And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The angel doesn't just mention Elizabeth's pregnancy; he highlights it's the sixth month for her, a detail that would remove doubt for anyone familiar with pregnancy, effectively serving as a concrete sign of God's power at work. This specific timing elevates Elizabeth's story from a simple coincidence to a deliberate confirmation for Mary.
And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The angel Gabriel has just announced to a young virgin named Mary that she will conceive a son by the Holy Spirit, who will be called the Son of God. After Mary expresses her astonishment and questions how this can be, Gabriel reassures her by pointing to a seemingly impossible miracle already happening: her relative Elizabeth, previously thought to be unable to have children, is now six months pregnant in her old age. This undeniable sign serves as a powerful, tangible proof that nothing is impossible with God, bolstering Mary's faith before the angel departs.
When God promises something extraordinary, how do we know it's real? Sometimes, He gives us signs to build our faith.
The angel Gabriel tells Mary about her relative Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy. This wasn't just gossip; it was a divine sign.
A Reflection of God's Ability
Elizabeth, who was old and considered barren, conceiving a son is presented as an event almost as improbable as Mary's own miraculous conception. By pointing to Elizabeth's situation, the angel offers Mary a tangible, earthly example of God's power to overcome natural limitations. It's a way of saying, 'What you're hearing is extraordinary, but look at what God is already doing!'
Strengthening Faith Through Proof
This isn't about God needing to convince Himself of His power. It's about Him understanding our human need for assurance. Mary's question, 'How shall this be?' stemmed from her understanding of natural processes. The angel's response, highlighting Elizabeth's pregnancy, provides a 'proof of concept' from God, designed to strengthen Mary's faith in the unprecedented event unfolding for her.
What does it mean to be 'called barren'? And why did the angel specify 'the sixth month'?
Elizabeth's description as 'called barren' and the specific mention of 'the sixth month' add layers of significance to this miracle.
Ask a follow-up
More Than Just Old Age
Being 'called barren' wasn't just a medical diagnosis; it was a social and often deeply painful status in ancient cultures. It could imply a lack of blessing or even divine disfavor. For Elizabeth to conceive in her old age, therefore, was a direct reversal of this long-held designation and a public display of God's favor.
Precisely on Schedule
The mention of 'the sixth month' is crucial. In Jewish tradition, the fifth month was when a mother could often feel the baby move. By the sixth month, the pregnancy would be undeniable. This detail removes any ambiguity and confirms that Elizabeth's condition was well-established and miraculous, serving as clear, irrefutable evidence for Mary.
Understand the original words
idou · Greek Interjection/Particle
A term often used in Scripture to introduce a marvelous or significant event, serving to command attention and focus on divine action.
steira · Greek Adjective
A woman unable to bear children, often carrying a social stigma in the ancient Near East, though in Scripture, the removal of barrenness frequently signals a special act of divine intervention.
Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy in her old age served as a tangible sign for Mary, demonstrating God's power over natural limitations and bolstering Mary's faith in the angel's astonishing message.
c. 1st Century BC
Roman Control over Judea
The Roman Empire exerted significant political and military influence over Judea, impacting the local governance and the lives of Jewish people.
c. 1st Century BC
Hasmonean Dynasty Decline
The once powerful Hasmonean dynasty was in decline, leading to internal strife and increased reliance on Roman intervention in Judean affairs.
c. 20 BC - c. 10 BC
Herod the Great's Reign
Herod the Great, a Roman client king, ruled Judea, known for his building projects and often harsh governance.
c. 6 BC
Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, a priest, announcing that his wife Elizabeth would bear a son, John.
c. 6 BC
Conception of John the Baptist
Elizabeth, though advanced in years and previously barren, conceived her son John, fulfilling the angel's prophecy.
c. 5 BC— this verse
Annunciation to Mary
The angel Gabriel visited Mary in Nazareth, announcing that she would conceive a son, Jesus, by the Holy Spirit.
c. 5 BC
Birth of Jesus Foretold
Gabriel confirmed God's power by revealing Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy as a sign, assuring Mary that 'no word from God will ever fail.'
This verse speaks of God raising the poor and lifting the destitute, mirroring how God used Elizabeth, who was considered barren and advanced in age, to bear a son.
Genesis 18:14It echoes the angel's question to Abraham, 'Is anything too hard for the LORD?', which directly relates to the miraculous conception of Elizabeth and later Mary, highlighting God's power over natural limitations.
Psalm 113:9This psalm celebrates God who gives children to the barren woman, directly aligning with the miraculous circumstances of Elizabeth's pregnancy and its significance in the divine plan.
Isaiah 54:1This prophetic passage, 'Sing, O barren one, who did not bear!', speaks of rejoicing and expansion for those who were unable to have children, prefiguring the fulfillment seen in Elizabeth and Mary.
Romans 4:19Paul's discussion of Abraham's faith in God's promise, considering his own body as good as dead and Sarah's as past the age of childbearing, parallels the seemingly impossible situations of Elizabeth and Mary and the faith required.
barnesLuke 1:36: "And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren."
Thy cousin Elizabeth ... - The case of Elizabeth is mentioned to inspire Mary with confidence, and to assure her that what was now promised would be fulfilled. It was almost as improbable that Elizabeth should have a child at her time of life, as it was that Mary should under the circumstances promised.
calvinLuke 1:34-38: "Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?"
- And Mary said to the angel, How shall this be, since I know not a man? 35. And the angel answering said to her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which shall be born shall be called the Son of God. 36. And, behold, Elisabeth thy cousin, even she hath conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month to her w…
The angel doesn't just mention Elizabeth's pregnancy; he highlights it's the sixth month for her, a detail that would remove doubt for anyone familiar with pregnancy, effectively serving as a concrete sign of God's power at work. This specific timing elevates Elizabeth's story from a simple coincidence to a deliberate confirmation for Mary.
The angel Gabriel has just announced to a young virgin named Mary that she will conceive a son by the Holy Spirit, who will be called the Son of God. After Mary expresses her astonishment and questions how this can be, Gabriel reassures her by pointing to a seemingly impossible miracle already happening: her relative Elizabeth, previously thought to be unable to have children, is now six months pregnant in her old age. This undeniable sign serves as a powerful, tangible proof that nothing is impossible with God, bolstering Mary's faith before the angel departs.
The angel Gabriel has just announced to a young virgin named Mary that she will conceive a son by the Holy Spirit, who will be called the Son of God. After Mary expresses her astonishment and questions how this can be, Gabriel reassures her by pointing to a seemingly impossible miracle already happening: her relative Elizabeth, previously thought to be unable to have children, is now six months pregnant in her old age. This undeniable sign serves as a powerful, tangible proof that nothing is impossible with God, bolstering Mary's faith before the angel departs.
"And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren." — The angel doesn't just mention Elizabeth's pregnancy; he highlights it's the sixth month for her, a detail that would remove doubt for anyone familiar with pregnancy, effectively serving as a concr…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026