Luke 1:62

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they made signs {G1770} to his {G846} father {G3962}, how {G5101}{G302} he would have {G2309} him {G846} called {G2564}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called.

Berean Standard Bible

So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 1:62 describes the critical moment during John the Baptist's circumcision and naming ceremony when the assembled family and neighbors, unable to communicate verbally with the mute Zechariah, resort to gestures to ascertain his wishes regarding the infant's name. This scene sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention, revealing His specific plan for the child's identity and role, which transcends human custom and expectation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded in the narrative of John the Baptist's birth and naming, following Elizabeth's miraculous delivery in her old age ([Luke 1:57](/luke/1-57 "Luke 1:57 - Elizabeth Gives Birth")). The preceding verses describe the neighbors and relatives rejoicing with Elizabeth and the customary expectation that the child would be named after his father, Zechariah, or another family ancestor ([Luke 1:59-61](/luke/1-59-61 "Luke 1:59-61 - Naming the Child")). Zechariah himself had been struck mute by the angel Gabriel for his disbelief regarding the prophecy of his son's birth ([Luke 1:20](/luke/1-20 "Luke 1:20 - Zechariah's Muteness Prophesied")). Luke 1:62 serves as the immediate prelude to Zechariah's miraculous restoration of speech and the public declaration of John's divinely appointed name, marking a pivotal moment in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scene in Luke 1:62 takes place on the eighth day after John's birth, which was the traditional and divinely mandated day for the circumcision of a male child among Jewish people, as prescribed in the Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 12:3](/leviticus/12-3 "Leviticus 12:3 - Law of Circumcision")). This ceremony was also typically when the child was formally named. In ancient Jewish culture, a name was not merely an identifier but often carried significant meaning, reflecting the child's character, destiny, or a prophetic message. It was customary to name a child after a prominent family member, especially the father or grandfather, to honor the lineage and ensure continuity. The community's actions in Luke 1:62 reflect this cultural norm, as they naturally assume the child will bear a traditional family name and seek the father's input, even despite his inability to speak.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 1:62 contributes to several significant themes within the broader narrative of Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention**, demonstrating how God's specific plan for John's name and identity overrides human customs and expectations. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Communication and Revelation**, as Zechariah's enforced silence, a consequence of his initial doubt, creates a dramatic tension that culminates in a clear, public revelation of God's will. This contrasts with the angel Gabriel's direct communication to Zechariah earlier in the chapter ([Luke 1:11-20](/luke/1-11-20 "Luke 1:11-20 - Gabriel's Appearance to Zechariah")). Finally, it subtly reinforces the theme of **Faith and Obedience**, as Zechariah's eventual act of writing the divinely appointed name "John" signifies his renewed faith and obedience, leading to the restoration of his speech ([Luke 1:63-64](/luke/1-63-64 "Luke 1:63-64 - Zechariah Writes and Speaks")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **made signs (Greek, _enneúō_):** From the root meaning "to nod," this verb indicates communication by gesture or non-verbal signals. In this context, it vividly portrays the community's attempt to communicate with Zechariah, who was unable to speak, underscoring his complete muteness as a divine judgment. It suggests a physical, visual form of inquiry, such as nodding towards a list of names or gesturing towards the child.
* **would have (Greek, _thélō_):** This verb denotes a strong desire, choice, or intention, stemming from an active subjective impulse. Here, the community is trying to ascertain Zechariah's personal will or preference for his son's name, reflecting the cultural expectation that the father would have the final say in naming. It implies they are seeking his deliberate decision, not just a casual suggestion.
* **called (Greek, _kaléō_):** This verb means "to call" or "to name." It refers to the act of bestowing a name upon someone, which in this cultural context, was a significant act of identity formation and public declaration. The community's question centers on the specific name by which the child would be known and identified within the community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they made signs to his father":** This clause highlights the immediate challenge posed by Zechariah's muteness. The assembled family and neighbors, observing the custom of seeking the father's input on the child's name, are forced to resort to non-verbal communication. The use of "signs" (ἐνένευον) indicates gestures, nods, or other visual cues, demonstrating the complete inability of Zechariah to speak and the community's earnest attempt to bridge this communication gap. It underscores the extraordinary circumstances surrounding John's birth.
* **"how he would have him called":** This phrase reveals the specific purpose of their non-verbal inquiry. The community's primary concern is to ascertain Zechariah's desire regarding the baby's name. This reflects the prevailing cultural norm of the father's authority in naming his child, and their expectation that the child would be named after a family member. The question implicitly sets up the dramatic revelation that God's will, not human tradition or preference, would ultimately determine the child's name.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Suspense** and **Irony**. The **suspense** is palpable as the community, and by extension the reader, awaits Zechariah's non-verbal response, unaware of the divine decree that has already determined the child's name. Zechariah's muteness, a consequence of his disbelief, ironically becomes a tool for building this tension, amplifying the impact of the eventual revelation. There is also an element of **foreshadowing**, as Zechariah's inability to speak about the name hints at a greater, divinely ordained truth that is about to be unveiled, a truth that will transcend human expectation and tradition. The scene is a microcosm of God's plan unfolding in ways that challenge human understanding.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 1:62 underscores the profound truth that God's plans are sovereign and often transcend human expectations, traditions, and even limitations. Zechariah's muteness, though a consequence of his doubt, served a divine purpose, preparing the community for a miraculous revelation. The community's reliance on signs to ascertain a name highlights the human desire for continuity and tradition, which God gently, yet firmly, redirects towards His specific, redemptive purposes. This moment is a powerful reminder that God's will cannot be thwarted by human circumstances, and He often uses unusual means to bring about His perfect design, demonstrating His authority over all things, including the very identity and destiny of individuals.

