Luke 1:39 - Printer Friendly

ESV: In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,

NIV: At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,

NASB: Now at this time Mary set out and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah,

CSB: In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah

NLT: A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town

KJV: And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

NKJV: Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah,

Mary is an unmarried virgin who has just received miraculous news: that she will conceive and give birth to the very Son of God, through the work of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26–38). Her relative, Elizabeth (Luke 1:5–7), is the aging wife of a priest. They have also been given an amazing message, predicting the birth of their son (Luke 1:13–17). This child will come to be known as John the Baptist (Luke 3:2–3).

As part of his message, the angel Gabriel told Mary about Elizabeth's pregnancy (Luke 1:36). At this point, she is only a few months from delivery. That Mary went "with haste" speaks to her excitement. As soon as she arrives, the unborn child in Elizabeth's womb will recognize the presence of the also-unborn Jesus Christ in Mary's womb (Luke 1:41–42). This affirms that the angel's message to Mary implied she would conceive Jesus immediately (Luke 1:34–35).

Luke 1:39–56 contains Mary's visit with her relative, Elizabeth, and her resulting praise of God. Both women are miraculously pregnant. Despite her old age, Elizabeth is several months pregnant with a boy who will one day be known as John the Baptist (Luke 1:13). Mary, a virgin, has recently learned that God has conceived in her the Messiah, to be named Jesus (Luke 1:31). The unborn John reacts when he hears Mary's voice. Mary responds to this with extensive praise of God, calling Him her "Savior." After staying for a while—possibly until the birth of John—Mary returns home.

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.

Accessed 5/11/2024 2:51:36 PM