1:57–66 The accounts of the birth and naming of John the Baptist contain a few interesting features. Apparently Elizabeth’s neighbors and relatives were not aware of her pregnancy (v. 58; according to v. 24 she had been in seclusion), for when they hear of the birth of her son (v. 57), they then realize that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy (v. 58). This rejoicing fulfills the prophecy of v. 14. Because of her advanced age and history of infertility, her bearing a child would no doubt have amazed everyone who heard of it. Although it is not a Jewish custom to name a child at the time of his circumcision, a formal announcement of the child’s name at that time was not unusual. It appears that in the week following John’s birth, the neighbors and relatives of Elizab…