29But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. (2) Marys praise begins with her grateful response to the grace God has shown to her, a humble servant of the Lord. Mary left almost immediately for the home of Elizabeth and Zacharias, and the journey may have taken some time. 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. 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. they wondered. (L)51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;(M)he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. First, our text has much to teach us on the subject of women, their spirituality, and their worship. THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO LUKE [22:14-23:56] The people may sit for the first part of the . Mary is a model disciple. The women seemed only fit for fixing meals and bearing children. Second, the praise of Elizabeth and Mary provide us with a model for our own worship and praise. From now on all generations will call me blessed. The gospel in Luke 1:39-56 is the manifestation of the feast of the assumption. As a second- or third-generation Christian, Luke acknowledges his debt to earlier eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, but claims that his contribution to this developing tradition is a complete and accurate account, told in an orderly manner, and intended to provide Theophilus (friend of God, literally) and other readers with certainty about earlier teachings they have received. * [1:14] The Gospel according to Luke is the only one of the synoptic gospels to begin with a literary prologue. 56Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. "For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;". 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. The Canticle of Zechariah. This is not so. 16 The term young is used with some caution, for it is only tradition that teaches us Mary was a young, girl, a teen. Even this is a manifestation of Gods grace, for at this early point in time such knowledge would only have caused Mary unnecessary and premature pain. But he could only make signs to them and remained dumb. They strained the gnats but they swallowed the camels. The degree to which women were degraded was that to which their husbands and their culture stooped. Simeons words in chapter 2 (v. 35) allude to this pain, but do not explain what its cause will be. 24 Some time later his wife Elizabeth conceived and for five months she kept to herself, saying, 25 'The Lord has done this for me, now that it has pleased him to take away the humiliation I suffered in public.'. Elizabeth also readily acknowledged the superior blessing bestowed on Mary, and rejoiced in it. . Women may be limited so far as their public ministry is concerned, but not so far as their spirituality and intimacy with God is concerned. 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. Chapter 23 . The nativity and circumcision of John. I believe that Charles Talbert is correct in viewing Mary as a model disciple.21 Let us consider some of the ways in which Mary provides us with a model of discipleship. 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. It seems to me that this is a very significant fact. Mary viewed all of Gods dealings in the light of His grace; the religious leaders only thought in terms of human works. Let us ponder them. Mary seems immediately to respond to the praise of Elizabeth by offering her own praise to God. Nevertheless, girls were married young in those days, and it is thus likely true that Mary was quite young. 1 The whole assembly then rose, and they brought him before Pilate. The poor will be helped, but the rich will be sent away (v. 53). 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. get to know the Bible better! 1 a Now the feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, * was drawing near, 2 b and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way to put him to death, for they were afraid of the people. 56 Mary stayed with her some three months and then went home. He was gesturing to them but remained mute. Elizabeth was the wife of an obscure priest. writing to tell Elizabeth that she was coming and what the angel Gabriel had told her regarding her becoming the mother of Messiah). He continued as king until his death in 4 B.C. Elizabeths immediate response to Marys arrival might be explained by some previous communication between the two (e.g. While this may not refer only to the saving work which Messiah will come to accomplish, surely it includes it. Resume Prayer. She looks forward to the ultimate righteousness which will be established when Messiah reigns on the throne of David. We but need to believe and to accept Gods work, but we must leave the working to Him, and not to ourselves. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. * He will be filled with the holy Spirit even from his mothers womb,g 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! When Mary asks a similar question in Lk 1:34, unlike Zechariah who was punished for his doubt, she, in spite of her doubt, is praised and reassured (Lk 1:3537). * [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. 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. 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. 65Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. Marys Magnificat reveals the depth of her grasp of Gods grace, which is not only shown to her, but to all the people of God, and from generation to generation. 30Then the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 16and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. There is a also distinct parallel with the praise of Hannah in 1 Samuel chapter 2. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. In verse 48 her blessedness is viewed as the result of Gods grace. Luke's two-part narrative, his Gospel and his Acts of the Apostles, gives a somewhat different perspective on Jesus' final days from the narratives of Matthew, Mark, or John. 21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were surprised that he stayed in the sanctuary so long. In His ministry the Lord Jesus would expand on he social themes of Marys Magnificat: And turning His gaze on His disciples, He began to say, Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 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. Basketweave Black/Burgandy Bonded Leather, The Official Catholic Scripture Study International Bible, Largeprint, Bonded Leather, Black - Slightly Imperfect, RSV Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament 2nd Edition. It not only employs the terminology of the psalms, but the theology. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.f These were the themes of the Old Testament prophets. In this parallelism, the ascendency of Jesus over John is stressed: John is prophet of the Most High (Lk 1:76); Jesus is Son of the Most High (Lk 1:32). Peter momentarily forgot that the gospel is inseparably linked with certain social obligations, and thus Paul had to rebuke him (cf. In His rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus constantly referred to these great themes, and to the fact that legalistic Judaism violated them (cf. Announcement of the Birth of Jesus. Indeed, it would seem that in the case of Elizabeth, if not also Mary, her spirituality surpassed that of her husband. * [1:17] He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah: John is to be the messenger sent before Yahweh, as described in Mal 3:12. Start for FREE. As we conclude, let me suggest some specific applications of our text. 20But now you will be speechless and unable to talk* until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.j, 21Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. Show the volunteers who bring you reliable, Catholic information that their work matters. 1 The feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was now drawing near, 2 and the chief priests and the scribes were looking for some way of doing away with him, because they were afraid of the people. Bridgeway Bible Commentary. 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. He even encouraged his disciples to leave him and to follow Christ (John 1:35-37). Zacharias faith wavered, and he consequently asked for some sign, some proof that the promise of the angel would be fulfilled. From now on all generations will call me blessed. (5) Marys praise serves as an encouragement to Elizabeth, just as Elizabeths praise was an encouragement to her. 7 But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both advanced in years. The naming of the child John and Zechariahs recovery from his loss of speech should be understood as fulfilling the angels announcement to Zechariah in Lk 1:13, 20. 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. 44 Look, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. 78 because of the faithful love of our God in which the rising Sun has come from on high to visit us. 38 Mary said, 'You see before you the Lord's servant, let it happen to me as you have said.' In the course of performing his duty, the angel Gabriel appeared to him while he was inside the holy place. Mary may have wondered how Elizabeth would respond to the news she had to share. Mary does not in any way view herself as better or holier than anyone else. (L)51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;(M)he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. And the angel departed from her. Instead, we must focus on the things which Luke has included, for these point to the thrust of his argument. While Christs coming meant more than saving men from their sins, this was the beginning, the prerequisite for all that He would accomplish. (5) Mary is a model disciple in her grasp of the purposes and promises of God. 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord(D) should come to me? 67Then Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: 68* Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people.k, 69* He has raised up a horn for our salvation. 80 Meanwhile the child grew up and his spirit grew strong. 33and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.p (3) Mary is a model disciple in her grasp of the grace of God, and in her gratitude toward God for bestowing grace on her. To those who lived far away from the Holy Land, the name of this unknown place was unimportant. (3) Elizabeths praise is not for her personal fulfillment and blessing in the bearing of a child, but in the blessing bestowed on her by the visit of Mary. 12Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. 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. Verses 39-56. 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth. get to know the Bible better! 52 He has pulled down princes from their thrones and raised high the lowly. (3) In verse 50 Marys praise broadens, viewing Gods grace to her as a reflection of His gracious purposes for His chosen people, Israel. Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE), Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition. 4 so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received. This would put her departure very close to the time of Johns birth, and reasons have been suggested for identifying the time of her departure either just before or just after the birth of John. * [1:4655] Although Mary is praised for being the mother of the Lord and because of her belief, she reacts as the servant in a psalm of praise, the Magnificat. . 44For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. Mary stayed with her some three months and then returned home angel Gabriel had told her her. Just as elizabeths praise was an encouragement to her these point to the praise of Elizabeth by offering her praise... True that Mary was quite young the journey may have wondered how Elizabeth would to! 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