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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 1:12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/1-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/42_Luk_01_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 1:12 - Gabriel Foretells John's Birth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear." /><script type="application/javascript" 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class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/luke/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/luke/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/luke/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/luke/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And having seen <i>him</i>, Zechariah was troubled, and fear fell upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/luke/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And when Zacharias saw <i>him</i>, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/luke/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And when Zacharias saw <i>him,</i> he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/luke/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Zechariah was troubled when he saw <i>the angel,</i> and fear gripped him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/luke/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/luke/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Zacharias was troubled when he saw <i>him,</i> and fear gripped him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/luke/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Zechariah was troubled when he saw <i>the angel</i>, and fear fell upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/luke/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When Zacharias saw <i>the angel,</i> he was troubled and overcome with fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/luke/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/luke/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/luke/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/luke/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Zechariah was confused and afraid when he saw the angel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/luke/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/luke/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Zechariah was troubled and overcome with fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/luke/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When Zechariah saw him, he was alarmed and felt afraid. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/luke/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/luke/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/luke/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And Zechariah, visibly shaken when he saw the angel, was seized with fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/luke/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/luke/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and Zechariah on seeing him was agitated and terrified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/luke/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/luke/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and Zacharias, having seen, was troubled, and fear fell on him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And having seen <i>him</i>, Zechariah was troubled, and fear fell upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/luke/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Zacharias, having seen, was troubled, and fear fell on him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/luke/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Zacharias having seen, was troubled, and fear fell upon him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/luke/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Zachary seeing him, was troubled, and fear fell upon him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/luke/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And upon seeing him, Zechariah was disturbed, and fear fell over him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/luke/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/luke/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/luke/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when Zacharias saw him he became dumbfounded, and fear came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him and dread fell upon him.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/luke/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And Zachariah was troubled at the sight, and fear fell upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/luke/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />and Zacharias was troubled seeing him, and fear fell on him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/luke/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And Zacharias was agitated greatly at the sight, and fear fell upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/luke/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Zacharias startled at the sight and was seized with fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and Zechariah on seeing him was agitated and terrified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/luke/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And Zacharias, seeing <i>him</i>, was troubled; and fear fell upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/luke/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And when Zacharias saw <i>him,</i> he was startled and struck with fear:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/luke/1-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=88" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/luke/1.htm">Gabriel Foretells John's Birth</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">When</a> <a href="/greek/2197.htm" title="2197: Zacharias (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Zacharias, the name of two Israelites.">Zechariah</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: idōn (V-APA-NMS) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">saw him,</a> <a href="/greek/5015.htm" title="5015: etarachthē (V-AIP-3S) -- To disturb, agitate, stir up, trouble. Of uncertain affinity; to stir or agitate.">he was startled</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1968.htm" title="1968: epepesen (V-AIA-3S) -- To fall upon, press upon, light upon, come over. From epi and pipto; to embrace or seize.">gripped</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: ep’ (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. "></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/5401.htm" title="5401: phobos (N-NMS) -- (a) fear, terror, alarm, (b) the object or cause of fear, (c) reverence, respect. From a primary phebomai; alarm or fright.">with fear.