Luke 1:22

22 When he came out and couldn't speak, they knew he had seen a vision. He continued speechless and had to use sign language with the people.

Luke 1:22 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 1:22

And when he came out, he could not speak unto them
Or deliver the benediction they were waiting for:

and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple:
which he made them to understand, by the gestures he used: for he beckoned unto them; nodding his head, or by some motions of his hands the Ethiopic version adds, "with his hand": or of his lips; for the signs of a dumb man are distinguished into (hzymr) , and (huypq) ^F17; the one is a sign which is expressed by the head and hands; and the other is a sign expressed by the lips: hence that rule, ^F18

``a dumb man beckons, and is beckoned to; and Ben Bethira says, he moves his lips, and lips are moved to him:''

and remained speechless; to the time the angel fixed.

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 Bartenora in Misa. Gittin, c. 5. sect. 7.
F18 Misn. ib.

Luke 1:22 In-Context

20 But because you won't believe me, you'll be unable to say a word until the day of your son's birth. Every word I've spoken to you will come true on time - God's time."

21 Meanwhile, the congregation waiting for Zachariah was getting restless, wondering what was keeping him so long in the sanctuary.

22 When he came out and couldn't speak, they knew he had seen a vision. He continued speechless and had to use sign language with the people.

23 When the course of his priestly assignment was completed, he went back home.[

24 It wasn't long before his wife, Elizabeth, conceived. She went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy.