Elizabeth Gives Birth to John
March 1, 2022
Commentary
John the Baptist is born, circumcised and named (vv. 57-66). The record of John’s birth is given (v. 57). The arrival of the babe was in exact fulfillment to Gabriel’s prophecy and caused wide-spread joy. Eight days after the birth of John, he was to be circumcised in accord with God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 17:10-14. The idea of circumcision seems to include three truths:
- Purification of the flesh
- Separation unto God
- Identification as God’s very own
When Elizabeth’s son was born, her neighbors and relatives heard how kind the Lord had been to her, and they too were glad (vv. 58-59). The friends and neighbors wanted to name the new baby Zacharias after his father but Elisabeth objected and said he was to be named John (v. 60). The people argued, “No one in your family has ever been named John.” So they motioned to Zechariah to find out what he wanted to name his son (vv. 61-62). Apparently they talked to him by gestures, because he was deaf as well as speechless and had not heard what his wife had said. When they questioned this new name, Zacharias confirmed the name in writing on a small wooden tablet (v. 63). The fact that the people “made signs” to Zacharias indicates that he must have been deaf as well as dumb, as a punishment for his unbelief.
Immediately God miraculously ends Zacharias’ long period of silence and he began praising God (v. 64). Word quickly spread throughout the hill country of what had happened and that this was truly an unusual child (v. 65). The people began to take note of young John, and the fact that the Lord’s blessing, “hand of the Lord was with him” (v. 66).
Application
Because of things that have happened in my life I know that the Lord’s blessing has been on me.
Luke 1:57– 66 (NET)
57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to have her baby, and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. 60 But his mother replied, “No! He must be named John.” 61 They said to her, “But none of your relatives bears this name.” 62 So they made signs to the baby’s father, inquiring what he wanted to name his son. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. 64 Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue released, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 All their neighbors were filled with fear, and throughout the entire hill country of Judea all these things were talked about. 66 All who heard these things kept them in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the Lord’s hand was indeed with him.