Lectionary Calendar
Friday, August 1st, 2025
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
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THE MESSAGE
Luke 1:7
This verse is not available in the MSG!
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- CondensedParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.
But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.
King James Version (1611)
And they had no childe, because that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well striken in yeeres.
And they had no childe, because that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well striken in yeeres.
King James Version
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
English Standard Version
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
New American Standard Bible
And yet they had no child, because Elizabeth was infertile, and they were both advanced in years.
And yet they had no child, because Elizabeth was infertile, and they were both advanced in years.
New Century Version
But they had no children, because Elizabeth could not have a baby, and both of them were very old.
But they had no children, because Elizabeth could not have a baby, and both of them were very old.
Amplified Bible
But they were childless, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both far advanced in years.
But they were childless, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both far advanced in years.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
Legacy Standard Bible
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
Berean Standard Bible
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both of them were well along in years.
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both of them were well along in years.
Contemporary English Version
But they did not have children. Elizabeth could not have any, and both Zechariah and Elizabeth were already old.
But they did not have children. Elizabeth could not have any, and both Zechariah and Elizabeth were already old.
Complete Jewish Bible
But they had no children, because Elisheva was barren; and they were both well along in years.
But they had no children, because Elisheva was barren; and they were both well along in years.
Darby Translation
And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
Easy-to-Read Version
But they had no children. Elizabeth could not have a baby, and both of them were very old.
But they had no children. Elizabeth could not have a baby, and both of them were very old.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And they had no childe, because that Elisabet was barren: and both were well stricken in age.
And they had no childe, because that Elisabet was barren: and both were well stricken in age.
George Lamsa Translation
But they had no son, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well on in years.
But they had no son, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well on in years.
Good News Translation
They had no children because Elizabeth could not have any, and she and Zechariah were both very old.
They had no children because Elizabeth could not have any, and she and Zechariah were both very old.
Lexham English Bible
And they did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren. And they were both advanced in years.
And they did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren. And they were both advanced in years.
Literal Translation
And no child was born to them, because Elizabeth was barren. And both were advanced in their days.
And no child was born to them, because Elizabeth was barren. And both were advanced in their days.
American Standard Version
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
Bible in Basic English
And they were without children, because Elisabeth had never given birth, and they were at that time very old.
And they were without children, because Elisabeth had never given birth, and they were at that time very old.
Hebrew Names Version
But they had no child, because Elisheva was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
But they had no child, because Elisheva was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
International Standard Version
They had no children because Elizabeth was barren and because both of them were getting on in years.in their days">[fn]
They had no children because Elizabeth was barren and because both of them were getting on in years.in their days">[fn]
Etheridge Translation
But they had no son because Elishaba was barren, and both had become many in their days.
But they had no son because Elishaba was barren, and both had become many in their days.
Murdock Translation
But they had no child, because Elisabeth was barren: and they were both advanced in life.
But they had no child, because Elisabeth was barren: and they were both advanced in life.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And they had no chylde, because that Elizabeth was barren: and they both were nowe well stricken in age.
And they had no chylde, because that Elizabeth was barren: and they both were nowe well stricken in age.
English Revised Version
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
World English Bible
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And they had no child, because Elisabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
And they had no child, because Elisabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
Weymouth's New Testament
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren; and both of them were far advanced in life.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren; and both of them were far advanced in life.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And thei hadden no child, for Elizabeth was bareyn, and bothe weren of grete age in her daies.
And thei hadden no child, for Elizabeth was bareyn, and bothe weren of grete age in her daies.
Update Bible Version
And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were [now] well stricken in years.
And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were [now] well stricken in years.
Webster's Bible Translation
And they had no child, because Elisabeth was barren, and they both were far advanced in years.
And they had no child, because Elisabeth was barren, and they both were far advanced in years.
New English Translation
But they did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both very old.
But they did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both very old.
New King James Version
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
New Living Translation
They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
New Life Bible
They had no children because Elizabeth was not able to have a child. Both of them were older people.
They had no children because Elizabeth was not able to have a child. Both of them were older people.
