Luke 1: 39 45 – Mary Visits Elizabeth

Target year level: Year One; Year Five

Scripture text

Introduction

The Gospel is the first of a two-part work, Luke-Acts. Luke-Acts is sometimes thought of as a novel in two parts. The Gospel gives an account of the life and mission of Jesus and the Acts of the Apostles tells the story of the rapid expansion of the early church. The two books were probably written in the latter decades of the first century.

Even though the works are anonymous, authorship is traditionally attributed to Luke. Today, many scholars accept that the author was an inhabitant of Antioch in Syria and a companion of Paul. Luke was writing for Greek speaking, Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians. Luke’s interpretation of events is influenced by his desire to show how Christianity is compatible with citizenship in the Roman Empire, that is, how one can believe in Jesus and, at the same time, be loyal to (if not worship) the emperor.

The author paints a portrait of Jesus who is the fulfilment of God’s promises to Israel. The promises are fulfilled in unexpected ways, in that they include everyone: Jews and gentiles, men and women, tax collectors and outcasts.

Luke draws Jesus as hospitable and caring for the poor and the marginalised. Mary and a number of women disciples play an important part in the gospel.

For further information, see the Teacher Background information, Who wrote the Gospels and when? and the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE), Introduction to Luke.

World behind the text

Luke used the Gospel of Mark and the sayings of source Q in his gospel and also included narratives and sayings that were not in any other gospel, such as The Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan. (L source)

As a first century historian, Luke investigated everything about Jesus and tried to communicate the truth about Jesus to the community, drawing on oral and written sources. Most importantly, Luke interpreted, in his own way, the significance of Jesus; as was expected of historians at that time. (Michael B. Fallon MSC, Introduction to Luke - pdf)

Mary sets out to visit her relative Elizabeth, who lived in a hill town in Judea, an area which extended from Emmaus in the West to the Jordan River in the East and surrounded Jerusalem. (Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible)

Elizabeth is the mother-to-be of John the Baptist and the wife of Zechariah. She is also a relative of Mary. She was barren (unable to conceive) and of an older age when it was announced that she would give birth to a son named John, along with the prophetic message about John’s future mission. It is this barrenness that foretold of a child of great significance, like that of Sarah (mother of Isaac) and Hannah (mother of Samuel) in the Old Testament. Elizabeth also felt that her pregnancy signalled that the Lord had found favour with her. Mary learned of Elizabeth’s pregnancy through the angel Gabriel and went to visit her. (Eerdmans, 2000)

Students could examine a map of the area and see where the hill country lies in relation to Nazareth. How might Mary have travelled there? (e.g. donkey, walking, …) Show picture images from Free Bible Images. What are some reasons you might visit a relative who is expecting a child? What jobs could Mary do to help Elizabeth? (Cooking, weaving, …)

World of the text

This text is that small part of the Infancy narrative called the Visitation. In this scene there is a joyful reunion between two pregnant women: Mary and her cousin Elizabeth. The Holy Spirit is active here and in a moment of inspiration, Elizabeth acknowledges Mary’s role as mother of the Messiah. The Visitation is less historical than theological. Luke brings the two women together so that their roles are seen to be linked: Elizabeth’s child is the precursor to Mary’s child.

This Visitation passage comes from the first chapter of Luke and is situated directly after the Annunciation where Mary is visited by an angel and is told she will be the mother of God’s son. (Luke 1:26-38)

Elizabeth knows and reveals Mary’s pregnancy and Jesus’ status - things that were previously unknown. This allows Luke to emphasize how previously stated prophesies have been fulfilled and future ones will be. (Luke 1:41,45) (Sacra Pagina: The Gospel of Luke).

Discuss with students: who are the characters in the story? What happens in the story? What might the author have wanted us to know about Mary from this story? Which words are familiar to those who know the Hail Mary prayer? Students may underline the words in the text that match those in the Hail Mary.

Concepts in the story (Reference: Sacra Pagina: The Gospel of Luke)

The child leaped (v. 41) - This verb suggests recognition of the Lord and recalls the jostling of Rebecca’s children (Genesis 25:22) which foretold their later destinies. John is shown to be a prophet in agreement with the angel’s prediction in Luke 1:15.

Filled with the Holy Spirit (v. 41) - Elizabeth, too, has the prophetic spirit in order to interpret the significance of her experience and that of Mary as well.

You are blessed (V. 42) - Elizabeth knows that Mary has been specially chosen by God and that her child is special, she knows without being informed that Mary is pregnant and that Jesus will have a greater significance than her own child, John.

Mother of my Lord (v. 43) - This is a most dramatic statement from Elizabeth, given that ‘Lord’ is a title for God.

How blessed (v. 45) - this is the word that Jesus uses in his Beatitudes.

Reach fulfilment (v. 45) - literally ‘perfection.’

World in front of the text

Elizabeth’s words form part of the prayer we know today as the Hail Mary, which is the main prayer of the Rosary. Elizabeth joyfully proclaims Mary as the mother of God; but there is more than theology here. The two women are relatives and friends and they share an even more intimate bond now because each is expecting her first child. Luke gets the psychology of the moment right: spirit filled awe, and joy.

How might Mary be feeling as she hears Elizabeth’s words to her? Are there times when we are excited but nervous at the same time? Tell of a time that has happened.

Explore the words blessed/blessing and read some blessing prayers. (e.g. Pocket Prayers of Blessing; A Book of Blessings) Students may write a class prayer of blessing for someone they know.

Mary experienced great respect from Elizabeth. This respect for Mary was eventually made into the Hail Mary prayer by believers who also respected Mary. Students may create an item to assist them to recall this story. It may be a prayer card, a WORDLE/TAGXEDO of the Hail Mary prayer or an annotated picture of the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth.