Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

His time of disability over, Zechariah’s first words were words of praise.

Luke goes on to stress the widespread response to the events surrounding the birth of John, just as he later stresses the fame of Jesus (e.g., 2:52). A child whose birth was attended by such marvelous circumstances would surely have an unusual destiny (v.66).