New Revised Standard
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
and they had no child, inasmuch as Elizabeth was barren, and, both, had become, advanced in their days.
and they had no child, inasmuch as Elizabeth was barren, and, both, had become, advanced in their days.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they had no son, for that Elizabeth was barren: and they both were well advanced in years.
And they had no son, for that Elizabeth was barren: and they both were well advanced in years.
Revised Standard Version
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And they had no chylde because that Elizabeth was barre and booth were well stricken in age.
And they had no chylde because that Elizabeth was barre and booth were well stricken in age.
Young's Literal Translation
and they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and both were advanced in their days.
and they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and both were advanced in their days.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And they had no childe, for Elizabeth was baren, and they were both well stricken in age.
And they had no childe, for Elizabeth was baren, and they were both well stricken in age.
Mace New Testament (1729)
they had no children, because Elizabeth was steril, and they were both advanced in years.
they had no children, because Elizabeth was steril, and they were both advanced in years.
Simplified Cowboy Version
They were both timeworn, and Elizabeth had never gotten pregnant despite her and her husband's many prayers.
They were both timeworn, and Elizabeth had never gotten pregnant despite her and her husband's many prayers.
Contextual Overview
5During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. But they were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old. 8It so happened that as Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties before God, working the shift assigned to his regiment, it came his one turn in life to enter the sanctuary of God and burn incense. The congregation was gathered and praying outside the Temple at the hour of the incense offering. Unannounced, an angel of God appeared just to the right of the altar of incense. Zachariah was paralyzed in fear. 13But the angel reassured him, "Don't fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John. You're going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you—many will delight in his birth. He'll achieve great stature with God. "He'll drink neither wine nor beer. He'll be filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment he leaves his mother's womb. He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God. He will herald God's arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics—he'll get the people ready for God." Zachariah said to the angel, "Do you expect me to believe this? I'm an old man and my wife is an old woman." But the angel said, "I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news. But because you won't believe me, you'll be unable to say a word until the day of your son's birth. Every word I've spoken to you will come true on time—God's time." Meanwhile, the congregation waiting for Zachariah was getting restless, wondering what was keeping him so long in the sanctuary. When he came out and couldn't speak, they knew he had seen a vision. He continued speechless and had to use sign language with the people. When the course of his priestly assignment was completed, he went back home. It wasn't long before his wife, Elizabeth, conceived. She went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy. "So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!" she said. In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin's name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her: Good morning! You're beautiful with God's beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you. She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, "Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.' The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob's house forever— no end, ever, to his kingdom." Mary said to the angel, "But how? I've never slept with a man." The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God. "And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God." And Mary said, Yes, I see it all now: I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say. Then the angel left her. Mary didn't waste a minute. She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country, straight to Zachariah's house, and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sang out exuberantly, You're so blessed among women, and the babe in your womb, also blessed! And why am I so blessed that the mother of my Lord visits me? The moment the sound of your greeting entered my ears, The babe in my womb skipped like a lamb for sheer joy. Blessed woman, who believed what God said, believed every word would come true! And Mary said, I'm bursting with God-news; I'm dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened— I'm the most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others. His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before him. He bared his arm and showed his strength, scattered the bluffing braggarts. He knocked tyrants off their high horses, pulled victims out of the mud. The starving poor sat down to a banquet; the callous rich were left out in the cold. He embraced his chosen child, Israel; he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high. It's exactly what he promised, beginning with Abraham and right up to now. