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Song 3 of 8 · Study Page
His Name Is John – Zacharias & Elisabeth
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1Read first. Open Luke 1:57–80 in the King James Version →
Know the Setting
When the son was born, Elisabeth's “neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her” (Luke 1:58).
“On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child” (Luke 1:59), and they expected to name him after his father.
Who Speaks
- Elisabeth (verse 60)
- Neighbors and relatives (verse 61)
- Zacharias, first in writing (verse 63), then “filled with the Holy Ghost” (Luke 1:67) in prophecy (verses 68–79)
Look Closer
- Elisabeth spoke first: “Not so; but he shall be called John” (Luke 1:60). Luke does not say how she knew the name. Let the text's silence stand.
- Zacharias “asked for a writing table, and wrote” (Luke 1:63). Then “his mouth was opened immediately” (Luke 1:64), and his first recorded words praised God, and the silence ended just as Gabriel had said (Luke 1:20).
- His prophecy speaks first of the Lord who “hath visited and redeemed his people” (Luke 1:68), and only then of his son: “thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways” (Luke 1:76).
Connect the Scriptures
- Isaiah 40:3: “Prepare ye the way of the LORD” (Isaiah 40:3)
- John 1:6–7: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John” (John 1:6)
- John 3:30: John later said of Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
Ponder
- The neighbors expected tradition, but Elisabeth and Zacharias followed what God had said. When does faithfulness mean doing what others don't expect?
- After months of silence, Zacharias's first words praised God. What would your first words be?
- John's purpose was to point to Someone greater. How can you point others toward Christ?
Talk About It
The people asked, “What manner of child shall this be!” (Luke 1:66) What hopes do you hold for the children in your life?
“His tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God” (Luke 1:64)
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