Luke 1:61
And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 16
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτὴν
her
G846
αὐτὴν
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 16
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
ὅτι
G3754
Οὐδείς
none
G3762
Οὐδείς
none
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
6 of 16
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἐστιν
There is
G2076
ἐστιν
There is
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
7 of 16
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὃς
that
G3739
ὃς
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καλεῖται
is called
G2564
καλεῖται
is called
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
13 of 16
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Jewish naming customs honored ancestors and maintained family identity. The relatives' objection shows genuine concern for convention but reveals how religious tradition can become obstacle to recognizing God's new work. John's unique name would mark him as set apart for unique ministry.
Questions for Reflection
- How do traditions, even good ones, sometimes hinder recognition of God's work?
- What does this teach about the relationship between honoring the past and embracing God's new work?
- How can we discern when to maintain tradition versus when to depart from it?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The relatives' objection—'There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name'—reveals how tradition and precedent can blind people to God's new work. Their concern for family naming conventions demonstrates how we often value human tradition over divine direction. That no kinsman bore the name John made the choice seem strange and unprecedented, which is precisely the point—God was doing a new thing requiring a new name. This objection sets up the climactic moment when Zacharias confirms God's choice, showing that true spiritual authority rests in divine revelation, not family custom or majority opinion. The controversy highlights that God's redemptive work often breaks established patterns.