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months and then went back to her own home. When Elizabeth was full-term in her pregnancy, she bore a son. Her neighbors and relatives, seeing that God had overwhelmed her with mercy, celebrated with her. On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child and were calling him Zachariah after his father. But his mother intervened: "No. He is to be called John." "But," they said, "no one in your family is named that." They used sign language to ask Zachariah what he wanted him named. Asking for a tablet, Zachariah wrote, "His name is to be John." That took everyone by surprise. Surprise followed surprise—Zachariah's mouth was now open, his tongue loose, and he was talking, praising God! A deep, reverential fear settled over the neighborhood, and in all that Judean hill country people talked about nothing else. Everyone who heard about it took it to heart, wondering, "What will become of this child? Clearly, God has his hand in this." Then Zachariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he came and set his people free. He set the power of salvation in the center of our lives, and in the very house of David his servant, Just as he promised long ago through the preaching of his holy prophets: Deliverance from our enemies and every hateful hand; Mercy to our fathers, as he remembers to do what he said he'd do, What he swore to our father Abraham— a clean rescue from the enemy camp, So we can worship him without a care in the world, made holy before him as long as we live. And you, my child, "Prophet of the Highest," will go ahead of the Master to prepare his ways, Present the offer of salvation to his people, the forgiveness of their sins. Through the heartfelt mercies of our God, God's Sunrise will break in upon us, Shining on those in the darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death, Then showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of peace. The child grew up, healthy and spirited. He lived out in the desert until the day he made his prophetic debut in Israel. 16 So many others have tried their hand at putting together a story of the wonderful harvest of Scripture and history that took place among us, using reports handed down by the original eyewitnesses who served this Word with their very lives. Since I have investigated all the reports in close detail, starting from the story's beginning, I decided to write it all out for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught. During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. But they were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old. It so happened that as Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties before God, working the shift assigned to his regiment, it came his one turn in life to enter the sanctuary of God and burn incense. The congregation was gathered and praying outside the Temple at the hour of the incense offering. Unannounced, an angel of God appeared just to the right of the altar of incense. Zachariah was paralyzed in fear. But the angel reassured him, "Don't fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John. You're going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you—many will delight in his birth. He'll achieve great stature with God. "He'll drink neither wine nor beer. He'll be filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment he leaves his mother's womb. He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God. He will herald God's arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics—he'll get the people ready for God." Zachariah said to the angel, "Do you expect me to believe this? I'm an old man and my wife is an old woman." But the angel said, "I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news. But because you won't believe me, you'll be unable to say a word until the day of your son's birth. Every word I've spoken to you will come true on time—God's time." Meanwhile, the congregation waiting for Zachariah was getting restless, wondering what was keeping him so long in the sanctuary. When he came out and couldn't speak, they knew he had seen a vision. He continued speechless and had to use sign language with the people. When the course of his priestly assignment was completed, he went back home. It wasn't long before his wife, Elizabeth, conceived. She went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy. "So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!" she said. In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin's name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her: Good morning! You're beautiful with God's beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you. She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, "Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.' The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob's house forever— no end, ever, to his kingdom." Mary said to the angel, "But how? I've never slept with a man." The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God. "And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God." And Mary said, Yes, I see it all now: I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say. Then the angel left her. Mary didn't waste a minute. She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country, straight to Zachariah's house, and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sang out exuberantly, You're so blessed among women, and the babe in your womb, also blessed! And why am I so blessed that the mother of my Lord visits me? The moment the sound of your greeting entered my ears, The babe in my womb skipped like a lamb for sheer joy. Blessed woman, who believed what God said, believed every word would come true! And Mary said, I'm bursting with God-news; I'm dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened— I'm the most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others. His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before him. He bared his arm and showed his strength, scattered the bluffing braggarts. He knocked tyrants off their high horses, pulled victims out of the mud. The starving poor sat down to a banquet; the callous rich were left out in the cold. He embraced his chosen child, Israel; he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high. It's exactly what he promised, beginning with Abraham and right up to now. