Luke 1:22
And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 22
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπέγνωσαν
they perceived
G1921
ἐπέγνωσαν
they perceived
Strong's:
G1921
Word #:
8 of 22
to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
9 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἑώρακεν
he had seen
G3708
ἑώρακεν
he had seen
Strong's:
G3708
Word #:
11 of 22
by extension, to attend to; by hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 22
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
διανεύων
he beckoned
G1269
διανεύων
he beckoned
Strong's:
G1269
Word #:
18 of 22
to nod (or express by signs) across an intervening space
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 22
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
Visions in the temple were extraordinarily rare, making this event significant to all who witnessed its effects. Zacharias's continued inability to pronounce the priestly blessing would have deeply impressed the community and generated expectation for what God was doing.
Questions for Reflection
- How can God use our weaknesses and failures to testify to His power?
- What does this teach about God's ability to communicate truth even through imperfect vessels?
- How do unexplained experiences draw us to seek God's purposes more earnestly?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Zacharias's inability to speak combined with his signs (Greek 'dianeuon'—nodding, beckoning) revealed to the people that he had experienced a vision. His muteness testified more powerfully than words could to the reality of divine encounter. The people's perception that 'he had seen a vision in the temple' shows spiritual discernment—they recognized God's hand in the unexpected. Zacharias's condition became a living sermon about God's power and the cost of unbelief, while simultaneously confirming the angel's message. God uses even our failures to accomplish His purposes.