Luke 1:18

Luke 1:18, in plain English

Zechariah asks the angel, 'How can I be sure about this? I'm an old man, and my wife is old too.'

Why it's here

It's a very human response. He's been disappointed for so long that even an angel's promise seems too good to be true. Sometimes hope is the hardest thing.

Who's speaking

Zechariah expresses his doubt to the angel.

Where it sits in the story

You can almost feel the years of disappointment in his voice. He's standing in front of an angel, but the scars of unanswered prayer make it hard to believe.

The scholarly reading

Zechariah asks 'kata ti gnosomai touto?' (by what shall I know this?), requesting a confirming sign, citing his and his wife's advanced age as grounds for doubt.

Language and setting

Zechariah's question echoes Abraham in Genesis 15:8, though his doubt contrasts with Mary's later question (Luke 1:34), which inquires about means rather than expressing disbelief.

Voice

Zechariah responds to the angel with a request for proof.

Significance

Despite standing before an angel in the Holy Place, Zechariah asks for a sign. His doubt, though human, contrasts sharply with the faith that will later be exhibited by Mary.

16Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.

17And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

18“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

19“I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.

20And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”

Read all of Luke 1 — A physician writes the most detailed account of Jesus' life. Luke notices the people others overlook — the poor, the outcast, the women, the forgotten.