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months and then went back to her own home. When Elizabeth was full-term in her pregnancy, she bore a son. Her neighbors and relatives, seeing that God had overwhelmed her with mercy, celebrated with her. On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child and were calling him Zachariah after his father. But his mother intervened: "No. He is to be called John." "But," they said, "no one in your family is named that." They used sign language to ask Zachariah what he wanted him named. Asking for a tablet, Zachariah wrote, "His name is to be John." That took everyone by surprise. Surprise followed surprise—Zachariah's mouth was now open, his tongue loose, and he was talking, praising God! A deep, reverential fear settled over the neighborhood, and in all that Judean hill country people talked about nothing else. Everyone who heard about it took it to heart, wondering, "What will become of this child? Clearly, God has his hand in this." Then Zachariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he came and set his people free. He set the power of salvation in the center of our lives, and in the very house of David his servant, Just as he promised long ago through the preaching of his holy prophets: Deliverance from our enemies and every hateful hand; Mercy to our fathers, as he remembers to do what he said he'd do, What he swore to our father Abraham— a clean rescue from the enemy camp, So we can worship him without a care in the world, made holy before him as long as we live. And you, my child, "Prophet of the Highest," will go ahead of the Master to prepare his ways, Present the offer of salvation to his people, the forgiveness of their sins. Through the heartfelt mercies of our God, God's Sunrise will break in upon us, Shining on those in the darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death, Then showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of peace. The child grew up, healthy and spirited. He lived out in the desert until the day he made his prophetic debut in Israel. 17 So many others have tried their hand at putting together a story of the wonderful harvest of Scripture and history that took place among us, using reports handed down by the original eyewitnesses who served this Word with their very lives. Since I have investigated all the reports in close detail, starting from the story's beginning, I decided to write it all out for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught. During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. But they were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old. It so happened that as Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties before God, working the shift assigned to his regiment, it came his one turn in life to enter the sanctuary of God and burn incense. The congregation was gathered and praying outside the Temple at the hour of the incense offering. Unannounced, an angel of God appeared just to the right of the altar of incense. Zachariah was paralyzed in fear. But the angel reassured him, "Don't fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John. You're going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you—many will delight in his birth. He'll achieve great stature with God. "He'll drink neither wine nor beer. He'll be filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment he leaves his mother's womb. He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God. He will herald God's arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics—he'll get the people ready for God." 18 Zachariah said to the angel, "Do you expect me to believe this? I'm an old man and my wife is an old woman." 19But the angel said, "I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news. But because you won't believe me, you'll be unable to say a word until the day of your son's birth. Every word I've spoken to you will come true on time—God's time." 21Meanwhile, the congregation waiting for Zachariah was getting restless, wondering what was keeping him so long in the sanctuary. When he came out and couldn't speak, they knew he had seen a vision. He continued speechless and had to use sign language with the people. 23When the course of his priestly assignment was completed, he went back home. It wasn't long before his wife, Elizabeth, conceived. She went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy. "So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!" she said.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
they had: Genesis 15:2, Genesis 15:3, Genesis 16:1, Genesis 16:2, Genesis 25:21, Genesis 30:1, Judges 13:2, Judges 13:3, 1 Samuel 1:2, 1 Samuel 1:5-8
well: Genesis 17:17, Genesis 18:11, 1 Kings 1:1, 2 Kings 4:14, Romans 4:19, Hebrews 11:11
Reciprocal: Genesis 11:30 - barren Genesis 24:1 - was old Genesis 29:31 - he opened Leviticus 20:20 - childless Joshua 13:1 - Joshua Luke 1:18 - for
Cross-References
Genesis 1:9
God spoke: "Separate! Water-beneath-Heaven, gather into one place; Land, appear!" And there it was. God named the land Earth. He named the pooled water Ocean. God saw that it was good.
God spoke: "Separate! Water-beneath-Heaven, gather into one place; Land, appear!" And there it was. God named the land Earth. He named the pooled water Ocean. God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:11
God spoke: "Earth, green up! Grow all varieties of seed-bearing plants, Every sort of fruit-bearing tree." And there it was. Earth produced green seed-bearing plants, all varieties, And fruit-bearing trees of all sorts. God saw that it was good. It was evening, it was morning— Day Three.
God spoke: "Earth, green up! Grow all varieties of seed-bearing plants, Every sort of fruit-bearing tree." And there it was. Earth produced green seed-bearing plants, all varieties, And fruit-bearing trees of all sorts. God saw that it was good. It was evening, it was morning— Day Three.
Genesis 1:24
God spoke: "Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind: cattle and reptiles and wild animals—all kinds." And there it was: wild animals of every kind, Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug. God saw that it was good.
God spoke: "Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind: cattle and reptiles and wild animals—all kinds." And there it was: wild animals of every kind, Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug. God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:29
Then God said, "I've given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth And every kind of fruit-bearing tree, given them to you for food. To all animals and all birds, everything that moves and breathes, I give whatever grows out of the ground for food." And there it was.
