Luke 1:21-25 Meaning: The Unexpected Delay
21The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple.
22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute.
23When the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house.
24After these days Elizabeth his wife conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying,
25“Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach among men.”
21And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
21And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marvelled while he tarried in the temple.
22And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: and he continued making signs unto them, and remained dumb.
23And it came to pass, when the days of his ministration were fulfilled, he departed unto his house.
24And after these days Elisabeth his wife conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying,
25Thus hath the Lord done unto me in the days wherein he looked upon me, to take away my reproach among men.
21And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and wondering at his tarrying in the sanctuary,
22and having come out, he was not able to speak to them, and they perceived that a vision he had seen in the sanctuary, and he was beckoning to them, and did remain dumb.
23And it came to pass, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he went away to his house,
24and after those days, his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying--
25`Thus hath the Lord done to me, in days in which He looked upon me , to take away my reproach among men.'
21And the people were awaiting Zacharias, and they wondered at his delaying in the temple.
22But when he came out he could not speak to them, and they recognised that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he was making signs to them, and continued dumb.
23And it came to pass, when the days of his service were completed, he departed to his house.
24Now after these days, Elizabeth his wife conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25Thus has [the] Lord done to me in [these] days in which he looked upon [me] to take away my reproach among men.
Meaning in one sentence
Zechariah's silence and Elizabeth's hidden pregnancy reveal God's faithful timing.
Context
Luke opens his Gospel with a priest named Zechariah serving in the Jerusalem temple. During the incense offering, an angel told him his elderly wife would bear a son who would prepare the way for the Lord. Zechariah questioned the news and was struck mute. When he finally emerged, the waiting crowd knew something extraordinary had happened. After his week of service ended, Zechariah returned home. Soon Elizabeth became pregnant. She stayed hidden for five months, quietly treasuring what God had done. This passage sits between the announcement of John's birth and the later annunciation to Mary, showing how God moves in hidden, unexpected ways.
Key Words
Three Greek words hold the weight of this passage. The first is chronizō (χρονίζω), meaning 'to delay, linger.' The people marveled that Zechariah tarried so long. The word suggests a lingering beyond expectation, hinting that God's timing often stretches our patience but never misses its mark.
The second is perikruptō (περικρύπτω), a strong verb meaning 'to conceal on all sides.' Elizabeth hid herself completely. This was not shame but a holy seclusion, a way of guarding the secret until God chose to reveal it.
The third is epeidon (ἐπεῖδον), 'to look upon with favour,' paired with oneidos (ὄνειδος), meaning 'disgrace.' Elizabeth said the Lord looked on her to take away her reproach. The verb implies a caring gaze, not a distant glance. When God looks, He removes what shames us. These words together invite us to trust the hidden work of God.
How Christians Read This Verse
Commentators across traditions notice the weight of silence in this passage. Many point out that the priest normally spent only a short time in the temple; the delay signaled a divine encounter. Matthew Henry describes Elizabeth's five months of seclusion as a time for devout meditation. John Calvin argues she was fully convinced of the promise and hid not from doubt but from a desire to praise God privately. The Catholic tradition has often seen her hiddenness as a model of contemplative waiting. Today, believers from many backgrounds agree: Zechariah's silence and Elizabeth's concealment point to the same truth. God often works in quiet, hidden ways before He acts openly.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume Zechariah was only unable to speak. In fact, the Greek word kōphos can mean deaf as well. Verse 62 shows others making signs to him, which confirms that he could not hear either. His silence was total, underscoring the absolute reality of the angelic message.
Living This Out
You may be carrying a reproach that feels permanent. Perhaps it is a long-unanswered prayer, a relationship that seems broken beyond repair, or a secret shame you have hidden for years. Elizabeth knew that feeling. For decades she lived with the disgrace of barrenness. But then God looked on her. He did not remove her shame in a flashy public display. He worked quietly, in the hidden places, over five months. This week, you can let yourself believe that God is looking on you too. He sees what others do not. And in His time, He will take away your reproach. You may not see it yet, but the work has already begun.
Main takeaway: God looks on our hidden sorrows and removes them in His own time, often quietly, before the world sees.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Zechariah could not talk because he saw an angel in God's temple. The angel told him that his wife Elizabeth would have a baby boy. They had to wait for a long time, but God kept His promise.
For ages 9, 12
Have you ever had to wait for something really important? Zechariah had to wait without speaking. Elizabeth waited in private, not telling everyone. They trusted that God was at work even when nothing seemed to happen. Their waiting teaches us to trust God's timing and to treasure the good things He does, even before we share them with others.
Questions People Ask
Why did Zechariah become mute?
He doubted the angel Gabriel's message that Elizabeth would bear a son in their old age. The angel told him he would be silent until the promise was fulfilled (Luke 1:20). His muteness was both a consequence of unbelief and a sign that God's word was true.
Why did Elizabeth hide herself for five months?
Commentators offer several reasons. She may have wanted to avoid gossip and idle talk, to be certain of the pregnancy before appearing publicly, or to spend time in private gratitude. John Calvin believed she was fully convinced and simply treasured the miracle quietly before God.
What does 'take away my reproach' mean?
In Jewish culture, barrenness was considered a disgrace, often seen as a sign of God's disfavor. Elizabeth's pregnancy removed that social shame. The word 'reproach' carries the weight of public scorn, so her statement celebrates God's personal mercy.
Was Zechariah also deaf?
The Greek word kōphos used in verse 22 can mean blunted in hearing or speech. In Luke 1:62, others make signs to Zechariah, indicating he could not hear them. So his silence was total affecting both speech and hearing.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study