The Birth and Naming of John

57

Now the time that Elisheva should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son.

58

Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her.

59

On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zechariah, after the name of the father.

60

His mother answered, “Not so; but he will be called Yochanan.”

61

They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”

62

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

63

He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is Yochanan.” They all marveled.

64

His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God.

65

Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.

66

All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” The hand of the Lord was with him.