Mary and Elizabeth

Elizabeth was a daughter of a priest, married to Zacharias, a priest. Luke tells us “…they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.” (Luke 1:6-7 ESV)

While Zacharias was serving in the temple, an angel appeared to him and told him that their prayer has been heard, that Elizabeth would conceive a child who would bring them joy and gladness. This would be no ordinary child, but one who would be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb. This child would prepare the way for the coming Messiah. 

After her own meeting with the angel Gabriel, Mary came to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Though Mary was young and Elizabeth old, they shared the common experience of bearing special sons.

When Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s house, Elizabeth greeted her with the same words the angel used, “Blessed are you among women.” Elizabeth’s baby leaped in her womb at the sound of Mary’s voice, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Elizabeth asked why she was granted the privilege of having the mother of her Lord come visit. She explained to Mary that when she heard Mary’s voice, the baby in her womb leaped for joy. “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:45)

The women visited for three months, then Mary went home. And when Elizabeth bore her son, her neighbors and family heard how God had shown mercy on her, and they rejoiced with her. 

Read about Mary and Elizabeth in Scripture: Luke 1:39-45, 2:1-20

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