Luke 1:7
New International Version
But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

New Living Translation
They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.

English Standard Version
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

Berean Standard Bible
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.

Berean Literal Bible
And to them there was no child, inasmuch as Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in their years.

King James Bible
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

New King James Version
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

New American Standard Bible
And yet they had no child, because Elizabeth was infertile, and they were both advanced in years.

NASB 1995
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.

NASB 1977
And 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.

Amplified Bible
But they were childless, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both far advanced in years.

Christian Standard Bible
But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.

American Standard Version
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

Contemporary English Version
But they did not have children. Elizabeth could not have any, and both Zechariah and Elizabeth were already old.

English Revised Version
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Yet, they never had any children because Elizabeth couldn't become pregnant. Both of them were too old to have children.

Good News Translation
They had no children because Elizabeth could not have any, and she and Zechariah were both very old.

International Standard Version
They had no children because Elizabeth was barren and because both of them were getting old.

Majority Standard Bible
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.

NET Bible
But they did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both very old.

New Heart English Bible
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they had no child, because Elisabeth was barren, and they both were far advanced in years.

Weymouth New Testament
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren; and both of them were far advanced in life.

World English Bible
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they had no child, because that Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in their days.

Berean Literal Bible
And to them there was no child, inasmuch as Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in their years.

Young's Literal Translation
and they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and both were advanced in their days.

Smith's Literal Translation
And no child was to them, as Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in their days.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they had no son, for that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both had become advanced in years.

New American Bible
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.

New Revised Standard Version
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But they had no son, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well on in years.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But they did not have a son, because Elizabeth was infertile, and both of them were advanced in their days.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.

Godbey New Testament
And there was no child to them, as Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in their days.

Haweis New Testament
And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were far advanced in years.

Mace New Testament
they had no children, because Elizabeth was steril, and they were both advanced in years.

Weymouth New Testament
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren; and both of them were far advanced in life.

Worrell New Testament
And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were far advanced in their days.

Worsley New Testament
And they had no child, for Elisabeth was barren; and they were both far advanced in years.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Gabriel Foretells John's Birth
6Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord. 7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years. 8One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,…

Cross References
Genesis 18:11
And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.

Judges 13:2
Now there was a man from Zorah named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, whose wife was barren and had no children.

1 Samuel 1:5
But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb.

Genesis 15:2-3
But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” / Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

Genesis 30:1
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob.

2 Kings 4:14
So he asked, “Then what should be done for her?” “Well, she has no son,” Gehazi replied, “and her husband is old.”

Isaiah 54:1
“Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.

Psalm 113:9
He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!

Genesis 25:21
Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.

Genesis 29:31
When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.

Romans 4:19
Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb.

Hebrews 11:11
By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised.

Romans 9:10
Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac.

Galatians 4:27
For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”

1 Samuel 1:11
And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”


Treasury of Scripture

And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

they had.

Genesis 15:2,3
And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? …

Genesis 16:1,2
Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar…

Genesis 25:21
And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

well.

Genesis 17:17
Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

Genesis 18:11
Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

1 Kings 1:1
Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.

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Luke 1
1. The preface of Luke to his whole gospel.
5. The conception of John the Baptist;
26. and of Jesus.
39. The prophecy of Elisabeth and of Mary, concerning Jesus.
57. The nativity and circumcision of John.
67. The prophecy of Zachariah, both of Jesus,
76. and of John.














But they had no children
This phrase introduces the central issue faced by Zechariah and Elizabeth. In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, having children was seen as a blessing from God and a sign of His favor. The Greek word for "children" here is "τέκνα" (tekna), which emphasizes offspring or descendants. The absence of children would have been a source of social stigma and personal grief, as lineage and inheritance were crucial in Jewish society. This sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention, highlighting His power to bring life and hope where there seems to be none.

because Elizabeth was barren
The term "barren" comes from the Greek word "στείρα" (steira), meaning unable to conceive. Barrenness was often viewed as a divine judgment or a curse, yet the narrative of Elizabeth challenges this perception. Her barrenness serves as a backdrop for God's glory to be revealed, echoing the accounts of other barren women in the Bible, such as Sarah, Rebekah, and Hannah, who also experienced God's miraculous provision. This highlights a recurring biblical theme: God often chooses the unlikely and the marginalized to fulfill His purposes, demonstrating His sovereignty and grace.

and both of them were well along in years
This phrase underscores the improbability of the situation from a human perspective. The Greek phrase "προβεβηκότες ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις" (probebēkotes en tais hēmerais) suggests advanced age, indicating that Zechariah and Elizabeth were beyond the typical childbearing years. This detail emphasizes the miraculous nature of the events to follow, as it would take divine intervention for them to have a child. It also serves to remind readers of the account of Abraham and Sarah, who similarly received a child in their old age, reinforcing the theme of God's faithfulness and ability to fulfill His promises despite human limitations.

(7) Well stricken in years.--Literally, far advanced in their days.

Verse 7. - And they had no child. This, as is well known, was a heavy calamity in a Hebrew home. In the childless house there was no hope of the long looked-for Messiah being born in it. It was not unfrequently looked on as a mark of the Divine displeasure, possibly as the punishment of some grave sin.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

had
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

no
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

children,
τέκνον (teknon)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5043: A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.

because
καθότι (kathoti)
Adverb
Strong's 2530: From kata; and hos and tis; according to which certain thing, i.e. As far as.

Elizabeth
Ἐλισάβετ (Elisabet)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1665: Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptizer. Of Hebrew origin; Elisabet, an Israelitess.

was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

barren,
στεῖρα (steira)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4723: Barren. A contraction from stereos; 'sterile'.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

both {of them}
ἀμφότεροι (amphoteroi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 297: Both (of two). Comparative of amphi; both.

were
ἦσαν (ēsan)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

well along
προβεβηκότες (probebēkotes)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4260: To go forward, advance. From pro and the base of basis; to walk forward, i.e. Advance.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

years.
ἡμέραις (hēmerais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.


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NT Gospels: Luke 1:7 But they had no child because Elizabeth (Luke Lu Lk)
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