And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled [`discomposed,'] and fear fell upon him. And what wonder? The unseen world is so veiled from us, and so different from ours in its nature and laws, that when in any of its features it breaks in unexpectedly upon mortals, it cannot but startle and appal them, as it did Daniel (Daniel 10:7-8; Daniel 10:17), and the beloved disciple in Patmos (Revelation 1:17). 'He that had wont to live and serve in presence of the Master was now astonished at the presence of the servant. So much difference is there between our faith and our senses, that the apprehension of the presence of the God of spirits by faith goes down sweetly with us, whereas the sensible apprehension of an angel dismays us. Holy Zachary, that had wont to live by faith, thought he should die when his sense began to be set on work. It was the weakness of him that served at the altar without horror, to be daunted with the face of his fellow-servant' (Dr. Hall.)