Board index ‹ Specific Bible verses, texts, and passages ‹ Luke

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Was it a big deal for Zechariah to name his son John?

When John the Baptist was born it seemed like everyone was shocked that they didn’t name him Zechariah or at least give him another family name. Were family names taken a lot more seriously in that time and place, and would it be unheard of to name a firstborn son something different? Would it raise suspicion or would it be just a little weird?

[jimwalton]

Children were often named for grandfathers and sometimes ancestors. To name a child differently was not unheard of, but still a surprise to some.

God dictating the name has a history in the Old Testament (Gn. 16.11; 17.19; Isa. 7.14; 9.5). It denotes a significant birth.

"John" means "“God is gracious; God is favorable; God shows grace.” It implies the role their son will have in salvation history.

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Thank you!