New International Version He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” New Living Translation He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” English Standard Version And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. Berean Standard Bible Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. Berean Literal Bible And having asked for a writing tablet, he wrote, saying, “John is his name.” And they all marveled. King James Bible And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. New King James Version And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. New American Standard Bible And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. NASB 1995 And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished. NASB 1977 And he asked for a tablet, and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished. Legacy Standard Bible And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they all marveled. Amplified Bible And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished. Berean Annotated Bible Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John (YHWH is gracious). And they were all amazed. Christian Standard Bible He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. Holman Christian Standard Bible He asked for a writing tablet and wrote: HIS NAME IS JOHN. And they were all amazed. American Standard Version And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. Contemporary English Version Zechariah asked for a writing tablet. Then he wrote, "His name is John." Everyone was amazed. English Revised Version And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all. GOD'S WORD® Translation Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." Everyone was amazed. Good News Translation Zechariah asked for a writing pad and wrote, "His name is John." How surprised they all were! International Standard Version He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And everyone was amazed. NET Bible He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they were all amazed. New Heart English Bible And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they were all amazed. Webster's Bible Translation And he asked for a writing-table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they all wondered. Weymouth New Testament So he asked for a writing-tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleZechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. World English Bible He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.” They all marveled. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand having asked for a tablet, he wrote, saying, “John is his name”; and they all wondered; Berean Literal Bible And having asked for a writing tablet, he wrote, saying, “John is his name.” And they all marveled. Young's Literal Translation and having asked for a tablet, he wrote, saying, 'John is his name;' and they did all wonder; Smith's Literal Translation And having asked for a small writing tablet, he wrote, saying, John is his name. And they all wondered. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd demanding a writing table, he wrote, saying: John is his name. And they all wondered. Catholic Public Domain Version And requesting a writing tablet, he wrote, saying: “His name is John.” And they all wondered. New American Bible He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. New Revised Standard Version He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he asked for a tablet and wrote, saying, John is his name. And every one was surprised. Aramaic Bible in Plain English He requested a tablet and he wrote and he said, “Yohannan is his name”, and everyone was amazed. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd having asked for a writing tablet, he wrote, saying: His name is John. And they were all astonished. Godbey New Testament And having asked for a writing tablet, he wrote saying; His name is John. Haweis New Testament And desiring a writing tablet, he wrote, saying, John is his name. And they were all surprised. Mace New Testament then he made signs for a writing-book, and writ these words, "his name is John:" at which they were all surprized. Weymouth New Testament So he asked for a writing-tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered. Worrell New Testament And, asking for a writing tablet, he wrote, saying, "John is his name." And they all marveled. Worsley New Testament And he called for a writing-tablet, and wrote upon it, His name is John: and they all wondered. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Birth of John the Baptist…62So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child. 63 Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. 64Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.… Cross References Zechariah asked for a tablet Isaiah 8:1 Then the LORD said to me, “Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary stylus: Maher-shalal-hash-baz. Isaiah 30:8 Go now, write it on a tablet in their presence and inscribe it on a scroll; it will be for the days to come, a witness forever and ever. Habakkuk 2:2 Then the LORD answered me: “Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets, so that a herald may run with it. and wrote, “His name is John.” Numbers 17:2-3 “Speak to the Israelites and take from them twelve staffs, one from the leader of each tribe. Write each man’s name on his staff, / and write Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi, because there must be one staff for the head of each tribe. Luke 2:21 When the eight days before His circumcision had passed, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He was conceived. Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” And they were all amazed. Mark 1:27 All the people were amazed and began to ask one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him!” Luke 4:36 All the people were overcome with amazement and asked one another, “What is this message? With authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” Luke 5:26 Everyone was taken with amazement and glorified God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” Genesis 17:19 But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 1 Samuel 1:20 So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.” Genesis 21:3 And Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore to him. 1 Chronicles 22:9 But a son will be born to you who will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will grant to Israel peace and quiet during his reign. 2 Kings 5:14 So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored and became like that of a little child, and he was clean. Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel. Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Treasury of Scripture And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all. a. Proverbs 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: Isaiah 30:8 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: Jeremiah 17:1 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; His. Luke 1:13,60 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… Jump to Previous Astonished Astonishment Everyone's Follows John Marveled Marvelled Materials Surprised Table Tablet Wonder Wondered Writing WroteJump to Next Astonished Astonishment Everyone's Follows John Marveled Marvelled Materials Surprised Table Tablet Wonder Wondered Writing WroteLuke 1 1. The preface of Luke to his whole gospel.5. The conception of John the Baptist; 26. and of Jesus. 39. The prophecy of Elisabeth and of Mary, concerning Jesus. 57. The nativity and circumcision of John. 67. The prophecy of Zachariah, both of Jesus, 76. and of John. Zechariah asked for a tablet Still unable to speak because of Gabriel’s earlier judgment, Zechariah requested a writing tablet so he could make his intention known clearly before the gathered relatives and neighbors. Isa 8:1 Then the LORD said to me, “Take a large scroll… and wrote, “His name is John.” Zechariah confirmed the name God had given through Gabriel, refusing the customary practice of naming the child after a family member. The name John means “Yahweh is gracious.” His written declaration showed obedience and agreement with God’s purpose for the child. Num 17:2-3 Speak to the Israelites and take from them twelve staffs,… And they were all amazed. The people were astonished because both Elizabeth and Zechariah insisted on a name unknown in their family. The unusual naming, together with the circumstances of John’s birth, marked him as a child set apart for God’s work. Mrk 1:27 All the people were amazed and began to ask one another… Persons / Places / Events 1. ZechariahThe father of John the Baptist, a priest who was temporarily rendered mute by the angel Gabriel for his disbelief. 2. Elizabeth The mother of John the Baptist, who was considered barren but miraculously conceived in her old age. 3. John the Baptist The child born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, who would become the forerunner of Jesus Christ. 4. The Angel Gabriel The messenger of God who announced the birth of John to Zechariah. 5. The Gathering The event where family and neighbors gathered for the circumcision and naming of John, leading to the astonishment at Zechariah's declaration. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceZechariah's act of writing "His name is John" demonstrates obedience to God's command, even when it defies cultural expectations. The Power of God's Word The fulfillment of Gabriel's message shows that God's word is trustworthy and will come to pass. Faith and Restoration Zechariah's speech is restored after his act of faith, illustrating that obedience can lead to restoration and blessing. God's Sovereignty in Naming The name "John" (meaning "God is gracious") was divinely chosen, reflecting God's purpose and grace in John's life and ministry. Community Witness The astonishment of the gathered community highlights how acts of faith can serve as a powerful witness to others. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Luke 1:63?2. Why is Zechariah's obedience in naming his son significant for us today? 3. How does Zechariah's faithfulness in Luke 1:63 inspire our own faith journey? 4. What Old Testament prophecies connect to the naming of John in Luke 1:63? 5. How can we apply Zechariah's example of obedience in our daily decisions? 6. What does Zechariah's response in Luke 1:63 teach about trusting God's plan? 7. Why did Zechariah insist on naming his son John in Luke 1:63? 8. How does Luke 1:63 demonstrate the importance of obedience to God's instructions? 9. What is the significance of the name "John" in the context of Luke 1:63? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 1? (63) A writing table.--The tablets in common use at this time throughout the Roman empire were commonly of wood, covered with a thin coat of wax, on which men wrote with the sharp point which has left its traces in our language, in the word "style," in its literal and figurative senses. His name is John.--There is something emphatic in the use of the present tense. It was not a question to be discussed. The name had been given already. And they marvelled all.--This confirms the view given above as to the previous deafness of Zacharias. There would have been no ground for wonder, had he heard the discussion. It was the coincidence that surprised them, hardly less than the utterance. Verse 63. - A writing-table; better, a writing-tablet. The tablets in use generally at the time were usually made of wood, covered with a thin coating of wax; on the soft layer of wax the words were written with an iron stylus. Zechariah’s silent obedience, bold inscription, and the crowd’s astonishment together reveal how faithfully God keeps His word. A once-doubting priest now affirms heaven’s decree, naming his son exactly as directed. Through a simple tablet, God showcases His grace, sparks communal awe, and sets the stage for the forerunner who will “prepare the way for the Lord” (Luke 3:4). When God speaks, wise hearts respond as Zechariah did—believing, obeying, and watching others stand amazed at His faithfulness.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek [Zechariah] asked forαἰτήσας (aitēsas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 154: To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask. a tablet πινακίδιον (pinakidion) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 4093: A tablet for writing. Diminutive of pinax; a tablet. [and] wrote, ἔγραψεν (egrapsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe. “His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. name ὄνομα (onoma) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'. is ἐστὶν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. John.” Ἰωάννης (Iōannēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2491: Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites. And καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. they were all astonished. ἐθαύμασαν (ethaumasan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 2296: (a) intrans: I wonder, marvel, (b) trans: I wonder at, admire. From thauma; to wonder; by implication, to admire. Additonal Resources Luke 1:63 Blue Letter BibleLuke 1:63 Bible Gateway Luke 1:63 Bible.com Luke 1:63 NIV |
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