God’s Word Translation
Luke 1:20
20But because you didn’t believe what I said, you will be unable to talk until the day this happens. Everything will come true at the right time.”
Luke 1:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
- New International Version (NIV)And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)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 time."
- New King James Version (NKJV)But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”
Context of Luke 1:20
18Zechariah said to the angel, “What proof is there for this? I’m an old man, and my wife is beyond her childbearing years.” 19The angel answered him, “I’m Gabriel! I stand in God’s presence. God sent me to tell you this good news. But because you didn’t believe what I said, you will be unable to talk until the day this happens. Everything will come true at the right time.” 21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah. They were amazed that he was staying in the temple so long. 22When he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. So they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. He motioned to them but remained unable to talk.
Read all of Luke 1Luke 1:20 word by word
καὶ ἰδοὺ ἔσῃ σιωπῶν καὶ μὴ δυνάμενος λαλῆσαι ἄχρι ἧς ἡμέρας γένηται ταῦτα, ἀνθ᾽ ὧν οὐκ ἐπίστευσας τοῖς λόγοις μου οἵτινες πληρωθήσονται εἰς τὸν καιρὸν αὐτῶν.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Andκαίkai · andG2532
- beholdὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
- thou shalt beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- dumbσιωπάωsiōpaō · be quietG4623
- notμήmē · notG3361
- ableδύναμαιdunamai · be ableG1410
- to speakλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
- untilἄχριachri achris · untilG891
- the dayἡμέραhēmera · dayG2250
- thatὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- these thingsοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- shall be performedγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
- becauseἀντίanti · forG473
- thou believestπιστεύωpisteuō · to trust (in)G4100
- notοὐou · noG3756
- myἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- wordsὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- wordsλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
- whichὅστιςhostis hētis ho6ti · who/whichG3748
- shall be fulfilledπληρόωplēroō · to fulfillG4137
- inεἰςeis · towardG1519
- theirαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- seasonκαιρόςkairos · time/right timeG2540
Cross-references for Luke 1:20
- Luke 1:22When he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. So they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. He motioned to them but remained unable to talk.
- Exodus 4:11The Lord asked him, “Who gave humans their mouths? Who makes humans unable to talk or hear? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? It is I, the Lord!
- Ezekiel 3:26I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you can’t talk or criticize them, even though they are rebellious people.
- Ezekiel 24:27On that very day your mouth will be opened, and you will talk to the refugee. You will speak and not be silent anymore. You will be a sign to them. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
- Luke 1:45You are blessed for believing that the Lord would keep his promise to you.”
- Genesis 18:10The Lord said, “I promise I’ll come back to you next year at this time, and your wife Sarah will have a son.” Sarah happened to be listening at the entrance of the tent, which was behind him.
- Numbers 20:12But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “You didn’t trust me! You didn’t show the Israelites how holy I am! So you will not bring this congregation into the land I’m giving them.”
- 2 Kings 7:2The servant on whose arm the king was leaning answered the man of God, “Could this happen even if the Lord poured rain through windows in the sky?” Elisha replied, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you won’t eat any of it.”
- Isaiah 7:9The capital of Ephraim is Samaria, and the leader of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If you don’t remain faithful, you won’t remain standing.”
- Mark 9:19Jesus said to them, “You unbelieving generation! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me!”
- Mark 16:14Still later Jesus appeared to the eleven apostles while they were eating. He put them to shame for their unbelief and because they were too stubborn to believe those who had seen him alive.
- Revelation 3:19I correct and discipline everyone I love. Take this seriously, and change the way you think and act.
- Romans 3:3What if some of them were unfaithful? Can their unfaithfulness cancel God’s faithfulness?
- 2 Timothy 2:13If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful because he cannot be untrue to himself.
- Hebrews 6:18God did this so that we would be encouraged. God cannot lie when he takes an oath or makes a promise. These two things can never be changed. Those of us who have taken refuge in him hold on to the confidence we have been given.
Commentaries on Luke 1:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20Thou shalt be dumb - silent; this translation is literal; the angel immediately explains it, thou shalt not be able to speak. Dumbness ordinarily proceeds from a natural imperfection or debility of the organs of speech; in this case there was no natural weakness or unfitness in those organs; but, for his rash and unbelieving speech, silence is imposed upon him by the Lord, and he shall not be able to break it, till the power that has silenced him gives…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Because thou believest not - This was both a sign and a judgment - a sign that he had come from God, and that the thing would be fulfilled: and a judgment for not giving credit to what he had said. There is no sin in the sight of God more aggravated than unbelief. When God speaks; man should believe; nor can he that “will not” believe escape punishment. God speaks only truth, and we should believe Him. God speaks only what is for our good, and it is…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
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20now you will be silent and unable to speak: God's discipline for Zechariah’s lack of faith also confirmed the prophecy. The Greek word translated as "unable to speak" in 1:22 can also mean "deaf" (7:22; compare 1:62). Zechariah is contrasted with Mary, the mother of Jesus, who responded with faith (1:38).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. dumb--speechless. not able--deprived of the power of speech (Lu 1:64). He asked a sign, and now he got it. until the day that these things shall be performed--See on Lu 1:64.Read the comment
Topics related to Luke 1:20
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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