Luke 1:65
And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγένετο
came
G1096
ἐγένετο
came
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
2 of 20
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
περιοικοῦντας
that dwelt round about
G4039
περιοικοῦντας
that dwelt round about
Strong's:
G4039
Word #:
7 of 20
to reside around, i.e., be a neighbor
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 20
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 #:
9 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅλῃ
all
G3650
ὅλῃ
all
Strong's:
G3650
Word #:
11 of 20
"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀρεινῇ
the hill country
G3714
ὀρεινῇ
the hill country
Strong's:
G3714
Word #:
13 of 20
mountainous, i.e., (feminine by implication, of g5561) the highlands (of judaea)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰουδαίας
of Judaea
G2449
Ἰουδαίας
of Judaea
Strong's:
G2449
Word #:
15 of 20
the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine
διελαλεῖτο
were noised abroad
G1255
διελαλεῖτο
were noised abroad
Strong's:
G1255
Word #:
16 of 20
to talk throughout a company, i.e., converse or (genitive case) publish
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Luke 1:39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;Acts 5:5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.Acts 2:43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.Acts 5:11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.Luke 7:16And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
Historical Context
The Judean hill country, relatively small and close-knit, would have rapidly spread news of miraculous pregnancy, naming controversy, and speech restoration. This prepared the region to recognize John as one marked by God when he later emerged to preach.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the difference between holy fear and mere terror in response to God's works?
- How should witnessing God's power lead to both worship and testimony?
- How do extraordinary divine works prepare communities for God's further purposes?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Fear falling on all dwelling around them demonstrates appropriate response to manifest divine power. This 'fear' (Greek 'phobos') combines awe, reverence, and recognition of God's presence. The result—'all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country'—shows how God's extraordinary works generate witness. That these events spread widely prepared the region for John's later ministry. The community's fear wasn't terror but holy recognition that God was working among them. This response models how divine intervention should produce both worship and testimony. The spreading of these events built expectation for God's continued work.