Luke 1:65
And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa.
This verse belongs to the account of the birth of John, the promised son of the aged and righteous Zacharias and Elizabeth. John was to go before the Lord to prepare His ways as the forerunner of the Messiah, whose coming faithful Israelites had long awaited. The fear and widespread report reflect the answer to prayers long offered for the coming of the Redeemer, when heaven sent a messenger to announce that those prayers were about to be answered by the birth of John. The announcement came to Zacharias in the holy place of the sanctuary before the golden altar, while the cloud of incense carrying the prayers of Israel was ascending before God, with the angel standing on the right side of the altar as a sign of favor. The mercy of God seemed too great for Zacharias to believe, and he was filled with fear and self-condemnation.
After Zacharias recovered his speech and praised God, fear and awe came upon those dwelling around Zacharias and Elizabeth, and the report of the events surrounding John's birth spread throughout all the hill country of Judea. This widespread wonder drew attention to the coming of the Messiah, for whom John would prepare the way. What spread was news of John's birth together with the significance of his mission, which had been attested by miracle and prophecy. This report spread through the hill country even though Jerusalem was not preparing to welcome the coming Messiah.