Luke 1:62

Context

Luke 1:62 is part of the narrative surrounding the birth of John the Baptist, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. This verse occurs on the eighth day after John's birth, which was the traditional day for circumcision and naming a male child according to Mosaic Law. Zechariah, John's father, had been struck mute by the angel Gabriel for his disbelief regarding the prophecy of his son's birth (Luke 1:20). The gathered family and neighbors, expecting the child to be named after his father or another family member, turn to Zechariah to ascertain his wishes concerning the baby's name, as he cannot speak.

Key Themes

• Communication Challenges: The verse vividly portrays the difficulty of communication when one party is unable to speak. The community resorts to "making signs" (Greek: eneneyon) to Zechariah, indicating his complete inability to vocalize his thoughts.
• Adherence to Custom vs. Divine Will: The community's questioning about the name highlights the prevailing custom of naming children after their fathers or ancestors. This sets the stage for the divine intervention that is about to override human tradition, as God had already specified the child's name.
• Anticipation of Revelation: There's a palpable sense of anticipation as the community awaits Zechariah's non-verbal response, unaware that his silence is a sign of a greater, miraculous event unfolding, guided by God's specific instructions.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "made signs" translates the Greek verb eneneyon (ἐνένευον), which literally means "they nodded" or "they made signs." This clearly indicates that Zechariah's muteness was complete, requiring non-verbal communication, likely through gestures or nods, to ascertain his desire for the baby's name. This detail underscores the physical manifestation of his temporary judgment and the unique circumstances surrounding John's naming.

Significance and Application

Luke 1:62 serves as a pivotal moment leading up to the miraculous restoration of Zechariah's speech and the public confirmation of John's divinely appointed name. It underscores several profound truths:

• God's Plans Prevail: Despite human customs and communication barriers, God's specific plan for John's identity and role as the forerunner to the Messiah would be unequivocally revealed.
• Divine Purpose in Silence: Zechariah's period of silence, though a consequence of disbelief, also served to heighten the impact and public recognition of the miraculous events surrounding John's birth and naming. His inability to speak built suspense for the moment when he would finally declare the name God had given.
• Trusting God's Word: The verse implicitly reminds us that God's word and promises are steadfast, even when circumstances seem to obscure them or when human limitations are present. The community's expectation was about to be challenged by a divine decree, illustrating that God's will often transcends our expectations and traditions.

The dramatic resolution of this scene, where Zechariah writes the name "John" and his speech is restored (Luke 1:63), powerfully testifies to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.