Luke 1:39-45

Today we are going to look at one of the most beautiful and theologically rich moments in the opening chapter of the Gospel of Luke. So if you have your Bible, turn with me to Luke chapter 1, verses 39 through 45.

This passage records the meeting between two women—Mary and Elizabeth—both of whom are carrying miracle children.

Mary has just received the announcement from the angel Gabriel that she will conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear the Son of God. Elizabeth, though advanced in age and previously barren, is now six months pregnant with John the Baptist.

And what we see here is actually a moment of revelation and also confirmation.

Let’s read the text together.

Luke 1:39–45

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and  she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the  greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your  womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For  behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be7 a fulfillment of what was spoken to her  from the Lord.”

Ask: “How do you recognize when God is at work?”

Many look for: Visible miracles Personal feelings External confirmation

But in this passage:

God’s greatest work (the Incarnation) is recognized: Quietly Spiritually By humble people

Context:

Follows Gabriel’s announcement to Mary (vv.26–38) Mary has just believed God’s promise

Elizabeth is already miraculously pregnant

Mary’s Urgent Response (vv. 39–40)

“Mary arose and went with haste…”

Key Observations:

“With haste” (spoudei) Eagerness, urgency, diligence - there was no hesitation, she definitely believed the sign given to her on verse 36.

Travel: Nazareth → Judean hill country (~70–100 miles), about 4-7 days of travel on foot.

Meaning:

Mary acts immediately on God’s Word

Not passive belief — active faith

📖 Cross-References

Genesis 12:1 “Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” , Genesis 12:4 “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.” – Abraham obeys immediately

James 2:17 “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” – Faith acts

SPIRIT-FILLED RECOGNITION (Luke 1:41–42)

“The baby leaped… Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit…”

The baby (John) leaps

Not random movement—Spirit-driven response

Fulfillment of Luke 1:15

Elizabeth filled with the Spirit

This is divine revelation, not human deduction

Loud proclamation

“Blessed are you among women…”

Recognizes Mary’s unique role

Honors Christ in her womb

📖 Cross-References

Luke 1:15 – John filled with Spirit from womb

2 Peter 1:21 – men spoke from God