Knowing The Word in Luke 1:57-63

The Birth of John the Baptist

1:57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered.

Comments

Having waited nine months after Zechariah encountered Gabriel in the temple, the couple now knew that Gabriel was correct about the baby being a boy. There is great interest in the town expressed by the people’s joy at this miraculous birth. A woman well beyond childbearing years had just given birth to a male heir who will continue their family line. This was a great blessing from God. The people had no idea how much more important this baby would be in the workings of God to rescue his people.

Luke emphasized mercy as the blessing for Elizabeth, a theme running through the opening chapters of Luke. God was acting in his mercy and using this godly, law-abiding couple for his good purposes. As prescribed in Old Testament law, the boy was circumscribed eight days after his birth. On this day he would also receive his name. Zechariah, still unable to speak, lets Elizabeth name him John and not Zechariah as their friends and family expected. The relatives and friends quickly rejected Elizabeth’s charge, revealing the couple had kept the Gabriel story a secret. They then turn to Zechariah, making signs to get his attention and input. It appears not only was Zechariah mute, he was likely deaf as well. Unable to speak, he wrote the boy’s name on a tablet, following God’s charge to name him John. In Greek the word order is “John is name of his,” which emphasizes the name. The angel had named the boy, and Zechariah accepted this as a completed fact.

Application

Zechariah and Elizabeth are biblical examples of people who are obedient to God’s commandments, even if God’s ways are not exactly to one’s plans or liking. Consider in your life where you can be more obedient to God’s commandments.

Prayer

Father in heaven, you break into our lives in your mercy and grace to save us and draw us to yourself. Assist us with your Spirit to be obedient to your will and your commandments to love you and our neighbors, making much of you and less of ourselves. As we approach the Christmas season, lead us in loving our neighbors as ourselves through how we spend our time and our money.