Luke 1:20

1:20 And now, 1  because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, 2  you will be silent, unable to speak, 3  until the day these things take place.”

Luke 8:12-13

8:12 Those along the path are the ones who have heard; then the devil 4  comes and takes away the word 5  from their hearts, so that they may not believe 6  and be saved. 8:13 Those 7  on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, 8  but 9  in a time of testing 10  fall away. 11 

1 tn Grk “behold.”

2 sn The predicted fulfillment in the expression my words, which will be fulfilled in their time takes place in Luke 1:63-66.

3 sn Silent, unable to speak. Actually Zechariah was deaf and mute as 1:61-63 indicates, since others had to use gestures to communicate with him.

4 sn Interestingly, the synoptic parallels each use a different word for the devil here: Matt 13:19 has “the evil one,” while Mark 4:15 has “Satan.” This illustrates the fluidity of the gospel tradition in often using synonyms at the same point of the parallel tradition.

5 sn The word of Jesus has the potential to save if it germinates in a person’s heart, something the devil is very much against.

6 tn The participle πιστεύσαντες (pisteusante") has been translated as a finite verb here. It may be regarded as an adverbial participle of attendant circumstance. From a logical standpoint the negative must govern both the participle and the finite verb.

7 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

8 sn This time of temporary faith represented by the description believe for a while is presented rather tragically in the passage. The seed does not get a chance to do all it can.

9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

10 tn Traditionally, “temptation.” Such a translation puts the emphasis on temptation to sin rather than testing of faith, which is what the context seems to indicate.

11 sn Fall away. On the idea of falling away and the warnings against it, see 2 Tim 3:1; Heb 3:12; Jer 3:14; Dan 9:9.