Luke 1:44 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

NIV: As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

NASB: For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.

CSB: For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me.

NLT: When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.

KJV: For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

NKJV: For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

The child who will one day be known as John the Baptist (Luke 3:2–3) is a few months from being born (Luke 1:36). Mary, a virgin (Luke 1:26–27) bearing the Son of God (Luke 1:31–33), has only just become pregnant. And yet, when Mary arrives at the home of Elizabeth (Luke 1:39–40), both mother and unborn child respond to her presence in dramatic ways. John "leaps" when Mary speaks, and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41–42). She is inspired to celebrate Mary's pregnancy, despite there being no sign of it, yet, and Mary having not told her the news.

Elizabeth also realizes that the Child carried by Mary is her "Lord." Her own son is predicted to be a herald of the Messiah (Luke 1:14–17). The Baby carried in Mary's womb is that Promised One (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7). She tells Mary about the way John reacted to Jesus' presence. She will continue to compliment Mary for her faithful response to this news (Luke 1:45). Elizabeth's own husband, Zechariah, initially doubted (Luke 1:18–20), while Mary reacted in humble faith (Luke 1:34, 38).

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 3:03:12 PM