39In those days Mary rose and journeyed with eagerness into the hill country, to a city of Judah, [1:40] and entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. [1:41] And it happened that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped exuberantly in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, [1:42] and she cried out with a loud voice and said: "Praised are you among women, and praised is the fruit of your womb! [1:43] And from where is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [1:44] For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant leaped with exultation in my womb. [1:45] And blessed is she who believed, that there will be a fulfillment of the things spoken to her from the Lord."
LUK 1:39-45
Mary Visits Elizabeth
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, Mary’s journey to the hill country of Judah reflects the cultural expectation of familial support during pregnancy, a common practice in Jewish households. Elizabeth, as an older relative, would have been seen as a source of wisdom and guidance for Mary, who was betrothed but pregnant under unusual circumstances. The greeting between them carries significant weight in an honor-shame society, where public acknowledgment of Mary’s blessed state by Elizabeth would affirm Mary’s standing despite societal suspicions. The leaping of Elizabeth’s unborn child (John) conveys a prophetic sign, understood in Jewish tradition as a divine indication of favor or destiny. Elizabeth’s proclamation of Mary as 'blessed' echoes Old Testament language of divine favor, such as Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2, situating Mary within a lineage of women chosen by God. The Holy Spirit’s filling of Elizabeth underscores the prophetic nature of her words, aligning with Jewish expectations of Spirit-inspired revelation.
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How other translations render this
LUK 1:39
- KJV
- And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
- BSB
- In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
- Koinōnos
- In those days Mary rose and journeyed with eagerness into the hill country, to a city of Judah,
LUK 1:40
- KJV
- And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
- BSB
- where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
- Koinōnos
- and entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
LUK 1:41
- KJV
- 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:
- BSB
- When Elizabeth heard Maryʼs greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
- Koinōnos
- And it happened that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped exuberantly in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
LUK 1:42
- KJV
- And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
- BSB
- In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
- Koinōnos
- and she cried out with a loud voice and said: "Praised are you among women, and praised is the fruit of your womb!
LUK 1:43
- KJV
- And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
- BSB
- And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
- Koinōnos
- And from where is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
LUK 1:44
- KJV
- For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
- BSB
- For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
- Koinōnos
- For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant leaped with exultation in my womb.
LUK 1:45
- KJV
- And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
- BSB
- Blessed is she who has believed that the Lordʼs word to her will be fulfilled.”
- Koinōnos
- And blessed is she who believed, that there will be a fulfillment of the things spoken to her from the Lord.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 1:39
- haste:The word translated 'haste' here implies not just speed, but also eagerness and diligence, suggesting Mary's enthusiastic and purposeful journey.
LUK 1:41
- leaped:The term used here for 'leaped' often describes the joyful, exuberant bounding of young animals, conveying a sense of spontaneous, unrestrained movement.
LUK 1:42
- Blessed [are]:The word translated 'Blessed' here carries the sense of being spoken well of, praised, or invoked with divine favor, rather than simply being fortunate.
LUK 1:44
- exultation:The word translated 'exultation' describes an intense, overflowing joy, often expressed outwardly through celebration or praise, more profound than simple happiness.