25So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.k. The Canticle of Zechariah. Used by permission. For less than $5/mo. 41 Now it happened that as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Thus, it is used with reference to Nazareth (1:26), which was but a village. 1. There is no such thing as a purely 'spiritual' love. Elizabeth was the wife of an obscure priest. The question which this raises is what is meant by the use of the a past tense. 53The hungry he has filled with good things; 55according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.f. 2just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,b 12Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. Copyright 2019 by Zondervan. Thank you. 40 She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. My opinion is that deliverances which are described have already been demonstrated in Israels history, to some degree, but that they will finally and fully be realized in the future, as a result of Messiahs coming. The Wonder Of Christmas. The immediate faith and submission of Mary, a simple and very young peasant girl, to the will of God is contrasted with the hesitant request of Zachariah for a sign, a man who was a priest all his many years of life. 32-33). The gospel in Luke 1:39-56 is a clear manifestation that Mary during he life supported her Son to the very end. 53 He has filled the starving with good things, sent the rich away empty. It is largely, however, the composition of Luke who writes in imitation of Old Testament birth stories, combining historical and legendary details, literary ornamentation and interpretation of scripture, to answer in advance the question, Who is Jesus Christ? The focus of the narrative, therefore, is primarily christological. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones. This brought a rebuke, and a temporary loss of speech, which nevertheless served as a sign to the people assembled at the temple that something very significant was about to happen. 11the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. The fact that the worship of these women was more restricted than that of men is no hindrance to their spiritual growth and development. * [1:15] He will drink neither wine nor strong drink: like Samson (Jgs 13:45) and Samuel (1Sm 1:11 LXX and 4QSama), John is to be consecrated by Nazirite vow and set apart for the Lords service. While there is some truth in the rather dismal picture which I have portrayed, it is not utterly so. Finally, we should strive to see beyond the birth of the baby to the end for which the child cameto restore and reconcile fallen men to God and to one another. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.i Luke 1:39-45. Our Lord was careful to show that being obedient to Gods will and His word were more important than being humanly related to Him: And a multitude was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You. And answering them, He said, Who are My mother and My brothers? And looking about on those who were sitting around Him, He said, Behold, My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother (Mark 3:31-35; cf. Salvation does not result from our efforts, which God miraculously blesses. 42 She gave a loud cry and said, 'Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Romans chapter 7). John the Baptist was born through the actions of Elizabeth and Zacharias, which God supernaturally brought to conception and birth. Elizabeths immediate response to Marys arrival might be explained by some previous communication between the two (e.g. get to know the Bible better! The marginal references in our Bibles indicate the many other allusions and parallels. Luke-Acts is a two-part historical account traditionally ascribed to Luke, who was believed to be a follower of Paul.The author of Luke-Acts noted that there were many accounts in circulation at the time of his writing, saying that these were eye-witness testimonies. The account presents parallel scenes (diptychs) of angelic announcements of the birth of John the Baptist and of Jesus, and of the birth, circumcision, and presentation of John and Jesus. They forget that all pious Israelites from their childhood days knew by heart songs from the Old Testament and often sang them in the home circle and at celebrations. . The very moment she entered the house and gave a customary greeting, Elizabeth blessed Mary as the mother of her Lord. * [1:19] I am Gabriel: the angel of the Lord is identified as Gabriel, the angel who in Dn 9:2025 announces the seventy weeks of years and the coming of an anointed one, a prince. 39-56) by informing us that Mary returned home after three months (v. 56). She knows the true mystery beyond His death so she bear it. 56Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; 33 he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end. Our praise tends to be based almost exclusively on our pleasant and pleasurable experiences. 2 as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word. Creed) accept this. 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers (56) And Mary abode with her about three months. Chapter 23 . Q. Men assumed the leadership roles, especially in spiritual matters. 54 He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his faithful love. Thus Mary quickly prepared and left to visit her relative living in an unnamed village17 in the hill country of Judah (v. 39). It is so strong that some are tempted to view Elizabeth as the composer of the Magnificat, and not Mary. 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. We arent told that the angel informed Mary that the child which was to be born to Elizabeth was to be the forerunner of Messiah. 8-9). Luke does not tell us of any such communication, and the readers impression tends to be that there was no communication prior to her arrival, at least so far as Marys visitation by the angel. Mary was not sinless; recognized her need for a Savior. 69 and he has established for us a saving power in the House of his servant David. 74 that he would grant us, free from fear, to be delivered from the hands of our enemies. 12 The sight disturbed Zechariah and he was overcome with fear. Nevertheless, their praise was pleasing to God and it has been preserved for our edification. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. Just as Marys response surpasses that of Zachariah, so the greatness of the miracle of the virgin birth of Messiah will exceed the miracle which produces a son for the elderly priest and his wife. 'What will this child turn out to be?' She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. ', 34 Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?'. It is not at all surprising to find that the births of both John and Jesus are miraculous, for the lives of both are miraculous. Zacharias returned home to his wife, who kept herself in seclusion for five months (vv. * [1:3637] The sign given to Mary in confirmation of the angels announcement to her is the pregnancy of her aged relative Elizabeth. Bible Study Summary with Questions The Worship of Two Women Disciples. For less than $5/mo. She looks forward to the ultimate righteousness which will be established when Messiah reigns on the throne of David. Mary may not be all that some have held her to be, but she is a magnificent model of discipleship. These things are still future for us, as they were for Mary, for they will be accomplished at the second coming of our Lord. In particular, instead of praising God for His mercy and compassion, as the psalmists and Mary do, Jonah protests against the grace and mercy of God in the final chapter of the book. 12:46-50; Luke 8:19-21). Rather than having to try to explain to Elizabeth what the angel had said to her about the virgin birth of her son, Messiah, Mary learned that Elizabeth already knew. The miracle of the virgin birth, which is the basis and the starting point of the praise of these two women, is analogous to the miracle of the new birth which every man, woman, and child must experience to have eternal life and to live the kind of life which our Lord requires. When one thinks of the women of the ancient world, our first emotional response is usually pity. Her whole hymn is inspired by this fact.20. Nevertheless, it is our conviction that the principles of the New Testament church are as relevant and binding today as they were in Pauls day. Announcement of the Birth of John. get to know the Bible better! For less than $5/mo. Lk 1:76 where John is described as prophet of the Most High. Most High is a title for God commonly used by Luke (Lk 1:35, 76; 6:35; 8:28; Acts 7:48; 16:17). The poor will be helped, but the rich will be sent away (v. 53). 62 and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me holy is his name. All rights reserved. 7 But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both advanced in years. 78 because of the faithful love of our God in which the rising Sun has come from on high to visit us. Mary viewed all of Gods dealings in the light of His grace; the religious leaders only thought in terms of human works. 46v And Mary said:*, My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;w. 48For he has looked upon his handmaids lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.y. (5) Mary is a model disciple in her grasp of the purposes and promises of God. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Yet Ryries Notes Say Otherwise. Mary Visits Elizabeth. * [1:43] Even before his birth, Jesus is identified in Luke as the Lord. Yet the worship of both of these women is such that they are models for all true disciples of our Lord. 59* When they came on the eighth day to circumciseh the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, 45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!, My soul glorifies the Lord(F)47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,(G)48for he has been mindfulof the humble state of his servant. I will not pursue this in any detail here, but let me point out several areas of contrast between Marys theology, her understanding of the Old Testament, and that of the scribes and Pharisees. We must seek to dwell much more on the character of God, of His covenant promises, and of His working in history, as well as in the future. We need by read the final chapter of the book of Proverbs to see that women, at least biblically, were given great privileges and responsibilities. 79to shine on those who sit in darkness and deaths shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace., 80The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.u. Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! Version. Whether or not Elizabeth and Mary had any previous communication before Marys arrival. The honour that Elizabeth gave to Mary at their meeting was symbolic of the honour that John would give to Jesus ( Luke 1:39-45 ). She may have been rehearsing what she would say to Elizabeth when she first saw her. Copyright 2019-2023 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy. 66All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. Revelation 21 Seems To Be After The Millennium Where It Says There Will Be No Pain Or Tears. * [1:20] You will be speechless and unable to talk: Zechariahs becoming mute is the sign given in response to his question in v. 18. John will go before the Lord (Lk 1:1617); Jesus will be Lord (Lk 1:43; 2:11). (H)From now on all generations will call me blessed,(I)49for the Mighty One has done great things(J) for meholy is his name. When we look back at Lukes report of what Zacharias was told by Gabriel, it was simply that the son God was giving him and his wife would be the forerunner of Messiah. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among . 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