Luke 1:59
And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
G1096
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
2 of 20
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέρᾳ
day
G2250
ἡμέρᾳ
day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
6 of 20
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ἦλθον
they came
G2064
ἦλθον
they came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
7 of 20
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
περιτεμεῖν
to circumcise
G4059
περιτεμεῖν
to circumcise
Strong's:
G4059
Word #:
8 of 20
to cut around, i.e., (specially) to circumcise
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παιδίον
the child
G3813
παιδίον
the child
Strong's:
G3813
Word #:
10 of 20
a childling (of either sex), i.e., (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature christian
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐκάλουν
they called
G2564
ἐκάλουν
they called
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
12 of 20
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐπὶ
after
G1909
ἐπὶ
after
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
14 of 20
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀνόματι
the name
G3686
ὀνόματι
the name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
16 of 20
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατρὸς
father
G3962
πατρὸς
father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
18 of 20
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
Cross References
Genesis 17:12And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.Leviticus 12:3And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.Luke 2:21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.Philippians 3:5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Historical Context
Circumcision on the eighth day marked entrance into the Abrahamic covenant. Naming typically occurred at circumcision, with firstborn sons often named for fathers or grandfathers. The community gathering for this ceremony would witness both Elisabeth's and Zacharias's obedience to angelic instruction.
Questions for Reflection
- How does obedience to God sometimes require breaking cultural traditions?
- What is the significance of incorporating children into the covenant community?
- How can we discern when to follow tradition versus when to depart from it?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The eighth-day circumcision demonstrates Zacharias and Elisabeth's covenant faithfulness, maintaining God's command from Abraham (Gen 17:12). The community's assumption that the child would be named Zacharias follows custom of naming after the father, showing how tradition can conflict with divine instruction. This sets up the dramatic moment when Elisabeth contradicts convention to obey God's specific command (v60). The circumcision ritual, incorporating the child into the covenant community, takes on special significance for the last and greatest prophet who would call Israel to covenant renewal. The naming controversy highlights that God's ways often contradict human expectations and traditions.