Luke 1:65

KJV

And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} fear {G5401} came {G1096} on {G1909} all {G3956} that dwelt round about {G4039} them {G846}: and {G2532} all {G3956} these {G5023} sayings {G4487} were noised abroad {G1255} throughout {G1722} all {G3650} the hill country {G3714} of Judaea {G2449}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All their neighbors were awestruck; and throughout the hill country of Y'hudah, people talked about all these things.

Berean Standard Bible

All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.

American Standard Version

And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 1:65 powerfully depicts the immediate and profound impact of God's miraculous intervention on the community surrounding Zechariah and Elisabeth. Following the dramatic restoration of Zechariah's speech and the naming of John, a deep sense of reverential awe settled upon the neighbors. The extraordinary events, seen as clear signs of divine activity, were not confined to a small circle but rapidly and widely disseminated, becoming the subject of widespread discussion throughout the rural hill country of Judaea, setting the stage for John's unique prophetic ministry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial transition point in Luke's narrative, immediately following the miraculous birth of John the Baptist and the dramatic restoration of his father Zechariah's speech. Having been struck mute by the angel Gabriel for his unbelief ([Luke 1:20](/luke/1-20 "Luke 1:20 - Zechariah's Muteness")), Zechariah's tongue was loosed precisely when he affirmed the divinely appointed name "John" for his son ([Luke 1:63-64](/luke/1-63-64 "Luke 1:63-64 - Zechariah's Speech Restored")). The preceding verses detail the astonishment of the relatives and neighbors at these events, culminating in the "fear" described here. Luke 1:65 sets the stage for Zechariah's Spirit-inspired prophecy in the following verses ([Luke 1:67-79](/luke/1-67-79 "Luke 1:67-79 - Zechariah's Prophecy")), which further expounds on John's prophetic role and the coming of the Messiah. The widespread public reaction underscores the divine significance of John's birth, preparing the audience for his future ministry.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judaea was a region deeply steeped in Jewish tradition and anticipation of the Messiah. In this period, miraculous births, particularly to elderly or barren couples, were understood as clear indicators of God's special favor and intervention, recalling figures like Isaac and Samuel. The "hill country of Judaea" refers to the rugged, often rural, central highlands, where communities were typically close-knit and news traveled quickly by word of mouth. Public events like a child's naming ceremony, especially one involving such unusual circumstances as Zechariah's muteness and its sudden reversal, would naturally become the subject of intense local discussion and speculation. The people, familiar with the Old Testament prophets, would be keenly attuned to signs of God's activity and the unfolding of His redemptive plan, recognizing these events as potentially fulfilling ancient prophecies.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 1:65 contributes to several overarching themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Awe and Reverence**, demonstrating a proper human response to God's miraculous power. The "fear" that came upon the people was not mere terror but a profound sense of respectful astonishment in the face of unmistakable divine intervention, echoing the biblical concept of the [fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes **God's Public Revelation**, indicating that God's redemptive work is not hidden but is openly displayed and witnessed by humanity. The fact that "all these sayings were noised abroad" underscores that God's actions are meant to be known and discussed, serving as a public testimony to His faithfulness and the unfolding of His plan. Finally, this widespread reaction serves as **Preparation for John's Ministry**, establishing his unique, divinely appointed role. The extraordinary circumstances of his birth and the public acknowledgment of God's hand upon him would set him apart in the minds of the people, paving the way for his future prophetic ministry as the forerunner of the Messiah, as further elaborated in [Luke 1:66](/luke/1-66 "Luke 1:66 - The Hand of the Lord Was With Him").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fear (Greek, _phóbos'_):** (G5401) This term, while broadly meaning "alarm or fright," in this context, specifically denotes a profound sense of reverential awe, astonishment, and respect in the presence of the divine. It is a proper, humble response to a supernatural manifestation, recognizing God's power and holiness. It is not a paralyzing terror but a recognition of the sacred.
* **came (Greek, _gínomai'_):** (G1096) Derived from a primary verb meaning "to cause to be" or "to become," this word here signifies that the fear "came into being" or "happened" to them. It suggests an event that was not self-generated but occurred as a direct result of the preceding divine actions, emphasizing the spontaneous and divinely orchestrated nature of the community's reaction.
* **noised abroad (Greek, _dialaléō'_):** (G1255) This compound verb, formed from "through" (dia) and "to speak" (laleō), literally means "to talk throughout a company" or "to publish." It vividly conveys the rapid, extensive, and pervasive dissemination of the news. It implies that the events were not merely whispered but were openly and widely discussed, becoming common knowledge across the region.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And fear came on all that dwelt round about them":** This clause describes the immediate, supernatural effect of Zechariah's restored speech and John's naming on the local community. The "fear" (phóbos) signifies a deep, reverential awe, a recognition of God's powerful hand at work. The phrase "all that dwelt round about them" emphasizes the widespread nature of this awe, indicating that the divine intervention was recognized by the entire immediate neighborhood, not just a select few.
* **"and all these sayings were noised abroad":** This part of the verse highlights the specific content that was being discussed – "all these sayings" (rhēma), referring to the extraordinary events surrounding John's birth, Zechariah's muteness, and its miraculous reversal. The verb "were noised abroad" (dialaléō) underscores the rapid and extensive spread of this news, indicating that the events became a topic of widespread public conversation and proclamation.
* **"throughout all the hill country of Judaea."** This final phrase specifies the geographical scope of the news's dissemination. The "hill country of Judaea" (oreinós Ioudaía) refers to the central, elevated region of Judaea, a rural area where Zechariah and Elisabeth resided. This detail emphasizes that the impact of God's work was not confined to a single household or village but permeated an entire region, setting the stage for John's future public ministry.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 1:65 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrases "all that dwelt round about them" and "all the hill country of Judaea." While not necessarily implying every single individual, these expressions serve to emphasize the widespread and undeniable impact of the events, underscoring their public nature and significance. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as the widespread awe and discussion surrounding John's birth subtly prepare the audience for his future prophetic ministry and, more importantly, for the coming of the Messiah. The extraordinary circumstances of John's arrival set a precedent for the even more profound and globally impactful events surrounding Jesus. Furthermore, the use of the **Divine Passive** in "fear came" and "sayings were noised abroad" implicitly points to God as the ultimate agent behind these occurrences. The events are not accidental or merely human-driven but are divinely orchestrated, highlighting God's sovereign control over the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 1:65 powerfully illustrates God's active involvement in human history, particularly in the unfolding of His redemptive plan. The "fear" that came upon the people is a theological response to the manifestation of divine power, signifying a recognition of God's holiness and sovereignty. This awe is not a paralyzing terror but a reverent acknowledgment of God's presence and work, a proper posture for humanity before its Creator. The widespread dissemination of the "sayings" emphasizes that God's saving acts are intended for public witness and proclamation, preparing hearts and minds for the greater revelation to come. This verse highlights the theme of divine preparation, where God orchestrates events and stirs human hearts to anticipate the fulfillment of His promises, laying the groundwork for the arrival of the Messiah.

* [Psalm 111:10](/psalms/111-10 "Psalm 111:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom")
* [Luke 2:17-18](/luke/2-17-18 "Luke 2:17-18 - Shepherds Spread the News")
* [Acts 2:43](/acts/2-43 "Acts 2:43 - Awe and Wonders After Pentecost")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 1:65 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, urging us to cultivate a similar sense of awe and reverence for God's work in our lives and in the world around us. In an age often characterized by skepticism or casualness toward the divine, this verse reminds us to pause and truly perceive God's hand at work, whether through overt miracles or the subtle, consistent guidance of His Spirit. Our response to God's intervention should be one of humble adoration and wonder, recognizing His sovereignty and power. Furthermore, just as the people in Judaea "noised abroad" the extraordinary events surrounding John's birth, we are called to be faithful witnesses to God's ongoing activity. The spread of this news serves as a compelling model for sharing the good news of God's saving acts, particularly the transformative message of the Gospel. Our personal testimonies and the collective witness of the church can help others recognize God's active presence and draw them to a deeper understanding of His love and redemptive plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically respond when you witness or experience God's power or intervention in your life or the lives of others?**
* **In what ways are you called to "noise abroad" – to share or testify about – the "sayings" of God's work in your life and in the world today?**
* **How does cultivating a "fear of the Lord" (reverential awe) deepen your faith and shape your perspective on daily life?**

### FAQ
**What kind of "fear" is mentioned in Luke 1:65?**

Answer: The "fear" (Greek: *phóbos*) described in Luke 1:65 is not a terror or dread in the modern sense, but rather a profound sense of reverential awe, astonishment, and respect. It is the appropriate human response to a clear manifestation of divine power and presence. This is akin to the "fear of the Lord" frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, which signifies a humble recognition of God's holiness, majesty, and sovereignty, often leading to worship and obedience. The people were struck with a deep sense of wonder and recognition that something truly extraordinary and divine had occurred.

**Why was the news "noised abroad" so quickly throughout the hill country of Judaea?**

Answer: The rapid dissemination of the news was due to several factors. Firstly, the events themselves were genuinely miraculous and highly unusual: Zechariah, a priest, had been mute for nine months, and his speech was dramatically restored at the naming of his son, John, whose birth was also extraordinary given his parents' old age. Such events would naturally capture immediate attention in a close-knit, rural community like the "hill country of Judaea" ([Luke 1:39](/luke/1-39 "Luke 1:39 - Mary Visits Elisabeth in the Hill Country")). Secondly, in a society without mass media, oral communication was the primary means of spreading significant news. People would gather, share stories, and the news would travel quickly from village to village by word of mouth. The public nature of the naming ceremony and the widespread astonishment ensured that these "sayings" ([Luke 1:65](/luke/1-65 "Luke 1:65 - Fear and Sayings Noised Abroad")) would become common knowledge, fulfilling God's purpose of publicly announcing the advent of John, the forerunner of the Messiah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The widespread "fear" and public proclamation surrounding John the Baptist's birth in Luke 1:65 serve as a powerful prelude and foreshadowing of the even greater awe and global dissemination of the good news concerning Jesus Christ. John's miraculous birth and the restoration of Zechariah's speech were divine signs, preparing the hearts of the people in the "hill country of Judaea" for the imminent arrival of the Messiah. The "sayings" that were "noised abroad" about John's extraordinary beginnings were a divine whisper before the thunderous declaration of the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The reverential awe that came upon the people at John's birth would find its ultimate and perfect object in Jesus, who is the full revelation of God's glory and the exact representation of His being ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Son's Supremacy")). The public witness to John's miraculous advent was a divinely orchestrated overture to the universal proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is commanded to be preached to "all nations" ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). Just as the news of John spread throughout Judaea, the message of salvation through Christ is meant to be proclaimed to the ends of the earth, inviting all humanity to respond in faith and worship to the One who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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

Luke 1:39

¶ And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

Acts 5:5

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

Acts 5:11

And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Luke 7:16

And 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.

Acts 2:43

And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

Joshua 10:6

And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.

Revelation 11:11

And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.