Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” New Living Translation Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” English Standard Version And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” Berean Standard Bible “How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” Berean Literal Bible And Zechariah said to the angel, “By what will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in her days.” King James Bible And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. New King James Version And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” New American Standard Bible Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in her years.” NASB 1995 Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” NASB 1977 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this for certain? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” Legacy Standard Bible And Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” Amplified Bible And Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in age.” Berean Annotated Bible “How can I be sure of this? Zechariah (YHWH remembers) asked the angel (messenger). “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years. Christian Standard Bible “How can I know this? ” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” Holman Christian Standard Bible How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” American Standard Version And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. Contemporary English Version Zechariah said to the angel, "How will I know this is going to happen? My wife and I are both very old." English Revised Version And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. GOD'S WORD® Translation Zechariah said to the angel, "What proof is there for this? I'm an old man, and my wife is beyond her childbearing years." Good News Translation Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know if this is so? I am an old man, and my wife is old also." International Standard Version Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" NET Bible Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is old as well." New Heart English Bible Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years." Webster's Bible Translation And Zacharias said to the angel, By what shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife far advanced in years. Weymouth New Testament "By what proof," asked Zechariah, "shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is far advanced in years." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” World English Bible Zacharias said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Zacharias said to the messenger, “Whereby will I know this? For I am aged, and my wife is advanced in her days?” Berean Literal Bible And Zechariah said to the angel, “By what will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in her days.” Young's Literal Translation And Zacharias said unto the messenger, 'Whereby shall I know this? for I am aged, and my wife is advanced in her days?' Smith's Literal Translation And Zacharias said to the messenger, By what shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife advanced in her days. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Zachary said to the angel: Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years. Catholic Public Domain Version And Zechariah said to the Angel: “How may I know this? For I am elderly, and my wife is advanced in years.” New American Bible Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” New Revised Standard Version Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Zacharias said to the angel, How will I understand this? for I am an old man, and my wife is well on in years. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And Zacharia said to the Angel, “How shall I know this, for I am old and my wife is advanced in her days?” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd Zachariah said to the angel: By what sign shall I know this? for I am old, and my wife is advanced in years. Godbey New Testament And Zacharias said to the angel: According to what shall I know this? for I am old and my wife advanced in her days. Haweis New Testament And Zacharias said to the angel, By what shall I know this? for I am old, and my wife far advanced in her age. Mace New Testament But Zacharias said to the angel, by what sign shall I know this? for I am old, and my wife is of a great age. Weymouth New Testament "By what proof," asked Zechariah, "shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is far advanced in years." Worrell New Testament And Zacharias said to the angel, "By what shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife is far advanced in her days." Worsley New Testament And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife far advanced in years. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Gabriel Foretells John's Birth…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.… Cross References “How can I be sure of this?” Genesis 15:8 But Abram replied, “Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it?” Judges 6:17 Gideon answered, “If I have found favor in Your sight, give me a sign that it is You speaking with me. 2 Kings 20:8-9 Now Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, “What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I will go up to the house of the LORD on the third day?” / And Isaiah had replied, “This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: Would you like the shadow to go forward ten steps, or back ten steps?” Zechariah asked the angel. Zechariah 1:9 “What are these, my lord?” I asked. And the angel who was speaking with me replied, “I will show you what they are.” Zechariah 1:19 So I asked the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these?” And he told me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” Zechariah 4:4-5 “What are these, my lord?” I asked the angel who was speaking with me. / “Do you not know what they are?” replied the angel. “No, my lord,” I answered. “I am an old