Luke 1:63
And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
Luke 1:63
Zacharias “asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John.” The act of writing rather than speaking underscores his prior speechlessness as punishment and then vindication upon obedience. The moment is intimate yet public: a father, instructed by heaven, reveals his son’s name to all. The astonishment of “they marvelled all” shows a community astonished that God is doing something new and specific, naming the child to mark a unique prophetic mission.
John’s name, declared aloud by Zacharias after a period of silence, acts as a hinge between old expectations and new revelation. It foregrounds the Holy Spirit’s role in guiding words, and highlights that naming is a divine action that binds identity to mission. The astonishment of the crowd also underscores the miraculous nature of God’s work through ordinary, faithful people.
We often rely on spoken language to confirm calling; here writing becomes a bridge to clarity. Practical wisdom:
- If you feel unsure about your direction, seek God’s confirmation and write down potential names or declarations of identity and purpose.
- Share a concrete, public affirmation of your calling with supportive community.
Cross-References: Luke 1:41; Acts 9:3-6; Jonah 1:1-3; Proverbs 16:3; Isaiah 55:11