visitation second-temple

The Visitation to Elizabeth

c. 5 BCE (approximate)

The Visitation to Elizabeth

After the Annunciation, Mary traveled from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea to visit her relative Elizabeth, who was miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist in her old age. When Mary entered Elizabeth’s house and greeted her, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, prophetically recognizing Mary as “the mother of my Lord.” In response, Mary sang the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), a profound hymn of praise celebrating God’s mercy, justice, and faithfulness to Israel. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for approximately three months before returning home.

The Journey

Mary’s Haste

Luke 1:39: “Mary got ready and hurried” to the Judean hill country to visit her relative Elizabeth, who was also miraculously pregnant (as the angel Gabriel had told her). The journey from Nazareth in Galilee to the hill country of Judea was approximately 80-100 miles—a significant undertaking for a young woman in early pregnancy.

Purpose of Visit:

  • Confirm Gabriel’s sign about Elizabeth’s pregnancy
  • Share the news of her own miraculous conception
  • Find support and understanding from a relative experiencing similar divine intervention
  • Time of fellowship and mutual encouragement

The Greeting

Elizabeth’s Exclamation

Baby Leaps:

  • Luke 1:41: When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby (John) leaped in her womb
  • Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
  • Even in the womb, John responded to Jesus’s presence (also in the womb)
  • Fulfillment of Luke 1:15: John “filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born”

Elizabeth’s Prophetic Words (Luke 1:42-45):

  • “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”
  • “But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
  • “As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy”
  • “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Recognition:

  • Elizabeth, by the Holy Spirit, recognized:
    • Mary’s pregnancy as miraculous
    • The child Mary carried as “my Lord” (divine)
    • Mary’s faith in believing God’s impossible promise
  • Called Jesus “Lord” (kyrios) before his birth
  • First human proclamation of Jesus’s lordship

Humility and Wonder:

  • “Why am I so favored?” echoes Mary’s own humble response to Gabriel
  • Elizabeth, older and highly honored (barren woman now pregnant), defers to Mary
  • Recognizes the greater miracle in Mary’s womb

Mary’s Song: The Magnificat

Opening Praise (Luke 1:46-47)

“My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”

Personal Response:

  • Deep, heartfelt worship
  • Soul (psyche) and spirit (pneuma)—whole being engaged
  • “God my Savior”—acknowledges her need for salvation
  • Joy in God, not in herself

Humility and Exaltation (Luke 1:48-49)

“He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.”

Humble Estate:

  • Tapeinosis: Lowliness, humility, insignificance
  • Poor village girl, no social status or power
  • Yet God chose her

All Generations:

  • Prophetic: Mary knew her role would be remembered
  • Not self-glorification—acknowledges God did this
  • “The Mighty One has done great things”—God’s work, not hers
  • Already happening: Catholics, Orthodox, many Protestants, Muslims honor Mary

God’s Character (Luke 1:50-53)

Mercy (Luke 1:50):

  • “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation”
  • Covenant faithfulness
  • Reverential fear leads to receiving mercy

Mighty Deeds (Luke 1:51):

  • “He has performed mighty deeds with his arm”
  • God’s strength, power
  • “Scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts”
  • Pride vs. humility theme

Social Reversal (Luke 1:52-53):

  • “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble”
  • “He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty”
  • God’s upside-down kingdom
  • Echoes Hannah’s prayer (1 Samuel 2:1-10)
  • Prophetic of Jesus’s teaching and ministry
  • Revolutionary social implications

Covenant Faithfulness (Luke 1:54-55)

“He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

Corporate Memory:

  • Not just Mary’s personal story
  • Part of Israel’s larger story
  • Fulfillment of promises to Abraham
  • Messianic hope realized

Abrahamic Covenant:

  • Genesis 12:1-3: Blessing to all nations through Abraham’s seed
  • Galatians 3:16: Seed is Christ
  • Mary’s child fulfills ancient promise

Theological Depth

Young Peasant Girl’s Profound Understanding:

  • Deep knowledge of Scripture (Hebrew Bible/Old Testament)
  • Echoes Hannah’s prayer (1 Samuel 2:1-10)
  • References to Psalms, Prophets
  • Theological sophistication—God’s character, covenant, social justice
  • Not mere recitation, but heartfelt appropriation

Revolutionary Implications:

  • God sides with the poor, humble, hungry
  • Powerful brought down, lowly lifted up
  • Foreshadows Jesus’s teaching: “Blessed are the poor” (Luke 6:20)
  • Mary as prophetic voice

Canonical Significance:

  • One of few canticles in New Testament
  • Magnificat (Latin: “magnifies”) used in Christian liturgy for centuries
  • Daily prayer in many traditions
  • Musical settings countless

The Stay

Luke 1:56: “Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.”

Duration:

  • Approximately three months
  • Possibly until John’s birth (Luke 1:57-66 follows immediately)
  • Or shortly before, returning to Nazareth pregnant (facing community response)

Fellowship:

  • Two women experiencing miraculous pregnancies
  • Mutual support and encouragement
  • Sharing divine mysteries
  • Elizabeth’s wisdom and maturity, Mary’s youth and faith

Returning Home:

  • Mary returned to Nazareth visibly pregnant
  • Would face scandal, gossip, potential stoning (Deuteronomy 22:23-24)
  • Joseph’s dilemma (Matthew 1:18-25) likely occurred after Mary’s return
  • Trust in God’s protection and Joseph’s character

Significance

The Visitation represents:

  • Prophetic Recognition: Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, was the first human to proclaim Jesus as “Lord”
  • Prenatal Encounter: John the Baptist’s leaping in the womb foreshadows his role as forerunner preparing the way for Jesus
  • The Magnificat: Mary’s song is one of Scripture’s greatest hymns, revealing God’s character as merciful, mighty, and faithful to His promises
  • Female Discipleship: Two faithful women, both experiencing God’s miraculous intervention, supporting each other in faith
  • Social Justice: The Magnificat’s revolutionary vision of God bringing down the proud and lifting up the humble

The Visitation connects the Old and New Covenants, as Mary’s child fulfills the promises made to Abraham and Israel, bringing salvation to God’s people.