Luke 1:64

Luke 1:64, in plain English

The instant Zechariah wrote the name, his voice came back and the first thing he did was praise God. Nine months of silence ended in worship.

Why it's here

Back when the angel appeared in the temple, Zechariah doubted and was struck mute. Now, his act of faith in naming the baby John releases him to speak again.

Who's speaking

Luke describes how Zechariah's obedience immediately restored his ability to speak.

Where it sits in the story

Imagine the gasp in the room. Zechariah writes 'John,' and suddenly he is speaking—praising God with a voice no one has heard in nine months. Doubt gave way to faith, and silence gave way to worship.

The scholarly reading

Zechariah's mouth (stoma) and tongue (glōssa) are immediately released (aneōchthē, elythē), and his first words are praise (eulogōn) to God. The healing fulfills Gabriel's prophecy in Luke 1:20.

Language and setting

The instant restoration of speech upon obedience completes the disciplinary sign given in the temple. That praise is his first utterance signals the transformation wrought by his encounter with God.

Voice

Luke describes Zechariah's miraculous restoration of speech and his spontaneous praise.

Significance

The moment Zechariah obeys by writing 'John,' his punishment ends. After nine months of enforced silence, his very first words are praise to God—a powerful testimony to transformed faith.

62So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.

63Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.

64Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.

65All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.

66And all who heard this wondered in their hearts and asked, “What then will this child become?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.

Read all of Luke 1 — A physician writes the most detailed account of Jesus' life. Luke notices the people others overlook — the poor, the outcast, the women, the forgotten.