Luke 1:65

All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Zechariah has just spoken and praised God after prolonged silence, prompting a reaction from his immediate community and the surrounding region. The moment captures the immediate aftermath of his restored speech and the beginning of his prophetic utterance.

The words — The phrase ἐγένετο φόβος (egeneto phobos) literally renders "fear came" or "awe arose." It denotes a sudden external imposition rather than a cultivated internal emotion.

The thread — The recorded awe aligns with the reactions in Luke 7:16 and Acts 2:43, while the geographic marker of the hill country of Judea matches Mary’s destination in Luke 1:39. Each reference isolates a distinct element without merging the full context of those passages.

Why it lands — The text states that neighbors experienced awe and regional residents discussed the events, then stops. It requires the reader to note the factual spread of attention without assuming theological conclusions about the cause or outcome.

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 fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea.

Cross-references

Luke 1:39 In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
Luke 7:16 A sense of awe swept over all of them, and they glorified God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said. “God has visited His people!”
Acts 2:43 A sense of awe came over everyone, and the apostles performed many wonders and signs.
Acts 5:5 On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened.
Acts 5:11 And great fear came over the whole church and all who heard about these events.
Joshua 10:6 Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come quickly and save us! Help us, because all the kings of the Amorites from the hill country have joined forces against us.”
Joshua 10:40 So Joshua conquered the whole region—the hill country, the Negev, the foothills, and the slopes, together with all their kings—leaving no survivors. He devoted to destruction everything that breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded.
Revelation 11:11 But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered the two witnesses, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them.
Acts 19:17 This became known to all the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, and fear came over all of them. So the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.