And fear came upon all their neighbours: and all these things were noised abroad over all the hill country of Judea.
και εγενετο επι παντας φοβος τους περιοικουντας αυτους και εν ολη τη ορεινη της ιουδαιας διελαλειτο παντα τα ρηματα ταυτα
9 Church Fathers comment on this verse
At the miraculous proclamation of Zechariah, a great fear enveloped everyone; for just as the people were bewildered when he was rendered mute, they were equally amazed when he began to speak once more. Through these two wonders, all could recognize that the child born to him was exalted above many.
A sense of awe enveloped everyone living in the vicinity, and word of these extraordinary occurrences spread throughout the entire region of Judea. They recounted the remarkable happenings surrounding the child’s naming, the unusual consensus among the parents, and how Zacharias was divinely restored to speech, along with the unfolding of events from start to finish.
On the day of John's circumcision, when he was given his name, awe gripped all the neighbors, and this news spread throughout the hilly regions of Judea. Later, at the time of the Lord's resurrection, when the Holy Spirit was sent down and the glory of His name was proclaimed by the apostles, a profound reverence filled the hearts of not only the Jews, who were nearby in both proximity and knowledge of the law, but also individuals from distant nations across the globe. The renown of his character transcended the boundaries of hilly Judea and reached even the highest echelons of worldly authority and understanding, prompting people everywhere to abandon their former ways and eagerly seek the teachings of his faith.
Why do we speak of "fear" instead of joy? What is there to fear? The visitation from the heavenly realm came through a gentle, benevolent angel; Zacharias may have lost his ability to speak, but it was restored; a child has been born who promises to be a blessing to the entire nation—each event brings joy. So, why the fear?
The Evangelist notes that many who witnessed the miracles of Jesus Christ were filled with awe. In general, phenomena from the celestial realm can inspire fear, especially when our reality feels as though it is crumbling. Even within our divided world, where realms are higher and lower, the appearance of something from the divine realm can evoke a certain trepidation in the soul, as it stands at the threshold of the spiritual domain. This fear arises because these two realms are often seen as oppositional; they exclude each other, exist in conflict, and one seems to overshadow the other. When our world is evident, the other appears hidden, and vice versa.
For humanity, the situation is even more profound. When the veil to another realm is lifted, and one nears the edges of existence, it is natural to tremble, much like a condemned individual before the executioner's instrument; for crossing into the next world often requires facing death.
“Throughout all the regions of Judea these words were shared.” The news spread widely due to its extraordinary nature; all the events surrounding it—the angel’s announcement, Zacharias regaining his speech, and the naming of the child—were thoroughly recounted. The Jewish people were particularly attentive at this time; calamities had purified many among them, stirring their sorrowful reflections, making the announcement of John’s birth a cause for immense rejoicing, akin to a proclamation of liberation. “The hearts of all who heard were moved.” It is aptly stated that these tidings were placed "in their hearts"; after all, where better to safeguard such wondrous acts of Divine Providence than within the heart? Yet, experience shows that few truly keep them there; much can be forgotten from the heart.
In his prophecy regarding John, the angel declared he would “go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). Zacharias did not mention this particular detail. It is possible this remarkable truth was tucked away within his heart, a hidden treasure he chose to keep for himself, not feeling compelled to proclaim it. Furthermore, the news of the Messiah's forerunner posed potential threats to the city; had these revelations been openly acknowledged, the people would have inevitably questioned, “What then will this child become?” “And the hand of the Lord was with him” (Luke 1:66).
As we delve into the Gospel accounts detailing the events of Jesus Christ's earthly life, let us reflect on the Nativity of John the Baptist and his formative years.
In Nazareth, as Mary's secret was unveiled, Zacharias's lips, previously sealed by silence, were also freed. As the angel had predicted, Elizabeth bore a son; during this momentous occasion, many relatives and friends gathered to celebrate with her. They marveled at the remarkable nature of the event, linking it to the timing of the revelation given to Zacharias, yet they remained uncertain about the full significance. Zacharias, still unable to speak, left Elizabeth unwilling to disclose anything without her husband’s approval. After a week had passed, on the eighth day, it was time for the child's circumcision and naming—a day typically marked by a family gathering among the Jews, where at least ten close relatives would come together.
Thus, the nearest kin assembled at Zacharias's home for the sacred ceremony and celebration. When it was time to name the child, they inquired of the mother (since the father was mute): she asserted that the child should be named John. This choice was surprising, as neither Zacharias nor Elizabeth had any connection to the name John; they suggested naming the child after his father instead, but Elizabeth stood firm in her decision. Seeking clarity, they asked Zacharias for a sign to indicate his preference for the name. John is to be his name—Zacharias inscribed on a tablet—and at that moment, his tongue was loosed, and his first utterance was praise to God. Everyone was astonished by this remarkable turn of events surrounding the birth of John. They anticipated that they would have this son, born in advanced age, while his father remained mute throughout his mother’s pregnancy. Miraculously, both parents assigned him a name unfamiliar to their lineage, and the moment Zacharias wrote this name, he regained his speech. This was perceived as a miracle! While many interpreted these occurrences as extraordinary, the true purpose and meaning behind these events eluded them.
It is uncertain whether Zechariah's prophetic declaration was made on the day of John's circumcision or at a later time, leaving us to question whether this signifies a shift in the narrative of that event or the start of a new segment. The remarkable circumstances surrounding the birth and circumcision of the Forerunner instilled a sense of fear in those who learned of them in the Judean highlands. This was due to the evident intervention of God, leading to an overwhelming sense of His nearness, which can provoke trepidation among sinful humanity. As people contemplated the importance of the events within Zechariah's family, there was a consensus regarding the unique destiny of the newborn. Indeed, it was noted that 'the hand of the Lord was with him,' indicating his extraordinary growth and the apparent divine guidance he received.
The astonishing occurrences during John's circumcision filled those who witnessed them with awe, causing a sense of fear to extend to all the surrounding residents.
On the eighth day, in accordance with the customs, circumcision took place, and the family came together to name the infant. The mother, aware of her husband’s revelation, wished to name her son John. However, the relatives objected, arguing that such a name was not found among their lineage, insisting instead on naming the child after his father. Consequently, Zechariah was asked to resolve the matter. When they communicated their inquiry to him through gestures, he requested a writing tablet and inscribed, ‘John is his name’. This declaration astonished everyone, marveling at the alignment of his choice with Elizabeth’s.
Their amazement soon turned to trepidation when Zechariah spoke again, recounting the vision and promise he received in the temple, where the angel of the Lord proclaimed the birth of a son and instructed him to name the child John, meaning gift of God’s grace.
Fear enveloped everyone: remarkable occurrences naturally provoke awe regarding the divine might that enacts them. The astounding event of an aged priest and his wife giving birth had a profound impact on the community. This fear spread throughout the region, blending with the local gossip surrounding these extraordinary happenings, as often happens during such unusual circumstances. Across the hills: in the mountainous regions of Judea, encompassing the entire area shaped by the mountain range known as the mountains of Judah.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 20 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS