Wouldn’t you have loved to observe the interaction between Zachariah and Elizabeth, his wife, right after Zechariah learned from an angel that he and Elizabeth, both of whom were senior adults, would actually have a baby? (See Luke 1:8-13). We can imagine Elizabeth’s amazement and tears of joy as she read Zechariah’s notes to her (see v. 20,25). Their boy, who would be named John and become known as John the Baptist, would grow up to serve God, influencing many to come to Him (see vv. 14-17).
After becoming pregnant, Elizabeth “kept herself in seclusion for five months” (v. 24). Luke’s account does not say why she did this, but when we consider all that had happened to her, we can understand that she would want to reflect on those events, as well as savor with gratitude all that God was doing, and all He would do with her son in the coming years. The likelihood of such reflection brings to mind Mary’s treasuring the events surrounding Jesus’ birth in her own heart (see 2:19,51).
After learning from the angel Gabriel that she would conceive and give birth to God’s Son, Mary soon journeyed to visit her relative Elizabeth, who was in the sixth month of her pregnancy (see 1:26-40). When Mary greeted her, John, still growing in his mother’s womb, “leaped inside her” (v. 41). Filled with God’s Spirit, Elizabeth exclaimed to Mary, “You are most blessed of women, and your child will be blessed” (v. 42).
Elizabeth “got it”! She understood that Mary was carrying God’s own Son. Humbled, she said, “How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (See v. 43.) The two women stayed together for three months (see v. 56), clearly encouraging each other and talking about their excitement, joys, and hopes—and their love for the God of Israel.
When John was born, Elizabeth resisted pressure from neighbors and friends that her son not be named John. The miracles surrounding John’s birth amazed all who heard what had happened (see vv. 57-66).
Copyright © 2015 B. Nathaniel Sullivan. All rights reserved.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations in this article are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.