Luke 1:59-66
Would have called ( εκαλουν ). Conative imperfect, tried to call.Made signs ( ενενευον ). Imperfect tense, repeated action as usual when making signs. In 1:22 the verb used of Zacharias is διανευων.
What he would have him called ( το τ αν θελο καλεισθα αυτο ). Note article το with the indirect question, accusative of general reference. The optative with αν is here because it was used in the direct question (cf. Ac 17:18), and is simply retained in the indirect.
What would he wish him to be called? ( if he could speak), a conclusion of the fourth-class condition.
Tablet ( πινακιδιον ). Diminutive of πινακις. In Aristotle and the papyri for writing tablet, probably covered with wax. Sometimes it was a little table, like Shakespeare's "the table of my memory" (Hamlet, i.5). It was used also of a physician's note-book.
Wrote, saying ( εγραψεν λεγων ). Hebrew way of speaking (2Ki 10:6).
Immediately ( παραχρημα ). Nineteen times in the N.T., seventeen in Luke.
Opened ( ανεωιχθη ). First aorist passive indicative with double augment. The verb suits "mouth," but not "tongue" ( γλωσσα ). It is thus a zeugma with tongue. Loosed or some such verb to be supplied.
Fear ( φοβος ). Not terror, but religious awe because of contact with the supernatural as in the case of Zacharias (1:12). Were noised abroad ( διελαλειτο ). Imperfect passive. Occurs in Polybius. In the N.T. only here and Lu 6:11. It was continuous talk back and forth between ( δια ) the people.
What then ( τ αρα ). With all these supernatural happenings they predicted the marvellous career of this child. Note Τ,
what, not Τις,
who. Cf. Ac 12:18.
They laid them up ( εθεντο, second aorist middle indicative) as Mary did (2:19).
The hand of the Lord ( χειρ Κυριου ). Luke's explanation in addition to the supernatural events. The expression occurs only in Luke's writing (Ac 11:21; 13:11).
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