King James Bible
"And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him."
Zacharias, an elderly priest serving in the temple, suddenly encounters the angel Gabriel standing at the altar of incense. This divine appearance interrupts the most sacred moment of his priestly career, as offering incense was a once-in-a-lifetime honor. The Greek word suggests inner turmoil and confusion rather than mere surprise. Zacharias's agitation reflects both the unexpected nature of the encounter and perhaps an awareness that heavenly visitations often bring life-altering messages. This phrase describes an overwhelming, almost physical terror that commonly accompanied biblical theophanies. The fear signifies recognition of the holy and serves as a typical human response to divine presence throughout Scripture, preparing for Gabriel's reassuring words that follow.