Luke 1 · Verse 63

Luke 1:63

And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
Luke 1:63, King James Version

Luke 1:63 in other translations

BSBZechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
WEBHe asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.” They all marveled.
ASVAnd he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
YLTand having asked for a tablet, he wrote, saying, ‘John is his name;' and they did all wonder;
DARBYAnd having asked for a writing-table, he wrote saying, John is his name. And they all wondered.
BBEAnd he sent for writing materials and put down: His name is John; and they were all surprised.
WebsterAnd he asked for a writing-table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they all wondered.

What does Luke 1:63 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
63. marvelled all--at his giving the same name, not knowing of any communication between them on the subject.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 63. He asked. That is, by signs.

A writing table. The table denoted by this word was usually made of wood and covered with wax. The ancients used to write on such tables, as they had not the use of paper. The instrument used for writing was an iron pen or style, by which they marked on the wax which covered the table. Sometimes the writing-table was made entirely of lead.

(g) "John" Lk 1:13

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 63 A writing table - Πινακιδιον, a tablet, a diminutive of πιναξ, a table. "The boys in Barbary are taught to write upon a smooth thin board, slightly daubed over with whiting, which may be rubbed off or renewed at pleasure. Such probably (for the Jewish children use the same) was the little board, or writing table, as we render it Luk 1:63, that was called for by Zacharias." Shaw's Travels, p. 194. My old MS. considers the word as meaning the instrument of writing, rather than the tablet on which he wrote: and he aringe a poyntel, wroot seyinge, Joon is his name. A thin board, made out of the pine tree, smeared over with wax, was used among the ancients; and to this the Anglo-Saxon version seems to refer, as it translates πινακιδιον, a wax board or cloth. An intelligent friend has suggested a different mode of reading the 62nd and 63rd verses: Luk 1:62. And they asked his father how he would have him called? Luk 1:63. And he made signs for a writing table and wrote, His name is John: "For," says my friend, "the 64th verse proves his mouth was not opened, neither his tongue loosed, till after the child was named; therefore he could not ask for the table; and it is more reasonable that he, being dumb, should make signs, than that those should who had the use of their tongues." But, howsoever ingenious this may be, neither the words of the Greek text, nor their construction, will bear this version.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 1:57-66

In these verses we have an account of the birth of John the Baptist, and the great joy among all the relations of the family. He shall be called Johanan, or "Gracious," because he shall bring in the gospel of Christ, wherein God's grace shines most bright. Zacharias recovered his speech. Unbelief closed his mouth, and believing opened it again: he believers, therefore he speaks. When God opens our lips, our mouths…

Read the full comment on Luke 1:57-66 →

Luke 1:63 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532
αἰτήσαςaitēsashaving asked forG154
πινακίδιονpinakidiona writing tabletG4093
ἔγραψενegrapsenhe wroteG1125
λέγων·legōnsaying;G3004
ἸωάννηςIōannēsJohnG2491
ἐστὶνestinisG1510
ὄνομαonomanameG3686
αὐτοῦ.autouof him.G846
καὶkaiAndG2532
ἐθαύμασανethaumasanthey marveledG2296
πάντες.¶pantesall.G3956

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 1:63

  • Luke 1:60

    And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

  • Isaiah 30:8

    Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

  • Luke 1:13

    But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

  • Habakkuk 2:2

    And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

  • Jeremiah 17:1

    The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
a.
Pr 3:3; Isa 30:8; Jer 17:1; Hab 2:2
His.
13,60

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 1:62

    And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

  • Luke 1:63

    And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

  • Luke 1:64

    And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

Read all of Luke 1

Luke 1:63 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y demandando la tablilla, escribió, diciendo: Juan es su nombre. Y todos se maravillaron.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et ayant demandé des tablettes, il écrivit, disant: Jean est son nom. Et ils en furent tous étonnés.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und er forderte ein Täfelchen und schrieb also: Johannes ist sein Name. Und sie verwunderten sich alle.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et postulans pugillarem scripsit, dicens: Joannes est nomen ejus. Et mirati sunt universi.