Luke 1:62 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called.

NIV: Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.

NASB: And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called.

CSB: So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called.

NLT: So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him.

KJV: And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

NKJV: So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.

The father mentioned here is Zechariah (Luke 1:5–7). When Zechariah doubted the words of an angel who predicted he'd become a father (Luke 1:13–18), he was stricken speechless (Luke 1:19–20). When the baby was finally born (Luke 1:57) and ready to be named (Luke 1:59), those supervising the ceremony plan to name the baby after Zechariah. Elizabeth, the mother, insists that the child be named "John" (Luke 1:60), to the confusion of their family (Luke 1:61).

It seems likely—or at least possible—that Zechariah was also rendered deaf by his encounter with the angel. Such a condition would fit the nature of his rebuke. He rejected the angel's words, so he would be unable to speak words of his own. He rejected what he heard, so he would be unable to hear other speech. That people communicate with him by making signs suggests that talking to him would not work.

While Zechariah cannot speak, he can write (Luke 1:63). What he indicates is exactly what Elizabeth wanted, and is what Gabriel commanded (Luke 1:13). This fulfills the term of his punishment, allowing him to speak, and amazing those who see these things happen (Luke 1:64–65).

Luke 1:57–80 describes the first of two births predicted by the angel Gabriel in this chapter (Luke 1:13, 31). Despite their old age, Elizabeth and Zechariah have had a son, who now needs to be named. Zechariah has been stricken mute for months, after doubting the angel's message. Elizabeth surprises her family by naming the child "John." When asked, Zechariah writes down the same name and is immediately able to speak again. Amid the awestruck reaction of family and neighbors, the legendary reputation of John the Baptist has begun. Zechariah then prophesies about the powerful ministry of his son.

The angel Gabriel predicts two miraculous births. The first is a son born to Zechariah and Elizabeth: an older, childless priest and his wife. Because Zechariah initially doubts this message, he is temporarily made unable to speak. Their child will be known as John the Baptist, a powerful herald of the Messiah. The Promised One whom John will proclaim is the second birth predicted by Gabriel. He tells an engaged virgin, Mary, that God will miraculously conceive His Son in her. The two women meet and rejoice over their blessings. John's arrival sets the stage for Luke's familiar account of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Luke was a travelling companion of the apostle Paul (Acts 16:10); his book of Acts is a direct "sequel" to the gospel of Luke (Acts 1:1–3). Those two books make up more than a quarter of the New Testament. Luke begins by explaining how his orderly approach is meant to inspire confidence in Christian faith. His work is based on eyewitness interviews and other evidence. The first chapter details the miraculous conceptions of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Chapter 2 continues with Jesus' birth.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.