Luke 1:12

Modern

When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.

Traditional

And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

Literal

And Zechariah was troubled having seen, and fear fell upon him.

Latin

Et Zacharias turbatus est videns, et timor irruit super eum.

Greek

English

When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.

he was startled and gripped with fear: Fear and awe are common reactions when someone sees an angel or experiences the presence of God (Judges 6:22–23; 13:22; Isaiah 6:5). The person is often reassured by a saying such as "Do not be afraid."
you are to give him the name John: In Hebrew, the name John means "the Lord has shown favor." This favor came to Elizabeth and Zechariah through their son and to the Israelite nation through the Christ (Messiah), whose coming John would announce.

Theme notes and profiles

Judges 6:22
When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he said, “Oh no, Lord GOD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!”
Judges 13:22
“We are going to die,” he said to his wife, “for we have seen God!”
Acts 10:4
Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.
Luke 2:9–10
Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Revelation 1:17
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,
Daniel 10:7
Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but a great terror fell upon them, and they ran and hid themselves.
Luke 1:29
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
Mark 16:5
When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
Job 4:14–15
…fear and trembling came over me and made all my bones shudder.

Zechariah: Priest, father of John the Baptist