Luke 1:18
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 years."

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.”

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?"

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.?

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."

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 Version
And 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 years."

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 Bible
And 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 Bible
And 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 Testament
And 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
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 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.”

2 Kings 7:2
But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.”

Isaiah 7:11-14
“Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.” / But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.” / Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well? ...

Isaiah 38:22
And Hezekiah had asked, “What will be the sign that I will go up to the house of the LORD?”

Jeremiah 32:17
“Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!

Zechariah 8:6
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “If this is impossible in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be impossible in My eyes?” declares the LORD of Hosts.

Matthew 13:58
And He did not do many miracles there, because of their unbelief.

Matthew 17:20
“Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 21:21
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.

Mark 9:23-24
“If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!” / Immediately the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

Mark 11:23
“Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him.


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.

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Luke 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?
This phrase reflects Zechariah's initial doubt and skepticism. The Greek word used here is "gnōsomai," which means to know or to understand. Zechariah, a priest, is standing in the holy place, yet he questions the angel's message. This highlights a common human tendency to doubt divine promises, even when they are delivered in sacred settings. Historically, this moment is significant as it occurs in the temple, a place where God's presence was believed to dwell. Zechariah's question is not just about seeking confirmation but reveals a deeper struggle with faith and trust in God's word.

Zechariah asked the angel
The name "Zechariah" means "Yahweh remembers" in Hebrew, which is deeply ironic given his doubt. His role as a priest underscores the gravity of his disbelief, as he was expected to be a man of faith. The angel, identified later as Gabriel, is a messenger of God, often associated with delivering important divine revelations. This interaction between Zechariah and the angel is a pivotal moment, illustrating the tension between human frailty and divine assurance.

For I am an old man
Zechariah's reference to his age is a practical concern, rooted in human limitations. The Greek word "presbytēs" is used here, which simply means an elder or an old man. This reflects a common biblical theme where God chooses to work through those who seem least likely by human standards, such as Abraham and Sarah. Zechariah's focus on his age highlights a reliance on human understanding rather than faith in God's power.

and my wife is well along in years
This phrase emphasizes the improbability of the situation from a human perspective. Elizabeth, like Sarah before her, is beyond the typical childbearing age. The Greek phrase "probas en hēmerais autēs" suggests advanced age. This sets the stage for a miraculous event, underscoring the theme that nothing is impossible with God. It also foreshadows the miraculous birth of Jesus, as both John the Baptist and Jesus are born under extraordinary circumstances.

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
“How
τί (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.


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NT Gospels: Luke 1:18 Zacharias said to the angel How can (Luke Lu Lk)
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