Luke 1:12

And when Zacharias saw [him], he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

And {G2532} when Zacharias {G2197} saw {G1492} him, he was troubled {G5015}, and {G2532} fear {G5401} fell {G1968} upon {G1909} him {G846}.

Z'kharyah was startled and terrified at the sight.

When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.

And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.

Luke 1:12 describes the immediate, powerful reaction of Zacharias, a priest, to the sudden appearance of the angel Gabriel in the Temple. This verse sets the stage for a miraculous announcement that would change the course of salvation history.

Context

This verse is part of the opening narrative of Luke's Gospel, which meticulously details the events surrounding the births of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Zacharias, a righteous priest of the division of Abijah, and his wife Elisabeth were both "well stricken in years" and childless (Luke 1:7). On this particular day, Zacharias was performing his priestly duty of offering incense in the Holy Place of the Temple, a rare and highly esteemed privilege that occurred only once in a priest's lifetime. It was during this sacred moment that the angel Gabriel appeared, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zacharias's profound reaction in Luke 1:12—being "troubled" and overcome by "fear"—is a natural human response to such an unexpected and overwhelming divine encounter, signaling the gravity and holiness of the moment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Encounter and Human Response: The verse vividly portrays the typical human reaction to a supernatural visitation. Zacharias's trouble and fear are not merely surprise but a deep, unsettling awe in the presence of a heavenly messenger. This fear often accompanies genuine encounters with the divine in scripture, highlighting God's majesty and man's humility.
  • God's Initiative: The appearance of Gabriel demonstrates God's active involvement in human affairs, initiating His plan for the birth of John the Baptist, who would prepare the way for the Messiah (Luke 1:17).
  • Holiness and Reverence: The setting within the Temple, specifically at the altar of incense, underscores the sacredness of the event. The fear experienced by Zacharias is a form of reverence, acknowledging the holiness of the messenger and the message.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word translated "troubled" is etarachthe (ἐταράχθη), which signifies being agitated, disturbed, or thrown into confusion. It implies an internal turmoil rather than just outward surprise.
  • The phrase "fear fell upon him" uses the Greek phobos epepesen ep' auton (φόβος ἐπέπεσεν ἐπ' αὐτόν), which literally means "fear fell upon him." This emphasizes the sudden, overwhelming, and almost physical nature of the fear, suggesting it enveloped him completely. This is a common description in the Bible when humans are confronted with angelic or divine beings.

Practical Application

Zacharias's reaction reminds us that genuine encounters with God's presence or His truth can be profoundly impactful, sometimes even unsettling. While we may not experience angelic visitations in the same way, the Bible's message and the Holy Spirit's work can still stir our hearts and challenge our comfort zones. This verse encourages us to approach God with a spirit of reverence and awe, recognizing His power and holiness. It also shows that initial fear or doubt does not disqualify one from being used by God, as the angel immediately reassures Zacharias in the following verse (Luke 1:13).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Judges 6:22

    And when Gideon perceived that he [was] an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.

  • Judges 13:22

    And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.

  • Luke 2:9

    And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

  • Luke 2:10

    And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

  • Revelation 1:17

    And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

  • Daniel 10:7

    And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

  • Mark 16:5

    And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

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