Copyright 2019-2023 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy. 45 Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled. (K)50His mercy extends to those who fear him,from generation to generation. If Luke was writing to Gentiles, the name of this village would not have had any meaning, and thus was omitted as non-essential to his purpose. 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. * [1:5766] The birth and circumcision of John above all emphasize Johns incorporation into the people of Israel by the sign of the covenant (Gn 17:112). 72 and show faithful love to our ancestors, and so keep in mind his holy covenant. Ignatius Catholic Bible (RSV): Compact Edition - Imitation leather, Burgundy with Zipper, The Revised Standard Version Catholic Bible, Compact Ed. She would, by the miraculous action of the Holy Spirit, become pregnant, and her holy child would be called the Son of God (v. 35). The prophecy of Zachariah, both of Jesus, 76. and of John. This would even be true in the Jewish world of those days when our Lord added humanity to His deity and manifested Himself to men. 3 He said to them, 'Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and do not have a spare tunic. 80 Meanwhile the child grew up and his spirit grew strong. 37for nothing will be impossible for God.r Not only does she think biblically, she also expresses herself in biblical terms. For less than $5/mo. And so, too, will the greatness of Messiah and His ministry surpass that of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Messiah. While this may not refer only to the saving work which Messiah will come to accomplish, surely it includes it. How shallow our prayers and praise seem when compared with that of these two godly women. While this is true, this must be kept in its proper perspective. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb. The lofty will be put down and the humble will be exalted (vv. 56Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. If you donate just $5.00, or whatever you can, Catholic Online could keep thriving for years. Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! If there is any one concept which captures the spirit and the essence of Gods dealings with men it is the concept of grace. To those who lived far away from the Holy Land, the name of this unknown place was unimportant. While Christs coming meant more than saving men from their sins, this was the beginning, the prerequisite for all that He would accomplish. Now, it would appear that both mother and child were both filled with the Holy Spirit simultaneously. The Birth of John. Mary also understood the purposes of God as a plan which He had been carrying out throughout Israels history. 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. There is a also distinct parallel with the praise of Hannah in 1 Samuel chapter 2. (O)53He has filled the hungry with good things(P)but has sent the rich away empty.54He has helped his servant Israel,remembering to be merciful(Q)55to Abraham and his descendants(R) forever,just as he promised our ancestors.. Do Those Who Commit Suicide Go To Hell? The same principle applies on a different level. Composition Narrative. 51 He has used the power of his arm, he has routed the arrogant of heart. but has lifted up the humble. For less than $5/mo. Luke 1:39-56. John will go before the Lord (Lk 1:1617); Jesus will be Lord (Lk 1:43; 2:11). Matt. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In the Jewish world of Luke's days, there was much that women couldn't do or weren't allowed to do. She viewed history in the light of this plan. 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. Throughout the Old Testament, the miraculous ministries of Gods chosen instruments often began by a miraculous or unusual birth. Creed) accept this. He would be the Son of the Most High, who would be given the throne of His father David, from which He would rule (vv. 16and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. We find the first instance of his highlighting of women in our text in the first chapter of Lukes gospel, where the spotlight is directed toward two godly women. Matthew 23). Nevertheless, their praise was pleasing to God and it has been preserved for our edification. In short, Mary is the focus, not Elizabeth. 24After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, 59* When they came on the eighth day to circumciseh the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, Chapter 23 . 12 The sight disturbed Zechariah and he was overcome with fear. Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. writing to tell Elizabeth that she was coming and what the angel Gabriel had told her regarding her becoming the mother of Messiah). (2) Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and her words were a divinely inspired utterance. Elizabeths proclamation does not focus on the blessing of the child which she will bear (John), but on the blessing of God in the arrival of Mary, who is to be the mother of the Messiah. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.. Mary is not a model for disciples in being the mother of Messiah. 4. 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. Luke does tell us that Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country (1:39), which would suggest that there was not sufficient time for any communication to have occurred. 23Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. 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. 63He asked for a tablet and wrote, John is his name, and all were amazed. There is no mention in this account of how Messiah will come to earth. 10 And at the hour of incense all the people were outside, praying. Ps 18:46; Isa 17:10; 61:10; Hab 3:18; 1Ti 1:1; 2:3; 4:10, Ge 11:8; Ex 18:11; 2Sa 22:28; Jer 13:9; 49:16, NIV, Journal the Word Bible, Double-Column, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Reflect, Take Notes, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses, NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow Gods Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture, NIV, Beautiful Word Bible Journal, Revelation, Paperback, Comfort Print, NIV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NIV, The Woman's Study Bible, Full-Color, Red Letter: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation, NIV, Story of Jesus: Experience the Life of Jesus as One Seamless Story. Thus, Elizabeths praise served as further confirmation of Gabriels words. Is Divorce And Remarriage After Abuse, Neglect, Financial, Or Emotional Issues Okay. The births of Abraham (Genesis 12-21), Samuel (1 Samuel 1 & 2), and Samson (Judges 13), are examples of such miraculous births. g. [1:15] 7:33; Nm 6:121; Jgs 13:4; 1Sm 1:11 LXX. "For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;". These were the themes of the Old Testament prophets. Thus, it is used with reference to Nazareth (1:26), which was but a village. 