Church Fathers Commentary Luke 1:18-22

"And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to bring thee these good tidings. And behold, thou shalt be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall come to pass, because thou believedst not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marvelled while he tarried in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: and he continued making signs unto them, and remained dumb." — Luke 1:18-22 (ASV)

St. John Chrysostom: Considering his own age and the barrenness of his wife, Zacharias doubted, as it is said: And Zacharias said to the angel, Whereby shall I know this? He was, in effect, asking, 'How can this be?' and added the reason for his doubt: For I am an old man. It was an unsuitable time of life and an ill-suited physical condition—the planter was weak, the soil barren. But some consider it an unpardonable thing for the priest to raise a series of objections, for whenever God declares anything, we ought to receive it in faith. Indeed, disputes of this kind are the mark of a rebellious spirit. Therefore, the angel answered and said to him, I am Gabriel, who stand before God.

The Venerable Bede: It is as if the angel is saying, "If it were a man who promised these miracles, one might demand a sign without consequence, but when an angel makes the promise, it is not right to doubt." He continues, And I am sent to speak to you.

St. John Chrysostom: This means that when you hear I am sent from God, you should not consider anything I say to be of human origin, for I do not speak on my own authority but declare the message of Him who sent me. And this is the merit and excellence of a messenger: to add nothing of his own.

The Venerable Bede: Here we must note that the angel testifies that he both stands before God and is sent to bring good news to Zacharias.

St. Gregory the Great: For when angels come to us, they outwardly fulfill their ministry in such a way that they are inwardly never absent from His sight. This is because, although the angelic spirit is circumscribed, the highest Spirit—God Himself—is not. Therefore, the angels are before Him even when they are sent, because on whatever mission they go, they move within Him.

The Venerable Bede: But the angel gives him the sign he asked for, so that he who spoke in unbelief might now learn to believe through silence, as it is written: and, behold, you shall be dumb.

St. John Chrysostom: Thus, the bonds were transferred from the powers of procreation to the organs of speech. He was not spared out of regard for his priesthood; rather, for this very reason he was struck more severely, because he ought to have set an example for others in a matter of faith.

Theophylact of Ohrid: Because the Greek word can also mean "deaf," the angel's words are fitting: Because you believe not, you shall be deaf, and shall not be able to speak. For he most reasonably suffered these two things: as disobedient, he incurred the penalty of deafness; as an objector, the penalty of silence.

St. John Chrysostom: The angel says, And, behold, meaning, 'At this very instant.' But notice the mercy of God in what follows: Until the day in which these things shall be performed. It is as if the angel said, 'When the outcome of events has proven my words and you realize that your punishment is light, I will remove it from you.'

The angel then points out the cause of the punishment, adding, Because you believe not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season—for you did not consider the power of Him who sent me, and before whom I stand. But if he who was unbelieving about a mortal birth is punished, how will he escape vengeance who speaks falsely about the heavenly and indescribable birth?

Greek Expositors: Now while these things were happening inside, the delay surprised the crowds waiting outside, as it is written: And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried.

While various suspicions circulated, with each person speculating as he pleased, Zacharias, upon coming out, revealed by his silence what he had secretly endured. Thus it is written, And when he came out, he could not speak.

Theophylact of Ohrid: But Zacharias beckoned to the people, who were perhaps asking the reason for his silence. Since he was unable to speak, he signified it to them by nodding, as it is written: And he beckoned to them, and remained speechless.

St. Ambrose of Milan: But a nod is a physical action that, without speech, attempts to declare one's will, yet does not fully express it.