Luke 1:61

61 "But," they said, "no one in your family is named that."

Luke 1:61 Meaning and 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.

Luke 1:61 In-Context

59 On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child and were calling him Zachariah after his father.

60 But his mother intervened: "No. He is to be called John."

61 "But," they said, "no one in your family is named that."

62 They used sign language to ask Zachariah what he wanted him named.

63 Asking for a tablet, Zachariah wrote, "His name is to be John." That took everyone by surprise.