SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:18
Y dijo Zacarías al ngel: ¿En qu conocer esto? Porque yo soy viejo, y mi mujer avanzada en días.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Luke 1:18
Verse 18. Whereby shall I know this?] All things are possible to God: no natural impediment can have any power when God has declared he will accomplish his purpose. He has a right to be believed on his own word alone; and it is impious, when we are convinced that it is his word, to demand a sign or pledge for its fulfillment.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 18. And Zacharias said unto the angel, whereby shall I know this ? etc.] Notwithstanding such an appearance of an angel to him, which in those times was not so usual, and this in the holy place; and the things themselves which were told him, and these as the return of prayer; yet he distrusted, and wanted a sign, whereby he might know the truth of them, as the Jews were generally desirous of, and as the father of them was; who expressed himself in much such language, on a certain occasion, as this his son did; (see Genesis 15:8). For I am an old man ; at least sixty years of age; for with the Jews, sixty years were reckoned, hnqzl , for old age f45 ; and a man of these years, was accounted an old man: and the Jewish Rabbins observe f46 , that the word for old age in ( Job 30:2) is by gematry, sixty; that is, the letters of the word, numerically make so much. The Mahometan writers, as before observed on ( Luke 1:7) make him to be ninety nine years of age: he was not discharged from service; the Levites were at fifty, but not the priests; blemishes, as the Jewish writers say f47 , made them unfit for service, but years did not: and even the law concerning the Levites, they say f48 , only respected the time they carried the sanctuary from place to place, and not future generations; and that they are disqualified neither by blemishes, nor by years, only by voice, for singing of the song; but then they might be among the porters; so that they were not on that account laid aside from all service: and my wife well stricken in years . The Mahometan writers, as before, say, she was eighty nine; a like objection Abraham made, though he afterwards got over it, and was strong in faith, giving glory to God, believing in his power and faithfulness; (see Genesis 17:17).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 5-25 - The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners as all are, an were justified and saved in the same way as others; but they wer eminent for piety and integrity. They had no children, and it could no be expected that Elisabeth should have any in her old age. Whil Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, the whole multitude of the people were praying without. All the prayers we offer up to God, ar acceptable and successful only by Christ's intercession in the templ of God above. We cannot expect an interest therein if we do not pray and pray with our spirits, and are not earnest in prayer. Nor can we expect that the best of our prayers should gain acceptance, and brin an answer of peace, but through the mediation of Christ, who eve lives, making intercession. The prayers Zacharias often made, receive an answer of peace. Prayers of faith are filed in heaven, and are no forgotten. Prayers made when we were young and entering into the world may be answered when we are old and going out of the world. Mercies ar doubly sweet that are given in answer to prayer. Zacharias shall have son in his old age, who shall be instrumental in the conversion of man souls to God, and preparing them to receive the gospel of Christ. He shall go before Him with courage, zeal, holiness, and a mind dead to earthly interests and pleasures. The disobedient and rebellious woul be brought back to the wisdom of their righteous forefathers, or rather, brought to attend to the wisdom of that Just One who was comin among them. Zacharias heard all that the angel said; but his unbelie spake. In striking him dumb, God dealt justly with him, because he ha objected against God's word. We may admire the patience of God toward us. God dealt kindly with him, for thus he prevented his speaking an more distrustful, unbelieving words. Thus also God confirmed his faith If by the rebukes we are under for our sin, we are brought to give the more credit to the word of God, we have no reason to complain. Eve real believers are apt to dishonour God by unbelief; and their mouth are stopped in silence and confusion, when otherwise they would have been praising God with joy and gratitude. In God's gracious dealing with us we ought to observe his gracious regards to us. He has looke on us with compassion and favour, and therefore has thus dealt with us.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S ζαχαριας 2197 N-NSM προς 4314 PREP τον 3588 T-ASM αγγελον 32 N-ASM κατα 2596 PREP τι 5101 I-ASN γνωσομαι 1097 5695 V-FDI-1S τουτο 5124 D-ASN εγω 1473 P-1NS γαρ 1063 CONJ ειμι 1510 5748 V-PXI-1S πρεσβυτης 4246 N-NSM και 2532 CONJ η 3588 T-NSF γυνη 1135 N-NSF μου 3450 P-1GS προβεβηκυια 4260 5761 V-RAP-NSF εν 1722 PREP ταις 3588 T-DPF ημεραις 2250 N-DPF αυτης 846 P-GSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
18. Whereby (kata ti). Lit., according to what? It demands a standard of knowledge, a sign.For. I require a sign, for I am old.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:18 {Whereby} (kata ti). According to what. It was too good to be true and Zacharias demanded proof and gives the reason (for, gar) for his doubt. He had prayed for this blessing and was now sceptical like the disciples in the house of Mary about the return of Peter (#Ac 12:14f.).
