression especially used by Divine Scripture concerning angels or God, so that what cannot be seen beforehand may be said to appear. For things that are objects of our senses are not seen as He is seen, who is seen only as He wills, and whose nature is not to be seen.

Origen of Alexandria: And we speak this way not only of the present time but also of the future. When we have passed from this world, God will not appear to all people, nor will the angels, but only to the one who has a clean heart. The place will neither hinder nor help anyone.

St. John Chrysostom: But the angel evidently did not come in a dream, because the news he brought was too difficult to be understood and therefore required a more visible and marvelous manifestation.

St. John of Damascus: Angels, however, are revealed not as they really are, but transformed (as people are able to behold them) into whatever the Lord commands.

Theophylact of Ohrid: It is called the altar of incense because the other altar was set apart for burnt offerings.

St. Ambrose of Milan: It was not without good reason that the angel appeared in the temple, for the coming of the true High Priest was now announced, and the Heavenly Sacrifice was being prepared, at which angels were to minister. One cannot doubt that an angel stands by where Christ is sacrificed. He appeared at the right hand of the altar of incense because he brought a token of Divine mercy. For, the Lord is on my right hand, so that I should not be moved.

St. John Chrysostom: Even the most righteous of men cannot behold an angel without fear. Therefore, Zacharias, unable to endure the sight of the angel’s presence or withstand his brightness, is troubled, as it is added, Zacharias was troubled. But just as when a charioteer is frightened and lets loose his reins, the horses run headlong and the chariot is overturned, so it is with the soul when it is seized by any surprise or alarm, as it is added here, and fear fell upon him.

Origen of Alexandria: A new face suddenly presenting itself to the human eye troubles and startles the mind. The angel, knowing this to be human nature, first dispels the alarm, as it follows: But the angel said to him, Fear not.

St. Athanasius of Alexandria: By this, it is not difficult to discern between good and bad spirits. If joy follows fear, we may know that relief has come from God, because peace of the soul is a sign of the Divine Presence.

But if the fear remains unshaken, it is an enemy who has been seen.

Origen of Alexandria: The angel not only soothes his fears but also gladdens him with good news, adding, For your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth shall bear a son.

St. Augustine of Hippo: Here we must first consider that it is not likely that Zacharias, when offering sacrifice for the sins or for the salvation and redemption of the people, would neglect the public petitions in order to pray that he might receive children, especially since he was an old man and his wife was also old. Furthermore, no one prays for what he despairs of ever obtaining. Indeed, he had so despaired of ever having children that he would not believe it, even when an angel promised it to him.

The words, Your prayer is heard, must therefore be understood to refer to the people. Since the salvation, redemption, and removal of the people's sins was to be through Christ, Zacharias is told that a son will be born to him because that son was ordained to be the forerunner of Christ.

St. John Chrysostom: Or, it means that the proof of his prayer having been heard was to be this: that a son would be born to him, crying, Behold the Lamb of God!

Theophylact of Ohrid: It is as if when Zacharias asks, How shall I know this? the angel answers, "Because Elisabeth will bring forth a son, you will believe that the sins of your people are forgiven."

St. Ambrose of Milan: Or, as follows: Divine mercy is ever full and overflowing, not confined to a single gift, but pouring in an abundant store of blessings. This is seen in this case, where first the fruit of his prayer is promised, and next, that his barren wife will bear a child, whose name is announced as follows: And you shall call his name John.

The Venerable Bede: It is meant as a token of particular merit when a person has a name given to him or changed by God.

St. John Chrysostom: This must be the meaning here, for those who from their earliest years were destined to shine forth in virtue received their names from a divine source from the very beginning, while those who were to rise up in later years had a name given to them afterwards.

The Venerable Bede: John is therefore interpreted as "one in whom is grace" or "the grace of God." By this name it is declared, first, that grace was given to his parents, to whom a son was to be born in their old age; next, to John himself, who was to become great before the Lord; and lastly, to the children of Israel, whom he was to convert to the Lord. Hence it follows, And you shall have joy and gladness.

Origen of Alexandria: For when a righteous man is born into the world, his parents rejoice; but when one is born who is to be, as it were, an exile to labor and punishment, they are struck with terror and dismay.

St. Ambrose of Milan: But a saint is not only the blessing of his parents but also the salvation of many, as it follows: And many will rejoice at his birth. Parents are reminded here to rejoice at the birth of saints and to give thanks. For it is no small gift of God to grant us children, to be the transmitters of our family line and the heirs of our succession.