Luke 1:61

61 And they said to her: There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

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 And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child: and they called him by his father’s name Zachary.

60 And his mother answering, said: Not so. But he shall be called John.

61 And they said to her: There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

63 And demanding a writing table, he wrote, saying: John is his name. And they all wondered.