Elizabeth #100

Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist and a relative of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her story is told only in the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel, where she is presented as a righteous woman in whom God reverses long disappointment. She is one of the first people in the New Testament to recognize who Mary’s child would be.

Biblical Significance

Luke introduces her as a descendant of Aaron and the wife of Zechariah, a priest of the division of Abijah. Both were “righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless,” but they had no child because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years (Luke 1:5-7). While Zechariah was serving in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared and told him that Elizabeth would bear a son named John, who would be great before the Lord, filled with the Holy Spirit from birth, and would prepare the people for the Lord (Luke 1:8-17). Zechariah doubted and was made unable to speak until the birth.

Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, “Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men” (Luke 1:24-25). In the sixth month, Gabriel told Mary that Elizabeth, her relative, was also expecting, as a sign that “with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:26-37).

Mary went quickly to visit her. When she greeted Elizabeth, the baby leapt in Elizabeth’s womb and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:39-45). Mary stayed about three months (Luke 1:56). When John was born, neighbors expected him to be named after his father, but Elizabeth insisted, “Not so; but he shall be called John,” and Zechariah confirmed it in writing, at which his speech returned (Luke 1:57-66).

Legacy

Elizabeth’s story echoes those of earlier women in Scripture who bore children late in life by God’s help, notably Sarah (Genesis 21:1-7) and Hannah (1 Samuel 1). Luke may be pointing readers to that pattern to show that God is again acting in Israel’s history. Her words to Mary are the source of part of the Hail Mary prayer used in Catholic and Orthodox devotion, and the visit itself is remembered in the church’s calendar as the Visitation.

Elizabeth is not mentioned in Scripture after John’s naming. Her quiet trust, patience over many years, and generous welcome of a younger woman have made her a model for those who wait on God and for those who encourage others in their calling.