Luke 1 62

Luke 1:62 kjv

And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

Luke 1:62 nkjv

So they made signs to his father?what he would have him called.

Luke 1:62 niv

Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.

Luke 1:62 esv

And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called.

Luke 1:62 nlt

So they used gestures to ask the baby's father what he wanted to name him.

Luke 1 verses

Luke 1 62 Meaning

Luke 1:62 describes the critical moment when the relatives, at the circumcision and naming ceremony for John the Baptist, inquire about the name of the child from Zechariah, who had been struck mute. Unable to speak, Zechariah's family used non-verbal communication, making signs, to ascertain what name he desired for his newborn son. This inquiry occurred because Elizabeth had already declared the child's name as John, which was contrary to custom, leading the family to seek Zechariah's final word.

Luke 1 62 Context

Luke 1:62 is nestled within the dramatic narrative of the birth of John the Baptist. It immediately follows the naming ceremony during his circumcision on the eighth day. According to Jewish custom, a child was usually named after a prominent family member, often the father. The family expected the child to be named "Zechariah." When Elizabeth boldly declared the name "John," they challenged her, referring to the lack of precedence for this name within their kin (Lk 1:61). Faced with Elizabeth's unwavering statement, their only recourse for clarification was Zechariah himself, who had been unable to speak since his encounter with the angel Gabriel (Lk 1:20, 22) due to his unbelief concerning the prophecy. This verse highlights the family's adherence to custom and their astonishment at the proposed name, leading to their silent communication with Zechariah.

Luke 1 62 Word analysis

• And (καί - kai): A conjunction connecting this action directly to the preceding discussion about the child's name (Lk 1:59-61). It emphasizes the continuity of the scene and the logical next step the family took.
• they made signs (ἐνένευον - eneuneuon): From the verb enneúo, meaning "to nod, to signify by a nod," or "to beckon, to make signs." The imperfect tense indicates an ongoing or repeated action, perhaps the relatives repeatedly gesturing or trying various ways to communicate. It vividly portrays Zechariah's physical inability to speak and the family's reliance on non-verbal communication in the Jewish cultural context where such impairment was divinely noted. This gesture is both a practical necessity and a visual marker of Zechariah's punishment and God's powerful intervention.
• to his father (τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ - tō patri autou): Refers to Zechariah. Despite his muteness, he remains the paterfamilias, the head of the household, whose decision on the child's name, especially if divergent from custom, would carry ultimate authority and weight. The family, still in their custom-bound thinking, naturally deferred to the father even in his incapacitated state.
• how (τὸ τί - to ti): Literally "as to what" or "the what." This idiomatic Greek expression signifies an inquiry about the desired thing or specific choice. They are asking directly what name Zechariah wills.
• he would have him called (θέλοι καλεῖσθαι - theloi kaleisthai): Théloi is an optative mood form of thélo (to will, wish, desire). The optative indicates a wish, a potentiality, or an indirect question, fitting the uncertainty of the family concerning Zechariah's intention given his muteness. Kaleisthai (to be called) is a passive infinitive. Together, this phrase communicates the inquiry into Zechariah's will or desire for the child's name. It acknowledges the father's prerogative in naming his child within the culture, even though God had already predetermined the name through Gabriel. This reveals the family's unawareness of the divine decree, placing human custom above heavenly revelation.

Words-group Analysis

• And they made signs to his father: This phrase highlights the profound effect of Zechariah's muteness, a direct divine judgment (Lk 1:20). It demonstrates the family's adaptation to his condition, communicating non-verbally out of necessity. It underscores the extraordinary circumstances surrounding John's birth, setting it apart from normal customs and emphasizing God's direct hand in the situation. This public act of "signing" to Zechariah also sets the stage for the dramatic moment of his regaining speech, which will be a powerful sign to the community (Lk 1:64-65).
• how he would have him called: This group of words conveys the specific intent of their non-verbal communication: to determine the name Zechariah intended for the child. It reveals the cultural expectation that the father had the final say in naming. It also creates dramatic tension because Elizabeth had already declared the name "John," directly contradicting the family's custom-bound suggestion (Lk 1:59-60). The question tacitly acknowledges the conflict and seeks resolution from the person assumed to have the ultimate authority, unaware that the resolution would come from divine decree rather than paternal preference.

Luke 1 62 Bonus section

• The detail of "making signs" indicates the presence of a language barrier not of culture, but of disability imposed by God. This very specific detail enriches the historical context, suggesting a society that adapts to physical limitations.
• Zechariah's enforced silence served as a period of profound spiritual instruction, allowing him to internalize God's word and prepare him to speak a great prophecy (the Benedictus) without further doubt. His inability to speak initially (due to unbelief) ultimately leads to his being an unimpeachable witness once his voice returns, as he confirms God's word (John's name).
• The scene highlights the public nature of the miraculous. Many neighbors and relatives were present (Lk 1:58), ensuring the rapid spread of the "rumors" and "fear" (Lk 1:65-66) concerning these events, thereby magnifying God's work.

Luke 1 62 Commentary

Luke 1:62 encapsulates the tension between human tradition and divine decree. The relatives, immersed in cultural expectations that the child be named after the father (Zechariah) or another family member, cannot comprehend Elizabeth's declaration of "John." Their "making signs" to the mute Zechariah vividly underscores the unique and extraordinary nature of John's birth, marked by a supernatural impediment that prevented verbal communication. This act demonstrates their desire for clarity and resolution, yet it unwittingly sets the stage for a profound moment of divine affirmation. Zechariah, forced into a state of contemplative silence for months due to his initial unbelief, is now compelled by the family to declare the name himself, leading to the miraculous breaking of his silence. The inquiry also prepares the audience for the immediate fulfillment of Gabriel's prophecy and God's redemptive plan unfolding publicly. It's a snapshot of human efforts to understand divine action, forcing a direct interaction with a consequence of God's will (Zechariah's muteness), and paving the way for further revelation.