Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 1:59

"And it came to pass on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of the father." — Luke 1:59 (ASV)

These verses give the impression that no one in the neighborhood knew of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. On one level, the “joy” is over Elizabeth’s emergence from the shadow of childlessness; on another, it accords with the messianic joy of vv.44, 46.

Circumcision on the eighth day (v.59) was in accord with Ge 17:9–14. Luke offers no explanation as to why the child had not been publicly named at birth (perhaps it was a Hellenistic custom to wait a week). In any event there was obviously a considerable audience for the naming at the circumcision. To choose a name after a baby’s grandfather or father, especially if one of them was highly esteemed, was natural (v.61). The objection from Elizabeth (v.60) was against custom and was apparently discounted, probably because she was a woman.