Bible Strands
Luke 1:20
And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Gabriel addresses Zechariah in the temple immediately after delivering the announcement of John’s birth and Jesus’ conception. The declaration occurs while the surrounding crowd waits outside, unaware of the prolonged delay.
The words — ἔσῃ (esē) means "you will be" and σιωπῶν (siōpōn) means "silent," establishing the enforced condition. The phrase μὴ (mē) "not" combined with δυνάμενος (dunamenos) "able" and λαλῆσαι (lalēsai) "to speak" literally defines the resulting state of speechlessness.
The thread — The temporary binding of speech parallels Ezekiel 3:26, where God binds the prophet’s tongue, and anticipates Ezekiel 24:27, where speech returns as a sign. The assurance that God’s words will be fulfilled at their proper time aligns with the unchangeable hope anchored in Hebrews 6:18.
Why it lands — The text states that disbelief triggers a direct suspension of the messenger’s voice until the announced events occur. It requires the reader to observe that divine fulfillment operates on God’s timeline, not human impatience.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 3:26 I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, and you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, though they are a rebellious house.
- Ezekiel 24:27 On that day your mouth will be opened to him who has escaped; you will speak and no longer be mute. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD.”
- Hebrews 6:18 Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.
- 2 Timothy 2:13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
- Luke 1:22 When he came out and was unable to speak to them, they realized he had seen a vision in the temple. He kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
- Luke 1:45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”
- Titus 1:2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
- Revelation 3:19 Those I love I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
- Genesis 18:10 Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent.
- 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.”