Luke 1:18 (WEB)
Zacharias said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
Catechism · 1
“It is to the poor and the first representatives of the gentiles that she makes him known.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 1:15-19; Mt 2:11.
Fathers and councils · 16
Jerome
“And of Zacharias it is written, that when the angel promised the birth of a son, he said:“Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.”” — editor's note: S. Luke i. 18.
Read the whole comment“It is clear that our Lord’s brethren bore the name in the same way that Joseph was called his father: “I and thy father sought thee sorrowing.”” — editor's note: S. Luke i. 18.
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Augustine of Hippo
“And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.” — editor's note: Luke i. 5–36.
Read the whole commentChapter IX.—Of the Question How It Can Be Shown that the Narrative of the Haul of Fishes Which Luke Has Given Us is Not to Be Identified with the Record of an Apparently Similar Incident Which John Has Reported…
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Catena Aurea on Luke
- John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
Considering his own age, and moreover the barrenness of his wife, Zacharias doubted; as it is said, And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? as if he said, “How shall this be?” And he adds the…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
As if he says, “If it were man who promised these miracles, one might with impunity demand a sign, but when an angel promises, it is then not right to doubt. It follows; And I am sent to speak to thee.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
That when you hear that I am sent from God, you should deem none of the things which are said unto thee to be of man, for I speak not of myself, but declare the message of Him who sends me. And this is the merit and…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
Here we must remark, that the angel testifies, that he both stands before God, and is sent to bring good tidings to Zacharias.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Luke
For when angels come to us, they so outwardly fulfil their ministry, as at the same time inwardly to be never absent from His sight; since, though the angelic spirit is circumscribed, the highest Spirit, which is…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
But he gives him the sign which he asks for, that he who spoke in unbelief, might now by silence learn to believe; as it follows; and, behold, thou shall be dumb.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
That the bonds might be transferred from the powers of generation to the vocal organs. From no regard to the priesthood was he spared, but for this reason was the more smitten, because in a matter of faith he ought…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
Because the word in the Greek (κωφὸς) may also signify deaf, he well says, Because thou believest not, thou shalt be deaf, and shalt not be able to speak. For most reasonably he suffered these two things; as…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
But the Angel says, And, behold; in other words, “At this instant.” But mark the mercy of God in what follows: Until the day in which these things shall be performed. As if he said, “When by the issues of events I…
Read the whole comment - A Greek expositorCatena Aurea on Luke
Now while these things were going on within, the delay excited surprise among the multitudes who were waiting without, as it follows: And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried. And while…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
But Zacharias beckoned to the people, who perhaps enquired the cause of his silence, which, as he was not able to speak, he signified to them by nodding. Hence it follows, And he beckoned to them, and remained…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
But a nod is a certain action of the body, without speech endeavouring to declare the will, yet not expressing it.
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Cross-references · 1
Cited together in Catechism §724.