Luke 1:60

KJV

And his mother answered and said, Not [so]; but he shall be called John.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} his {G846} mother {G3384} answered {G611} and said {G2036}, Not {G3780} so; but {G235} he shall be called {G2564} John {G2491}.

Complete Jewish Bible

when his mother spoke up and said, "No, he is to be called Yochanan."

Berean Standard Bible

But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”

American Standard Version

And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 1:60 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative surrounding the birth of John the Baptist, illustrating Elizabeth's unwavering faith and obedience to divine instruction over deeply entrenched human tradition. Her firm declaration of her son's name, "John," directly challenges the community's expectation to name him after his father, Zechariah, and sets the stage for the miraculous restoration of Zechariah's speech, confirming God's sovereign plan for their child.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of John the Baptist's birth, immediately following the celebration of his circumcision on the eighth day (Luke 1:59). The community and relatives, adhering to Jewish custom, presume the child will be named Zechariah after his father. The preceding verses detail Zechariah's initial disbelief and subsequent muteness as a sign (Luke 1:20), and the angel Gabriel's explicit instruction to name the child "John" (Luke 1:13). Elizabeth's intervention in Luke 1:60 is a direct response to the community's attempt to impose their tradition, foreshadowing Zechariah's own confirmation of the name in Luke 1:63 and the immediate restoration of his speech in Luke 1:64, thereby validating the divine origin of the name and the child's special purpose.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, naming a child was a significant event, often occurring during the circumcision ceremony on the eighth day. It was a common and respected custom to name the firstborn son after his father or a prominent ancestor, ensuring continuity of lineage and honor within the family. This tradition is evident in the relatives' suggestion to name the child "Zechariah" (Luke 1:59). Elizabeth's counter-declaration, "Not so; but he shall be called John," was therefore a radical departure from established cultural norms and familial expectations, highlighting the extraordinary nature of this birth and the divine mandate overriding human custom. The community's surprise and subsequent appeal to Zechariah underscore the weight of this cultural expectation.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 1:60 powerfully contributes to several key themes in Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Authority Over Tradition**, showing that God's specific instructions take precedence over human customs, no matter how deeply ingrained. Elizabeth's firm stand, echoing the angelic pronouncement in [Luke 1:13](/luke/1-13 "Luke 1:13 - The Angelic Naming Instruction"), demonstrates unwavering **Faith and Obedience** to God's revealed will, even in the face of familial and societal pressure. This act of obedience paves the way for the fulfillment of prophecy and the subsequent **Restoration and Validation** of Zechariah's faith and speech (as seen in [Luke 1:63-64](/luke/1-63-64 "Luke 1:63-64 - Zechariah's Confirmation and Speech Restoration")). Furthermore, the verse subtly introduces the **Significance of the Name "John,"** which, meaning "Yahweh is gracious," perfectly encapsulates the divine grace manifest in his miraculous birth and his future role as the forerunner of the Messiah, preparing the way for God's ultimate act of grace in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered (Greek, _apokrínomai'_):** From G611, meaning "to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)." This word signifies not merely a verbal reply but a decisive, authoritative response, often implying a prior deliberation or a divinely informed conviction. Elizabeth's answer is not a hesitant suggestion but a confident declaration, stemming from a clear understanding of God's will.
* **but (Greek, _allá'_):** From G235, meaning "properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise." This strong adversative conjunction introduces a direct and emphatic contradiction to the preceding statement. It highlights the sharp contrast between the human expectation ("Not so") and the divine command ("but he shall be called John"), underscoring the absolute nature of Elizabeth's conviction and the divine decree.
* **John (Greek, _Iōánnēs'_):** From G2491, of Hebrew origin (יוֹחָנָן, _Yochanan'_), meaning "Yahweh is gracious" or "God has shown favor." This name is not a human choice but a divinely ordained one, carrying profound theological significance that points to God's gracious intervention in human history through the ministry of John and, ultimately, through Jesus Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And his mother answered and said":** This opening phrase establishes Elizabeth as the speaker, highlighting her initiative and authority in this critical moment. Despite Zechariah's muteness, Elizabeth, empowered by divine knowledge (likely through Zechariah's written communication or direct revelation), steps forward to declare God's will. Her "answering" implies a direct response to the community's question about the child's name, demonstrating her readiness to challenge tradition.
* **"Not [so];":** This concise and emphatic negation directly refutes the community's assumption that the child would be named Zechariah. The Greek "ouchí" (G3780) is an intensive form of "not," conveying a strong and unequivocal rejection. It signifies Elizabeth's firm conviction that human tradition must yield to divine decree.
* **"but he shall be called John.":** This declarative statement reveals the divinely appointed name. The use of the future passive "shall be called" (G2564, _kaléō'_), implies a divine imperative and certainty, not a human preference. It underscores that the naming is not subject to human deliberation or custom but is a fulfillment of God's prior command given through the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:13). The name "John" itself carries the weight of God's grace and purpose for this child.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 1:60 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Contrast** is central, pitting human expectation and tradition against divine revelation and command. The community's assumption of naming the child Zechariah stands in stark opposition to Elizabeth's resolute declaration of "John," highlighting the tension between the earthly and the heavenly. There is also a subtle **Irony** in the scene: the father, struck mute for his disbelief, cannot speak the name, while the mother, whose faith is evident, boldly declares it. The name "John" itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing "Yahweh is gracious," thereby encapsulating the divine grace underlying the miraculous birth and the child's future role. Finally, Elizabeth's declaration serves as **Foreshadowing** for Zechariah's subsequent affirmation (Luke 1:63) and the restoration of his speech (Luke 1:64), signaling that God's word will ultimately be confirmed and prevail.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 1:60 is a powerful testament to God's sovereignty and the necessity of obedience to His divine will, even when it challenges deeply ingrained human traditions. Elizabeth's unwavering declaration underscores that God's plans are specific, purposeful, and take precedence over cultural norms or familial expectations. The theological significance of the name "John" ("Yahweh is gracious") points to the overarching theme of God's grace, which is central to the entire biblical narrative and culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This verse reminds us that God often works in unexpected ways, calling His people to radical obedience that may seem counter-cultural but ultimately serves His greater redemptive purposes.

