Luke 1:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Yet, before God, his questioning was not deemed justifiable; rather, it was considered an error.

The remarkable announcement of a son bewildered the elderly Zechariah; he struggled to accept the idea of a child being born at a time beyond what seems appropriate, without acknowledging that the Creator, who formed the womb, could rejuvenate it. Thus, he sank into a profound doubt. When the angel declared, “Behold, your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John” (Luke 1:13), Zechariah responded skeptically, asking, “By what shall I know this? For I am old, and my wife is of advanced years.” He was seeking some tangible proof of the promise, perhaps a sign akin to Aaron's flourishing rod to confirm that even in old age, a child might be conceived. Although the angel's words were promising, the prospect was challenging for Zechariah to accept. As an intermediary, he was given the hopeful news of a son, yet he felt burdened by the passage of his youth and the apparent futility of his hopes.

Now, standing like a barren tree, forced to bear fruit when he felt most withered, he struggled to walk under the weight of his age. The earth, to which he felt bound, beckoned him, and he found it difficult to lift his gaze heavenward. With failing strength and shuffling steps, he relied on a staff for support, lamenting that he had not been blessed with a child, feeling instead like a wandering tomb. How, then, could he respond to the call of fatherhood when both he and his wife were past their prime? The inevitability of death seemed to overshadow any thought of a new life, as time had drained his vigor and Elizabeth's womb seemed lifeless. How could he possibly recognize the truth of this promise?

Whereas Abraham, having received God's promise, remained steadfast and encountered no fear, Zechariah, in contrast, was rendered mute for his disbelief after hearing the joyful news, facing the consequence of his doubt. "And Zechariah said to the angel, 'By what shall I know this? For I am old, and my wife is of advanced years,'" he questioned. “What is this, O Lord? I pray to You on behalf of the people, seeking Your mercy, and yet, You bring me the message of a son's birth? This seems implausible, for ages have rendered me incapable, and my wife's condition feels as solid as a barren stone. How shall this come to pass? If a son is indeed born to me, as you have declared, what benefit will he bring to the people?”

Abraham and Sarah stood as figures of parenthood to those experiencing similar struggles and served as a reflection for all who endured these trials in their generation; the eyes of childless couples looked to them for comfort, just as they had once found consolation through Isaac, who was miraculously conceived in Sarah’s womb after ninety-nine years. Zacharias certainly viewed Abraham as his father in faith, yet recognized that his own advanced years set him apart from him. The implication appears to be that he acknowledged the distinction in age between himself and Abraham, perceiving his old age as a barrier to bearing children, in contrast to Abraham, who had faith in the promise of descendants.

The priest is silent, the prophet is silent. If I am correct, he alone has muted the voice of the entire people just as Moses was the sole intermediary for the people speaking to God (see Exodus 19:17-21). The quietude of both the prophet and the priest signifies the end of sacred acts and the withdrawal of prophetic voices. Scripture states, ‘I will take away the sturdy power, the prophet and the counsellor’ (see Is. 3:1-3). Indeed, He removed the prophets from those whom He had deprived of the Word that had previously spoken through them. He stripped away power from those from whom the Power of God had departed; He took away the Counsellor from those from whom the Angel of great Counsel had forsaken (Is. 9:5); He silenced the voice, for the voice is of the Word, not the Word dependent on the voice. If the Word is not active in us, we have no voice. John represents the voice, for he is the one calling out in the desert (Mark 1:2), while Christ embodies the Word. The Word accomplishes its purpose, and when it ceases to do so, the tongue of the spirit becomes mute, lifeless, and breathless. The Word of God has been given to us and resonates within us, preventing the Jew from claiming what the Christian affirms: You seek evidence that Christ speaks through me (2 Cor. 13:3).

The words from his mouth were in conflict with the sentiments of his heart. Likely, Zechariah was at a much higher spiritual level than he appeared to be in that moment. In our human nature, the most fragile individual can feel weakened in the presence of one with concentrated strength and activity. Concerning visions it is said, “If a brief fear gives way to joy, it is a sign that the vision is from God; but if fear persists, it indicates the presence of the adversary.” What is the significance of Zechariah's inquiry? In the original text, it is stated: χατα τι γνωσομαιτουτο. We veer slightly from the original meaning. What is it that Zechariah wished to know? The birth of a son, as evidenced by his following declaration: “I am old.” It is as though he expressed, “Your words are difficult to accept; for I am old.” But did he not recognize God’s omnipotence? Was he unaware of the narratives of Abraham and others like him? As a priest, he ought to have known this, and as a righteous and holy priest, he should have been even more aware. Yet when faced with confusion, his tongue seemed to tighten more than his heart; his mind struggled to apply the general truths to his specific circumstance. This leads to the reading of the Gospel accounts regarding the earthly life of Jesus Christ and the conception of John the Baptist.

And behold, you will be mute and unable to speak until the day these events are fulfilled, because you have not believed my words, which will come to pass at their appointed time.’ After this declaration, the angel vanished, and only the fragrant smoke from the censer lingered in the sanctuary.

Additionally, the angel's visitation in such a sacred setting during an act of devotion should have been enough to inspire his faith. Nonetheless, he chose to doubt, and for this, he faced consequences. Under the Mosaic law, Levites were permitted to serve in the temple only until the age of fifty, after which they were required to retire; however, this guideline did not seem to apply to priests, suggesting that Zechariah had most likely surpassed that age limit.

“I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God and has been sent to communicate these glad tidings to you.” This majestic reply should have resonated with Zacharias, for he ought to have known from the Scriptures that Gabriel is the primary messenger of God, tasked with conveying His will to humanity (Dan. 8:16; 9:21). “And you will be mute, unable to speak, until this day comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.” According to St. Athanasius of Alexandria, the angel justly did not excuse the disbelief of Zacharias, especially given the examples in Scripture of barren individuals who were blessed with children. The penalty imposed upon Zacharias—being rendered both mute and deaf, as understood by the Holy Church in its hymns—was also intended as a sign to reinforce the truth of the joyous message. Furthermore, “in losing his ability to speak, Zacharias was reminded that this revelation should remain concealed until the appointed time: what detrimental effects might occur if even a portion of what the heavenly messenger proclaimed were shared too soon!” (Eph. 3:9) This revelation is disclosed gradually to humanity based on their readiness to comprehend this profound mystery.

Meanwhile, the crowd waiting in the temple's outer area was eager for Zechariah to emerge and impart a blessing (cf. Num. 6:23-26) but was puzzled by his prolonged absence in the sanctuary. When he finally exited and attempted to communicate through gestures that he could not speak, it became evident to all that a remarkable event had taken place—that he had experienced a vision. The silence of the elder served as a foreshadowing of the impending completion of the Old Testament priesthood's purpose: “The silence of the elder,” the Holy Church proclaims, “is the symbol of the mysteries, for through Moses, grace was silenced. ‘As the sun rises, the stars fade away,’ notes St. Isidore Pelusiot; ‘when daylight breaks, the shadows in the east vanish. When the light of the Gospel emerged, the immaturity of the law was rendered obsolete; hence Zacharias fell silent upon encountering the joyful tidings of a remarkable new promise.’” Despite his muteness, Zacharias continued to fulfill his priestly duties in the temple throughout the duration of his assigned week, and he eventually returned to his tranquil hometown at the week's end.