BURKITT : | Lu 1:1-4 | Lu 1:5 | Lu 1:6 | Lu 1:7 | Lu 1:8-9 | Lu 1:10 | Lu 1:11 | Lu 1:12 | Lu 1:13 | Lu 1:14-17 | Lu 1:18-22 | Lu 1:23-25 | Lu 1:26-33 | Lu 1:34-38 | Lu 1:39-45 | Lu 1:46-55 | Lu 1:56-58 | Lu 1:59-66 | Lu 1:67-79 | Lu 1:80 | KJV
Reference
23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. (Luke 1:23-25 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
The priest, during the time of their administration, had their lodgings in buildings appertaining to the temple. Zachary having ended his administration, leaves his lodgings, and returns to his house, where his wife Elizabeth conceiving, she hides herself; that is, retires from company partly to prevent the discourse of people, until it was out of all doubt that she had conceived, and partly to give herself opportunity of returning her thankful acknowledgments unto God, who had given her this miraculous mercy; and had thereby taken away, the reproach of barrenness which was so heavy and insupportable among the Jews.
Note here, two things, 1. How piously Elizabeth ascribes this mercy to the power of God: Thus hath the Lord dealt with me. It is God that keeps the key of the womb in his own hand and makes the fruit of it his reward, and therefore children are to be owned as his special gift.
Note, 2. How great a reproach bodily barrenness is in the sight of man, but not so great as spiritual barrenness in the sight of God; for this is at once a reproach to God, a reproach to religion, a reproach to professors, and to ourselves.