Luke 1:22

And when he came out The moment of the priest's reappearance from before the ever-burning golden candlestick, and the veil which hid the Holiest Place, was one which powerfully affected the Jewish imagination, Sir 50:5-21.

he could not speak unto them They were waiting in the Court to be dismissed with the usual blessing, which is said to have been usually pronounced by the otherpriest. Numbers 6:23-26. "Then he" (the High Priest Simon) "went down and lifted up his hands over the whole congregation of the children of Israel, to give the blessing of the Lord with his lips, and to rejoice in His name. And they bowed themselves down to worship the second time, that they might receive a blessing from the Most High." Sir 50:20.

a vision Optasian. Used especially of the most vivid and -objective" appearances, Luke 24:23; Act 26:19; 2 Corinthians 12:1; Daniel 9:23.

he beckoned unto them Rather, he was himself making signs to them.

remained speechless "Credat Judaeus ut loquipossit" (let the Jew believe that he may be able to speak) says St Augustine. Origen, Ambrose, and Isidore, see in the speechless priest vainly endeavouring to bless the people, a fine image of the Law reduced to silence before the first announcement of the Gospel. The scene might stand for an allegorical representation of the thesis so powerfully worked out in the Epistle to the Hebrews (see Hebrews 8:13). Zacharias became dumb, and Saul of Tarsus blind, for a time. "Praeludium legis ceremonialis finiendae Christo veniente." Bengel.