* [Luke 1:13](/luke/1-13 "Luke 1:13 - Angel Gabriel's Instruction to Zechariah")
* [Luke 1:63-64](/luke/1-63-64 "Luke 1:63-64 - Zechariah Confirms the Name and Regains Speech")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 1:60 offers a profound lesson on prioritizing God's revealed will above all else. Elizabeth's courageous stand, despite the pressure of tradition and the community's expectations, serves as a powerful example for believers today. In a world that often values conformity and adherence to established norms, this verse calls us to cultivate a radical obedience to God's Word, even when it means standing apart or challenging conventional wisdom. It encourages us to discern God's specific calling for our lives and to trust His purposes, knowing that His plans are perfect and will ultimately prevail. Our faith is not merely intellectual assent but a lived reality that demands action, conviction, and a willingness to step out in obedience, even when it feels counter-intuitive or uncomfortable.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life am I allowing human traditions or expectations to override God's clear instructions?**
* **What specific areas require me to demonstrate Elizabeth's kind of unwavering faith and obedience?**
* **How does the meaning of "John" ("Yahweh is gracious") inform my understanding of God's character and plan for my life?**
* **In what ways can I better discern and respond to God's unique calling for me, even if it goes against popular opinion?**

### FAQ
**Why was Elizabeth so certain about the name "John" when the family expected "Zechariah"?**

Answer: Elizabeth's certainty stemmed from divine revelation. While the text doesn't explicitly state how she knew, it's highly probable that Zechariah, though mute, communicated the angel Gabriel's instruction to her (perhaps through writing, as he later did in [Luke 1:63](/luke/1-63 "Luke 1:63 - Zechariah Writes the Name")). The angel had specifically told Zechariah, "You shall call his name John" ([Luke 1:13](/luke/1-13 "Luke 1:13 - Angelic Naming Instruction")). Elizabeth's declaration was an act of faith and obedience to this divine command, prioritizing God's will over the prevailing cultural custom of naming a son after his father or an ancestor.

**What is the significance of the name "John"?**

Answer: The name "John" comes from the Hebrew "Yochanan," meaning "Yahweh is gracious" or "God has shown favor." This meaning is profoundly significant for John the Baptist's role. His miraculous birth was an act of God's grace to his elderly parents, and his entire ministry was dedicated to preparing the way for Jesus, who is the ultimate embodiment of God's grace and salvation. Thus, his name perfectly encapsulates the message of divine favor that he would proclaim and the gracious work of God he would herald.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 1:60, through Elizabeth's resolute declaration of John's name, points powerfully to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. John, whose name means "Yahweh is gracious," was divinely appointed as the forerunner, the one sent to prepare the way for the Lord. His very existence and name signify God's gracious intervention into human history, setting the stage for the ultimate display of grace in Jesus Christ. John's ministry, as prophesied in [Isaiah 40:3](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3 - A Voice Crying in the Wilderness"), was to "prepare the way of the Lord," calling people to repentance and pointing them to the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Thus, Elizabeth's obedience in naming her son "John" was a crucial step in the unfolding of God's gracious plan, culminating in the advent of Jesus, the one through whom God's grace and truth fully came ([John 1:17](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth Came Through Jesus Christ")). John's life and purpose, divinely orchestrated from his conception and sealed by his name, find their ultimate meaning and fulfillment in his role as the herald of Christ, the true embodiment of God's favor to humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 1:13

But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

2 Samuel 12:25

And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

Isaiah 8:3

And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.

Matthew 1:25

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 1:63

And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.