Church Fathers Commentary Luke 1:65-66

"And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. And all that heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, What then shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him." — Luke 1:65-66 (ASV)

Theophylact of Ohrid: Just as the people marveled at the silence of Zacharias, they also marveled when he spoke. Therefore, it is said, And fear came upon all, so that from these two events, everyone might believe there was something great about the child who was born. But all these things were ordained so that he who was to bear witness to Christ might also be considered trustworthy. This is why the text continues: And all they that heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, What manner of child...

The Venerable Bede: For preceding signs prepare the way for the forerunner of the truth, and the future prophet is commended by signs sent before him. Therefore, the text continues, For the hand of the Lord was with him.

Greek Expositors: For God worked miracles through John that John did not perform himself; rather, it was the right hand of God working in him.

Glossa Ordinaria: But mystically, at the time of our Lord’s resurrection, through the preaching of the grace of Christ, a reverent fear shook the hearts not only of the Jews (who were neighbors, either by their location or their knowledge of the Law) but also of the Gentile nations. The name of Christ surmounts not only the hill country of Judea but all the heights of worldly dominion and wisdom.