Luke 1:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Zacharias {G2197} said {G2036} unto {G4314} the angel {G32}, Whereby {G2596}{G5101} shall I know {G1097} this {G5124}? for {G1063} I {G1473} am {G1510} an old man {G4246}, and {G2532} my {G3450} wife {G1135} well stricken {G4260} in {G1722} years {G2250}{G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Z'kharyah said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man; my wife too is well on in years."

Berean Standard Bible

“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

American Standard 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 1:18 captures the human struggle with divine promise, as Zacharias, an aged priest, questions the angel Gabriel's announcement that his elderly, barren wife, Elisabeth, will bear a son, John the Baptist. His query, "Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years," reveals a natural skepticism rooted in his understanding of human limitations, setting the stage for God's miraculous intervention and the demonstration of His power over natural impediments.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the angel Gabriel's astonishing revelation to Zacharias while he is performing his priestly duties in the Temple. Gabriel's message in [Luke 1:13-17](/luke/1-13-17 "Luke 1:13-17 - Gabriel's Prophecy to Zacharias") promises a son, John, who will be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth and will "make ready for the Lord a people prepared." Zacharias's response in [Luke 1:18](/luke/1-18 "Luke 1:18 - Zacharias's Doubt") is a direct reaction to this supernatural announcement, expressing doubt rather than immediate faith. This moment foreshadows the contrasting response of Mary later in the chapter ([Luke 1:38](/luke/1-38 "Luke 1:38 - Mary's Submission")), highlighting different human reactions to divine pronouncements and setting a narrative precedent for the theme of faith and unbelief throughout Luke's Gospel. The consequence of Zacharias's doubt, his temporary muteness ([Luke 1:20](/luke/1-20 "Luke 1:20 - Zacharias Struck Mute")), serves as a divine sign and a testament to the certainty of God's word.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Zacharias was a priest of the division of Abijah, serving in the Temple in Jerusalem. Priestly service was a profound honor, often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the burning of incense, which Zacharias was doing, was a sacred act symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God. In ancient Israelite society, barrenness was considered a great reproach and a source of deep sorrow for women, as children were seen as a divine blessing and a continuation of the family line. For an elderly couple like Zacharias and Elisabeth to be childless compounded this social stigma. The expectation of a prophet like Elijah, who would prepare the way for the Messiah, was also deeply ingrained in Jewish thought, making Gabriel's prophecy of John's role particularly significant within the broader messianic hopes of the time.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 1:18 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Luke. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Initiative and Human Response**, showcasing God's sovereign plan unfolding despite human limitations and doubts. Secondly, it highlights **God's Power Over Natural Laws**, demonstrating His ability to bring life from barrenness and youth from old age, a motif echoed in the Old Testament narratives of [Abraham and Sarah](/genesis/18-11 "Genesis 18:11 - Sarah's Barrenness in Old Age") and [Hannah](/1_samuel/1-2 "1 Samuel 1:2 - Hannah's Barrenness"). Thirdly, the verse introduces the theme of **Faith and Unbelief**, contrasting Zacharias's skepticism with the immediate and humble acceptance shown by Mary in [Luke 1:38](/luke/1-38 "Luke 1:38 - Mary's Response to Gabriel"), thereby establishing a crucial spiritual principle that permeates the Gospel: belief in God's word is paramount for receiving His blessings.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** This verb signifies more than mere intellectual apprehension; it implies experiential knowledge, a deep understanding, or even a personal recognition. Zacharias is not just asking for information, but for a tangible, verifiable sign or experience that would confirm the angel's extraordinary claim, indicating a desire for empirical proof rather than simple belief.
* **old man (Greek, _presbýtēs'_):** This term specifically denotes an aged man, emphasizing Zacharias's advanced years and the natural impossibility of him fathering a child. It highlights the stark contrast between human biological reality and the divine promise, setting the stage for God's miraculous intervention.
* **well stricken in years (Greek, _probaínō en hēmérais'_):** Literally meaning "advanced in days" or "going forward in days," this phrase vividly describes Elisabeth's extreme old age. Coupled with her barrenness, it underscores the humanly insurmountable obstacle to conception, further magnifying the miraculous nature of the promised birth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Zacharias said unto the angel":** This introduces Zacharias's direct verbal response to Gabriel's prophecy. It marks a pivotal moment where human reasoning confronts divine revelation.
* **"Whereby shall I know this?":** This interrogative clause expresses Zacharias's doubt and desire for a sign. It is not a question seeking clarification on the *how* God would do it, but rather a demand for *proof* that the promise is true, betraying a lack of immediate faith in the angel's word.
* **"for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years":** This explanatory clause provides the rationale for Zacharias's skepticism. He appeals to the undeniable biological realities of his and Elisabeth's advanced age and her long-standing barrenness, presenting these as insurmountable barriers to the fulfillment of the divine promise. This highlights the human tendency to limit God's power by natural understanding.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 1:18 effectively employs several literary devices. **Irony** is present as Zacharias, a priest serving in the Temple, a place of divine revelation, expresses doubt in God's messenger. His position should ideally foster faith, yet his human limitations prevail. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** between the divine power and promise, and human weakness and skepticism. This contrast is further heightened by the subsequent narrative, where Mary, a young virgin, responds with humble acceptance to an equally miraculous announcement, unlike the aged priest. The verse also serves as **Foreshadowing**, as Zacharias's temporary muteness ([Luke 1:20](/luke/1-20 "Luke 1:20 - Zacharias's Muteness")) foreshadows the spiritual blindness and inability to speak God's truth that would characterize many in Israel who failed to recognize the Messiah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zacharias's doubt in Luke 1:18 provides a profound theological lesson on the nature of faith and God's omnipotence. His reliance on human reason and biological limitations, rather than the boundless power of God, mirrors a common human struggle. Yet, God's plan is not thwarted by human unbelief; rather, it proceeds, often using the very circumstances deemed impossible by humanity to display His glory. This narrative powerfully asserts that God's promises are not contingent upon human ability or natural laws, but on His sovereign will and infinite power. It establishes a foundational truth: God is capable of doing the impossible, and His word is always trustworthy, even when it defies our understanding.

