1:20a

And: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And introduces something unpleasant that will happen to Zechariah. This unpleasant thing will happen because Zechariah did not believe the good news that the angel had told him. Some English versions translate this as “But” (Good News Translation), and others do not use a conjunction (New Century Version). Translate this connection in a natural way in your language.

now: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as now is literally “look” or “see.” It often functions to focus attention on what follows it and to indicate that it is important or amazing. The word does not refer to time, as the word “now” sometimes does in English. In this context, Gabriel focused Zechariah’s attention on what would happen to him because he did not believe what Gabriel told him.

Some ways to translate the word in this context are:

look/listen
-or-
take note of this
-or-
pay attention to this

you will be silent and unable to speak: The phrases be silent and unable to speak are two ways to express the same meaning. The angel used these two expressions to emphasize what he was saying. Some other ways to translate this emphasis are:

you will not be able to speak even a single word
-or-
you will lose all power of speech and remain silent (Revised English Bible)

1:20b

until the day this comes to pass: The phrase until the day this comes to pass means “until the day that the events that I foretold take place.” This indicates that Zechariah would not be able to talk until the time when his son John was born.

1:20c

because you did not believe my words: Zechariah would not be able to speak because he did not believe what the angel Gabriel said. He did not believe that he and Elizabeth would have a son. He thought that the words of the angel were not true. Another way to translate this is:

because you did not believe what I told you (New Century Version)

1:20d

which will be fulfilled: The phrase which will be fulfilled refers to the fact that things would happen exactly as Gabriel had said, and that would show that his words were true.

at their proper time: The phrase at their proper time means “at the right time.” It refers to the time that God intended for the things to happen.

General Comment on 1:20a–d

In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder the parts of this verse. For example:

But 20cbecause you didn’t believe what I said, 20ayou will be unable to talk 20buntil the day this happens. 20dEverything will come true at the right time. (God’s Word)
-or-

20cYou did not believe my words, 20dwhich will be fulfilled at the right time. 20aThat’s why you will be unable to speak 20buntil the day that your son is born.

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