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.
And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. The law which required circumcision to be performed on the eighth day (Genesis 17:12) was so strictly observed, that it was done even on the Sabbath if it fell on that day; although it was of the nature of servile work, which on the Sabbath day was prohibited. See John 7:22-23; and Philippians 3:5.
And they called him. х ekaloun (G2564)] - rather, 'were calling,' that is, 'were going to call him ' Zacharias. The naming of children at baptism has its origin in this Jewish custom at circumcision (Genesis 21:3-4; Luke 2:21), and the names of Abram and Sarai were changed at its first performance (Genesis 17:5; Genesis 17:15).
After the name of his father.