Luke 1 59

Luke 1:59 kjv

And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

Luke 1:59 nkjv

So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias.

Luke 1:59 niv

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah,

Luke 1:59 esv

And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father,

Luke 1:59 nlt

When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father.

Luke 1 verses

Luke 1 59 Meaning

Luke 1:59 describes the traditional Jewish custom observed for a newborn male child on the eighth day after his birth: circumcision and formal naming. In this specific instance, relatives and friends of Zechariah and Elizabeth gathered, expecting to name the child "Zacharias," following the family custom of naming him after his father. This expectation highlights the deeply ingrained cultural practice and foreshadows the divine intervention that would override this human tradition.

Luke 1 59 Context

Luke 1:59 falls within the narrative of the birth of John the Baptist, preceding the birth of Jesus Christ. The preceding verses (Lk 1:57-58) describe Elizabeth giving birth and her neighbors and relatives rejoicing with her. Zechariah, John's father, had been struck mute since doubting the angel Gabriel's announcement (Lk 1:20) that Elizabeth would bear a son named John. The setting is Jewish society, where the circumcision ceremony on the eighth day was a fundamental Abrahamic covenant ritual and the child's formal naming typically occurred simultaneously. This custom included often naming the child after a respected family member, such as the father, which creates a key moment of tension in the narrative leading to Zechariah's vindication and God's will being established.

Luke 1 59 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple conjunction connecting this event to the birth mentioned in previous verses, indicating a continuation of the narrative.
• it came to pass (ἐγένετο - egeneto): A common Greek construction in the Septuagint and New Testament to introduce a new event or situation, signaling what occurred.
• on the eighth day (ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ὀγδόῃ - en tē hēmerā tē ogdoē): Refers to the specific day mandated by the Law for male circumcision (Gen 17:12, Lev 12:3). This highlights adherence to Jewish covenant customs. The eighth day also symbolically points to a new beginning or a new creation, as it is the first day of a new week beyond the completion of seven.
• they came (ἦλθον - ēlthon): The subject "they" refers to the friends, neighbors, and relatives mentioned in Luke 1:58, highlighting communal involvement in this significant life event.
• to circumcise (περιτεμεῖν - peritemein): The purpose of the gathering, performing the covenant rite of circumcision, a physical sign of belonging to God's people Israel (Gen 17:10-14).
• the child (τὸ παιδίον - to paidion): Refers to the newborn male infant, John.
• and they were calling (καὶ ἐκάλουν - kai ekaloun): Imperfect tense, suggesting an ongoing action or intention, i.e., they were in the process of or intended to call him. This emphasizes their expectation.
• him (αὐτόν - auton): The direct object, referring to the child.
• after his father’s name (τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ - to onoma tou patros autou): This indicates a prevalent Jewish custom to name a child after a parent or esteemed ancestor, preserving family lineage and honoring tradition.
• Zacharias (Ζαχαρίας - Zacharias): The name of John's father, meaning "Yahweh has remembered" or "God remembers." The expectation to name John "Zacharias" emphasizes adherence to tradition within their priestly lineage.

Words-Group analysis:

• On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child: This phrase combines two critical elements: the prescribed timing (eighth day) and the core ritual (circumcision). It signifies obedience to Mosaic Law and adherence to established covenant practices within Israel. The assembly of "they" (relatives/neighbors) underscores the community's role in affirming covenant membership.
• and they were calling him after his father’s name, Zacharias: This whole phrase indicates the social and familial pressure for conformity to custom. The "calling" (imperfect tense) points to an active attempt or firm expectation. This human intention sets the stage for God's divine will to intervene and override conventional practice, as revealed in Gabriel's earlier command. The very act of attempting to name him Zechariah signifies the deeply ingrained traditional thinking before divine intervention redirects their expectation.

Luke 1 59 Bonus section

The insistence on the "eighth day" for circumcision not only adheres to the Law but also carries a deeper symbolic significance in biblical theology. The number eight, following the seven days of creation, often symbolizes a "new beginning," "new creation," or resurrection. Jesus rose on the first day of the week, which can also be viewed as the "eighth day." Thus, John's circumcision on the eighth day could subtly foreshadow his role as a forerunner to Christ, who inaugurates a new covenant and a new spiritual creation, where inner transformation (Rom 2:28-29; Col 2:11) replaces the sole reliance on external rituals. This makes John's circumcision not just an act of legal obedience, but an act pointing to a future spiritual reality.

Luke 1 59 Commentary

Luke 1:59 is a pivotal verse because it marks the fulfillment of the Law's requirements for a newborn Israelite male while setting the stage for the dramatic revelation of God's distinct plan for John. The observance of circumcision on the eighth day affirmed John's physical inclusion in the covenant people, tracing back to Abraham. This customary gathering, where the community participates in the ritual and anticipates naming the child after the father, Zacharias (meaning "God remembers"), showcases the natural, human expectation rooted in tradition and honor. However, this verse also creates narrative tension, as the audience knows that God had already decreed a specific name, "John" (meaning "The Lord is gracious"), which diverges from this human custom. This moment of human tradition versus divine decree serves as a subtle foreshadowing of a broader theme in Luke and the New Testament: God's new work often challenges and redefines established human traditions and expectations, pointing to a spiritual reality that supersedes mere external adherence to the law or cultural norms. The very setting, with Zechariah unable to speak and participate, underscores that this naming, and John's identity, are not to be a result of human will or tradition, but a direct revelation from God.