Luke 1:21

Luke 1:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
• New International Version (NIV)Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple.

Context of Luke 1:21

19The angel answered, ‘I am called Gabriel. My place is to stand in front of God. I am always ready to work for God. He has sent me to speak to you. He told me that I should tell you this good news. 20Now listen to me. Because you did not believe my message, you will not be able to speak. You will not speak again until the time that your son is born. My message will really become true at the right time.’ While this was happening, the people outside were waiting for Zechariah. They were thinking, ‘Why has Zechariah stayed for such a long time in the special room? Why has he not come out yet?’ 22When he did come out, he tried to talk to them. But he could not speak. So they knew that God had showed him something special in the room. He was moving his head and his hands about, to tell them what had happened. But still he could not speak. 23When Zechariah had finished his work in the temple, he returned home.

Luke 1:21 word by word

Καὶ ἦν ὁ λαὸς προσδοκῶν τὸν Ζαχαρίαν καὶ ἐθαύμαζον ἐν τῷ χρονίζειν ἐν τῷ ναῷ αὐτόν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• ·εἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• the peopleλαόςlaos · a peopleG2992
• waitedπροσδοκάωprosdokaō · to look forG4328
• for ZachariasΖαχαρίαςZacharias · ZechariahG2197
• marvelledθαυμάζωthaumazō · to marvelG2296
• thatἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• heαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• tarried so longχρονίζωchronizō · to delayG5549
• the templeναόςnaos · templeG3485

Cross-references for Luke 1:21

• Numbers 6:23‘Tell Aaron and his sons to use these words when they ask me to bless the Israelites.

Commentaries on Luke 1:21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21The people waited - The time spent in burning the incense was probably about half an hour, during which there was a profound silence, as the people stood without engaged in mental prayer. To this there is an allusion in Revelation 8:1-5. Zacharias had spent not only the time necessary for burning the incense, but also that which the discourse between him and the angel took up.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21The people waited - That is, beyond the usual time. Marvelled - Wondered. The priest, it is said, was not accustomed to remain in the temple more than half an hour commonly. Having remained on this occasion a longer time, the people became apprehensive of his safety, and wondered what had happened to him.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-25Verses 5-25 The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners as all are, and were justified and saved in the same way as others; but they were eminent for piety and integrity. They had no children, and it could not be expected that Elisabeth should have any in her old age. While Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, the whole multitude of the people were praying without. All the prayers we offer up to God, are acceptable and successful only…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. waited--to receive from him the usual benediction (Nu 6:23-27). tarried so long--It was not usual to tarry long, lest it should be thought vengeance had stricken the people's representative for something wrong [Lightfoot].Read the comment

Topics related to Luke 1:21

• Barrenness
• Elisabeth (Elizabeth)
• Joy
• Symbols and Similitudes
• Temple
• Vision
• Zacharias (Zechariah)

In the dictionaries

• Begin
• Certainty
• Conceive
• Estate
• Ministration
• Noise
• Righteousness
• Salutation
• Sign
• Tender

Commentaries on Luke 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings