The Birth of John. Bible. Finally, there are those who would accept the rendering of some obscure manuscripts14 and conclude that it was Elizabeth and not Mary, who was the composer of the magnificat,15 the praise hymn of verses 46-55. (2) Marys praise begins with her grateful response to the grace God has shown to her, a humble servant of the Lord. * [1:43] Even before his birth, Jesus is identified in Luke as the Lord. Both reach out in love and rejoice in the work of God in their live. Gal. Mary may have wondered how Elizabeth would respond to the news she had to share. The other, Mary, responds to this word of prophecy in her song saying: "All generations will call me blessed" (Lk 1 : 48). 39 Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could into the hill country to a town in Judah. 3 c Then Satan entered into Judas, * the one surnamed Iscariot, who was counted among the Twelve, d 4 and he went to the chief priests and temple guards to . How shallow our prayers and praise seem when compared with that of these two godly women. The bore the added social stigma of having no children. She would have been separated from Joseph, while at the same time being chaperoned by Elizabeth and Zachariah. 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. Bible . 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. 44For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. 29 She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean. * [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. She did not have any social standing due to her parentage or class, nor even the dignity of Elizabeth and Zacharias age. d. [1:7] Gn 18:11; Jgs 13:25; 1Sm 1:56. One cannot read the Magnificat of Mary without realizing that she has drawn deeply from the terminology and the theology of the Old Testament. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. John the Baptist was born through the actions of Elizabeth and Zacharias, which God supernaturally brought to conception and birth. For less than $5/mo. 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord(D) should come to me? 14 He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth. She would, by the miraculous action of the Holy Spirit, become pregnant, and her holy child would be called the Son of God (v. 35). Start for FREE. 4 He approached the chief priests and the . 34But Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?* The Bible requires that men live a life which is miraculous, a life that is humanly impossible (cf. In all of these cases we must remember that Luke purposefully chose, under the guidance and control of the Holy Spirit, either to include or to exclude various details. 5In the days of Herod, King of Judea,* there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.c . Peter momentarily forgot that the gospel is inseparably linked with certain social obligations, and thus Paul had to rebuke him (cf. 8 Now it happened that it was the turn of his section to serve, and he was exercising his priestly office before God. 60but his mother said in reply, No. There is no mention in this account of how Messiah will come to earth. Women seemed only fit for fixing meals and bearing children. As the apostle Paul put it, let all things be done for edification (1 Cor. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.. 41When Elizabeth heard Marys greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 3I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, Elizabeth also readily acknowledged the superior blessing bestowed on Mary, and rejoiced in it. Probably he did this because Mary has already been presented in Lk 1:38 as the obedient handmaid of the Lord who fulfills the requirement for belonging to the . Just as Marys response surpasses that of Zachariah, so the greatness of the miracle of the virgin birth of Messiah will exceed the miracle which produces a son for the elderly priest and his wife. The nativity and circumcision of John. Some thoughts on today's scripture. Men assumed the leadership roles, especially in spiritual matters. 98% of our readers don't give; they simply look the other way. I am thus inclined to view this as Lukes way of informing us that some women may very well surpass men spiritually. . For less than $5/mo. He would be the Son of the Most High, who would be given the throne of His father David, from which He would rule (vv. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. Mary is a model disciple. Luke is not only interested in the words and deeds of Jesus, but also in the larger context of the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus as the fulfillment of the promises of God in the Old Testament. 43 Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? Mary, too, was a humble peasant girl. 41When Elizabeth heard Marys greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among . We cannot say for certain, but we can affirm at this moment that all that she said was divinely inspired. Granted, the worship of these two women is not public, but private. 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me. In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. There is only one way that this can ever happen, and that is by our experiencing a miraculous new birth. n. [1:31] Gn 16:11; Jgs 13:3; Is 7:14; Mt 1:2123. There are a number of ways in which the worship of these two women relate to contemporary Christians. Colossians 4:10-11 and 4:14 show that he wasn't Jewish, because he was not included in the group who are of the circumcision. And the angel left her. Our Lord was careful to show that being obedient to Gods will and His word were more important than being humanly related to Him: And a multitude was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You. And answering them, He said, Who are My mother and My brothers? And looking about on those who were sitting around Him, He said, Behold, My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother (Mark 3:31-35; cf. We need by read the final chapter of the book of Proverbs to see that women, at least biblically, were given great privileges and responsibilities. There is no hint that she thinks God has chosen her to be the mother of Messiah due to her blessedness, but rather that her blessedness is the result of Gods sovereign and gracious choice to use her as His instrument. 