56And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home. While some think that they will be a Christian by trying harder to live a good life they need to learn that becoming a Christian, being born again is illustrated by the birth of Marys child, while trying to be religious through good works is illustrated by the birth of John the Baptist. First, it should be noted that there are several things which Luke has not told us, which we might like to know, but will not find in this inspired account. 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. 40 She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. * [1:6879] Like the canticle of Mary (Lk 1:4655) the canticle of Zechariah is only loosely connected with its context. Let us ponder them. Luke is well-known for his high regard for women and for the prominence which he gives them in his two accounts. 98% of our readers don't give; they simply look the other way. 79 to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow dark as death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Priestly division of Abijah: a reference to the eighth of the twenty-four divisions of priests who, for a week at a time, twice a year, served in the Jerusalem temple. Luke 1:38 And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to thy word. 8-9). The particular focus of the announcement of the birth of Jesus is on his identity as Son of David (Lk 1:3233) and Son of God (Lk 1:32, 35). 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 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. She may even have wondered whether or not to tell of her visit by the angel Gabriel. Marys praise began with her own experience, but quickly linked this with Gods character and actions in the past (His ways) and then with His covenant and promises regarding the future. (5) Marys praise serves as an encouragement to Elizabeth, just as Elizabeths praise was an encouragement to her. [1:48] 11:27; 1Sm 1:11; 2Sm 16:12; 2Kgs 14:26; Ps 113:7. z. CHAPTER 22. The same principle applies on a different level. Here is, You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. 62So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. Free Reading Plans and Devotionals related to Luke 1:39-56. 63 The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, 'His name is John.' Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.f 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. In verse 48 her blessedness is viewed as the result of Gods grace. In His first coming, Messiah came to reveal God to men, and to accomplish eternal redemption for all who would believe. 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. When you ponder the specific results of Messiahs incarnation as outlined in Marys Magnificat they have to do with what we know of as Christs second coming, more than with His first coming. Mary was not sinless; recognized her need for a Savior. 3I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, They strained the gnats but they swallowed the camels. This is not so. Not only does she think biblically, she also expresses herself in biblical terms. In the course of Zacharias priestly duties, it fell his lot to have the high privilege of offering the incense at the temple of the Lord (vv. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1975 [reprint]), p. 84. Making use of a formal, literary construction and vocabulary, the author writes the prologue in imitation of Hellenistic Greek writers and, in so doing, relates his story about Jesus to contemporaneous Greek and Roman literature. 57. 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. * [1:45] Blessed are you who believed: Luke portrays Mary as a believer whose faith stands in contrast to the disbelief of Zechariah (Lk 1:20). Mary: The Expecting Momma. [1:51] Ps 89:10; 118:15; Jer 32:17 (39:17 LXX). Romans chapter 7). The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Luke 1:39-56 . 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Daily Readings with Questions for Reflection, RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. There are those who have distorted the truth of Gods word about Mary, and rather than regarding her blessed above all women, have honored her as above mankind, worshipping her and praying to her as though she were on the level of deity, or even above Messiah. There is no mention as to whether or not Mary was pregnant when she first arrived at the home of Elizabeth and Zachariah. Elizabeth already knew, believed, and rejoiced in the truth of God, spoken through Gabriel. . 64Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.j When Gabriel announced the miraculous virgin birth of Messiah through Mary to this young16 peasant girl, he informed her of Elizabeths pregnancy, indicating that this was a sign of Gods ability to achieve the impossible (Luke 1:36-37). 13 But the angel said to him, 'Zechariah, do not be afraid, for your prayer has been heard. Herod the Great, the son of the Idumean Antipater, was declared King of Judea by the Roman Senate in 40 B.C., but became the undisputed ruler of Palestine only in 37 B.C. That which she speaks far surpasses what we are told Gabriel said to Zacharias. His self-righteousness is evident in the psalm of chapter 2, which dwells on his dilemma, his danger, and his deliverance, but not on God. Luke - Chapter 1. 63He asked for a tablet and wrote, John is his name, and all were amazed. This is not the way men are saved, however. 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. b. Mary does not in any way view herself as better or holier than anyone else. And so, too, will the greatness of Messiah and His ministry surpass that of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Messiah. "May your word to me be fulfilled.". How many Apostles were there? 4 so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received. 17He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah* to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.h The question which this raises is what is meant by the use of the a past tense. Luis A. Zazano May 30, 2021. 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. Whether or not Elizabeth and Mary had any previous communication before Marys arrival. he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 11 Then there appeared to him the angel of the Lord, standing on the right of the altar of incense. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. When one thinks of the women of the ancient world, our first emotional response is usually pity. (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.. Much, perhaps most, of these things will be fulfilled in the second coming of Messiah, rather than in His first coming. After indicating his purpose for writing this gospel in verses 1-4, Luke immediately commenced his account by introducing Zacharias, the father-to-be of John the Baptist. Our praise tends to be based almost exclusively on our pleasant and pleasurable experiences. Luke 1:39-56 - Scripture (NRSV Bible) Mary Visits Elizabeth 39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ii. The did not have any children, however, and now that they were advanced in age, it would take a miracle for them ever to do so. God does the work of producing life in us, just as He brought about life in Mary. 13:9). We cannot say for certain, but we can affirm at this moment that all that she said was divinely inspired. 15 FRom the first word of her hymn of praise in the Vulgate translation, this hymn is known as the Magnificat. From the earliest times it has been used in the praises of the Christian church. Norval Geldenhuys, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, The New International Commentary on the New Testament Series (Grand Rapids: Wm. The Lord is with you.m 8 Now it happened that it was the turn of his section to serve, and he was exercising his priestly office before God. Whether or not Mary was present when John was born. Luis A. Zazano May 30, 2021. written by Fr. 15for he will be great in the sight of [the] Lord. Indeed, it would seem that in the case of Elizabeth, if not also Mary, her spirituality surpassed that of her husband. Our praise, like that of Elizabeth and Mary, should not only seek to exalt God, but also to edify those who may hear it. 51 He has used the power of his arm, he has routed the arrogant of heart. Marys role as believer in the infancy narrative should be seen in connection with the explicit mention of her presence among those who believed after the resurrection at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:14). Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is my opinion that the town in which Elizabeth and her husband lived was merely a village, too. The very moment she entered the house and gave a customary greeting, Elizabeth blessed Mary as the mother of her Lord. The connection of the phrase with the house of David gives the title messianic overtones and may indicate an allusion to a phrase in Hannahs song of praise (1Sm 2:10), the horn of his anointed.. He is cast, moreover, in the role of the Old Testament fiery reformer, the prophet Elijah, who according to Mal 3:23 (Mal 4:5) is sent before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.. 57 The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; 58 and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had lavished on her his faithful love, they shared her joy. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Yes, from now onwards all generations will call me blessed. 1Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us,a 14:26a). It is my opinion is that Mary became pregnant during the time she way staying with Elizabeth and Zachariah. 2. Catholic Online. 67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: 68 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people, he has set them free. 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. Luke 1:39-45. In both the angel Gabriel appears to the parent who is troubled by the vision (Lk 1:1112, 2629) and then told by the angel not to fear (Lk 1:13, 30). * [1:52:52] Like the Gospel according to Matthew, this gospel opens with an infancy narrative, a collection of stories about the birth and childhood of Jesus. 35And the angel said to her in reply, The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Chapter 1 . 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and . She is a woman who had a good grasp of what God was doing in history and in society. (:48a) State of Elevation from Humble Standing. She knows the true mystery beyond His death so she bear it. (1) Elizabeth seems to praise Mary before Mary has had any opportunity to explain anything to her. The bore the added social stigma of having no children. 5 In the days of King Herod of Judaea there lived a priest called Zechariah who belonged to the Abijah section of the priesthood, and he had a wife, Elizabeth by name, who was a descendant of Aaron. The hungry will be fed and the well-fed will be hungry. 76 And you, little child, you shall be called Prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare a way for him. 64 At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. God looked upon her humble estate with compassion; consequently she will be esteemed blessed by all future generations (v. 48). c. [1:52] 1Sm 2:7; 2Sm 22:28; Jb 5:11; 12:19; Ps 147:6; Sir 10:14; Jas 4:6; 1Pt 5:5. f. [1:55] Gn 13:15; 17:7; 18:18; 22:1718; Mi 7:20. k. [1:68] 7:16; Ps 41:13; 72:18; 106:48; 111:9. n. [1:7273] Gn 17:7; Lv 26:42; Ps 105:89; Mi 7:20. r. [1:76] Is 40:3; Mal 3:1; Mt 3:3; 11:10. The Birth of John. Most people donate because Catholic Online is useful. 50 and his faithful love extends age after age to those who fear him. * [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). 18Then Zechariah said to the angel, How shall I know this? 60but his mother said in reply, No. 6Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. 41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 4. * [1:14] The Gospel according to Luke is the only one of the synoptic gospels to begin with a literary prologue. Mary visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56) With the time drawing near when Elizabeth would give birth, Mary travelled south to visit her. The things which Luke does not tell us ought not to be our primary concern, to deal with them as unsolved mysteries, for which we must have an answer. As the apostle Paul put it, let all things be done for edification (1 Cor.
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