Luke 1:59-66 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:59

On the eighth day they came to circumcise - See an account of this institution in the note on Genesis 17:10-14 ; (note). Had circumcision been essential to an infant's salvation, God would not have ordered it to be delayed to the eighth day, because, in all countries, multitudes die before they arrive at that age. Baptism, which is generally allowed to have been substituted for circumcision, is no more necessary to the salvation of an infant than circumcision was. Both are signs of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:60

Not so; but he shall be called John - This is the name which the angel desired should be given him, Luke 1:13 , and of which Zacharias by writing had informed his wife. There is something very remarkable in the names of this family. Zachariah, זכריהו the memory or memorial of Jehovah; יהו yeho , at the end of the word, being contracted for יהוה Yehovah , as in many other names. Elisabeth, אליסבה the Sabbath or rest of my strong God: names probably given them by their parents,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:61

None of thy kindred - As the Jewish tribes and families were kept sacredly distinct, it appears the very names of the ancestors were continued among their descendants, partly through reverence for them, and partly to avoid confusion in the genealogical tables, which, for the sake of distinguishing the inheritances, were carefully preserved in each of the families. It seems to be on this account that the neighbors and relatives objected to a name which had not before existed in any branch of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:62

They made signs to his father - Who, it appears from this, was deaf as well as dumb; otherwise they might have asked him, and obtained his answer in this way. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:63

A writing table - Πινακιδιον , a tablet, a diminutive of πιναξ , a table. "The boys in Barbary are taught to write upon a smooth thin board, slightly daubed over with whiting, which may be rubbed off or renewed at pleasure. Such probably (for the Jewish children use the same) was the little board, or writing table, as we render it Luke 1:63 , that was called for by Zacharias." Shaw's Travels, p. 194. My old MS. considers the word as meaning the instrument of writing, rather than the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:64

The latter clause of the preceding verse should be joined with the beginning of this, as follows: And they marveled all, for his mouth was opened, etc. Every person must see the propriety of putting this clause, And they marveled all, to the beginning of the 64th verse, instead of leaving it at the end of the 63rd, as in the common version. The people did not wonder because Zacharias said, He shall be called John; but because he himself was that instant restored to the use of his speech. ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:65

And fear came - Seeing what they might have thought a paralytic affection so suddenly and effectually healed. Φοβος - This word certainly means in several places, religious fear or reverence; and in this sense it is used Acts 9:31 ; Romans 3:18 ; Romans 13:7 ; 1 Peter 1:17 ; 1 Peter 2:18 ; 1 Peter 3:2 . The meaning of it here is plainly this: The inhabitants of Hebron and its environs, who were well acquainted with the circumstances of Zacharias and Elisabeth, perceived that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:66

What manner of child shall this be! - As there have been so many extraordinary things in his conception and birth, surely God has designed him for some extraordinary purpose. These things they laid up in their heart, patiently waiting to see what God would work. The hand of the Lord was with him - God defended and prospered him in all things, and the prophetic spirit began to rest upon him. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:59

Verse 59 59.And they called him Zacharias, by the name of his father We know that names were originally given to men, either from some occurrence, or even by prophetic inspiration, to point out some secret work of God. After a long period, when there was such a profusion of names, that it became inconvenient to form new ones every day, people satisfied themselves with the old and received names, and called their children by the names of their ancestors. Thus before the father of John, there... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:60

Verse 60 60.And his mother answering said It is uncertain if Elisabeth spoke this by inspiration. But when Zacharias saw the punishment inflicted on him for being too slow in believing, he probably informed his wife by writing what the angel had enjoined respecting the name, (Luke 1:13,) otherwise he would not have obeyed the command of God. Why this name was given to the Baptist by divine authority, I have already explained. The relatives, though unacquainted with the reason, are affected by... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:59

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:60

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:61

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:62

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:63

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:64

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:65

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:66

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:59

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:60

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