* [Genesis 17:19](/genesis/17-19 "God Names Isaac")
* [Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Jesus' Name and Mission")
* [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "God's Counsel Stands")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 1:62 invites us to reflect on the nature of divine communication and our response when God's plans diverge from our expectations. Just as the community struggled to understand Zechariah's will through signs, we too may encounter periods of "silence" or ambiguity from God, or circumstances that seem to hinder our understanding of His purpose. This verse reminds us that even in such moments, God is at work, often preparing the way for a clearer revelation of His will. Zechariah's muteness, though a consequence of his doubt, ultimately served to heighten the impact of God's declaration. We are called to cultivate a posture of patient anticipation and trust, recognizing that God's timing and methods are perfect, even when they challenge our traditions or require us to look beyond conventional means of understanding. Our limitations or perceived setbacks can become the very platforms through which God's greater glory and specific purposes are unveiled.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when God's plans for my life or circumstances differ from my own expectations or traditions?**
* **In what ways might God be communicating His will to me, even through unconventional or challenging circumstances, much like Zechariah's muteness?**
* **What "silences" or limitations in my life might God be using to prepare for a greater revelation or purpose, and how can I cultivate patience and trust during these times?**

### FAQ

**Why was Zechariah mute, and how does this relate to Luke 1:62?**

Answer: Zechariah was struck mute by the angel Gabriel because he doubted the angel's prophecy that his elderly wife, Elizabeth, would conceive a son ([Luke 1:20](/luke/1-20 "Luke 1:20 - Zechariah's Doubt and Muteness")). This muteness served as a sign to Zechariah and the community that the prophecy was true, and it also acted as a temporary judgment for his unbelief. In Luke 1:62, his muteness is central to the scene, as it forces the family and neighbors to communicate with him through "signs" to ascertain his wishes for the baby's name, setting the stage for the dramatic moment when his speech is restored upon his obedience to God's command regarding the name "John."

**What was the significance of naming the child on the eighth day?**

Answer: The naming of the child on the eighth day was intrinsically linked to the Jewish custom of circumcision, which was commanded by God to Abraham as a sign of the covenant ([Genesis 17:12](/genesis/17-12 "Genesis 17:12 - Covenant of Circumcision")). According to Mosaic Law, every male child was to be circumcised on the eighth day after birth ([Leviticus 12:3](/leviticus/12-3 "Leviticus 12:3 - Law of Circumcision")). It was during this significant covenantal ceremony that the child was formally given his name, publicly establishing his identity within the community and his lineage within the covenant people of God.

**Why did they "make signs" instead of simply having Zechariah write down the name?**

Answer: The text indicates they "made signs" (ἐνένευον), which implies gestures or nods, rather than immediately suggesting he write. This could be for several reasons: perhaps they initially assumed his muteness was only vocal and he could still comprehend and respond non-verbally, or they might not have immediately considered writing as an option for a quick answer. More significantly, from a literary and theological perspective, this builds dramatic tension. It emphasizes the complete communication barrier and highlights the community's expectation of a traditional naming. This sets up the powerful moment in the very next verse ([Luke 1:63](/luke/1-63 "Luke 1:63 - Zechariah Writes the Name")) where Zechariah *does* write the name, and his speech is miraculously restored, making the divine intervention even more profound and undeniable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 1:62, while focusing on John the Baptist's naming, ultimately points to the greater Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. John's divinely appointed name and unique birth, occurring under such miraculous and challenging circumstances, underscore his specific role as the forerunner, the one sent to "prepare the way of the Lord" ([Malachi 3:1](/malachi/3-1 "Malachi 3:1 - Messenger of the Covenant"); [Isaiah 40:3](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3 - Voice in the Wilderness")). The community's attempt to impose a traditional name, only to be overridden by God's specific instruction, foreshadows how human expectations and religious traditions would often clash with God's radical new work in Christ. Just as John was named by divine decree to fulfill a specific purpose, Jesus' own name, "Jesus," was divinely given, signifying His mission to "save His people from their sins" ([Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus' Name and Mission")). The entire narrative surrounding John's birth, including the dramatic tension of Zechariah's muteness and the eventual revelation of John's name, serves to highlight God's meticulous orchestration of salvation history, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ, 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")). In Christ, all of God's promises find their ultimate "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ")), and His name is exalted above every name ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - The Exalted Name of Jesus")).

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 1:22

And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.