(6)The Birth of John the Baptist
Luke 1:57-80
57Now when it came time for Elizabeth’s delivery, she gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
59And it came to pass, on the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child. And they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60But his mother spoke out, saying, “No! He shall be called John.”
61And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.” 62So they made signs to his father, to find out what he wanted him called. 63He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all marveled.
64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he spoke and praised God. 65Then fear came on all who lived around them; and all these things were proclaimed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66Everyone who heard of it stored it in their heart, wondering, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.
67His father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
68"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people. 69He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, 70as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began, 71that we would be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us, 72to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant, 73the oath which He swore to our father Abraham, 74in which He grants to us a deliverance out of the hand of our enemies that we may serve him without fear, 75in holiness and righteousness in His presence, all the days of our life. 76And you, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, 77to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the remission of their sins.78Through the tender mercy of our God, the Dayspring from on high has visited us, 79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he stayed in the deserts until the day of his appearance to Israel.
(6) The Birth of John the Baptist
Luke 1:57-80 (KJV)
57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. 65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. 66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. 67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.