And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
LUKE 1:7KJVWhat does Luke 1:7 mean?
Luke 1:7 explains that Zechariah and Elisabeth had no children because Elisabeth could not have children, and both of them were already old. This sets up their situation as one of disappointment and impossibility from a human perspective.
The verse is part of the introduction to the story of John the Baptist’s birth. Luke, the writer, is describing Zechariah and Elisabeth’s family situation to show that they had long hoped for a child but were now past the normal age for having children. This detail prepares the reader for the miraculous nature of what is about to happen in their lives.
The Greek behind Luke 1:7
- The word for "barren" is στεῖρα (steira), meaning unable to have children. This highlights that Elisabeth’s inability to conceive was not just due to age but a recognized condition.
- The phrase "well stricken in years" uses the Greek word προβεβηκότες (probebēkotes), which carries the sense of having advanced far along in age. This emphasizes that both Zechariah and Elisabeth were considered too old for childbearing by normal standards.
Why Luke 1:7 matters
- Luke 1:7 makes clear that the birth of John the Baptist will be a miracle, not something that could happen naturally, which sets the stage for God’s intervention.
- The verse connects Zechariah and Elisabeth’s story to other biblical accounts of God giving children to couples who could not have them, such as Abraham and Sarah, making the reader recall God’s faithfulness in the past.
- By stating their situation so plainly, Luke invites the reader to see the contrast between human limitation and what God is about to do, highlighting the theme of hope and divine possibility.