Luke 1:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying,

NIV: After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.

NASB: Now after these days his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying,

CSB: After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said,

NLT: Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months.

KJV: And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

NKJV: Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying,

Elizabeth is the wife of a priest, Zechariah. They are older, and childless, despite being known for their godly character (Luke 1:5–7). While serving his assigned term in the temple (Luke 1:8–10), Zechariah was visited by the angel Gabriel. The messenger of God indicated the couple would soon have a son, who would come to fulfill prophecies heralding the arrival of Messiah (Luke 1:11–17). Unfortunately, Zechariah's instinct was to doubt this, so he was rendered unable to speak (Luke 1:18–20).

Scripture doesn't say exactly how much Zechariah did—or could—tell his wife. Most likely, he told her everything, as there would be no reason to hold back. In that era, being childless was a tragic disadvantage, as well as a social embarrassment. Part of the blessing for this aging couple, and especially for Elizabeth, was the end of that social stigma (Luke 1:25).

Elizabeth's remarkable pregnancy, Zechariah's vision, and the resulting excitement are likely why she chose to remain in seclusion for several months. Whether or not she told others about who her son would become is not clear.

Luke 1:5–25 explains how Elizabeth, the childless wife of a priest, learns that she will give birth to a prophet. This child will eventually be known as John the Baptist. Her husband, Zechariah, learns this from an angel but doubts due to his advanced age. As a result, he is rendered temporarily mute, and likely deaf as well (Luke 1:62). As predicted, he and Elizabeth conceive and await the birth of their son. This occurs several months before Elizabeth's relative, Mary, receives even more amazing news from an angel.

The angel Gabriel predicts two miraculous births. The first is a son born to Zechariah and Elizabeth: an older, childless priest and his wife. Because Zechariah initially doubts this message, he is temporarily made unable to speak. Their child will be known as John the Baptist, a powerful herald of the Messiah. The Promised One whom John will proclaim is the second birth predicted by Gabriel. He tells an engaged virgin, Mary, that God will miraculously conceive His Son in her. The two women meet and rejoice over their blessings. John's arrival sets the stage for Luke's familiar account of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Luke was a travelling companion of the apostle Paul (Acts 16:10); his book of Acts is a direct "sequel" to the gospel of Luke (Acts 1:1–3). Those two books make up more than a quarter of the New Testament. Luke begins by explaining how his orderly approach is meant to inspire confidence in Christian faith. His work is based on eyewitness interviews and other evidence. The first chapter details the miraculous conceptions of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Chapter 2 continues with Jesus' birth.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.