Luke 1:60
ESV
but his mother answered, "No; he shall be called John."
NIV
but his mother spoke up and said, "No! He is to be called John."
NASB
And yet his mother responded and said, 'No indeed; but he shall be called John.'
CSB
But his mother responded, "No. He will be called John."
NLT
But Elizabeth said, 'No! His name is John!'
KJV
And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
NKJV
His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”
What does Luke 1:60 mean?
Gabriel, the angel, told Zechariah (Luke 1:5–7) that he should name his son John (Luke 1:13). Since the birth, itself, was to be a miracle, Zechariah responded with doubt (Luke 1:18). As punishment, Zechariah was rendered unable to speak until after Gabriel's prophecy was fulfilled (Luke 1:19–20). That probably did not stop Zechariah from communicating to his wife what had happened, likely in writing.Now that she has given birth (Luke 1:57–58), the time has come to choose a name. Since Zechariah is not speaking, those performing the ritual plan to call the baby by the father's name (Luke 1:59). Elizabeth vetoes this and wants to call her child John. The family will be surprised; sons were usually given traditional names from the family line (Luke 1:61). Zechariah, who might also be unable to hear (Luke 1:62) will confirm the name should be "John" (Luke 1:63). This will complete all Gabriel's predictions about John's birth, freeing Zechariah to speak (Luke 1:64–66).
