Luke 1:60 - Printer Friendly

ESV: but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.”

NIV: but his mother spoke up and said, 'No! He is to be called John.'

NASB: And yet his mother responded and said, 'No indeed; but he shall be called John.'

CSB: But his mother responded, "No. He will be called John."

NLT: But Elizabeth said, 'No! His name is John!'

KJV: And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

NKJV: His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”

Gabriel, the angel, told Zechariah (Luke 1:5–7) that he should name his son John (Luke 1:13). Since the birth, itself, was to be a miracle, Zechariah responded with doubt (Luke 1:18). As punishment, Zechariah was rendered unable to speak until after Gabriel's prophecy was fulfilled (Luke 1:19–20). That probably did not stop Zechariah from communicating to his wife what had happened, likely in writing.

Now that she has given birth (Luke 1:57–58), the time has come to choose a name. Since Zechariah is not speaking, those performing the ritual plan to call the baby by the father's name (Luke 1:59). Elizabeth vetoes this and wants to call her child John. The family will be surprised; sons were usually given traditional names from the family line (Luke 1:61). Zechariah, who might also be unable to hear (Luke 1:62) will confirm the name should be "John" (Luke 1:63). This will complete all Gabriel's predictions about John's birth, freeing Zechariah to speak (Luke 1:64–66).

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.

Accessed 5/10/2024 11:54:59 AM