Luke 1:59-64

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 1:57-66

In these verses, we have, I. The birth of John Baptist, Luke 1:57. Though he was conceived in the womb by miracle, he continued in the womb according to the ordinary course of nature (so did our Saviour): Elisabeth's full time came, that she should be delivered, and then she brought forth a son. Promised mercies are to be expected when the full time for them is come, and not before. II. The great joy that was among all the relations of the family, upon this extraordinary occasion (Luke 1:58):... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 1:57-66

1:57-66 When Elizabeth's time to bear the child was completed she brought forth a son. When her neighbours and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they went to circumcise the child and it was their intention to call him Zacharias after his father. But his mother said, "No; he must be called John." They said to her, "There is no one in your connection who is called by this name." They asked his father by signs by what name he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:59

And it came to pass that on the eighth day ,.... The precise time fixed in the normal restitution of the ordinance of circumcision, Genesis 17:12 though this was not always attended to, but circumcision was sometimes deferred to another time; yet keeping the exact time was judged most commendable and praiseworthy; see Gill on Philemon 3:5 . they came to circumcise the child ; that is, the neighbours and cousins of Elisabeth, who were at the time of her delivery; eight days after they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:60

And his mother answered and said ,.... That is, Elisabeth: not so, but he shall be called John ; knowing that this was the name wherewith the angel said he should be called; either by divine revelation, she being filled with the Holy Ghost, Luke 1:41 or by information of her husband, who, doubtless, in writing, gave her an account of all that the angel had said unto him. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:61

And they said unto her ,.... Her neighbours and relations, there is none of thy kindred that is called by this name; from whence it appears, that it was usual to give names to children after their ancestors, relations, and friends. The Persic version renders it, "in thine Israel there is not any one of this name": but this could not be true; for the name of Jochanan, or John, was a name very common among the Israelites, though not in Elisabeth's family, or her husband's. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:62

And they made signs to his father ,.... Who was deaf, as well as dumb; otherwise there would have been no occasion to have signs made to him: and so the word used, in Luke 1:20 signifies both deaf and dumb. These signs were made by hands or head; for such used to be made to a dumb man. According to the canon F17 Misn. Gittin, c. 5. sect 7. , a dumb man nods, and ונרמז "and is nodded", or "beckoned to": and which beckoning one of the commentators F18 Bartenora in ib. says, is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:63

And he asked for a writing table ,.... That is, he made signs for one, for as yet he could not speak. The Persic version renders it "ink", and the Ethiopic, a book, and the Vulgate Latin, a notebook. The word signifies "a little table", such as they used to write not only "upon", but "in"; and was sometimes of brass F20 Haryocration. Lex. p. 244. , sometimes of wood, and sometimes of wax F21 Alex. ab Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 2. c. 30. , on which they wrote with a style or pen, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:64

And his mouth was opened immediately ,.... As soon as ever the child was named, and so all things accomplished which the angel had foretold, and his tongue loosed ; the impediments of speech were removed, and the use of his tongue and lips was restored unto him: and he spake and praised God ; for the safe delivery of his wife; for the birth of his son, the forerunner of Christ; for the conception of the Messiah; for God's gracious regards to his church and people, in these instances;... read more

Adam Clarke

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

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