Why was Zechariah Made Mute?

Last updated on: December 30, 2014 at 7:15 pm by Mark Shea

Why was Zechariah Made Mute? 2014-12-30T19:15:35-07:00 Mark Shea

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A reader writes:

I’ve recently read the Bible passage in Luke where it’s stated that Zechariah was made mute because he did not believe in the angel Gabriel’s propehcy on the conception of his future son, John the Baptist.

Contrasting this with the annunciation of Mary, who also questioned the angel, but was not made mute as well. From what I understand, it is because Zechariah doubted but Mary never once did. However, I cannot find it explicitly stated so in the Bible.
Can you explain why Zechariah was made mute? My friend thinks this shows that God does not like being questioned and I would like to know how to answer him.

Actually it is explicitly stated by Gabriel: ”
“I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” (Luke 1:19-20)

Meanwhile, Mary asks questions, but does not doubt. That’s why she is able to say, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38). Luke’s whole point is to contrast the disbelieving questions of Zechariah and the believing questions of Mary. The latter are asked in order to find things out; the former are asked in order to keep from finding things out.

It is simply not so that the God revealed in Scripture “does not like being questioned”. Scripture is, in fact, stuffed with questions directed to God and answered by God. What God disciplines Zechariah for is not asking questions, but not expecting Him to answer. The answer Zechariah gets is perfectly suited to his spiritual condition and is, like all things God does, done in charity and with an eye on revealing Himself to Zechariah. And, by the way, it works. Zechariah’s question is answer and Zechariah believes.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

December 22, 2011

A reader asks about apologetics books

Next Post

December 22, 2011 Genesis and Evolution

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 September 2006 June 2006 July 2005 April 2005 May 2002 April 2002 0000

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz