Luke 1:57
Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Luke 1:57
Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Even though this verse marks the birth of a miraculous child, it highlights the faithfulness of God in fulfilling promises within the ordinary flow of time, emphasizing that divine timing is essential for the full realization of His plans. It's a reminder that God's perfect plan unfolds in its own season, and we see this in how Elisabeth's pregnancy followed the natural course, even after the supernatural conception.
After the angel Gabriel's visit to Zechariah and the miraculous conception of John, the narrative shifts to Elizabeth's pregnancy. The appointed time arrives, and she gives birth to a son, a fulfillment of the divine promise that had been revealed to both Zechariah and Mary. This event sparks joy among their relatives and neighbors, who recognize it as a remarkable act of God's mercy.
We often measure life by ticking clocks and calendars, but God's timeline works differently. This verse hints at a deeper rhythm at play.
In Luke 1:57, we read that 'the time came' for Elizabeth to give birth. This isn't just a neutral statement about a due date. The original language and context suggest a divinely appointed moment, a 'fullness of time' that God orchestrated long before.
Think about it: Elizabeth and Zechariah were 'well advanced in years' (Luke 1:7), making a pregnancy a biological impossibility without divine intervention. Yet, the text emphasizes that the time came. This points to God's sovereign hand, not just in the conception, but in the precise timing of the birth.
This mirrors how God works throughout Scripture. Promises often seem to tarry, but they arrive when the 'time is ripe' according to His perfect plan, not our impatient expectations. This verse reminds us to trust God's schedule, even when it feels delayed, because His timing is always purposeful and redemptive.
A baby's birth is always a joy, but for Elizabeth and Zechariah, this was something far more profound. What made it so special?
The arrival of John the Baptist wasn't just the birth of a child; it was a powerful demonstration of God's 'great mercy' (Luke 1:58). For Elizabeth, who was 'advanced in years' and childless, this was a miracle that defied natural explanation.
The commentators note that in that culture, childlessness was often seen as a sign of God's displeasure. Therefore, a pregnancy at such an advanced age was irrefutable proof of God's favor and immense compassion. It wasn't just about fulfilling a personal desire; it was a testament to God's power to overcome impossible circumstances and His deep care for His faithful servants.
This event served as a beacon of hope, not only for the family but for all who heard about it. It declared that God still intervened miraculously, still showed kindness, and still fulfilled His promises, even after long periods of waiting.
Understand the original words
gennesis · Greek Noun
The act of bringing a child into the world; in Scripture, it is often a sign of God's blessing and the fulfillment of His promises regarding lineage and covenant.
John the Baptist's birth occurs during a period of significant political and religious expectation, marking the end of a long prophetic silence and signaling the imminent arrival of the Messiah.
Late 8th century BC
Malachi's Prophecy
The last prophet of the Old Testament, Malachi, prophesies the coming of a messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord.
c. 4 BC
Herod the Great Reigns
Herod the Great, an Idumean appointed by Rome, rules Judea, a time of political tension and foreign influence.
c. 4-2 BC
Angel Gabriel Appears to Zechariah
The angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah in the Temple, announcing the miraculous conception of John the Baptist.
c. 4-2 BC
Mary Visits Elizabeth
Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visits her relative Elizabeth, who is six months pregnant with John the Baptist.
c. 3-1 BC— this verse
This passage parallels the miraculous birth of a child to an elderly couple, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises beyond natural limitations, much like Elizabeth and Zechariah's experience.
1 Samuel 1:19-20Hannah's prayer for a son and his eventual birth, followed by naming him Samuel, echoes the divine intervention and the naming conventions seen with John the Baptist.
Isaiah 49:1This prophetic verse speaks of the Lord calling His servant from the womb, highlighting a theme of divine purpose and calling from before birth, which resonates with John's preordained role.
Luke 1:13This verse, the angel's announcement to Zechariah, directly precedes the birth of John and foretells the very event described in Luke 1:57, setting the stage for its fulfillment.
Galatians 4:4The concept of the 'fullness of time' for a miraculous birth is central to both passages, indicating that God's timing is precise and deliberate for His redemptive purposes.
expositorsLuke 1:57: "Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son."
Chapter 2THE MUTE PRIEST. Luke 1:5-25 ; Luke 1:57-80 . AFTER his personal prelude, our Evangelist goes on to give in detail the pre-Advent revelations, so connecting the thread of his narrative with the broken-off thread of the Old Testament. His language, however, suddenly changes its character and accent; and its frequent Hebraisms show plainly that he is no longer giving his own words, but…
jfbLuke 1:57-80: "Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son."
Lu 1:57-80. Birth and Circumcision of John—Song of Zacharias and Progress of the Child.
Even though this verse marks the birth of a miraculous child, it highlights the faithfulness of God in fulfilling promises within the ordinary flow of time, emphasizing that divine timing is essential for the full realization of His plans. It's a reminder that God's perfect plan unfolds in its own season, and we see this in how Elisabeth's pregnancy followed the natural course, even after the supernatural conception.
After the angel Gabriel's visit to Zechariah and the miraculous conception of John, the narrative shifts to Elizabeth's pregnancy. The appointed time arrives, and she gives birth to a son, a fulfillment of the divine promise that had been revealed to both Zechariah and Mary. This event sparks joy among their relatives and neighbors, who recognize it as a remarkable act of God's mercy.
After the angel Gabriel's visit to Zechariah and the miraculous conception of John, the narrative shifts to Elizabeth's pregnancy. The appointed time arrives, and she gives birth to a son, a fulfillment of the divine promise that had been revealed to both Zechariah and Mary. This event sparks joy among their relatives and neighbors, who recognize it as a remarkable act of God's mercy.
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Birth of John the Baptist
Elizabeth gives birth to a son, fulfilling the angel's prophecy to Zechariah. Zechariah, previously mute, regains his speech upon naming the child John.
c. 3-1 BC
John the Baptist Circumcised and Named
On the eighth day, the child is circumcised and named John, as the angel had commanded, causing astonishment among the relatives.
"Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son." — Even though this verse marks the birth of a miraculous child, it highlights the faithfulness of God in fulfilling promises within the ordinary flow of time, emphasizing that divine timing is essentia…