Thematic Bible: Elisabeth


Thematic Bible



In the days of King Herod, of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zacharias of the "Abijah" division. He had a wife named Elizabeth who was a descendant of Aaron. They both did what was right in God's sight [by] living blamelessly according to all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was unable to bear offspring due to their both being very old. read more.
Now it happened that when Zacharias' turn came in his division, to perform his customary duties as a priest before God, he drew the responsibility [that day] of entering the Temple of the Lord to burn the incense offering. [Note: This was done on a golden Altar in the Temple by a priest twice a day]. There was a whole crowd of people praying outside because it was the time for burning the incense offering. Just then an angel from the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. Zacharias became disturbed when he saw the angel and was gripped by fear. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid Zacharias, for your earnest prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to a son and you will name him John. And you will have joy and happiness and many people will rejoice when he is born. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and he will not drink any wine or intoxicating drinks [Note: This restriction suggests that John may have taken the special vow of consecration making him a "Nazarite"]. And he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the time he is born. And he will influence many Israelites to turn to the Lord their God. He will go on ahead of the Messiah [See verse 76], in the spirit and power of Elijah, to rekindle the affections of fathers for their children, and [to influence] disobedient people to live wisely like righteous people. And he will prepare the people to be ready for [the coming of] the Lord." And Zacharias said to the angel, "How will I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is [also] very old." The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And consider this, you will [have to] remain a mute and be unable to speak until the day when these things happen because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in due time." Now the people who waited [outside] for Zacharias were very surprised that he was staying in the Temple so long. And when he [finally] came out, he was not able to talk to them. Then they realized he had seen a vision while in the Temple. So, he remained a mute and had to make [hand] signs to them [i.e., in order to be understood]. And so it happened, when he had completed the [required] days of his ministry, he went home. After those days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and she stayed in seclusion for five months, saying, "The Lord has done this for me, and at this time [in my life] He has favored me by removing the stigma placed on me by people [i.e., for not having children]."

After those days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and she stayed in seclusion for five months, saying, "The Lord has done this for me, and at this time [in my life] He has favored me by removing the stigma placed on me by people [i.e., for not having children]."

And consider this, your relative Elizabeth is also pregnant with a son in spite of her old age, and [even though] she was said to be unable to have children, she is now six months along. For nothing that God says [will happen] is impossible."

When her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had extended great mercy toward her [i.e., in giving her a child], they rejoiced with her. Verse ConceptsJoy, And Human ExperienceGod Showed MercyRejoicing In God's WorksSharing

But why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to [visit] me? Verse ConceptsHumility, Examples OfThose To Whom God Gives

Then she spoke out in a loud voice and said, " [Mary], you are [truly] blessed [from] among [all] women, and the child you will bear [i.e., Jesus] is blessed [as well]. But why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to [visit] me? For listen, when I heard your voice greeting me, the baby in my womb "kicked" for joy. read more.
And she who [has] believed [the promises made by the Lord] is [truly] blessed, for the things which have been spoken to her [i.e., to Mary] by the Lord will [indeed] be fulfilled."

They both did what was right in God's sight [by] living blamelessly according to all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. Verse ConceptsBehaviourReligionCharacter Of SaintsGood Wives Examplesluckcouples

And it happened when Elizabeth heard Mary greet her, the baby in Elizabeth's womb "kicked," and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out in a loud voice and said, " [Mary], you are [truly] blessed [from] among [all] women, and the child you will bear [i.e., Jesus] is blessed [as well]. But why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to [visit] me? read more.
For listen, when I heard your voice greeting me, the baby in my womb "kicked" for joy. And she who [has] believed [the promises made by the Lord] is [truly] blessed, for the things which have been spoken to her [i.e., to Mary] by the Lord will [indeed] be fulfilled."

Then she spoke out in a loud voice and said, " [Mary], you are [truly] blessed [from] among [all] women, and the child you will bear [i.e., Jesus] is blessed [as well]. But why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to [visit] me? For listen, when I heard your voice greeting me, the baby in my womb "kicked" for joy. read more.
And she who [has] believed [the promises made by the Lord] is [truly] blessed, for the things which have been spoken to her [i.e., to Mary] by the Lord will [indeed] be fulfilled."