1:39–41 Mary responds to the announcement about Elizabeth and immediately goes to visit her. The trip is no small matter; she travels around 80–100 miles (130–160 km), a journey of three or four days.17 Upon Mary’s greeting of Elizabeth, the Baptist, who is in the womb of Elizabeth, leaps and Elizabeth is filled with the Spirit. The leaping of the baby signals that a significant birth is about to take place (cf. 1:15). We see this in Rebekah’s life when Esau and Jacob leapt in her womb and the Lord revealed to her the destiny of the two children (Gen. 25:22–23). In the case of Elizabeth the baby leaps as an indication of the arrival of the eschaton (cf. Luke 6:23),18 and the Lord reveals to her the significance of the baby Mary will have. The filling of the Spirit is linked with speaking forth God’s word (Luke 1:67; Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 9:17; 13:9), and Elizabeth immediately goes on to speak the word of the Lord for Mary; her words are so important that they have been preserved in the Scriptures.

1:42–43 Elizabeth is filled with the Spirit and exclaims loudly that both Mary and her son are blessed. When the verb “blessed” (Gk. eulogeō) is passive, the blessing comes from God (cf. Gen. 14:19; 27:29, 33; Num. 22:12; Deut. 28:3). Mary is blessed, then, and her son, Jesus, because of the grace and goodness of God. Certainly, Mary is unique among women in that she has the honor of giving birth to the Christ. Such a role is a great privilege. Elizabeth, then, confirms what Gabriel said to Mary by identifying Mary as “the mother of my Lord.” Jesus is designated here as “Lord.” It is difficult to know what Elizabeth means by these words, but she speaks prophetically as one filled with the Spirit, and in the framework of Luke-Acts Jesus’ lordship indicates that he is fully divine.19 As Acts 10:36 states (cf. Acts 2:36), “He is Lord of all.” Elizabeth’s words about Jesus are extraordinary, and Mary has another indication that her son is truly the Messiah, the Son of God.

1:44–45 Elizabeth explains that Mary’s greeting precipitates the leaping for joy of the baby in her womb. We saw the connection of the baby leaping with Rebekah’s twins (cf. comment on 1:39–41), and perhaps the leaping of the baby, given 1:15, signifies that John is filled with the Spirit while he is in his mother’s womb. Joy is expressed at God’s eschatological work (see the further discussion in comment on 1:14), showing that he is fulfilling his covenant promises.

The notion of fulfillment continues in verse 45. Elizabeth pronounces a blessing on the one who believes the Lord will fulfill what he has promised. The word “blessed” (Gk. Makaria) is a different word than that used verse 42. Verse 42 emphasizes the blessing bestowed by God, signifying his gracious work. But the word for blessing, which is difficult to capture well in English, signifies happiness and well-being. Here Mary’s happiness and well-being and flourishing is tied to her faith. She is to put her trust in God’s word, in the promise conveyed to her by the angel Gabriel. Mary is called upon to believe that the Lord will fulfill what he said about the birth of Jesus.