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">13</span>But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/10-7.htm">Daniel 10:7-8</a></span><br />Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but a great terror fell upon them, and they ran and hid themselves. / So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/13-6.htm">Judges 13:6</a></span><br />So the woman went and told her husband, “A man of God came to me. His appearance was like the angel of God, exceedingly awesome. I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/1-17.htm">Revelation 1:17</a></span><br />When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/28-4.htm">Matthew 28:4</a></span><br />The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-4.htm">Acts 10:4</a></span><br />Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-10.htm">Genesis 3:10</a></span><br />“I heard Your voice in the garden,” he replied, “and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-6.htm">Exodus 3:6</a></span><br />Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-5.htm">Isaiah 6:5</a></span><br />Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/1-28.htm">Ezekiel 1:28</a></span><br />The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/8-17.htm">Daniel 8:17</a></span><br />As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/14-26.htm">Matthew 14:26</a></span><br />When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/16-5.htm">Mark 16:5-6</a></span><br />When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. / But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here! See the place where they put Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-3.htm">Acts 9:3-4</a></span><br />As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. / He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/10-10.htm">Daniel 10:10-11</a></span><br />Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. / He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man who is highly precious. Consider carefully the words that I am about to say to you. Stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had said this to me, I stood up trembling.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/15-12.htm">Genesis 15:12</a></span><br />As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and suddenly great terror and darkness overwhelmed him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell on him.</p><p class="hdg">he.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/1-29.htm">Luke 1:29</a></b></br> And when she saw <i>him</i>, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/2-9.htm">Luke 2:9,10</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/6-22.htm">Judges 6:22</a></b></br> And when Gideon perceived that he <i>was</i> an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/16-8.htm">Agitated</a> <a href="/luke/1-11.htm">Angel</a> <a href="/mark/16-8.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/luke/1-9.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/mark/16-8.htm">Gripped</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-6.htm">Startled</a> <a href="/mark/16-6.htm">Terrified</a> <a href="/mark/16-6.htm">Troubled</a> <a href="/luke/1-5.htm">Zacharias</a> <a href="/luke/1-5.htm">Zechariah</a> <a href="/luke/1-5.htm">Zechari'ah</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/1-29.htm">Agitated</a> <a href="/luke/1-13.htm">Angel</a> <a href="/luke/1-13.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/luke/2-24.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/luke/7-16.htm">Gripped</a> <a href="/luke/24-37.htm">Startled</a> <a href="/luke/2-9.htm">Terrified</a> <a href="/luke/1-29.htm">Troubled</a> <a href="/luke/1-13.htm">Zacharias</a> <a href="/luke/1-13.htm">Zechariah</a> <a href="/luke/1-13.htm">Zechari'ah</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/1-1.htm">The preface of Luke to his whole gospel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/1-5.htm">The conception of John the Baptist;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/1-26.htm">and of Jesus.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/1-39.htm">The prophecy of Elisabeth and of Mary, concerning Jesus.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">57. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/1-57.htm">The nativity and circumcision of John.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">67. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/1-67.htm">The prophecy of Zachariah, both of Jesus,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">76. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/1-76.htm">and of John.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>When Zechariah saw him</b><br>Zechariah, a priest serving in the temple, encounters the angel Gabriel. This moment occurs in the Holy Place, a sacred area where priests performed their duties. The appearance of an angel in this setting is significant, as divine messengers often appear in critical moments of biblical history. Gabriel, known for delivering important messages from God, also appears to Daniel (<a href="/daniel/8-16.htm">Daniel 8:16</a>) and later to Mary (<a href="/luke/1-26.htm">Luke 1:26-38</a>). The presence of an angel signifies a divine intervention and a pivotal moment in God's redemptive plan.<p><b>he was startled</b><br>The reaction of being startled is common in biblical accounts of angelic appearances. Angels, as supernatural beings, often evoke fear and awe due to their divine nature and the unexpectedness of their presence. This response is seen in other biblical figures, such as Gideon (<a href="/judges/6-22.htm">Judges 6:22</a>) and Manoah (<a href="/judges/13-20.htm">Judges 13:20-22</a>). The startling nature of the encounter underscores the holiness and power associated with God's messengers.<p><b>and gripped with fear</b><br>Fear is a natural human response to the divine, reflecting the recognition of God's holiness and the awareness of human sinfulness. In the cultural context of the time, fear of the divine was common, as it was believed that seeing an angel could be a portent of death or judgment. However, in this instance, the fear serves as a prelude to a message of hope and fulfillment of prophecy. The fear experienced by Zechariah parallels the fear felt by others who encounter the divine, such as the shepherds at Jesus' birth (<a href="/luke/2-9.htm">Luke 2:9</a>) and the women at the empty tomb (<a href="/mark/16-5.htm">Mark 16:5-6</a>). This fear often transitions to reassurance and revelation, as God's plans unfold.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/z/zechariah.htm">Zechariah</a></b><br>A priest from the division of Abijah, serving in the temple. He is the father of John the Baptist and husband to Elizabeth. His encounter with the angel Gabriel marks a pivotal moment in the Gospel account.