Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 1:63
And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all.
63. table ] Rather, tablet. A small wooden tablet ( abacus) either smeared with wax, or with sand sprinkled over it, on which words were written with an iron stylus. Thus ‘John,’ ‘the grace of Jehovah,’ is the first word written under the Gospel; the aeon of the written Law had ended with Cherem, ‘curse,’ in Mal. 3:24 (Bengel).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 63. A writing table] , a tablet, a diminutive of , 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 Lu 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 , [Anglo-Saxon], a wax board or cloth.
An intelligent friend has suggested a different mode of reading the 62nd and 63rd verses: Lu 1:62. And they asked his father how he would have him called? Lu 1:63. And he made signs for a writing table and wrote, His name is John: “For,” says my friend, “the 64th verse Lu 1:64 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
63. marvelled allat hisgiving the same name, not knowing of any communication between themon the subject.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he asked for a writing table,…. That is, he made signs for one, for as yet he could not speak. The Persic version renders it “ink”, and the Ethiopic, a book, and the Vulgate Latin, a notebook. The word signifies “a little table”, such as they used to write not only “upon”, but “in”; and was sometimes of brass t, sometimes of wood, and sometimes of wax u, on which they wrote with a style or pen;
and wrote, saying, his name is John: not that he must be, or shall be, so called; but this is his name, and no other; being what the angel had given him before his conception, and Zacharias now confirms:
and they marvelled all; they were astonished, not so much at the new name brought into the family, as at the agreement between Elisabeth and Zacharias in this point, when the latter was both deaf and dumb; they knowing nothing, as yet, of the angel’s message to him.
t Haryocration. Lex. p. 244. u Alex. ab Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 2. c. 30.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Tablet (). Diminutive of . In Aristotle and the papyri for writing tablet, probably covered with wax. Sometimes it was a little table, like Shakespeare’s “the table of my memory” (Hamlet, i.5). It was used also of a physician’s note-book.
Wrote, saying ( ). Hebrew way of speaking (2Ki 10:6).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Writing table [] . Table was formerly used in the sense of tablet. Thus Shakspeare :
“Yea, from the table of my memory, I’ll wipe away all trivial fond records.” Hamlet, 1, 5.
Tynd., writing tables. The meaning is a little writing tablet, probably covered with wax. Only here in the New Testament. Used by medical writers of a physician ‘s note book. Wyc., has a poyntel, i e., a style for writing.
Wrote, saying. A Hebrew form of expression. See 2Ki 10:6.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1)“And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying,” (kai aitesas pinakidion egrapsen legon) “And upon asking for a tablet he wrote saying,” the table was likely a wax board on which one could write with a stylus, efface or spread the wax and write again.
2) “His name is John.” (loannes estin onoma auto)”His name is (exists as) John,” as directed by the angel Gabriel in the temple vision, before the conception had occurred, Luk 1:13. The name John means “Jehovah is gracious.”
3) “And they marvelled all.” (kai ethaumasan pantes) “And they all marvelled,” were astounded, all who saw it, not knowing of the vision, and because the father had written the same name that the mother, Elizabeth, had given for the son, v. Luk 1:60. They marvelled because of: 1) The child of aged parents, 2) The name John, given, and 3) The immediate recovery of the speech of Zacharias, Luk 1:64.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(63) A writing table.The tablets in common use at this time throughout the Roman empire were commonly of wood, covered with a thin coat of wax, on which men wrote with the sharp point which has left its traces in our language, in the word style, in its literal and figurative senses.
His name is John.There is something emphatic in the use of the present tense. It was not a question to be discussed. The name had been given already.
And they marvelled all.This confirms the view given above as to the previous deafness of Zacharias. There would have been no ground for wonder, had he heard the discussion. It was the coincidence that surprised them, hardly less than the utterance.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
63. Writing table It was a small, flat piece of wood, (for the simple conveniences of pen, ink, and paper were then unknown,) like a slate, overspread with a surface of wax. The writing was done with an iron stylus or bodkin, sharp at one end, and broad and smooth at the other, so that the opposite ends could be used for writing and
erasing. His name is John Not his name shall be called John; for Zacharias recognizes that the angel of God had already named him. Zacharias is only a recorder of the divine commandment.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” And they all marvelled.’
