[Pastor Ralph]

Q2. (Luke 1:34) In what way does Mary's "How?" question (1:34) to the angel's declaration differ from Zechariah's "How?" question (1:18)? Why was Mary rewarded and Zechariah disciplined?

[Jesus Lives]

I think it was the condition of their heart. Mary's question didn't question the announcement but how this was going to come about; "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" She took it on faith that it was going to happen she was just wondering how it was going to happen.
Zechariah's question was filled with doubt and disbelief and he questioned the announcement; "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." I believe in his heart he was questioning God and believing it would never happen.

[UncleBlake]

Q2. (Luke 1:34) In what way does Mary's "How?" question (1:34) to the angel's declaration differ from Zechariah's "How?" question (1:18)? Why was Mary rewarded and Zechariah disciplined?

Mary's question was one of semantics really. I don't believe she was questioning God, nor Gabrielle. Whereas Zecheriah was desiring evidence that the event was actually going to take place. Gabrielle is an Angel that stands in the very presence of God, and Zecheriah is wanting proof. Mary is simply perplexed as to how it's all possible based on limited human interpretation. Mary was rewarded for yielding inspite of her questions, Zechariah was struck dumb because he didn't believe what Gabriel told him.

[Nancy in Oh]

Mary's reply was coming from a heart of faith, not a heart of unbelief like Zechariah. God is concerned with our heart. Questions to God aren't wrong, because they help us to grow and help us to understand. When we question, we then search for answers. It's much better to realize we have a question and look for a solution than to sit by and be content in our ignorance.

[Elwood C O'Dell]

It appears that Zechariah doubted if what God said was going to happen would be possible due to his and Elizabeth’s ages. Where as Mary did not seem to carry the idea of doubt in her question. It was simply one of wanting to know the method by which such a miracle could take place. Zechariah was disciplined because of his disbelief. (Luke 1:20). Mary was rewarded / blessed because of her willful surrender to God will for her life. She willingly gave herself to Him as His servant believing that all things were possible through Him.

[laurie tait]

one belived,mary belived in what was said to her

[Cheryl]

Mary's response was one of wonder and faith. Zechariah's response was one of unbelief and doubt.

[les]

mary did not doubt that what the angel said would come to pass she just didnt understand how. when the angel explained that God would do this she accepted the angels message and agreed to the role assigned by God to her ....she had a faith and heart that accepted and believed even when she did not understand and it appeared impossible to her human reasoning whereas zechariah doubted the angels messsage as to his and elizabeths ability to concieve a child. he allowed the circumstance of their age to disbelieve Gods power to overide what is natural and accomplish what he willed and proclaimed .he forgot all things are possible with God nothing is impossible with Him

[James in Ohio]

Mary never denied the possibility, she wanted Gabriel to know that she was not with a man at that time. Zeccariah put Gabriel to the test, a no no as we see later in Jesus Ministry and during parts of the Old testament.

[nes]

In Mary's "How"? question, it is a question with innosence, for she was a virgin one, but with full of faith for what Angel Gabriel said will happen.

Zechariah "How"? is a question with full of doubt and unbelief, for his old age and wife a barren one.

Mary was rewarded for she humbly believe and accepted the word thar Angel Gabriel told her about, Zechariah was discipline for his doubt and unbelief.

[AngelOnLine]

Q2. (Luke 1:34) In what way does Mary's "How?" question (1:34) to the angel's declaration differ from Zechariah's "How?" question (1:18)?
Because she accepted God’s Will though faith and didn’t question it.

Why was Mary rewarded and Zechariah disciplined?
Because her question was asked through faith not doubt. She wasn’t doubting that it would be done, like Zechariah did, she was just asking how.

[davidjjj]

Q2. (Luke 1:34) In what way does Mary's "How?" question (1:34) to the angel's declaration differ from Zechariah's "How?" question (1:18)? Why was Mary rewarded and Zechariah disciplined?

Zechariah ask “how can I be sure?...and Gabriel gently rebukes him for not believing his words” where as Mary asks in essence “how is this possible?” it is not doubt seen in Mary’s question but faith seeking understanding

[Kaitlin]

I believe the main difference seems to be in regard to what their question was trying to prove.

For Zechariah, his how was in some respect an attempt to disprove God. His how said, "This is impossible, and I won't believe it or act upon it until you can prove it."

For Mary, it was an effort to increase her faith. Her how asked, "OK God, this is crazy. I know it must be so, because You have said so, yet I am in complete amazement. Please use this to help me understand You more."

Zechariah's question reveals his doubt and his insistance to see in order to believe. Mary's question reveals her faith and her willingness to follow and obey. Time and time again in the Bible, God makes it clear that he rewards the faithful.

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." -Jesus (John 20:29b)

Although Zechariah was not able to speak until John's birth as a result of his unbelief, I do not think we should necessarily think of this as a bad thing. I imagine that after that time of silence was over, Zechariah had recieved a priceless lesson in faith and humility. As Proverbs 3:11-12 says,this discipline was indeed a blessing.

[Bro Steven]

Zacharias didn't believe what the angel told him he asked whereby shall I know this? and Mary believed she asked who can this be for I have not know a man.

[emmaus]

Mary ask the question in belief wondering how it would be accomplished, where Zechariah ask in unbelief telling the angel why it couldn't be accomplished.

They were rewarded according to their faith.

[Malkiya]

Q2. (Luke 1:34) In what way does Mary's "How?" question (1:34) to the angel's declaration differ from Zechariah's "How?" question (1:18)? Why was Mary rewarded and Zechariah disciplined?

Mary's how seems to based on practical and known knowledge of the day...not being able to get pregnant without intimacy. Hers is one of inquiry as to how this could happen knowing this knowledge. The innocence of the question is reconciling to the new knowledge and her situation.

Zechariah's question, appears to have an element of "faith" and his lack of "sureness" related to God and to Mary...almost as if to say that Mary was too old to attract anyone. Almost a disrespectful tone toward her and toward God.

[love.serve.know]

God knew each of their hearts. He knew what "how" meant to each of them. Mary wanted more information. Zechariah felt that what was about to happen was impossible (humanly speaking it was).

[JustJeff]

Mary's question to the angel was one of naivete' and innocence as opposed to Zechariah's which was of doubt thus Mary went unpunished while Zechariah was disciplined. I believe that, in the end, both where rewarded as Zechariah and Elizabeth had the child that they previously unable to conceive.

[JustJeff]

Mary's question to the angel was one of naivete' and innocence as opposed to Zechariah's which was of doubt thus Mary went unpunished while Zechariah was disciplined. I believe that, in the end, both where rewarded as Zechariah and Elizabeth had the child that they previously unable to conceive.

[masika]

Q2. (Luke 1:34) In what way does Mary's "How?" question (1:34) to the angel's declaration differ from Zechariah's "How?" question (1:18)? Why was Mary rewarded and Zechariah disciplined?
Mary was rewarded because of her obedience to God’s word but Zechariah doubted what the angel told him.