17 The term which is rendered city (a city of Judah, v. 39) is one that is very broad, and does not really indicate the size of the place. 42cried out in a loud voice and said, Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.t Elizabeth already knew, believed, and rejoiced in the truth of God, spoken through Gabriel. Mary seems immediately to respond to the praise of Elizabeth by offering her own praise to God. Luke - Chapter 1. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. We must first very candidly admit that we are not told how Elizabeth learned what she affirmed by divine inspiration. * [1:34] Marys questioning response is a denial of sexual relations and is used by Luke to lead to the angels declaration about the Spirits role in the conception of this child (Lk 1:35). 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. * [1:69] A horn for our salvation: the horn is a common Old Testament figure for strength (Ps 18:3; 75:56; 89:18; 112:9; 148:14). 57. (4) In verses 51-55, Marys praise focuses on the faithfulness of God to His promises and His purposes, especially His covenant with Abraham and his descendants. We are studying Luke 1:39-56 for Sunday, December 22. By alluding to Old Testament themes in Lk 1:17, 19 such as the coming of the day of the Lord and the dawning of the messianic era, Luke is presenting his interpretation of the significance of the births of John and Jesus. Women seemed only fit for fixing meals and bearing children. These things are still future for us, as they were for Mary, for they will be accomplished at the second coming of our Lord. 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. (3) In verse 50 Marys praise broadens, viewing Gods grace to her as a reflection of His gracious purposes for His chosen people, Israel. We learn from the other gospel accounts that John was quick to acknowledge and proclaim the superiority of Christ (John 1:19-28), and thus to accept his secondary role as forerunner to the Messiah. This is the episode enshrined in western art and iconography as "the visitation," when Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, and is the occasion for Mary delivering the speech that has come to be known as "the Magnificat.". The poor will be helped, but the rich will be sent away (v. 53). Geldenhuys has remarked, It strikes us that Mary in this hymn does not utter a direct word in connection with the Son promised to her. (1) Mary is a model disciple in her faith in the word of God, and in her submission to the will of God. I believe that the similarity of the Magnificat to Hannas praise has the effect of encouraging Elizabeth, whose personal praise focuses on Mary, and not on her own joy in having a son in her old age. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. If a woman past the childbearing age could become pregnant, why, the angel implies, should there be doubt about Marys pregnancy, for nothing will be impossible for God. Start for FREE. Our praise during this Christmas season should especially be patterned after that of Mary, who did not focus on the tiny baby that she would soon hold in her arms, but in the God who sent Messiah and in the goal of His coming earth. Mary was totally free to share the details of the angels revelation, without any hesitation. 18 In our study of the book of Jonah, we concluded that Jonah typified the sin of Israel by his lack of compassion, his disobedience, his self-righteousness, and his refusal to repent. Luke 1:56 Catholic Bible The hungry will be fed and the well-fed will be hungry. 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. All that we see in these few phrases of praise points to the fact that Mary meditated on the word and on the works of God. Marys age, then, is not a significant issue to Luke. (L)51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;(M)he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. b. Mary saw her blessing as but an illustration, one instance of Gods grace, which leads her to praise God for His grace to all those who fear Him, from one generation to generation. But he could only make signs to them and remained dumb. Our salvation comes about in the same way that Marys baby was conceivedtotally by the sovereign work of God, apart from any effort which Mary might make. 16 and he will bring back many of the Israelites to the Lord their God. Finally, there are those who would accept the rendering of some obscure manuscripts14 and conclude that it was Elizabeth and not Mary, who was the composer of the magnificat,15 the praise hymn of verses 46-55. Mary viewed all of Gods dealings in the light of His grace; the religious leaders only thought in terms of human works. * [1:5] In the days of Herod, King of Judea: Luke relates the story of salvation history to events in contemporary world history. Men assumed the leadership roles, especially in spiritual matters. We have here an interview between the two happy mothers, Elisabeth and Mary: the angel, by intimating to Mary the favour bestowed on her cousin Elisabeth ( Luke 1:36 ), gave occasion for it; and sometimes it may prove a better piece of service that we think to bring good people together, to compare notes. 14 He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. 3 c Then Satan entered into Judas, * the one surnamed Iscariot, who was counted among the Twelve, d 4 and he went to the chief priests and temple guards to . 1 Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have reached their fulfilment among us, 2 as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, 3 I in my turn, after carefully going over the . It not only employs the terminology of the psalms, but the theology. Too often, I fear, we find ourselves performing before others, using our praise to speak to men, to convey some message to them, rather than to God. And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and He continued in to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart (Luke 2:51, emphasis mine).