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. Elizabeths words are not as reflective, but seem almost to explode from her lips unexpectedly. The question which this raises is what is meant by the use of the a past tense. 45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!, My soul glorifies the Lord(F)47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,(G)48for he has been mindfulof the humble state of his servant. 67. 9 when it fell to him by lot, as the priestly custom was, to enter the Lord's sanctuary and burn incense there. and to grant us that, 74rescued from the hand of enemies, without fear we might worship him 75in holiness and righteousness. 53The hungry he has filled with good things; 55according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.f. Study Notes - Luke 1 39-56. but has lifted up the humble. . She rejoices in God, who is her Savior (v. 47). Both were humble women of no social or economic standing. * [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. In His first coming, Messiah came to reveal God to men, and to accomplish eternal redemption for all who would believe. How many Apostles were there? Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. 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. Composition Narrative. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. 29But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 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. 30 but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour. One can speculate as to what Mary may have been thinking along the way to Elizabeths home. * He will be filled with the holy Spirit even from his mothers womb,g 54 He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his faithful love. We can see that the verbs in these verses are past perfect. Yes, from now onwards all generations will call me blessed. 24-25). And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and He continued in to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart (Luke 2:51, emphasis mine). This is a very poorly supported theory, and one which can be rather quickly set aside. Elizabeths praise surpasses Zachariahs petition for a sign. 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. 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. Luke 1:65 And fear came upon all their neighbours: and all these things were noised abroad over all the hill country of Judea. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. Get the app {{#signedIn}} . 13But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid,* Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. 'What will this child turn out to be?' (L)51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;(M)he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. Simeons words in chapter 2 (v. 35) allude to this pain, but do not explain what its cause will be. In the course of Zacharias priestly duties, it fell his lot to have the high privilege of offering the incense at the temple of the Lord (vv. he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. Geldenhuys has remarked, It strikes us that Mary in this hymn does not utter a direct word in connection with the Son promised to her. The Canticle of Zechariah. 50 and his faithful love extends age after age to those who fear him. But he could only make signs to them and remained dumb. The fact that the worship of these women was more restricted than that of men is no hindrance to their spiritual growth and development. * [1:14] The Gospel according to Luke is the only one of the synoptic gospels to begin with a literary prologue. We have here an interview between the two happy mothers, Elisabeth and Mary: the angel, by intimating to Mary the favour bestowed on her cousin Elisabeth ( Luke 1:36 ), gave occasion for it; and sometimes it may prove a better piece of service that we think to bring good people together, to compare notes. Q. Luke 1:39-45. 56Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. As we conclude, let me suggest some specific applications of our text. If there is any one concept which captures the spirit and the essence of Gods dealings with men it is the concept of grace. Revelation 21 Seems To Be After The Millennium Where It Says There Will Be No Pain Or Tears. We have further corroboration of this from two other statements made by Luke: But she was greatly troubled at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this might be (Luke 1:29, emphasis mine). 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. From now on all generations will call me blessed. 49 for the Almighty has done great things for me. 51-52). * [1:19] I am Gabriel: the angel of the Lord is identified as Gabriel, the angel who in Dn 9:2025 announces the seventy weeks of years and the coming of an anointed one, a prince. 2just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,b Free Reading Plans and Devotionals related to Luke 1:39-56. To press the matter of Marys obedience even further, Mary was not only obedient to the imperatives of Gods word, but also to the inferences of His word. 53 He has filled the starving with good things, sent the rich away empty. Mary left almost immediately for the home of Elizabeth and Zacharias, and the journey may have taken some time. In the New Testament epistles, the apostles insist that Christians not conform to the evil social practices of their day, but live according to the social standards of the gospel, to which Mary referred, and which our Lord taught. ii. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Ignatius Catholic Bible (RSV): Compact Edition - Imitation leather, Burgundy with Zipper, The Revised Standard Version Catholic Bible, Compact Ed. Yet Ryries Notes Say Otherwise. From now on all generations will call me blessed. In both cases, the praise of God spoken before others was done in such a way as to edify and encourage those who heard. The major reason for this position, in my opinion, is the similarity of the magnificat to the praise of Hannah in 1 Samuel chapter 2. The fact that Zacharias was a professional priest and that his wife and Mary were but lay people did not in any way set Zacharias above the others. (5) Elizabeth praises God for much more than those things that Zachariah was told. