Luke 1:63

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

And {G2532} he asked for {G154} a writing table {G4093}, and wrote {G1125}, saying {G3004}, His {G846} name {G3686} is {G2076} John {G2491}. And {G2532} they marvelled {G2296} all {G3956}.

He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone's surprise he wrote, "His name is Yochanan."

Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.

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

Commentary

Luke 1:63 describes a pivotal moment in the birth narrative of John the Baptist, highlighting the obedience of Zacharias and the miraculous confirmation of God's plan. This verse marks the climax of a period of silence for Zacharias, serving as a powerful sign to all present.

Context

For months, Zacharias, the priest and father of John, had been struck mute by the angel Gabriel because of his initial unbelief regarding the prophecy of his son's birth. On the eighth day after John's birth, the traditional day for circumcision and naming, relatives and neighbors gathered. They expected the child to be named Zacharias after his father, following custom. However, John's mother, Elisabeth, insisted the child be named John. When they appealed to the mute Zacharias, he made a definitive statement that both confirmed the divine instruction and paved the way for a miracle.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority Over Tradition: Zacharias's act of writing "His name is John" directly followed the angel Gabriel's instruction, overriding the common practice of naming a child after the father. This emphasizes that God's will supersedes human custom and expectation.
  • Obedience and Faith: Zacharias's act of writing demonstrated his submission and faith, a stark contrast to his earlier doubt. This act of obedience was immediately followed by the restoration of his speech, as detailed in the very next verse.
  • Miraculous Confirmation: The entire scene—the insistence on the name "John" despite tradition, Zacharias's decisive writing, and the instantaneous restoration of his speech—served as a profound sign to the community, causing them to "marvel all" and ponder the significance of this child.

Linguistic Insights

The "writing table" (Greek: pinakidion) was a small, usually wooden, tablet coated with wax, commonly used for temporary notes or messages. This detail highlights Zacharias's physical inability to speak and the necessity of written communication. The name "John" (Greek: Ioannes, from Hebrew: Yochanan) means "Yahweh is gracious" or "The Lord is gracious." This name perfectly foreshadowed John's role as the herald of God's grace through the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Practical Application

This verse encourages believers to prioritize God's word and instruction above human traditions or expectations. Zacharias's journey from doubt to obedience, culminating in his restored voice, illustrates God's faithfulness and the transformative power of aligning with His will. We are invited to recognize and marvel at God's active involvement in our lives, even when His plans diverge from what we might anticipate. Just as Zacharias's obedience led to a powerful testimony, so too can our submission to God's ways bring about His glory and purpose.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 1:60 (5 votes)

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

  • Luke 1:13 (4 votes)

    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.

  • Isaiah 30:8 (4 votes)

    ¶ Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

  • Proverbs 3:3 (2 votes)

    Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

  • Habakkuk 2:2 (2 votes)

    And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

  • Jeremiah 17:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ The sin of Judah [is] written with a pen of iron, [and] with the point of a diamond: [it is] graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;