Luke 1:22

Zechariah made signs to the people, who were probably asking about the reason for his silence; but since he could not speak, he explained it through signs.

(Antipater Bostrensis.) Now while these things were going on within, the delay excited surprise among the multitudes who were waiting without, as it follows: And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried. And while various suspicions were going about, each man repeating them as it pleased him, Zacharias coming forth told by his silence what he secretly endured. Hence it follows, And when he came out, he could not speak.

He was now to have dismissed the congregation with a blessing, but was dumb and not able to do it, that the people may be minded to expect the Messiah, who can command the blessing, who blesseth indeed, and in whom all the nations of the earth are blessed.

And when he came out, he could not speak unto them,....

Thirdly, Thus he was kept from divulging the vision, and boasting of it, which otherwise he would have been apt to do, whereas it was designed for the present to be lodged as a secret with him. Fourthly, It was a great mercy that God's words should be fulfilled in their season, notwithstanding his sinful distrust.

It is the gospel that speaks to us articulately, and gives us a clear view of that which the Old Testament was seen through a glass darkly. He staid out the days of his ministration; for, his lot being to burn incense, he could do that, though he was dumb and deaf.

We see in this passage, the power of unbelief in a holy man. As righteous and holy as Zachariah was — the announcement of the angel appeared unbelievable to him. He could not think it possible that an old man like himself could have a son. "How shall I know this?" he says, "for I am an old man, and my wife well along in years." A well-instructed Jew, like Zachariah, ought not to have raised such a question. No doubt he was well acquainted with the Old Testament Scriptures. He ought to have remembered the astonishing births of Isaac , and Samson , and Samuel in old times. He ought to have remembered that what God has done once — He can do again; and that with Him, nothing is impossible. But he forgot all this. He thought of nothing but the arguments of mere human reasoning. In the same way, it often happens in religious matters, that where human reasoning begins — faith ends. Let us learn in wisdom from the fault of Zachariah. It is a fault to which God's people in every age have been sadly liable. The histories of Abraham, and Isaac, and Moses, and Hezekiah, and Jehoshaphat — will all show us that a true believer may sometimes be overtaken by unbelief . Unbelief is one of the first corruptions which came into man's heart in the day of the fall, when Eve believed the devil rather than God. Unbelief is one of the most deep-rooted sins by which a saint is plagued, and from which he is never entirely freed until he dies. Let us pray daily, "Lord increase my faith!" Let us not doubt that when God says a thing — that thing shall be fulfilled. We see furthermore, in these verses — the privilege and portion of God's angels. They carry messages to God's people. They enjoy God's immediate presence.

We see in this passage, the power of unbelief in a holy man. As righteous and holy as Zachariah was — the announcement of the angel appeared unbelievable to him. He could not think it possible that an old man like himself could have a son. "How shall I know this?" he says, "for I am an old man, and my wife well along in years." A well-instructed Jew, like Zachariah, ought not to have raised such a question. No doubt he was well acquainted with the Old Testament Scriptures.

Had seen a vision - The word “vision” means “sight, appearance,” or “spectre,” and is commonly applied to spirits, or to beings from another world. When he came out of the temple, it is probable that they “suspected” that something of this nature had detained him there, and that, on inquiry of him, he signified by a nod that this was the case. He was unable to speak, and they had no way of “perceiving” it but by such a sign. On the word “vision,” see the notes at Isa 1:1. For he beckoned unto them - That is, by beckoning unto them, or by a sign, he informed them of what he had seen.