', 46 And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. This is Marys secret and it is a secret no longer. CHAPTER 23. Mary did not mention the Law of Moses, the Mosaic Covenant, but only Gods promise to Abraham, the Abrahamic Covenant. In other words, Marys praise does not focus on the immediate blessedness of her having this child, but on the ultimate outcome of the coming of Messiah. But even so, I want to follow you. With joy you will draw water. The immediate faith and submission of Mary, a simple and very young peasant girl, to the will of God is contrasted with the hesitant request of Zachariah for a sign, a man who was a priest all his many years of life. Advertise on Catholic Exchange
Gabriel had informed Zacharias that the child would be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mothers womb (Luke 1:15). Copyright 2019 by Zondervan. According to Luke, the virginal conception of Jesus takes place through the holy Spirit, the power of God, and therefore Jesus has a unique relationship to Yahweh: he is Son of God. . Open my eyes, increase my faith! 1 Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have reached their fulfilment among us. At this time the social order will under a radical and violent reversal. God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. 20 Look! 12 The sight disturbed Zechariah and he was overcome with fear. 12:46-50; Luke 8:19-21). He was ordained a Catholic priest in 2003 and earned his doctorate in moral theology in 2010. Mary saw her blessing as but an illustration, one instance of Gods grace, which leads her to praise God for His grace to all those who fear Him, from one generation to generation. 41When Elizabeth heard Marys greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. I am thus inclined to view this as Lukes way of informing us that some women may very well surpass men spiritually. Luke . Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! I am an old man and my wife is getting on in years.'. Before we begin to deal with our text, there are some introductory comments which may prove to be helpful. Yes, from now onwards all generations will call me blessed. The degree to which women were degraded was that to which their husbands and their culture stooped. 4 so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received. Making use of a formal, literary construction and vocabulary, the author writes the prologue in imitation of Hellenistic Greek writers and, in so doing, relates his story about Jesus to contemporaneous Greek and Roman literature. (2) Mary is a model disciple in the depth of her familiarity with the word of God. Apart from Lk 1:7677, the hymn in speaking of a horn for our salvation (Lk 1:69) and the daybreak from on high (Lk 1:78) applies more closely to Jesus and his work than to John. Thus, James has some very strong words on the subject of discriminating against the poor and showing partiality to the rich (cf. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child lea | New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) | Download The Bible App Now Luke 1:39-56 Luke 1:39-56 NRSV Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, New Living Translation A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town English Standard Version In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 2 They began their accusation by saying, 'We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of the tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king.'. 64Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.j In this chapter we have, I. Luke's preface to his gospel, or his epistle dedicatory to his friend Theophilus, ver 1-4. 23Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. Luke 1:37 Because no word shall be impossible with God. The Wonder Of Christmas. (H)From now on all generations will call me blessed,(I)49for the Mighty One has done great things(J) for meholy is his name. And she returned to her own house. He continued as king until his death in 4 B.C. 59* When they came on the eighth day to circumciseh the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, This brought a rebuke, and a temporary loss of speech, which nevertheless served as a sign to the people assembled at the temple that something very significant was about to happen. (1) Marys psalm of praise reveals a repeated use of the terminology and theology of the Old Testament. How gracious God is in what He does not tell us, as well in what He does. Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were thus occupied were not benefited (Heb. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More. Rather than having to try to explain to Elizabeth what the angel had said to her about the virgin birth of her son, Messiah, Mary learned that Elizabeth already knew. The scribes and Pharisees, however, seemed only to grasp a few of the particulars, but missed the plan. His most widely known book is called: The Better Part: A Christ-Centered Resource for Personal Prayer. If verse 50 spells out the principle that God blesses His people, from generation to generation, verses 51-55 give some specific ways in which this has and will be done. We are led to the conclusion that Marys praise was spoken in the hearing of Elizabeth, just as Elizabeths praise was spoken to God, but for Marys benefit. 14 He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth. (abbreviated).- 2599 (in 'Jesus prays') - The Son of God who became Son of the Virgin learned to pray according to his human heart. 41When Elizabeth heard Marys greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit,s 3 Pilate put to him this question, 'Are you the king of the Jews?'. 6 Both were upright in the sight of God and impeccably carried out all the commandments and observances of the Lord. Those who depend on themselves the rich, the self-satisfied, the proud, the powerful thwart Gods action in and through them. Instead, we must focus on the things which Luke has included, for these point to the thrust of his argument. And blessed are you who believed, for the things that were spoken to you by the Lord shall be accomplished." 45 Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. Resume Prayer. God looked upon her humble estate with compassion; consequently she will be esteemed blessed by all future generations (v. 48). Lk 1:76 where John is described as "prophet of the Most High." "Most High" is a title for God commonly used by Luke (Lk 1:35 . Luke 1:48 Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 52 He has pulled down princes from their thrones and raised high the lowly. Wonders of His . James 2:1-13; 5:1-12). There is no provincialism to be found in her praise. Elizabeth also readily acknowledged the superior blessing bestowed on Mary, and rejoiced in it. There is no mention in this account of how Messiah will come to earth. * [1:76] You will go before the Lord: here the Lord is most likely a reference to Jesus (contrast Lk 1:1517 where Yahweh is meant) and John is presented as the precursor of Jesus. 73 This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham. As the writer to the Hebrews put it. Elizabeth was the wife of an obscure priest. Galatians 4:22 41 Now it happened that as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She would, by the miraculous action of the Holy Spirit, become pregnant, and her holy child would be called the Son of God (v. 35). Luke 1:39-56 39 in those days mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of judah, 40 and she entered the house of zechari'ah and greeted elizabeth. Fr. While Elizabeth spoke with a loud voice (1:42), Mary is perhaps more sedate. He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy according to the promise he made to our ancestors of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever. Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home. Luke does tell us that Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country (1:39), which would suggest that there was not sufficient time for any communication to have occurred. The book of Revelation speaks much of these themes, and prophesies their fulfillment. It is largely, however, the composition of Luke who writes in imitation of Old Testament birth stories, combining historical and legendary details, literary ornamentation and interpretation of scripture, to answer in advance the question, Who is Jesus Christ? The focus of the narrative, therefore, is primarily christological. 53 He has filled the starving with good things, sent the rich away empty. 50+ premium resources ($2,400+ value!). Copyright 2019-2023 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy. Grab your bible and find a quiet spot to read Luke 1: 39-56." 30 but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour. Since you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time, you will be silenced and have no power of speech until this has happened.'. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. What was Marys secret? This is not the way men are saved, however. While bearing the Messiah was a distinct privilege for Mary, that for which she is most highly praised is her faith and her obedience. 32o He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,* and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, The naming of the child John and Zechariahs recovery from his loss of speech should be understood as fulfilling the angels announcement to Zechariah in Lk 1:13, 20. There is no mention as to whether or not Mary was pregnant when she first arrived at the home of Elizabeth and Zachariah. Men assumed the leadership roles, especially in spiritual matters. I must confess to you that I often become overly absorbed in what isnt said, rather than to concentrate on what is reported. It is not at all surprising to find that the births of both John and Jesus are miraculous, for the lives of both are miraculous. I want to perceive it and understand it more deeply every day, so that I can embrace it more fully each moment. ', 18 Zechariah said to the angel, 'How can I know this? Catholic.org - with thousands of pages of magisterial content. Want the Verse of the Day sent to your inbox? 39In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; 33 he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end. In His ministry the Lord Jesus would expand on he social themes of Marys Magnificat: And turning His gaze on His disciples, He began to say, Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Peter momentarily forgot that the gospel is inseparably linked with certain social obligations, and thus Paul had to rebuke him (cf. We might suspect that the limitations of biblical revelation, compounded by those of the culture, would have made womanhood a curse. Virtually every commentator agrees that Marys praise is dripping with Old Testament allusions and references. He has had a plan in mind for us, a particular vocation, a unique role in his Kingdom, from before we were born, before we were ever conceived. 77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. The Church rightly honors "the Blessed Virgin with special devotion (abbreviated).- 273 (in 'The Mystery of God's apparent powerlessness') - Only faith can embrace the mysterious ways of God's almighty power. He even encouraged his disciples to leave him and to follow Christ (John 1:35-37). There is only one way that this can ever happen, and that is by our experiencing a miraculous new birth. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. "- 2097 (in 'Adoration') - To adore God is to acknowledge, in respect and absolute submission, the "nothingness of the creature" who would not exist but for God. And his mercy is from generation to generations for those who fear him. This is 'the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God': God has visited his people. Marys age, then, is not a significant issue to Luke. During the whole journey from Nazareth to the hill country outside Jerusalem where Elizabeth and Zechariah lived, she had been joyfully contemplating all that God had done in her life and in the whole history of salvation. 24After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, I know that you never cease drawing us to yourself. Chapter 1 1 Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have reached their fulfilment among us, 2 as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, 'No,' she said, 'he is to be called John. The fact that Zacharias was a professional priest and that his wife and Mary were but lay people did not in any way set Zacharias above the others. (L)51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;(M)he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. * [1:20] You will be speechless and unable to talk: Zechariahs becoming mute is the sign given in response to his question in v. 18. 70even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old: 71salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,m, 73and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father,p. The miracle of the virgin birth, which is the basis and the starting point of the praise of these two women, is analogous to the miracle of the new birth which every man, woman, and child must experience to have eternal life and to live the kind of life which our Lord requires. He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart. just as he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his offspring forever." 13 But the angel said to him, 'Zechariah, do not be afraid, for your prayer has been heard. Mary got the point, however, and without having to be told to do so, went immediately to Elizabeths house, even though it was apparently some distance away and involved considerable inconvenience. Overview Of The Gospels. and to grant us that, 74rescued from the hand of enemies, without fear we might worship him 75in holiness and righteousness. As I have studied Marys psalm of praise it occurred to me that her theology was like that of her Son, and likewise, that it was very different from that of the scribes and Pharisees. . Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. The scribes and Pharisees seemed as though they could only think and talk in terms of the Law of Moses. And in those days, Mary, rising up, traveled quickly into the hill country, to a city of Judah. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. In this section Luke announces many of the themes that will become prominent in the rest of the gospel: the centrality of Jerusalem and the temple, the journey motif, the universality of salvation, joy and peace, concern for the lowly, the importance of women, the presentation of Jesus as savior, Spirit-guided revelation and prophecy, and the fulfillment of Old Testament promises. He has scattered the arrogant in the intentions of their heart. But the textual evidence in support of Mary is overwhelming. Leon Morris, The Gospel According To St. Luke, The Tyndale Bible Commentary Series, R. V. G. Tasker, General Editor (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1974), p. 75. Copyright 2019-2023 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at Privacy @.! Hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for behold from henceforth generations. Our fathers: to Abraham and to his offspring forever. founded the teaching is you. 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