And Zacharias said to the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
And Zacharias said to the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
And Zacharias said to the angel, How may I be certain of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is far on in years.
And Zacharias said to the angel, By what shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife far advanced in years.
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."
And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
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.
Whereby shall I know this? - The thing was improbable, and he desired "evidence" that it would take place. The testimony of an "angel," and in such a place, should have been proof enough; but people are slow to believe the testimony of heavenly messengers. As a consequence of not believing, he was struck mute.
1:18 Zacharias said, Whereby shall I know this? - In how different a spirit did he blessed virgin say, How shall this be? Zacharias disbelieved the fact: Mary had no doubt of the thing; but only inquired concerning the manner of it.