Luke 1:18

Authorized King James Version

And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#2
εἶπεν
G2036
said
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#3
Ζαχαρίας
G2197
Zacharias
zacharias (i.e., zechariah), the name of two israelites
#4
πρὸς
G4314
unto
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,
#5
τὸν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
ἄγγελον
G32
the angel
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
#7
Κατὰ
G2596
Whereby
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
#8
τί
G5101
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
#9
γνώσομαι
G1097
shall I know
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
#10
τοῦτο
G5124
this
that thing
#11
ἐγὼ
G1473
I
i, me
#12
γάρ
G1063
for
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
#13
εἰμι
G1510
am
i exist (used only when emphatic)
#14
πρεσβύτης
G4246
an old man
an old man
#15
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#16
ἡ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#17
γυνή
G1135
wife
a woman; specially, a wife
#18
μου
G3450
my
of me
#19
προβεβηκυῖα
G4260
well stricken
to walk forward, i.e., advance (literally, or in years)
#20
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#21
ταῖς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#22
ἡμέραις
G2250
years
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
#23
αὐτῆς
G846
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

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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