On the eighth day - This was the day on which it was required to circumcise children, Genesis 21:4.And they called him Zacharias - The name of the child was commonly given at the time of the circumcision, Genesis 21:3-4. The name “commonly” given to the eldest son was that of the father. read more
Luke 1:57-66. Now Elisabeth’s full time came Exactly according to the prediction of the angel; that she should be delivered Though this child was conceived in the womb by a miracle, he continued in the womb according to the ordinary course of nature, as did our Saviour also. Promised mercies are to be expected when the full time for them is come, and not before. And her neighbours and cousins rejoiced with her Having heard that the Lord, in so illustrious and remarkable a manner, had... read more
5. Birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57-80)Elizabeth’s son was born amid much rejoicing, and eight days later was circumcised in accordance with the law of Israel. Circumcision was a minor surgical operation carried out on all Israelite baby boys, and was the covenant sign that Israel was God’s people. At this ceremony the child was usually given his name (Luke 1:57-60; cf. 2:21; Genesis 17:9-14; Leviticus 12:3). When relatives tried to interfere in the naming of the child, Zechariah proved his... read more
on = in. Greek. en. App-104 . Not the same word as in Luke 1:65 . on the eighth day. Genesis 17:12 .Leviticus 12:3 .Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:5 . child . Greek. paidion. App-108 . they called . Imperf. Tense = were for calling, after . Greek. epi. App-104 . Not the same word as in Luke 1:24 . read more
And it came to pass on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.This is an authentic glimpse of a small community where the officious neighbors took a ready hand in naming someone else's child. Of course, they meant well! It was customary to name a male child upon the occasion of his being circumcised. read more
Luke 1:59. And they called him Zacharias,— The law did not enjoin that the child should have his name given him at circumcision; it was an incidental circumstance, which custom had added; possibly because at the institution of the rite God changed the names of Abraham and Sarah, Genesis 17:5; Genesis 17:15. read more
59. eighth day—The law ( :-) was observed, even though the eighth day after birth should be a sabbath (John 7:23; and see Philippians 3:5). called him—literally, "were calling"—that is, (as we should say) "were for calling." The naming of children at baptism has its origin in the Jewish custom at circumcision (Genesis 21:3; Genesis 21:4); and the names of Abram and Sarai were changed at its first performance (Genesis 17:5; Genesis 17:15). read more
1. The naming of John 1:57-66 read more
C. The birth and early life of John the Baptist 1:57-80As in the first part of this major section of the Gospel (Luke 1:5-56), Luke arranged his material in this one to compare and contrast John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1:57 to Luke 2:52). In that section there was prediction, but in this one there is fulfillment. Luke’s emphasis in his record of John’s birth was his naming and his father’s prediction of his future ministry. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 1:59-80
The name-giving, and what followed it. There is a quiet, gentle beauty in the picture of the home life given in Luke 1:58 . The touches of nature in it make us feel our kinship with all the ages. We are told of the flood of congratulations and kind messages which surges towards the happy mother; how the cousins of the priestly families in and around Hebron, and the neighbors scattered over that part of northern Judea, hastened to express their gladness to Zacharias and Elisabeth. The... read more