John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:22
And when he came out, he could not speak unto them ,.... Or deliver the benediction they were waiting for: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple : which he made them to understand, by the gestures he used: for he beckoned unto them; nodding his head, or by some motions of his hands the Ethiopic version adds, "with his hand": or of his lips; for the signs of a dumb man are distinguished into רמיזה , and קפיצה F17 Bartenora in Misa. Gittin, c. 5. sect. 7. ;... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:21
And the people waited for Zacharias ,.... That were without, in the court of the Israelites, praying there, while he was offering incense: these were waiting for his coming out, in order to be blessed by him, according to Numbers 6:23 and be dismissed: and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple; beyond the usual time of burning incense; which might be occasioned either by a longer discourse of the angel with him than what is here related; or being struck with amazement at the... read more