39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. (Luke 1:39-45 KJV)
Mary Visits Elizabeth
We have here an interview between two blessed women, Elisabeth and Mary. The angel, by telling Mary about the favor shown to her cousin Elisabeth (Luke 1:36), gave rise to this meeting. It’s often a valuable service to bring devout people together to share their experiences.
Mary, though younger and earlier in her pregnancy, took the initiative to visit Elisabeth (Luke 1:39). She set aside her own concerns to attend to this important matter. A few days after the angel’s visit, she likely spent some time in prayer and quickly left for Elisabeth’s home, where she could have more time for reflection and better support in the household of a priest. She traveled with care and urgency, not for leisure, but to gain understanding. She went to a city in the hill country of Judah, likely Hebron (cf. Joshua 21:10-11), which belonged to the priests, though it was a long journey.
Dr. Lightfoot conjectures that Mary was to conceive the Savior in Hebron, perhaps hinted at by the angel. He suggests it would be fitting for Shiloh, from the tribe of Judah and the line of David, to be conceived in a city belonging to both. In Hebron, the promise was given to Isaac, and circumcision was instituted. Here Abraham obtained land, and David his first crown. Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah are buried there—and possibly Adam and Eve, according to ancient tradition. This would harmonize well with God’s consistent work. Elisabeth’s words in Luke 1:45, “There shall be a fulfillment,” may also hint that the promise was to be completed there.
It’s generally believed Mary went to confirm her faith by the sign the angel gave—Elisabeth’s pregnancy—and to rejoice with her fellow recipient of divine favor. Perhaps she also went to be more secluded or to find more kindred company than in Nazareth. She likely hadn’t shared the angel’s message with her neighbors, yet longed to discuss what she had pondered deeply. No one else could understand her like Elisabeth. It’s very helpful and comforting for those who have the beginnings of grace in their hearts—and Christ being formed in them—to share experiences with those in a similar state; heart speaks to heart, just as face reflects face in water (Proverbs 27:19).
Mary entered the house of Zechariah, but he, being mute and likely deaf, stayed apart and did not receive guests. So Mary greeted Elisabeth (Luke 1:40), letting her know she came to see how she was and to rejoice with her.
Right as they met, something extraordinary occurred to confirm their faith. Mary knew Elisabeth was pregnant, but Elisabeth likely had no prior knowledge of Mary’s role as the mother of the Messiah, so any understanding she had came by divine revelation, which would greatly encourage Mary.
The baby leapt in Elisabeth’s womb (Luke 1:41). Though she had likely felt movement before (being six months along), this was more than usual and alerted her to something remarkable. The Greek word used is the same one the Septuagint uses for the struggle of Jacob and Esau in Rebekah’s womb (Genesis 25:22), and for the skipping of mountains in Psalm 114:4. The baby leapt, as if to signal the arrival of the one whose forerunner he was to be. This may also be the moment Luke 1:15 refers to—when John was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb. Later, John would say (John 3:29) that the friend of the bridegroom rejoices because of the bridegroom’s voice, perhaps referencing this early awareness.
Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and received insight that the Messiah was near, and that with him the spirit of prophecy would be revived and the Holy Spirit poured out more abundantly than ever, as expected by those longing for Israel’s consolation. The baby’s unusual movement was a sign of this divine impulse. Those visited by Christ in grace may recognize it by the presence of the Holy Spirit; for if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to him (Romans 8:9).
Elisabeth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, greeted Mary not as a relative visiting, but as the mother of the promised Messiah.
She congratulated Mary on her honor. Speaking with a loud voice—not necessarily because they were far apart, but because of joyful excitement—she declared, “Blessed are you among women,” echoing the angel’s words (Luke 1:28), and added, “Blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Elisabeth, though older and the wife of a priest, did not resent that her younger and less prominent cousin should be so honored. She rejoiced in it, just as her son would later rejoice that Jesus, who came after him, was preferred before him (John 1:27). When God honors others more than us, we should rejoice rather than envy.
She also expressed humility at Mary’s visit (Luke 1:43): “Why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” She called Mary “the mother of my Lord,” as David had called the Messiah “my Lord” (Psalm 110:1), recognizing his divine authority. She counted the visit not merely courteous, but a great privilege, sincerely wondering at the honor.
She then shared the reaction of the baby in her womb (Luke 1:44): “When I heard your greeting, the baby leapt in my womb for joy.” Not only her own spirit responded with joy, but even the unborn child, though incapable of knowledge, responded to the presence of the Messiah. This would confirm Mary’s faith and fulfill the prophecies that all creation would rejoice at the Lord’s coming (Psalm 98:8-9). Finally, Elisabeth affirmed Mary’s faith (Luke 1:45): “Blessed is she who believed.” Believing souls are blessed, especially those who believe God’s Word, for that Word will surely be fulfilled. God’s faithfulness is the joy of the faithful. Those who have experienced God’s promises fulfilled should encourage others to trust in Him: “I will tell you what God has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16).