Apparently Mary left Nazareth shortly after Gabriel’s announcement to her. Her trip south to Elizabeth’s home somewhere in the hill country of Judah would probably have covered 50 to 70 miles and taken three or four days. read more
3. Mary’s visit to Elizabeth 1:39-56This section brings the parallel stories of John’s birth and Jesus’ birth together. The two sons had their own identities and individual greatness, but Jesus was superior. John began his ministry of exalting Jesus in his mother’s womb. read more
Elizabeth was then at least six months pregnant (Luke 1:36). She regarded the fact that John "leaped" in her womb as an indication of his joy that Mary, who would bear the Messiah, had come for a visit. The Holy Spirit also came upon Elizabeth then enabling her to greet Mary as the mother of Messiah. The Spirit evidently gave her intuitive or revelatory understanding of Mary’s role. She uttered her benedictions loudly in joyful praise to God and because of the Spirit’s impelling. "Blessed"... read more
By "Lord" Elizabeth meant Jesus, not the entire Godhead. Consequently the Bible never ascribes the title "Mother of God" to Mary. She was the mother of Jesus, who was Elizabeth’s Lord, since He was God.Luke used the title "Lord" 95 times out of its 166 occurrences in the Synoptics. [Note: Gaston, p. 76.] "The use of kurios in narrative to refer to Jesus is distinctive of Luke." [Note: Marshall, The Gospel . . ., p. 81.] This title has a double meaning. It is the word the Septuagint used to... read more
Elizabeth related to Mary what Luke had already told the reader about John leaping in her womb (Luke 1:41). She then announced Mary’s privileged condition. It was not just that she would bear the Messiah, but that she believed that she would bear Him when God announced that to her through Gabriel (cf. Acts 27:25).The structure of Luke 1:41-45 focuses attention on the fact that Mary would be the mother of the Messiah.A John’s leaping in Elizabeth’s womb Luke 1:41B Elizabeth’s blessing of Mary... read more
Mary’s reply to Elizabeth was also an inspired utterance. This "Magnificat" has strong connections with Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. However it also alludes to at least 12 other Old Testament passages. [Note: Alfred Plummer, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to St. Luke, pp. 30-31.] Mary’s familiarity with the Old Testament shows her love for God and His Word. A striking feature of this poem is the fact that Mary viewed God as overthrowing... read more
Mary probably considered her lowly social and personal position her humble estate. Again she referred to herself as the Lord’s servant (Luke 1:38). All generations of people would regard her as specially favored by God because He chose her to give birth to His Son. This verse gives the reasons Mary exalted and rejoiced in God (Luke 1:46-47). With Mary, God had begun to exalt the lowly (cf. Genesis 30:13; 1 Samuel 1:11). This exaltation would find full expression in Jesus’ messianic reign. read more
The second strophe (Luke 1:49-50) glorifies God for His power, holiness, and mercy. Here are more reasons future generations would call Mary blessed. The Mighty One had done great things for her (cf. Psalms 24:8; Zephaniah 3:17). Furthermore His name (i.e., His person) is holy. God is holy or different from humans in that He is high above all others, especially in His moral and ethical perfection (cf. Psalms 99:3; Psalms 103:1; Psalms 111:9; Isaiah 57:15). read more
God’s mercy (Gr. eleos) balances His power and holiness (Psalms 103:17; cf. Matthew 23:23). The Greek word eleos translates the Hebrew hesed, meaning "loyal love," in the Septuagint. His mercy refers to His compassion, specifically on those with whom He has entered into covenant relationship. Those who fear God reverence and trust Him. read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 1:26-56
B. The announcement of Jesus’ birth 1:26-56This section parallels the one immediately preceding (Luke 1:5-25). Their forms are so similar that Luke must have arranged them to bring out the similarities between them. Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus as he had John’s birth. Again the fact of a divinely initiated birth announcement shows the unique significance of the individual to be born. In the preceding section the father was the main figure, but in this one the mother is."Luke presents... read more