HIS NAME IS JOHN

Passage: Luke 1:57-66

Key verse: 63b

NIV

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise(A) the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”(B)

61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”

62 Then they made signs(C) to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”(D) 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak,(E) praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea(F) people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.(G)

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ESV

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord (A)had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And (B)on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; (C)he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And (D)they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for (E)a writing tablet and wrote, (F)“His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 (G)And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue (H)loosed, and he spoke, (I)blessing God. 65 And (J)fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all (K)the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them (L)laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For (M)the hand of the Lord was with him.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Elizabeth's baby is born (57-58)

When a son was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, all the neighbors and relatives rejoiced. Their home had been so empty and lonely. They had not complained about their childless state, but their neighbors could guess the deep sorrow buried in their hearts. Now, God had filled their home with joy--and everyone rejoiced with them.

2. He is to be called John (59-66)

The baby was circumcised and named on the eighth day. Naming the baby 'John' was an act of faith for Zechariah and Elizabeth. No one could understand why they did not name him for his father. But 'John' was the name given him by the angel. To affirm this name was to acknowledge that their baby was God's gift--and that he belonged to God. So Zechariah's silence training ended as soon as he wrote the words, 'His name is John.' The Lord's hand was with baby John, for God had a very special mission for him.

Prayer: Lord, all I am and have are yours. Help me to obey your word--not follow my human reason or feelings.

One Word: His name is John