Luke 1:20

Be dumb. Zacharias had expressed doubt at the angel’s word. Now he received a sign which was at the same time a penalty for unbelief. His lack of faith brought both judgment and blessing. His unbelief was cured immediately and thoroughly. At the same time his affliction was a means of drawing the attention of the people to the announcement of the birth of the forerunner of the Messiah. Not only did the condition of Zacharias attract the attention of the assembled multitude in the Temple courtyard (v. 22); it gave him an opportunity to communicate what he had seen and heard (DA 99), in a way they would never forget.

In some respects the experience of Zacharias is similar to that of Ezekiel in being made dumb (see Eze. 3:26) and remaining so (ch. 24:27) until the fulfillment of his message (ch. 33:22).

Believest not. Though it was not easy for Abraham to grasp the reality of God’s promise that his own son should be his heir (see Gen. 15:2, 3; 17:17, 18), he was ready to take the Lord at His word (see Gen. 15:6). He “was strong in faith” and “staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief’ (see Rom. 4:19-22). It seems that Zacharias, though “righteous” and “blameless” before God (Luke 1:6), did not measure up to Abraham when it came to the exercise of faith.