Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 1:63

"And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all." — Luke 1:63 (ASV)

Luke’s description of Zechariah here suggests he may have been deaf as well as mute. The relatives and neighbors made signs to which he responded on a waxed writing tablet (v.63). The present tense in the statement “His name is John” has the ring of deliberate emphasis.