Luke 1:57-68

Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Birth and Naming of John

⁵⁷ Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. ⁵⁸ Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her His great mercy,^[a](A) and they rejoiced with her.

⁵⁹ When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day,^(B) they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. ⁶⁰ But his mother responded, “No! He will be called John.”^(C)

⁶¹ Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” ⁶² So they motioned to his father^(D) to find out what he wanted him to be called. ⁶³ He asked for a writing tablet and wrote:

And they were all amazed. ⁶⁴ Immediately his mouth was opened^(E) and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. ⁶⁵ Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. ⁶⁶ All who heard about him^(F) took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.

Zechariah’s Prophecy

⁶⁷ Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit^(G) and prophesied:^(H)