Then God said, "I've given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth And every kind of fruit-bearing tree, given them to you for food. To all animals and all birds, everything that moves and breathes, I give whatever grows out of the ground for food." And there it was.
Ecclesiastes 11:3
When the clouds are full of water, it rains. When the wind blows down a tree, it lies where it falls. Don't sit there watching the wind. Do your own work. Don't stare at the clouds. Get on with your life.
When the clouds are full of water, it rains. When the wind blows down a tree, it lies where it falls. Don't sit there watching the wind. Do your own work. Don't stare at the clouds. Get on with your life.
Matthew 8:27
The men rubbed their eyes, astonished. "What's going on here? Wind and sea come to heel at his command!"
The men rubbed their eyes, astonished. "What's going on here? Wind and sea come to heel at his command!"
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And they had no child,.... Son or daughter: and which was accounted a great infelicity: but this was not owing to the judgment of God upon them for any sins they had been guilty of, as the above character of them shows: and it had been the case of some righteous pairs before them for a great while, as Abraham and Sarah, Manoah, and his wile, Elkanah and Hannah:
because that Elizabeth was barren; so that it was peculiarly her case, and not Zacharias's: and though God had promised the people of Israel that there should be no male nor female barren among them, Deuteronomy 7:14 yet there were instances and exceptions to this general rule, as before mentioned, when it was the pleasure of God to make himself known, and magnify his power in the extraordinary conception and birth of any person; and therefore, though barrenness was reckoned a reproach to a person, there was, in this case, a particular hand of God, to answer a special purpose: the signs of sterility are, according to the Jews b, when a woman had not breasts as other women have, her voice gross, so that it could not be discerned, whether it was a man's or a woman's, c.
and they both were now well stricken in years which made the conception and birth of John the more extraordinary, and even
miraculous, and so the belief of it the more difficult; see Genesis 17:17 It may be literally rendered, "they had proceeded", or had far advanced "in their days": it is an "Hebraism", and answers to, באים בימים in
Genesis 18:11 where the Septuagint render it by the same phrase as here. The Mahometan writers Beidavi and Jallallo'din say c that Zacharias was "ninety nine" years of age, and his wife "eighty nine".
b T. Bab. Yebamot, fol. 80. 2. Maimon. & Bartenora. in Misn. Yebamot, c. 1. sect. 1. & Maimon. Hilch. Ishot, c. 2. sect. 6. c In Koran, c. 3.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Well stricken in years - Old or advanced in life, so as to render the prospect of having children hopeless.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Luke 1:7. Both were now well stricken in years. — By the order of God, sterility and old age both met in the person of Elisabeth, to render the birth of a son (humanly speaking) impossible. This was an exact parallel to the case of Sarah and Abraham, Genesis 11:30; Genesis 17:17. Christ must (by the miraculous power of God) be born of a virgin: whatever was connected with, or referred to, his incarnation must be miraculous and impressive. Isaac was his grand type, and therefore must be born miraculously - contrary to the common course and rule of nature: Abraham was a hundred years of age, Sarah was ninety, Genesis 17:17, and it had CEASED to be with Sarah AFTER THE MANNER OF WOMEN, Genesis 18:11, and therefore, from her age and state, the birth of a child must, according to nature, have been impossible; and it was thus; that it might be miraculous. John the Baptist was to be the forerunner of Christ; his birth, like that of Isaac, must be miraculous, because, like the other, it was to be a representation of the birth of Christ; therefore his parents were both far advanced in years, and besides, Elisabeth was naturally barren. The birth of these three extraordinary persons was announced nearly in the same way. God himself foretells the birth of Isaac, Genesis 17:16. The angel of the Lord announces the birth of John the Baptist, Luke 1:13; and six months after, the angel Gabriel, the same angel, proclaims to Mary the birth of Christ! Man is naturally an inconsiderate and incredulous creature: he must have extraordinary things to arrest and fix his attention; and he requires well-attested miracles from God, to bespeak and confirm his faith. Every person who has properly considered the nature of man must see that the whole of natural religion, so termed, is little else than a disbelief of all religion.
