Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While it might seem like a simple statement of fact, the phrase "Now the time came" highlights a crucial, often overlooked aspect of God's plan. It emphasizes that even though Elizabeth's pregnancy was miraculous, the birth itself unfolded according to a divinely appointed timetable, underscoring that God's perfect timing is paramount, even when His power intervenes.
Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The angel Gabriel had just appeared to Zechariah, announcing that his elderly, barren wife Elizabeth would bear a son, John the Baptist, who would prepare the way for the Lord. Zechariah, disbelieving the angel's promise due to his and Elizabeth's advanced age, was struck mute until the birth of his son. Now, Elizabeth's pregnancy has come to term, and she gives birth to the promised child, fulfilling the divine announcement.
Ever feel like God is taking too long? This verse speaks directly to that feeling, reminding us that His timing is always precise, even when it feels slow.
Luke's Gospel often emphasizes the deliberate nature of God's actions, especially concerning the arrival of Jesus and His forerunner. The phrase 'Now the time came' (or 'full time') isn't just a casual observation; it points to a divinely appointed moment.
A Prophetic Fulfilment
This wasn't just any birth; it was the culmination of long-awaited promises. Elizabeth and Zechariah were 'well advanced in years' and childless, making this birth miraculous and deeply significant. The 'fullness of time' refers to the specific moment God ordained for this crucial event to occur, perfectly aligning with His larger plan of salvation.
More Than Just Nature
While Elizabeth gave birth naturally, the conception was miraculous. This teaches us that even when divine intervention is involved, God often works within the natural progression of events. The child's birth happened when it was 'time,' not a moment sooner or later than God intended.
In ancient cultures, the birth of a son carried immense weight. This verse isn't just about a baby arriving; it's about the unfolding of God's covenant promises.
The birth of a son, especially to an elderly, previously childless couple like Elizabeth and Zechariah, was a profound event. It signified not just personal joy but the continuation of a family line and the fulfillment of God's promises.
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A Sign of Divine Favor
In the Old Testament, childlessness was often seen as a sign of God's displeasure or a missed blessing. Conversely, a child, particularly a son, was a clear indication of God's favor and the continuation of His covenant faithfulness. This birth was a tangible sign that God had 'magnified His mercy' toward Elizabeth.
Joy and Community
The immediate response described – 'her neighbors and relatives heard... and rejoiced with her' – underscores the communal significance of such an event. In a society where lineage and family were paramount, the birth of a son was a cause for collective celebration, a sign that God's promises were being kept.
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's birth is placed within a profound historical and spiritual context: the end of Old Testament prophecy, foreign domination, and the long-awaited 'fullness of time' for God's redemptive plan to unfold.
Late 8th Century BC
Malachi's Ministry
The last of the Old Testament prophets, Malachi, delivered God's final messages to Israel, ending a period of direct prophecy. After this, a roughly 400-year silence from God's prophetic voice began.
c. 63 BC
Herod the Great Becomes King
Rome installs Herod the Great, an Idumean, as king of Judea. This Idumean rule over the Jewish people was a source of deep resentment and a sign of their subjugation.
c. 3-2 BC
Angel Gabriel Visits Zechariah
The angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah, a priest, in the Jerusalem Temple. Gabriel announces that Zechariah's elderly and barren wife, Elizabeth, will conceive and bear a son who will be named John.
c. 3-2 BC
Angel Gabriel Visits Mary
Shortly after visiting Zechariah, Gabriel appears to Mary in Nazareth, announcing she will conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear a son, Jesus.
c. 2 BC— this verse
Birth of John the Baptist
Elizabeth gives birth to a son, fulfilling the angel's prophecy to Zechariah. Due to Zechariah's initial doubt, he had been struck mute and regained his speech only after naming the child John.
c. 2 BC - AD 1
John the Baptist's Early Life
John grows up in the Judean wilderness, preparing for his prophetic ministry. His unusual birth and miraculous conception marked him as set apart by God.
This passage shows God changing Abram and Sarai's names and giving them a son in their old age, mirroring the miraculous birth of John the Baptist to an elderly couple, highlighting God's faithfulness to His promises.
Isaiah 7:14The prophecy of a virgin conceiving a son speaks to the miraculous nature of births that defy natural explanation, setting a precedent for divine intervention in human reproduction that finds echoes in John's birth.
Malachi 4:5-6This prophecy foretells Elijah's return before the coming of the Lord, which directly connects to John the Baptist's role as the one fulfilling this prophesied spirit and power, preparing the way for the Messiah.
Romans 1:1-4This passage describes Jesus' earthly lineage and His divine power, established through His miraculous conception and birth, much like John's birth announced a new era of God's work.
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.
While it might seem like a simple statement of fact, the phrase "Now the time came" highlights a crucial, often overlooked aspect of God's plan. It emphasizes that even though Elizabeth's pregnancy was miraculous, the birth itself unfolded according to a divinely appointed timetable, underscoring that God's perfect timing is paramount, even when His power intervenes.
The angel Gabriel had just appeared to Zechariah, announcing that his elderly, barren wife Elizabeth would bear a son, John the Baptist, who would prepare the way for the Lord. Zechariah, disbelieving the angel's promise due to his and Elizabeth's advanced age, was struck mute until the birth of his son. Now, Elizabeth's pregnancy has come to term, and she gives birth to the promised child, fulfilling the divine announcement.
The angel Gabriel had just appeared to Zechariah, announcing that his elderly, barren wife Elizabeth would bear a son, John the Baptist, who would prepare the way for the Lord. Zechariah, disbelieving the angel's promise due to his and Elizabeth's advanced age, was struck mute until the birth of his son. Now, Elizabeth's pregnancy has come to term, and she gives birth to the promised child, fulfilling the divine announcement.
"Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son." — While it might seem like a simple statement of fact, the phrase "Now the time came" highlights a crucial, often overlooked aspect of God's plan. It emphasizes that even though Elizabeth's pregnancy w…
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Last reviewed October 2026