How does the fear mentioned in Luke 1:65 relate to reverence for God? Immediate Narrative Setting Zechariah had been mute since his unbelief in the temple (1:20). At John’s birth he obeyed Gabriel’s instruction, wrote “His name is John,” and instantly regained speech, blessing God (1:63-64). The surrounding villagers witnessed (v. 58), and the sudden miracle triggered collective phobos in v. 65. Luke immediately links that fear to questions about God’s hand on the newborn prophet (v. 66). Old Testament Matrix: “Fear of the LORD” • Proverbs 1:7 — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” • Isaiah 11:3 anticipates Messiah who “will delight in the fear of the LORD.” • Malachi 3:16 describes a remnant “who feared the LORD” as God’s treasured possession. Luke deliberately echoes this covenant theme: God’s covenant mercy (1:54-55) evokes awe. Luke–Acts Pattern of Transformative Fear Luke repeatedly pairs divine intervention with phobos that turns to praise: • Luke 5:26 — healing the paralytic: “Fear and amazement seized them all.” • Luke 7:16 — raising the widow’s son: “Fear seized all, and they glorified God.” • Luke 8:37 — Gerasene deliverance: the people “were seized with great fear.” • Acts 2:43 — Pentecost: “Fear came upon every soul.” • Acts 5:5, 11 — judgment on Ananias and Sapphira: “Great fear came upon the whole church.” Thus Luke 1:65 inaugurates a motif: miracles awaken reverent recognition of God’s nearness. Reverence Distinguished from Craven Dread Luke 1:74 shows God’s purpose “to deliver us from the hand of our enemies, to serve Him without fear.” Fear rooted in punishment is displaced by filial awe (cf. 1 John 4:18). The villagers’ phobos therefore mirrors Sinai-type awe (Exodus 20:18-21) that draws people to obedience rather than flight. Practical Application for Believers 1. Cultivate conscious awe when recalling God’s past works; awe begets worship (Hebrews 12:28-29). 2. Let reverent fear motivate verbal testimony, as with the Judean villagers. 3. Balance intimacy with God (Romans 8:15) and His transcendent holiness (Isaiah 6:5). 4. Teach children that miracles are historical realities that demand reverence, not mere curiosity. Summary The “fear” of Luke 1:65 is not mere alarm but the biblically rich reaction of awe, reverence, and urgent acknowledgment of divine presence. Rooted in Old Testament covenant theology and carried through Luke–Acts, it functions to draw observers toward worshipful submission to God’s redemptive plan revealed in Christ. |
    |