Discovery BoxLuke 1:20-22 
Context1:20 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.”
1:21 Now 4 the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they began to wonder 5 why he was delayed in the holy place. 6 1:22 When 7 he came out, he was not able to speak to them. They 8 realized that he had seen a vision 9 in the holy place, 10 because 11 he was making signs to them and remained unable to speak. 12
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 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
5 tn The imperfect verb ἐθαύμαζον (eqaumazon) has been translated as an ingressive imperfect.
6 tn Or “temple.” See the note on the phrase “the holy place” in v. 9.
7 tn Grk “And when.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
8 tn Grk “and they.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
9 tn That is, “he had had a supernatural encounter in the holy place,” since the angel came to Zechariah by the altar. This was not just a “mental experience.”
10 tn Or “temple.” See the note on the phrase “the holy place” in v. 9.
11 tn Grk “and,” but the force is causal or explanatory in context.
12 tn Grk “dumb,” but this could be understood to mean “stupid” in contemporary English, whereas the point is that he was speechless.
