New International Version
Luke 1:20
20And 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.”
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.
- 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.”
- New Living Translation (NLT)But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”
Context of Luke 1:20
18Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” 19The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 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.” 21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
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 came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
- Exodus 4:11The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
- Ezekiel 3:26I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious people.
- Ezekiel 24:27At that time your mouth will be opened; you will speak with him and will no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the Lord.”
- Luke 1:45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
- Genesis 18:10Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.
- Numbers 20:12But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”
- 2 Kings 7:2The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!”
- Isaiah 7:9The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.’ ”
- Mark 9:19“You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
- Mark 16:14Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
- Revelation 3:19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
- Romans 3:3What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?
- 2 Timothy 2:13if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
- Hebrews 6:18God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.
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
New International Version — © NIV® 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica
Commentaries