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_angel_gabriel.htm">The Angel Gabriel</a></b><br>A messenger of God who appears to Zechariah to announce the forthcoming birth of John the Baptist. Gabriel's presence signifies divine intervention and the unfolding of God's plan.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a></b><br>The holy place in Jerusalem where Zechariah was performing his priestly duties. It is a central location for Jewish worship and a place where God’s presence was believed to dwell.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/fear.htm">Fear</a></b><br>Zechariah's reaction to the angel's appearance. This fear is a common human response to divine encounters in the Bible, reflecting the awe and reverence due to God's holiness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_announcement_of_john_the_baptist's_birth.htm">The Announcement of John the Baptist's Birth</a></b><br>This event is significant as it heralds the coming of the forerunner to the Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fear_of_the_lord.htm">The Fear of the Lord</a></b><br>Zechariah's fear reminds us of the reverence and awe we should have in the presence of God. It is a healthy fear that acknowledges God's holiness and power.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_encounters.htm">Divine Encounters</a></b><br>God often uses unexpected moments to reveal His plans. We should be open to His guidance and ready to respond in faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>The announcement of John the Baptist's birth is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. We can trust that God will accomplish what He has promised in His Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_the_messiah.htm">Preparation for the Messiah</a></b><br>John the Baptist's role was to prepare the way for Jesus. Similarly, we are called to prepare our hearts and lives for Christ's return.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/responding_to_god's_call.htm">Responding to God's Call</a></b><br>Zechariah's initial fear did not prevent him from eventually accepting God's message. We should strive to overcome our fears and doubts to embrace God's calling in our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_zechariah,_elizabeth_have_john.htm">How did Zechariah and Elizabeth become parents of John?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_matthew_21_4-5_a_true_prophecy.htm">How can Matthew 21:4-5 be considered a valid fulfillment of prophecy if the details differ from other Gospel accounts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_zechariah_12_1_align_with_science.htm">How does Zechariah 12:1--about God stretching out the heavens and forming the human spirit--align with modern cosmology and scientific views of consciousness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'many_mansions'.htm">Who accuses the brethren before God day and night?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">He was troubled.</span>--It lies in the nature of the case that during all the long years of Zachariah's ministration, he had seen no such manifestation. As far as we may reason from the analogy of other angelic appearances, the outward form was that of a "young man clothed in white linen," or in "bright apparel" (<a href="/matthew/28-3.htm" title="His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:">Matthew 28:3</a>; <a href="/mark/16-5.htm" title="And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.">Mark 16:5</a>)--a kind of transfigured Levite, as One greater than the angels, when he manifested himself amid the imagery of the Temple, appeared as in the garments of a glorified priesthood (<a href="/revelation/1-13.htm" title="And in the middle of the seven candlesticks one like to the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the breasts with a golden girdle.">Revelation 1:13</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He was troubled</span>. This was ever the first effect produced by the sight of a spirit-visitant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/luke/1-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">When</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">Zechariah</span><br /><span class="grk">Ζαχαρίας</span> <span class="translit">(Zacharias)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2197.htm">Strong's 2197: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Zacharias, the name of two Israelites.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saw [him],</span><br /><span class="grk">ἰδών</span> <span class="translit">(idōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> </span><span class="str2">Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he was startled</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐταράχθη</span> <span class="translit">(etarachthē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5015.htm">Strong's 5015: </a> </span><span class="str2">To disturb, agitate, stir up, trouble. Of uncertain affinity; to stir or agitate.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">overcome</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπέπεσεν</span> <span class="translit">(epepesen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1968.htm">Strong's 1968: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall upon, press upon, light upon, come over. From epi and pipto; to embrace or seize.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with fear.</span><br /><span class="grk">φόβος</span> <span class="translit">(phobos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5401.htm">Strong's 5401: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) fear, terror, alarm, (b) the object or cause of fear, (c) reverence, respect. From a primary phebomai; alarm or fright.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/1-12.htm">Luke 1:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/luke/1-12.htm">Luke 1:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/luke/1-12.htm">Luke 1:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/luke/1-12.htm">Luke 1:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/luke/1-12.htm">Luke 1:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/1-12.htm">Luke 1:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/1-12.htm">Luke 1:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/1-12.htm">Luke 1:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/luke/1-12.htm">Luke 1:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/luke/1-12.htm">Luke 1:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/luke/1-12.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 1:12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw him (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/1-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 1:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 1:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/1-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 1:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 1:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>