Luke 1:42 Commentary and Bible Study

But Elisabeth is now given a further revelation from God which was not given to Zacharias, and the mother of the last Old Testament prophet speaks herself as a prophet before her child is born. She speaks with a loud voice, with great joy and conviction, to Mary. God has revealed much to Elisabeth, for these words come from her without any prior word from Mary other than her greeting. ‘Blessed art thou among women’ – the same words that Gabriel had spoken to her (verse 28), and here is the first woman who appreciates the blessing she has received. Mary is blessed because of the greatness of her child. She is blessed because God has chosen her to receive such an honour: to give birth to, and to be a parent to his own Son. She is blessed because her child has been conceived in a unique way, by which no other child ever born has come into the world. Mary will be a loving mother to this child, but she in turn will be saved by her own child who will love her and provide for her, even in his dying moments.But far more, ‘blessed is the fruit of thy womb.’ The blessing that will come upon this child are immeasurable, for he will be King of kings and Lord of lords, he will receive a name that is above every name. This blessing will be his by right, but it will also be earned by him through the most costly of sacrifices.‘And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’ The older woman submits to the younger woman, and owns it as an incalculable honour that Mary should come to visit her. Why? Because this young virgin carries in her womb the one to whom also Elisabeth looks for salvation, and who rules over her life with divine authority. She could not call anyone less than this her Lord. So Elisabeth prophesies about Jesus Christ even while he is still in the womb, and even there, he is her Lord. How great a mystery is the incarnation: that the ruler of heaven and earth should be carried in the womb of a young virgin for nine months, and in such an apparently vulnerable state claim the hearts of every believer!‘For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.’ She reports what the narrative has told us before: that the infant within her reacted strongly at the sound of Mary’s voice, being made aware by the Holy Spirit that this was the mother of the Messiah, to whom his whole life’s ministry would point the way.‘And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.’ Blessed is Mary in contrast to Elisabeth’s husband, Zacharias, who had failed to believe the angel Gabriel with, if anything, an easier to believe prophecy, for his child was to be conceived in the normal way, albeit to an aged couple. But Mary has believed immediately. After enquiring about the nature of the conception, she has fully accepted the explanation given by Gabriel, though a doubting person would never have been satisfied and gone on asking questions endlessly. Mary believed, and her faith was the doorway through which blessing came into her heart. The world refuses to take God at his word, but faith puts the world to shame by believing him who can only speak truth.