*Luke 1:57-80
Elizabeth gives birth to John the Baptist, who is miraculously named by his father Zechariah after regaining his speech.
- Birth of John the Baptist:
- Elizabeth’s time to give birth arrives, and she delivers a son, as the Lord had promised.
- Her neighbors and relatives rejoice with her at the news of the Lord’s great mercy and blessing, and they celebrate the birth of her son.
- Circumcision and Naming:
- On the eighth day, in accordance with Jewish custom, the child is circumcised, and they are about to name him after his father, Zechariah.
- However, Elizabeth insists that he be named John, in accordance with the angel Gabriel’s instruction.
- Zechariah’s Confirmation:
- Zechariah, still unable to speak since his encounter with the angel Gabriel, asks for a writing tablet and writes, “His name is John.”
- Immediately, Zechariah’s mouth is opened, and his tongue is loosed, and he begins to speak, praising God.
- Zechariah’s Prophecy:
- Filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah prophesies about his son John, declaring him to be a prophet of the Most High who will go before the Lord to prepare His ways.
- Zechariah speaks of the tender mercy of God, who will bring salvation and forgiveness of sins to His people, fulfilling the promise made to their ancestors.
- John’s Future Role:
- Zechariah foretells that John will give knowledge of salvation to God’s people, guiding their feet into the way of peace.
- He speaks of John growing up and becoming strong in spirit, living in the wilderness until the time of his public ministry.
- Conclusion:
- The passage concludes by stating that John grows and becomes strong in spirit, living in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
1:57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
1:58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
1:59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
1:60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
1:61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
1:62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
1:63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
1:64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
1:65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.
1:66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 1:73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 1:74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
1:80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.