man, Genesis 17:17 Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?” Genesis 24:1 By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. Psalm 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come. and my wife is well along in years.” Genesis 18:11-12 And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. / So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Romans 4:19 Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. Hebrews 11:11 By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised. Genesis 18:12-14 So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” / And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’ / Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.” Judges 6:36-40 Then Gideon said to God, “If You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said, / then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” / And that is what happened. When Gideon arose the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. … Exodus 4:1 Then Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to my voice? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’” Numbers 11:21-23 But Moses replied, “Here I am among 600,000 men on foot, yet You say, ‘I will give them meat, and they will eat for a month.’ / If all our flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would they have enough? Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?” / The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.” Treasury of Scripture And Zacharias said to the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. Whereby. Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? Genesis 15:8 And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? for. Luke 1:7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. Numbers 11:21-23 And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month… 2 Kings 7:2 Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. Jump to Previous Advanced Aged Angel Far Proof Stricken Sure Whereby Wife Zacharias Zechariah Zechari'ahJump to Next Advanced Aged Angel Far Proof Stricken Sure Whereby Wife Zacharias Zechariah Zechari'ahLuke 1 1. The preface of Luke to his whole gospel.5. The conception of John the Baptist; 26. and of Jesus. 39. The prophecy of Elisabeth and of Mary, concerning Jesus. 57. The nativity and circumcision of John. 67. The prophecy of Zachariah, both of Jesus, 76. and of John. How can I be sure of this? Zechariah's question reflects a moment of doubt and skepticism, which is significant given his role as a priest. This question arises during a divine encounter with the angel Gabriel, who brings a message of miraculous birth. The context is important: Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth are childless, and in Jewish culture, this was often seen as a sign of divine disfavor. His doubt contrasts with the faith of other biblical figures who received similar promises, such as Abraham and Sarah. This moment highlights human frailty and the challenge of believing in God's promises when they defy natural circumstances. Zechariah asked the angel. I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years. Persons / Places / Events 1. ZechariahA priest from the division of Abijah, serving in the temple. He is the husband of Elizabeth and the father of John the Baptist. His encounter with the angel Gabriel occurs while he is performing his priestly duties. 2. Elizabeth Zechariah's wife, described as righteous and blameless. She is barren and advanced in years, making the promise of a child miraculous. 3. Gabriel The angel who appears to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist. Gabriel is a messenger of God, often delivering significant news. 4. Temple The setting of this encounter, specifically the Holy Place where Zechariah is burning incense. It is a place of worship and divine revelation. 5. Promise of John the Baptist The event of Gabriel announcing the birth of John, who will prepare the way for the Lord, is a pivotal moment in salvation history. Teaching Points Faith in God's PromisesZechariah's question reflects a natural human doubt, yet it serves as a reminder to trust in God's promises, regardless of our circumstances. Consequences of Doubt Zechariah's temporary muteness is a direct consequence of his doubt, teaching us that disbelief can hinder our ability to fully experience God's blessings. God's Timing The promise of a child to Zechariah and Elizabeth, despite their old age, illustrates that God's timing is perfect and often beyond human understanding. Role of Angels Gabriel's role as a messenger underscores the importance of angels in delivering God's messages and the need to be attentive to divine communication. Preparation for Christ The announcement of John the Baptist's birth is a crucial step in preparing the way for Jesus, emphasizing the importance of preparation in God's plan. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Luke 1:18?2. How does Zechariah's doubt in Luke 1:18 challenge our faith in God's promises? 3. What can we learn from Zechariah's question about trusting God's miraculous plans? 4. How does Zechariah's response connect to other biblical examples of doubt and faith? 5. How can we apply Zechariah's experience to strengthen our trust in God's timing? 6. What steps can we take to avoid skepticism like Zechariah's in Luke 1:18? 7. How does Zechariah's doubt in Luke 1:18 reflect human skepticism towards divine promises? 8. Why was Zechariah punished for questioning the angel in Luke 1:18? 9. What does Zechariah's response in Luke 1:18 reveal about faith and doubt? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 1? 11. What lessons do Zechariah, Gabriel, and Mary teach us? 12. What lessons do Zechariah, Gabriel, and Mary teach us? 13. Judges 6:36–40: How can the miracle of the fleece being wet while the ground stayed dry (and vice versa) be explained or verified? 