Luke 1:13
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Original Language Analysis
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 28
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἄγγελος
the angel
G32
ἄγγελος
the angel
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
6 of 28
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
Μὴ
not
G3361
Μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
7 of 28
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
φοβοῦ
Fear
G5399
φοβοῦ
Fear
Strong's:
G5399
Word #:
8 of 28
to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere
Ζαχαρία
Zacharias
G2197
Ζαχαρία
Zacharias
Strong's:
G2197
Word #:
9 of 28
zacharias (i.e., zechariah), the name of two israelites
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γεννήσει
shall bear
G1080
γεννήσει
shall bear
Strong's:
G1080
Word #:
20 of 28
to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate
υἱόν
a son
G5207
υἱόν
a son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
21 of 28
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καλέσεις
thou shalt call
G2564
καλέσεις
thou shalt call
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
24 of 28
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄνομα
name
G3686
ὄνομα
name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
26 of 28
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
Cross References
Acts 10:31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.1 Samuel 2:21And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.Psalms 113:9He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.Genesis 25:21And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.Luke 2:21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.Psalms 118:21I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.Genesis 18:14Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.Matthew 14:27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.Genesis 17:19And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.Isaiah 8:3And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
Historical Context
Zacharias belonged to the priestly division of Abijah (one of 24 divisions, 1 Chronicles 24:10), each serving one week twice yearly in the temple. The privilege of burning incense in the Holy Place came once in a lifetime by lot—this was likely Zacharias's only opportunity. The barrenness of Elizabeth and Zacharias mirrors other faithful couples (Abraham/Sarah, Elkanah/Hannah), establishing a pattern where God's redemptive work begins with human impossibility.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's delayed answer to Zacharias's prayers teach about divine timing and purpose?
- How does John's Spirit-filling from the womb foreshadow the new covenant's gift of the Holy Spirit to all believers?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Gabriel's announcement begins with 'Fear not, Zacharias' (μὴ φοβοῦ, Ζαχαρία), addressing the natural human response to divine presence. The phrase 'thy prayer is heard' (εἰσηκούσθη ἡ δέησίς σου) uses the aorist passive, indicating God had already acted on Zacharias's petition. This raises the question: was Zacharias still praying for a son in his old age, or does this refer to years of earlier prayers? The latter seems likely, demonstrating that God's timing differs from ours—He answers according to His redemptive purposes, not our timelines. The promise that John would be 'filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb' (v.15) anticipates the new covenant's Spirit-empowerment.