How long after “the angel departed from her” (Luke
1:38), did Mary “set out” (Luke 1:39) for Zacharias' house?
It was “days” (Luke 1:39) but she
“went in a hurry” (Luke 1:39), so not many
days after meeting the angel.
Why did she set out in a hurry?
Probably to confirm what the angel told her: “Elizabeth your relative,
in her old age, has conceived a son and this is the sixth month for her
who was called barren, for nothing
will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:36-37).
Where is “the hill country” (Luke 1:39)?
The hilly region of southern Israel, bordered by the Jordan River valley
to the east and the Mediterranean coastal plain to the west. She was in
the region, which includes Jerusalem and Bethlehem, where she would eventually give birth to Jesus.
What did Elizabeth call Jesus?
“My Lord” (Luke 1:43).
How did she know Jesus is her Lord?
“Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit”
(Luke 1:41), which means the baby in her womb was as well, as the angel
Gabriel had told Zacharias: “He will be filled with
the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15).
Was Mary already carrying Jesus?
If so, the Holy Spirit would have had Elizabeth welcome both Jesus and
Mary instead of just her.
Since Mary is called “blessed ... among women” (Luke
1:42), should she be worshiped as some claim based on this phrase?
If so, she would need to wait in line behind Jair, who was called the
“most blessed among women” after she used a
tent peg to kill a Canaanite army commander (see Judges 4):
“most blessed among women is Jair” (Judges 5:24).
With what is her blessing associated?
Faith in God's word: “Blessed is she who believed,
for there will be a fulfillment of the things spoken to her from the
Lord” (Luke 1:45).