Luke 1:22

Could not speak. As the officiating priest came forth from the holy place after offering the incense, he was expected to raise his hands and pronounce a blessing upon the waiting throng.

Seen a vision. As Zacharias came forth his face was aglow with the glory of God (DA 99). His very appearance, in a sense, was an unspoken benediction, for the formula of blessing included the words, “The Lord make his face shine upon thee” (Num. 6:25), and, “The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee” (v. 26). The first represented the graciousness of God, and the second, His gift of peace. No doubt many among the assembled worshipers thought of Moses as he returned from Mt. Sinai (see Ex. 34:29, 30, 35).

He beckoned. Rather, “he kept beckoning,” that is, making motions in an endeavor to explain to the people what had happened. Eventually, and perhaps by writing as well as beckoning, he succeeded in communicating to them what he had seen and heard (DA 99).

Speechless. Gr. kophos, “blunted,” or “dull.” This could refer to speech or hearing or both. The narrative seems to imply that Zacharias became deaf as well as dumb (see on v. 62).