Why Did They Make Signs At Zechariah?

[Seven77]

I've always wondered about Luke 1:62 "62: And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called."

Why would they do this? He was struck dumb...and deaf too? Or perhaps they *thought* he was deaf also?

[thessalonian]

It says earlier he will be silent, AND not be able to speak.

20: And behold, [b]you will be silent and unable to speak[/b] until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time."
21: And the people were waiting for Zechari'ah, and they wondered at his delay in the temple.
22: And when he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he made signs to them and remained dumb.


Must be he was made deaf as well. That is something I hadn't noticed. Interesting.

[KnightofChrist]

I did some reading and in verse 22, the Greek word used for "dumb" that can mean either mute or deaf, depending on the context.