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. Elizabeth is a magnificent woman of God, in Lukes opinion. Marys role as believer in the infancy narrative should be seen in connection with the explicit mention of her presence among those who believed after the resurrection at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:14). get to know the Bible better! Our salvation comes about in the same way that Marys baby was conceivedtotally by the sovereign work of God, apart from any effort which Mary might make. Zachariah was told that his prayer (a prayer, I assume, for the coming of Messiah) had been answered, and that he and his wife would have the privilege and pleasure of bearing the son who would prepare the way for Messiahs appearance (vv. Physical relationship to Christ is not nearly so important as ones spiritual relationship. 'No,' she said, 'he is to be called John. Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. The degree to which women were degraded was that to which their husbands and their culture stooped. The angel had not commanded Mary to go to the house of Elizabeth, but had only stated that Elizabeth was pregnant in her old age, which showed that nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:36-37). We are studying Luke 1:39-56 for Sunday, December 22. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.g 63 The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, 'His name is John.' While this may not refer only to the saving work which Messiah will come to accomplish, surely it includes it. Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry (Luke 6:20-21a; 24-25). While me cannot say that every miraculous life began with a miraculous birth, I think it is safe to say that every miraculous birth resulted in a miraculous life and ministry. Mary: The Expecting Momma. This would even be true in the Jewish world of those days when our Lord added humanity to His deity and manifested Himself to men. (H)From now on all generations will call me blessed,(I)49for the Mighty One has done great things(J) for meholy is his name. At the end of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 21:20; 22:3; 23:69; 24:1416; 26:28, 2223) he will argue that Christianity is the direct descendant of Pharisaic Judaism. This is why the Lord Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again, even though he was a prominent teacher in Israel (cf. After the announcement is made (Lk 1:1417, 3133) the parent objects (Lk 1:18, 34) and a sign is given to confirm the announcement (Lk 1:20, 36). 37for nothing will be impossible for God.r 32o He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,* and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, If It Is During The Millennium How Will There Not Be Pain And Tears When The Devil Is Released To Deceive The Nations? 56Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. 1 The whole assembly then rose, and they brought him before Pilate. 56Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. Luke was a doctor and therefore a man of science and research, and this is reflected in his history of the life of Jesus. John will go before the Lord (Lk 1:1617); Jesus will be Lord (Lk 1:43; 2:11). In particular, instead of praising God for His mercy and compassion, as the psalmists and Mary do, Jonah protests against the grace and mercy of God in the final chapter of the book. We must seek to dwell much more on the character of God, of His covenant promises, and of His working in history, as well as in the future. 72 and show faithful love to our ancestors, and so keep in mind his holy covenant. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him. In verse 48 her blessedness is viewed as the result of Gods grace. a city of Juda.--The description is too vague to be identified with any certainty. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. Again like Marys canticle, it is largely composed of phrases taken from the Greek Old Testament and may have been a Jewish Christian hymn of praise that Luke adapted to fit the present context by inserting Lk 1:7677 to give Zechariahs reply to the question asked in Lk 1:66. 31n Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. When you ponder the specific results of Messiahs incarnation as outlined in Marys Magnificat they have to do with what we know of as Christs second coming, more than with His first coming. The Wonder Of Christmas. Here we see the meeting of two mothers, eager to support and help each other at a time of major change in their lives. Mary also understood the purposes of God as a plan which He had been carrying out throughout Israels history. Grace is the essence of true doctrine and the antidote to that which is false. 69 and he has established for us a saving power in the House of his servant David. According to Luke, the virginal conception of Jesus takes place through the holy Spirit, the power of God, and therefore Jesus has a unique relationship to Yahweh: he is Son of God. 39-56) by informing us that Mary returned home after three months (v. 56). . * [1:20] You will be speechless and unable to talk: Zechariahs becoming mute is the sign given in response to his question in v. 18. Our praise tends to be based almost exclusively on our pleasant and pleasurable experiences. The language of our praise should betray a continual soaking in the Scriptures and meditation on the terms and theology of the Bible. Have any social standing due to her parentage or class, nor Even the dignity of Elizabeth Zachariah. 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But the angel, how can this be, since I have no with. Away empty according to Luke is the concept of grace strictly forbidden and prohibited let me suggest some applications!
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