And demanding a writing table, he wrote, saying: John is his name. And they all wondered.
και αιτησας πινακιδιον εγραψεν λεγων ιωαννης εστιν το ονομα αυτου και εθαυμασαν παντες
11 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Zacharias, unable to communicate through gestures, requested a tablet. When he and his wife agreed perfectly on the name for their child, the onlookers were amazed, as this name was unfamiliar within their family, and no one could claim that they had previously settled on it together.
The hand inscribed on the stone ‘John,’ a name that signifies our need for compassion. This hand called for grace-filled mercy, as the words spoken came from the foundation of truth.
John is the name given to him, as Zechariah indicated; it highlights that a name bestowed by God is not merely chosen by human hands. He possesses a name that was recognized rather than assigned by us, for only the holy are blessed with a name that comes from the Lord. In this way, Jacob was named Israel after encountering God (see Gen. 32:28), and our Savior received the name Jesus even before His birth (see Luke 1:31, Matt. 1:21). His name was not given by an angel but was appointed by the Father: My Son Jesus will be made known alongside those who will celebrate with Him, enduring four hundred years. And after this time, My Son Christ will suffer death... and this age shall change (3 Ezra 7:28-30).
He requested a sign and inscribed, "His name is John." This was not communicated verbally but through gestures, which astonished everyone present. They were surprised that he could not hear the announcement from Elizabeth or respond to her, yet he affirmed her declaration. It should be noted that Elizabeth confirmed she had not disclosed nor heard the name by any means of writing.
Zechariah's Silence When Zechariah was blessed with the birth of a son, his family intended to name him according to tradition. They presented tablets to the father, allowing him to inscribe a name of his choosing, thus enabling him to communicate what his tongue could not. Yet, in a miraculous moment, as he took the tablets and grasped the stylus, his voice was restored; he spoke before writing, declaring, ‘John.’ Observe the significance of the holy Baptist: he granted the father his voice back, he restored the eloquence of the priest! Consider his virtue: John loosed the mouth that had been sealed by the angel. What Gabriel had restrained, the young child set free, for he was indeed an angel, as it is proclaimed: behold, I send my angel before your face (Luke 7:27).
Therefore, witness John's extraordinary power of speech and the meaning of his name; he revived the priestly voice of his father and brought divine truth to a people rendered mute! Prior to his arrival, Zechariah was silenced, lacking both his son and his role, but once John came into the world, the father emerged as a prophet or priest, his speech restored.
Circumcision serves as a fitting symbol of the Lord's resurrection, occurring on the eighth day, which signifies the time after the Sabbath. Just as the former ritual was meant to deliver from the charge of eternal death, the latter illustrates the complete renewal of everlasting life in our Creator, instilling hope within us.
The name John signifies ‘the mercy of God’ or ‘the One in whom there is mercy.’ This name encapsulates the entirety of the gospel's good news that he proclaimed, especially regarding the Lord, through whom mercy has been extended to humanity. When John's name was revealed and confirmed, Zechariah's mouth was opened, and he praised God. It is evident that, following the revelation of the grace of the new covenant through the apostles, many priests responded with faith.
All were filled with amazement. What was the source of their astonishment? It stemmed from the unexpected agreement between husband and wife. The mother declared, “He shall be called John,” while the father inscribed, “John is his name.” This demonstrates that the mother acted independently, rather than in unity with the father. Their wonder was heightened, particularly due to their ignorance of the events leading up to this moment—the angel's announcement. This underscores the significance of the Gospel narratives regarding the life of Jesus Christ on Earth, including the birth of John the Baptist and his early years.
In Nazareth, the silence surrounding Mary's secret was broken, just as the silence binding Zacharias's lips was lifted. According to the angel's promise, Elizabeth gave birth to a son. Many relatives and friends gathered to celebrate this remarkable occasion, marveling at the extraordinary timing of the event and its connection to the vision Zacharias had received. However, they were still unaware of the full significance of these occurrences. Zacharias remained mute, and Elizabeth had no intention of revealing anything without her husband’s approval.
After seven days, it was time for the child’s circumcision, which is when he would receive a name. This ceremony typically involved a family feast in Jewish tradition, attended by at least ten close relatives. Hence, the family gathered at Zacharias's home for both the sacred ceremony and the celebration. When it was time to name the child, they turned to the mother (as Zacharias was unable to speak) and asked her name choice. Elizabeth insisted that he should be called John, a name that seemed unusual given that neither Zacharias nor Elizabeth had familial ties to anyone named John. The guests suggested naming the child after his father, but Elizabeth remained steadfast in her declaration.
In an effort to ascertain the father's preference, they sought some sign from Zacharias. He wrote on a tablet, "John is to be his name," and immediately, his lips were freed. His first utterance was a song of praise to God. The crowd was astonished by this coincidence surrounding John’s birth. They recalled that this child was expected; he was born in old age, and for the duration of his mother's pregnancy, his father had been mute. In an unforeseen moment, both parents chose a name that was unfamiliar to their lineage. The moment Zacharias affirmed the name, his speech returned. It was indeed a miracle! While everyone interpreted this wonder in their own way, none could fathom the deeper purpose and significance of these events.
Shortly after the Blessed Virgin departed from the home of Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son. The elderly parents, along with their neighbors and relatives, recognized this event as a significant act of divine grace and mercy, leading everyone to rejoice alongside them. On the eighth day following the birth, it was customary, as prescribed by the law (Leviticus 12:3), to perform the circumcision of the child and to give him a name in accordance with tradition (Genesis 21:3-4). Discussion arose regarding the name of the newborn, and many suggested calling him Zacharias, following his father's name, a common practice among families. However, Elizabeth, following the angel's instruction (Luke 1:13), which was unknown to those present at the circumcision, insisted that her son be named John.
Zechariah was consulted to resolve the debate (and they likely communicated with him through signs, either due to their custom of doing so or because he was silently engaged in listening to the conversations around him), and a simple suggestion was enough for him to grasp the issue at hand. In response, he inscribed the name John on a writing tablet handed to him, which astonished everyone, as it diverged from the traditional naming after relatives. Moreover, in accordance with the angel's prophecy (Luke 1:20), Zechariah's previously muted mouth was suddenly opened, and he began to glorify God for the marvelous deeds He had done for him and for all the people of Israel.
On the eighth day, in accordance with the commandments, the rite of circumcision took place, and they bestowed a name upon the infant. The mother, aware of her husband’s revelation, desired to name her child John, but the relatives opposed this choice, contending that such a name was not found within their lineage, and insisted that the child should be named after his father. Consequently, it was necessary to consult Zechariah to resolve the matter. When they inquired through gestures about the name he wished to give his son, Zechariah requested a writing tablet and inscribed, ‘John is his name.’ The assembly was astonished by the alignment of this choice with Elizabeth’s wishes.
This wonder quickly turned to fear when, shortly thereafter, Zechariah spoke again, recounting to those present the vision and divine promise he received in the temple. There, the angel of the Lord had announced the birth of a son, who was to be named John, signifying the son of God’s grace.
Typically, writing boards of a slender and delicate nature were crafted, often covered with a substantial layer of wax or mastic. These boards were inscribed with a pointed instrument. Occasionally, they served as an alternative to parchment, which was commonly used for writing, as well as to specially prepared papyrus leaves used for the same purpose. - "And they were all astonished" - that Zacharias chose to write the same name for the child that Elizabeth had suggested, and - that they were bestowing the name on the child in defiance of the prevailing customs. Those who were amazed did not grasp the true reason behind the father and mother naming their child in this manner.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 12 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS