OLBGrk;
Ver. 65,66. By fear here is to be understood an awe and religions reverence of God, caused by these miraculous operations. Fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles, Acts 2:43. These sayings, rhmata tauta; it is a Hebraism; these doings, or matters, or things, were published throughout all the parts of Judea adjacent to the city where Zacharias dwelt, Luke 1:39. And those serious people that heard them pondered on them, considering the work of the Lord, and did think that this child would prove no ordinary person. And the hand of the Lord was with him. By the hand of the Lord is meant, the power of the Lord, his providence, love, favour: thus the Lord is said to have been with Samuel, 1 Samuel 3:19. The hand of the Lord oft signifieth the power, help, and assistance of the Lord, 1 Chronicles 28:19 Psalms 80:17. The hand of the Lord upon a person sometimes signifieth the Spirit of prophecy, Ezekiel 1:3, Ezekiel 40:1; but this is a different phrase, denoting only God's special favour to John, watching over and protecting him, causing him to grow up and thrive, to improve in knowledge, &c.