Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "full time" points to a divinely appointed moment, suggesting that this birth wasn't just a biological event but a crucial part of God's unfolding plan, arriving precisely when it was meant to. This emphasizes the deliberate timing of God's interventions, even in seemingly ordinary circumstances.
Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The angel Gabriel's announcement to Zechariah about his wife Elizabeth conceiving a son has now come to fruition. Elizabeth, who was well past childbearing age, has given birth, fulfilling a miraculous promise. This event sparks immense joy among their neighbors and relatives, who recognize it as a profound act of God's mercy.
Why did God wait so long to send the Messiah? It wasn't random; it was precisely timed.
The Bible often speaks of a 'fullness of time' (Galatians 4:4). This doesn't mean God was waiting for the perfect human moment, but for the perfect divine moment when the world was spiritually prepared and receptive.
Elizabeth was well past childbearing age. Her pregnancy wasn't just a medical marvel; it was a divine intervention confirming God's faithfulness.
Elizabeth and Zechariah were righteous, yet childless, a deeply painful situation in their culture. Their prayers for a child were specific and long-held.
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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.
eleos · Greek Noun
A Hebrew term (hesed) often translated as 'mercy' or 'steadfast love,' referring to God’s loyal, covenantal faithfulness and kindness toward His people, especially in answering prayer or delivering them from distress.
The birth of John the Baptist occurred during a time of immense political turmoil and foreign occupation under Roman rule and the puppet reign of Herod. This context underscores the miraculous nature of his conception and birth, highlighting God's intervention even in seemingly hopeless circumstances.
c. 63 BC
Rome Conquers Judea
Pompey the Great conquers Jerusalem, ending the Hasmonean dynasty and making Judea a client state of Rome. This marks the beginning of Roman influence and eventual direct rule.
c. 47 BC
Herod the Great Appointed
Herod, an Idumean, is appointed by the Roman Senate as the 'King of the Jews,' though he doesn't fully secure his throne until 37 BC. This is the era of Herod's reign mentioned in Luke.
c. 4 BC
Birth of Jesus
Jesus Christ is born in Bethlehem during the reign of Herod the Great, a pivotal event in human history.
c. AD 25-26— this verse
Angel Appears to Zechariah
While serving in the Jerusalem Temple, the priest Zechariah encounters the angel Gabriel, who announces that his elderly and barren wife, Elizabeth, will bear a son. Zechariah, disbelieving, is struck mute until the birth.
c. AD 26
Birth of John the Baptist
Elizabeth gives birth to a son. Neighbors and relatives gather to celebrate and prepare for the child's circumcision, expecting him to be named after his father.
c. AD 27-28
John the Baptist Begins Ministry
John the Baptist, now a young man, emerges from the wilderness, preaching repentance and baptizing in the Jordan River, preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah.
This passage parallels the birth of Isaac, a child promised to Abraham and Sarah in their old age, echoing the miraculous birth of John to Elizabeth and Zechariah.
1 Samuel 1:19-20Hannah's prayer for a son and the subsequent birth of Samuel after a period of barrenness shows a similar pattern of divine intervention for a long-desired child, mirroring Elizabeth's situation.
Isaiah 40:3This prophecy directly foretells the coming of a voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord, which is fulfilled by John the Baptist, Elizabeth's son.
Matthew 1:21The angel's announcement to Joseph about the miraculous conception of Jesus highlights God's sovereign plan for births that defy natural expectations, similar to John's birth.
Galatians 4:4This verse speaks of God sending His Son when the 'fullness of time came,' emphasizing that divine timing is crucial for significant births and events in salvation history, just as John's birth occurred at a divinely appointed moment.
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.
The phrase "full time" points to a divinely appointed moment, suggesting that this birth wasn't just a biological event but a crucial part of God's unfolding plan, arriving precisely when it was meant to. This emphasizes the deliberate timing of God's interventions, even in seemingly ordinary circumstances.
The angel Gabriel's announcement to Zechariah about his wife Elizabeth conceiving a son has now come to fruition. Elizabeth, who was well past childbearing age, has given birth, fulfilling a miraculous promise. This event sparks immense joy among their neighbors and relatives, who recognize it as a profound act of God's mercy.
The angel Gabriel's announcement to Zechariah about his wife Elizabeth conceiving a son has now come to fruition. Elizabeth, who was well past childbearing age, has given birth, fulfilling a miraculous promise. This event sparks immense joy among their neighbors and relatives, who recognize it as a profound act of God's mercy.
"Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her." — The phrase "full time" points to a divinely appointed moment, suggesting that this birth wasn't just a biological event but a crucial part of God's unfolding plan, arriving precisely when it was mean…
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Last reviewed October 2026