Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 1:61
And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
61. none of thy kindred ] We find a John among hierarchs in Act 4:6; Act 5:17. Those priests however who passed the High Priesthood from one to another a clique of Herodian Sadducees the Boethusm, Kamhiths, Ben Hanan, &c. were partly of Babylonian and Egyptian origin, and had been introduced by Herod to support his purposes. They would not be of the kin of Zacharias.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
There is none of thy kindred … – The Jewish tribes and families were kept distinct. To do this, and to avoid confusion in their genealogical tables, they probably gave only those names which were found among their ancestors. Another reason for this, common to all people, is the respect which is felt for honored parents and ancestors.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 61. None of thy kindred] As the Jewish tribes and families were kept sacredly distinct, it appears the very names of the ancestors were continued among their descendants, partly through reverence for them, and partly to avoid confusion in the genealogical tables, which, for the sake of distinguishing the inheritances, were carefully preserved in each of the families. It seems to be on this account that the neighbours and relatives objected to a name which had not before existed in any branch of the family.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And they said unto her,…. Her neighbours and relations, there is none of thy kindred that is called by this name; from whence it appears, that it was usual to give names to children after their ancestors, relations, and friends. The Persic version renders it, “in thine Israel there is not any one of this name”: but this could not be true; for the name of Jochanan, or John, was a name very common among the Israelites, though not in Elisabeth’s family, or her husband’s.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
1) “And they said unto her,” (kai eipan pros auten) “And they said (in relief) to her,” the friends and relatives responded with surprise.
2) “There is none of thy kindred,” (hoti oudeis estin ek tes sungeneias sou) “That there is (exists) not a single one of your kindred or relatives,” those near you in your family lineage.
3) “That is called by this name.” (hos kaleitai to onomati touto) “Who is called by this name,” the, name John. The (Gk. sungeneias) is used to mean “kinsmanship,” as in Act 7:3; Act 7:14.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(61) There is none of thy kindred . . .The fact is not without interest, as probably showing that Zacharias did not come within the circle of those related to the Sadducean high priests, among whom (some thirty years later, it is true) we find that name (Act. 4:6; Act. 5:17).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
61. None of thy kindred The custom of naming children from some one of the circle of relations was so common, not to say so natural, that this new name seemed unwelcome.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And they said to her, “There is none of your kindred who is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, what he would have him called.’
The relatives were both surprised and put out. ‘Why’, they said, ‘there is no one in your family called by that name.’ And determined to have their own way, they turned to the father. He was the one with the final choice. Surely he would agree with them. Psychologically we have here an accurate picture. The busybody, but trying to be helpful, male relatives, aware of the problems (the father is dumb, and possibly deaf, the mother not to be regarded too much) attempting to do what they think is right to help the couple out, and in the last resort having to approach the father so as to gain his authority because the wife is being awkward.
So they made signs to him asking what the baby should be called. This may be the first indication we have that Zacharias had also been made deaf (the word used in Luk 1:22 can mean deaf and dumb), or it may simply have been because people who are not disabled often over-exaggerate the disablement of the disabled (just as we might sometimes shout because a person stammers or is disabled). They would think, if he could not speak, surely he could not hear. Being dumb he could not easily correct them. So he may not have been deaf, and their behaviour may later have become a family joke, although discreetly so as not to cause offence.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
Ver. 61. There is none of thy kindred ] There is an inbred desire in us all of immortality; we would eternize our names, and do therefore call our children, cities, lands, &c., after them, Psa 49:11 . But they do best that get assurance that their names are written in heaven. They that depart from God shall be written in the earth, Jer 17:13 , as Cain’s son, Lord Enoch of Enoch, Gen 4:17 , and those men of renown, Gen 6:4 , were.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Luk 1:61 . , kinsmanship. In Lk. only in N. T. Cf. Act 7:3 ; Act 7:14 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
There is = That there is.
of = among. Greek en. App-104.
that is = who is.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Luk 1:61. , thy kindred) They supposed that Elisabeth, if she chose to give a name different from that of Zacharias, would follow [adopt one of] the names of her own family. [Even in this respect it was befitting that something new and unprecedented should be done.-V. g.]
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Reciprocal: Joh 1:6 – John
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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These people even argued the question which reminds us of 1Pe 4:15.