Read Luke 1:57 – 66

THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
The circumcision ceremony was an important event to the family of a Jewish baby boy. God commanded circumcision when He was forming His holy nation and He reaffirmed it through Moses. This ceremony was a time of joy when friends and family members celebrated the baby’s becoming part of God’s covenant nation.
Family lines and family names were important to the Jews. The people naturally assumed the child would receive Zechariah’s name. Thus, they were surprised that both Elizabeth and Zechariah wanted to name the baby John. This was the name the angel gave them.