59 On the eighth day they went to circumcise the child. They were going to name him Zechariah after his father,

60 but his mother said, "Absolutely not! He must be named John."

61 Their friends said to her, "None of your relatives has that name."

62 So they motioned to the baby's father to see what he wanted to name him.

63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And everyone was amazed.

64 Suddenly, Zechariah's mouth was opened, his tongue was set free, and he began to speak and to praise God.