Luke 1:64Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The rite of circumcision was first delivered to Abraham as a sign of distinction, that the race of the Patriarch might be preserved in unmixed purity, and so might be able to obtain the promises. But now that the promise of the covenant is fulfilled, the sign attached to it is removed. So then through Christ circumcision ceased, and baptism came in its place; but first it was right that John should be circumcised; as it is said, And it came to pass, that on the eighth day, &c. For the Lord had said, Let the child of eight days be circumcised among you. (Gen. 17:13.) But this measurement of time I conceive was ordered by Divine mercy for two reasons. First, because in its most tender years the child the more easily bears the cutting of the flesh.

And because with the mother the dumb father also agreed as to the name of the child, it follows, And they all marvelled. For there was no one of this name among their kinsfolk that any one could say that they had both previously determined upon it.

The birth of John then broke the silence of Zacharias, as it follows, And his mouth was opened. For it were unreasonable when the voice of the Word had come forth, that his father should remain speechless.

The holy Evangelist has especially remarked, that many thought the child should be called after his father Zacharias, in order that we might understand, not that any name of his kinsfolk was displeasing to his mother, but that the same word had been communicated to her by the Holy Spirit, which had been foretold by the Angel to Zacharias. And in truth, being dumb, Zacharias was unable to mention his son’s name to his wife, but Elisabeth obtained by prophecy what she had not learnt from her husband. Hence it follows, And she answered, &c. Marvel not that the woman pronounced the name which she had never heard, seeing the Holy Spirit who imparted it to the Angel revealed it to her; nor could she be ignorant of the forerunner of the Lord, who had prophesied of Christ.

The phrase ‘opened’ suggests a liberation of communication rather than simply “made free for speech.” It is clear that both the capacity to hear and to speak were liberated simultaneously. Just as they were once bound together, they were also freed together.

Zacharias is by interpretation “remembering God,” but John signifies “pointing to.” Now “memory” relates to something absent, “pointing to,” to something present. But John was not about to set forth the memory of God as absent, but with his finger to point him out as present, saying, Behold the Lamb of God.

Now in an allegory, the celebration of John’s birth was the beginning of the grace of the New Covenant. His neighbours and kinsfolk had rather give him the name of his father than that of John. For the Jews, who by the observance of the Law were united to him as it were by ties of kindred, chose rather to follow the righteousness which is of the Law, than receive the grace of faith. But the name of John, (i. e. the grace of God,) his mother in word, his father in writing, suffice to announce, for both the Law itself as well as the Psalms and the Prophecies, in the plainest language foretel the grace of Christ; and that ancient priesthood, by the foreshadowing of its ceremonies and sacrifices, bears testimony to the same.

The period of punishment has ended and is now gone. Yet, it seems that the effects of this punishment linger somewhat beyond the designated timeframe. Previously, the angel had proclaimed, “Behold, thou shalt be silent, and shalt not be able to speak until these days” (Luke 1:20). Now, eight days after the birth of his son, Zechariah remained mute. However, the true entry into a life united with God—spiritual life—commences with proper circumcision; at physical birth, the child is, in a sense, incomplete. Additionally, Divine Providence appears to prepare a delightful surprise for the father. His speech is restored precisely at the moment of his son's naming. This illustrates how Providence often delights in bringing joy to the righteous amid their trials.

While Mary's hidden truth was revealed in Nazareth, the silence that had kept Zacharias mute was also broken. As the angel had foretold, Elizabeth gave birth to a son, prompting many relatives and friends to gather in her home. They were astonished by this remarkable occurrence and reflected on its connection to the time of the vision shown to Zacharias, yet they remained unaware of its full significance. Zacharias remained unable to speak, and Elizabeth had no intention of disclosing anything without her husband’s consent.

Shortly after Our Lady departed from the home of Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son. This event was viewed by the elderly couple, along with their neighbors and kin, as a distinct blessing and mercy from God, resulting in shared joy amongst all. On the eighth day following the birth, it was customary, as stated in the law (Leviticus 12:3), to circumcise the child and simultaneously bestow a name upon him, as per tradition (Genesis 21:3-4). A discussion arose regarding what name should be bestowed upon the infant, and many suggested Zacharias, following the custom of naming children after relatives. However, Elizabeth, acting in accordance with the angel’s instruction (Luke 1:13), which was unknown to those gathered for the circumcision, insisted that her son be called John.

The Lord did not impose eternal silence and deafness on Zechariah. The angel informed him that he would remain mute until the fulfillment of the prophecy regarding Elizabeth's conception. Thus, following the birth of the child and his naming as John, Zechariah's speech was restored, and he began to glorify God. Surely, those around were aware that Zechariah had been rendered speechless and deaf after the angel's visitation in the temple. They recognized that the barren and elderly Elizabeth had long since despaired of motherhood and was deemed incapable of bearing children according to human understanding. Present at the circumcision of her son, they were puzzled by the choice of name—John—by both the mother and her deaf-mute husband, which departed from traditional customs. In that moment, Zechariah's silence and deafness were miraculously lifted, and they heard the priest, after nine months of silence, praising God and passionately prophesying a remarkable future for his son—to prepare the way for the Lord.

His lips were freed. The moment of restoration was wondrous, much like Zechariah's own liberation to speak. The silence endured not only until the birth of his son, as the angel proclaimed (Luke 1:20), but also persisted until the father fulfilled the divine message by naming the child John.

On the eighth day, as prescribed by the law, the child underwent circumcision, and they named the newborn. While the mother, aware of her husband's secret, intended to name her son John, the relatives disagreed, as such a name was not customary within their family, and they insisted on honoring the father with the child's name. Consequently, they sought Zechariah's decision to resolve the disagreement. When they motioned to him, asking what he wished to name his son, Zechariah requested a writing tablet and inscribed, "John is his name." This prompted astonishment among all present, as they noted the alignment of his choice with Elizabeth's. Their amazement turned to fear when Zechariah spoke again, sharing the vision and promise he received in the temple. There, the Lord's angel had informed him of the son's coming birth and instructed him to name the child John, meaning the gift of God's grace.

The moment came when they were miraculously opened, just as they had been closed by the command of the angel (Luke 1:20). Now that his soul was entirely liberated from doubt, cleansed through suffering, and his tongue released from the restraints of silence, he was able to speak clearly. His initial utterance was to glorify God, prompted by the overwhelming emotions stirred by these extraordinary occurrences, which Zechariah sensed were just the outset of even greater and more wondrous happenings.