Devine Scripture

Luke 1:12

What does Luke 1:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 1:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 1:12 means

Zacharias was greatly troubled and filled with fear when he saw the angel. That reaction is natural: divine appearances often provoke awe and terror. His fear shows the holiness of the encounter and the weight of God’s presence. It also reveals human vulnerability before God’s messengers. The emotion is not sin but an appropriate response to a transcendent moment; the angel will soon calm him, turning fear into reassurance and revelation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear came on him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Zacharias, having seen, was troubled, and fear fell on him;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Zachary seeing him, was troubled: and fear fell upon him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Zacharias was troubled, seeing [him], and fear fell upon him.

Context

This emotional reaction follows immediately after the angel’s appearance. It shows the human element within the sacred scene—Zacharias’s fear contrasts with the angel’s forthcoming words of comfort. The verse prepares the reader for both the comforting message and subsequent dialogue about the couple’s future.

v.11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

v.12This passage

v.13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Daniel 10:7

    And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.

  • Luke 1:29

    But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be.

  • Judges 6:22

    And Gideon saw that he was the angel of Jehovah; and Gideon said, Alas, O Lord Jehovah! forasmuch as I have seen the angel of Jehovah face to face.

  • Acts 10:4

    And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being affrighted, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God.

  • Luke 2:9

    And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

  • Mark 16:5

    And entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, arrayed in a white robe; and they were amazed.

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