So Zacharias called for a writing tablet (a wooden tablet covered with wax) and wrote down, ‘His name is John.’ The result was that they were all amazed, and ‘marvelled’, probably because the parents were both so adamant about a name not connected with the family. Note his emphasis on the fact that it ‘is his name’. The name had already been decided on, and was already being applied. There was to be no argument about it. (It would appear as if he could tell what they were saying).
This would serve to confirm that the baby had been named at birth and that the name had been given prior to the day of circumcision. That would not, of course, prevent it being made official at the time of circumcision.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Luk 1:63. And he asked for a writing-table , a writing-tablet, or little book.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
Ver. 63. And he asked for a writing table ] Tabellam, sc. ceratam, in qua olim stil scribebatur, saith Sa. He had an excellent faculty of whom Martial reporteth,
” Currant verba licet, manus est velocior illis;
Et vix lingua suum, dextra peregit opus.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
63. ] . (= , Aristoph. Vesp. 167), a tablet smeared with wax, on which they wrote with a style. On , a Hebraism, as applied to writing , see reff. and Jos. Antt. xi. 4. 7, .
. ] This also confirms the view that Zacharias was deaf. There would be nothing wonderful in his acceding to his wife’s suggestion , if he had known it: the coincidence , apparently without this knowledge, was the matter of wonder.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Luk 1:63 . (dim. from ), here only in N. T.: a little tablet probably covered with wax, used like a slate; pugillarem in Vulg [13] is used here, Hebrew fashion = to the effect. : hypallage pro (Pricaeus) = he said by writing. : they wondered , at this consent of the parents in giving a strange name, and felt there must be something under it an omen .
[13] Vulgate (Jerome’s revision of old Latin version).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
writing table = writing tablet Table was used for tablet in 1611. Used by medical writers in Luke’s day.
wrote, saying. A Hebraism. Compare 2Ki 10:6.
“John” = the grace of Jehovah, was thus the first written word of that dispensation.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
63.] . (= , Aristoph. Vesp. 167), a tablet smeared with wax, on which they wrote with a style. On , a Hebraism, as applied to writing, see reff. and Jos. Antt. xi. 4. 7,- .
. ] This also confirms the view that Zacharias was deaf. There would be nothing wonderful in his acceding to his wifes suggestion, if he had known it: the coincidence, apparently without this knowledge, was the matter of wonder.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Luk 1:63. , a tablet) If the relics of the Gospel histories, which are usually shown, were as genuine as they are numerous, there is no doubt but that Providence would have preserved this tablet.-, , he wrote, saying) He wrote in these words: Luk 1:64.[17] Comp. 2Ki 10:1; 2Ki 10:6; 2Ch 21:12.-, John) The last writing in the Old Testament ends in , i.e. [lest I come and smite the earth with] a curse, Mal 4:6. This, the first instance of writing in the New Testament, begins with grace [John in Hebr. = the grace or favour of God].-, is) Zacharias does not so much command, as indicate the Divine commands.-, they marvelled) at the newness of the name, without precedent in the family, and at the unanimity of Zacharias and Elisabeth on the question of the name, though there had been no consultation between them, which must therefore have been the result, not of preconcerted design, but of a revelation, which had been vouchsafed to each of the two.
[17] This verse shows his mouth was not yet opened: therefore saying does not mean oral words.-ED. and TRANSL.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
a: Pro 3:3, Isa 30:8, Jer 17:1, Hab 2:2
His: Luk 1:13, Luk 1:60
Reciprocal: Gen 16:11 – shalt Hos 1:4 – Call Luk 1:20 – thou shalt
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
3
Zacharias had been dumb since the appearance of Gabriel (verse 20), hence his calling for a writing table which means a tablet. They marveled because Zacharias said the babe’s name is John, indicating that the matter had been previously decided, which it had been by the angel (verse 13).
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Luk 1:63. A writing tablet. A tablet smeared with wax, on which they wrote with a style (stylus), a sharp instrument adapted for the purpose, the usual mode in those days.
Saying. A Hebrew form of expression as applied to writing, but natural enough.
His name is John. Not shall be; the declaration of the angel (Luk 1:13) had already settled that question. Bengel: This first writing of the New Testament begins with grace (in allusion to the meaning of the name).
Marvelled. At this agreement of the father and the mother.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 63
Writing-table; writing tablet, corresponding somewhat to the slate of modern times. These tablets were made in various ways,–with a surface of some yielding substance, as wax or lead, on which the writing was traced with an iron point.