His Name Is John

The words

1. Covenant

   Zacharias speaks of mercy promised to the ancestors and God remembering his holy covenant, then names the oath sworn to Abraham.

   Luke 1:72–73 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 1:67-75 (opens a new tab)

2. Dayspring

   Zacharias links the dayspring from on high with God’s tender mercy, describing light for those in darkness and guidance into peace.

   Did you know?

   The NET’s note explains that Benedictus, the traditional name of this song, comes from the Latin wording of its opening blessing.

   Luke 1:78–79 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 1:67-75 (opens a new tab)

3. Deserts

   Luke closes by saying John grows strong in spirit and lives in the deserts until his showing to Israel; the NET calls the setting wilderness.

   Luke 1:80 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 1:76-80 (opens a new tab)

4. Eighth Day

   Luke places the child’s circumcision and naming on the eighth day, when the proposed name Zacharias meets Elisabeth’s reply that he shall be called John.

   Luke 1:59–60 (opens a new tab)

5. Hill Country

   After Zacharias writes the name and begins speaking, Luke says the events become known throughout the hill country of Judaea, leaving the hearers wondering about the child.

   Luke 1:63–66 (opens a new tab)

6. Holiness

   Zacharias describes deliverance from enemies as freedom to serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him throughout life.

   Luke 1:74–75 (opens a new tab)

7. Horn

   Zacharias praises God for raising a “horn of salvation” in the house of David, before speaking of the prophets and deliverance from enemies.

   Did you know?

   Psalm 132:17 also joins David with a horn image: “the horn of David” will bud, and the verse goes on to speak of a lamp for the anointed.

   Luke 1:69–71 (opens a new tab) · Psalm 132:17 (opens a new tab)

8. John

   Elisabeth insists that the child shall be called John; when his father is asked, Zacharias writes, “His name is John,” and the people marvel.

   Luke 1:60–63 (opens a new tab)

9. Kindred

   Relatives, in the NET’s rendering.

   The people object that none of Elisabeth’s kindred bears the name John, then make signs to the child’s father to ask what he wants him called.

   Luke 1:60–62 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 1:57-66 (opens a new tab)

10. Neighbours

    After Elisabeth gives birth, her neighbors and relatives hear of the Lord’s great mercy toward her and rejoice with her, before the naming scene begins.

    Luke 1:57–59 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 1:57-66 (opens a new tab)

11. Oath

    Zacharias recalls the oath sworn to Abraham; in Genesis, an angel brings the Lord’s sworn promise to multiply Abraham’s descendants.

    Luke 1:73 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 22:15–18 (opens a new tab)

12. Remission

    Addressing the child, Zacharias says he will go before the Lord to prepare his ways and give people knowledge of salvation through the remission of their sins.

    Luke 1:76–77 (opens a new tab)

13. Shadow of Death

    Zacharias’s prophecy describes the dayspring giving light to those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, then guiding their feet into peace.

    Luke 1:78–79 (opens a new tab)

14. Way of Peace

    The way of peace closes Zacharias’s prophecy: after speaking of light for those in darkness, he describes that light guiding “our feet.”

    Luke 1:78–79 (opens a new tab)

15. Writing Table

    Asked what the child should be called, Zacharias requests a writing table and writes, “His name is John”; Luke says everyone marvels.

    Did you know?

    London Museum describes Roman writing on wax-covered wooden tablets with a metal stylus. The wax could be smoothed and used again.

    Luke 1:62–63 (opens a new tab) · London Museum: stylus (opens a new tab)