Luke 1:57-66

Modern English Version

The Birth of John the Baptist

⁵⁷ Now Elizabeth’s time had come to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. ⁵⁸ Her neighbors and cousins heard how the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.

⁵⁹ On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they were calling him Zechariah, after the name of his father. ⁶⁰ But his mother answered, “Not so! He shall be called John.”

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, asking what he would have him called. ⁶³ He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all were amazed. ⁶⁴ Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he spoke and praised God. ⁶⁵ Fear came on all who lived around them. And all these facts were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea. ⁶⁶ All those who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will he be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.