14. Luke 1:13-20: Is the elderly Elizabeth's conception a supernatural miracle, or is it merely echoing mythological or legendary motifs? What Does Luke 1:18 Mean How can I be sure of this?Zechariah’s opening words reveal a heart wrestling to reconcile divine promise with visible reality. Standing in the holy place, he hears Gabriel’s breathtaking announcement, yet his reflex is to ask for proof. • Gideon asked for signs before stepping out in faith (Judges 6:17–22), and Thomas wanted to touch the risen Lord’s wounds (John 20:25). Scripture records these moments to show how easily uncertainty can slip in—even when God speaks plainly. • Luke later contrasts Zechariah’s doubt with Mary’s humble acceptance in Luke 1:34–38; she seeks understanding, not verification. • Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that “faith is the assurance of what we hope for,” not the demand for extra guarantees. Zechariah’s question exposes a lapse in that assurance, a lapse God lovingly addresses but does not overlook. Zechariah asked the angel. The setting heightens the seriousness of his doubt. • Gabriel, who once brought Daniel insight and understanding (Daniel 9:21–23), now delivers a similar word of promise. Rejecting or doubting an angel’s message is tantamount to doubting God Himself (Hebrews 2:2–3). • Zechariah’s priestly role placed him in a position of spiritual leadership (Luke 1:8–10). His response, therefore, carried weight far beyond a private conversation—his example would either strengthen or weaken the faith of Israel awaiting redemption. • By recording this detail, Luke underscores that divine revelation calls for trust, especially from those entrusted with guiding others (James 3:1). I am an old man, Zechariah points to his own limitations. • Abraham voiced a nearly identical concern when promised a son: “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old?” (Genesis 17:17). Paul later celebrates Abraham’s faith because he “faced the fact that his body was as good as dead, yet he did not waver” (Romans 4:19–20). • Zechariah’s focus on age shifts attention from God’s power to human weakness. Psalm 90:1–2 reminds us that the everlasting God is not constrained by our lifecycle. • Whenever Scripture records doubts tied to physical impossibility, it subsequently showcases God’s sovereignty. Elijah’s widow (1 Kings 17:12–16) and the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:14–17) both saw the Lord override natural limits. and my wife is well along in years. Elizabeth’s barrenness had already been noted (Luke 1:7), adding yet another barrier in human terms. • Sarah laughed at the idea of conceiving in old age (Genesis 18:11–14), and the Lord asked, “Is anything too difficult for the LORD?” • Hannah’s closed womb was sovereignly opened in answer to prayer (1 Samuel 1:5, 19–20). • Jesus would later affirm, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Luke deliberately ties Elizabeth’s story to these patterns, inviting readers to expect miraculous reversals whenever God intervenes. summary Luke 1:18 captures a pivotal moment where priestly doubt meets angelic certainty. Zechariah’s request for assurance, offered before a heavenly messenger, highlights how easily eyes fixed on earthly limitations can blur the vision of divine promise. His advanced age and Elizabeth’s long-standing barrenness seemed insurmountable, yet Scripture consistently asserts that God specializes in overturning impossibilities (Romans 4:21). Luke records this hesitation not to shame Zechariah, but to magnify God’s faithfulness: even when human faith falters, the Lord fulfills His word. Verse 18. - Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man. There was something evidently blamable in this hesitation on the part of Zacharias to receive the angel's promise. It seems as though the radiant glory of the messenger, as he stood before the curtain of the silent sanctuary in his awful beauty, ought to have convinced the doubting old man of the truth of the strange message. The words of the angel, which follow, seem to imply this. What! do you doubt my message? "I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of the Eternal." Others in Old Testament story before - for instance, Abraham (Genesis 15) and Gideon (Judges 6) - had seen and listened to an angel, had at first doubted, but had received in consequence no rebuke, no punishment, for their want of faith. Zacharias was, however, condemned, we learn, to a long period of dumbness.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek “Howτί (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. can I be sure of γνώσομαι (gnōsomai) Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. this?” τοῦτο (touto) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. Zechariah Ζαχαρίας (Zacharias) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2197: Of Hebrew origin; Zacharias, the name of two Israelites. asked εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. angel. ἄγγελον (angelon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 32: From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor. “I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. am εἰμι (eimi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. an old man, πρεσβύτης (presbytēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 4246: An old man, an ambassador. From the same as presbuteros; an old man. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. my μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. wife γυνή (gynē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife. is well along προβεβηκυῖα (probebēkuia) Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 4260: To go forward, advance. From pro and the base of basis; to walk forward, i.e. Advance. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. years.” ἡμέραις (hēmerais) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. Links Luke 1:18 NIVLuke 1:18 NLT Luke 1:18 ESV Luke 1:18 NASB Luke 1:18 KJV Luke 1:18 BibleApps.com Luke 1:18 Biblia Paralela Luke 1:18 Chinese Bible Luke 1:18 French Bible Luke 1:18 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Luke 1:18 Zacharias said to the angel How can (Luke Lu Lk) |
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