Luke 1:22

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἐξελθὼν
when he came out
to issue (literally or figuratively)
#2
δὲ
And
but, and, etc
#3
οὐκ
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#4
ἠδύνατο
he could
to be able or possible
#5
λαλῆσαι
speak
to talk, i.e., utter words
#6
αὐτοῖς
unto them
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
#7
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#8
ἐπέγνωσαν
they perceived
to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge
#9
ὅτι
that
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#10
ὀπτασίαν
a vision
visuality, i.e., (concretely) an apparition
#11
ἑώρακεν
he had seen
by extension, to attend to; by hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear
#12
ἐν
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#13
τῷ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
ναῷ·
the temple
a fane, shrine, temple
#15
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#16
αὐτοῖς
unto them
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
#17
ἦν
i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
#18
διανεύων
he beckoned
to nod (or express by signs) across an intervening space
#19
αὐτοῖς
unto them
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
#20
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#21
διέμενεν
remained
to stay constantly (in being or relation)
#22
κωφός
speechless
blunted, i.e., (figuratively) of hearing (deaf) or speech (dumb)

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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