* [Genesis 18:11-14](/genesis/18-11-14 "Genesis 18:11-14 - Sarah's Laughter and God's Question")
* [Jeremiah 32:27](/jeremiah/32-27 "Jeremiah 32:27 - Is Anything Too Hard for Me?")
* [Romans 4:18-21](/romans/4-18-21 "Romans 4:18-21 - Abraham's Faith in God's Promise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zacharias's initial response to Gabriel's extraordinary news serves as a poignant mirror for our own spiritual journeys. How often do we, like Zacharias, allow our rational assessments of circumstances or our past experiences to limit our belief in God's ability to act supernaturally in our lives? This verse challenges us to move beyond a faith that is confined to what is humanly possible and to embrace a deeper trust in a God for whom nothing is impossible. It calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and open-hearted reception to God's word, even when it defies our logic or comfort zones. True faith is not the absence of questions, but the willingness to believe God's character and power even when the "how" remains a mystery. Zacharias's temporary muteness, a direct consequence of his unbelief, reminds us that while God is gracious, His word carries authority and requires a response of faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you struggling to believe God for something that seems humanly impossible?**
* **How might your "rational" assessment of a situation be limiting your expectation of God's supernatural intervention?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper trust in God's power, even when His plans defy your understanding?**
* **How does Zacharias's experience challenge or affirm your understanding of the relationship between faith and consequence?**

### FAQ
**Why was Zacharias struck mute for his question? Was it wrong to ask for clarification?**

Answer: Zacharias's muteness was not merely a punishment for asking a question, but a sign and a consequence of his unbelief. The angel Gabriel's words in [Luke 1:20](/luke/1-20 "Luke 1:20 - Gabriel's Rebuke to Zacharias") clarify this: "And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." His question, "Whereby shall I know this?", was not a humble inquiry for understanding, but a demand for proof, implying doubt in the divine messenger and the message itself. This contrasts sharply with Mary's question in [Luke 1:34](/luke/1-34 "Luke 1:34 - Mary's Question to Gabriel"), "How will this be, since I am a virgin?", which was a genuine request for clarification on the *method* of fulfillment, not a challenge to the *truth* of the promise. Zacharias's muteness served as a physical sign that would confirm the truth of Gabriel's words upon its removal, and also as a period of enforced reflection and meditation for him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 1:18, with Zacharias's human doubt contrasted against God's impossible promise, powerfully sets the stage for the Christ-centered narrative. John the Baptist, the son promised to Zacharias and Elisabeth, was the divinely appointed forerunner, preparing the way for the Lord Jesus Christ, as prophesied in [Malachi 3:1](/malachi/3-1 "Malachi 3:1 - Messenger of the Covenant"). Zacharias's inability to believe in the miraculous birth of his son foreshadows the greater challenge of believing in the virgin birth of Jesus, the Son of God, and His divine identity. The very human limitations that Zacharias cited—his old age and Elisabeth's barrenness—are overcome by God's power, illustrating that God can accomplish His redemptive purposes through means that defy human logic and natural law. This prepares the reader for the ultimate miracle of the Incarnation, where the eternal Son of God takes on human flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Just as Zacharias's muteness was broken when John was named, signifying belief ([Luke 1:64](/luke/1-64 "Luke 1:64 - Zacharias's Speech Restored")), so too does belief in Christ open our mouths to declare God's praise and truth. The entire narrative underscores that salvation is not by human effort or natural possibility, but by God's sovereign, miraculous intervention, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the one through whom all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2_corinthians/1-20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 17:17

Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall [a child] be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

Luke 1:34

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

2 Kings 7:2

Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, [if] the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see [it] with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.

Numbers 11:21

And Moses said, The people, among whom I [am, are] six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.

Numbers 11:23

And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

Isaiah 38:22

Hezekiah also had said, What [is] the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?

Genesis 15:8

And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?