¹ tn Grk “And immediately.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

² tn Grk “his”; the referent (Zechariah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

³ sn The mention of both mouth and tongue here is a figure called zeugma and emphasizes that the end of the temporary judgment came instantly and fully upon Zechariah’s expression of faith in naming the child. He had learned to trust and obey God during his short period of silence. He had learned from his trial.

⁴ tn “Released” is implied; in the Greek text both στόμα (stoma) and γλῶσσα (glwssa) are subjects of ἀνεῴχθη (anewcqh), but this would be somewhat redundant in English.

⁵ tn Grk “from the ages,” “from eternity.”

⁶ tn Grk “And they.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

⁷ sn They were amazed. The astonishment shown here is like that in Luke 2:48.

⁸ tn Grk “because his word was.”

⁹ sn Jesus’ teaching impressed the hearers with the directness of its claim (with authority). A study of Jewish rabbinic interpretation shows that it was typical to cite a list of authorities to make one’s point. Apparently Jesus addressed the issues in terms of his own understanding.