Luke 1:24 kjv

And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

Luke 1:24 nkjv

Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying,

Luke 1:24 niv

After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.

Luke 1:24 esv

After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying,

Luke 1:24 nlt

Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months.

Luke 1 verses

Luke 1 24 Meaning

Luke 1:24 signifies the commencement of the miraculous pregnancy of Elizabeth, wife of Zechariah, through divine intervention, fulfilling God's promise. Her subsequent period of self-seclusion for five months indicates a period of private contemplation, confirmation of the divine miracle, and personal devotion before the broader revelation of God's work. It marks the first tangible sign of God's preparatory work for the advent of the Messiah, setting the stage for John the Baptist's miraculous birth and ministry.

Luke 1 24 Context

Luke 1:24 follows the significant event of the angel Gabriel's appearance to Zechariah in the temple. Zechariah, an aged priest, had been told his barren wife Elizabeth would conceive a son, John, who would prepare the way for the Messiah. Because of Zechariah's doubt, he was struck mute. This verse describes the direct, physical fulfillment of Gabriel's promise. It precedes Mary's annunciation by one month (Luke 1:26) and establishes the miraculous, divinely orchestrated beginnings of John the Baptist, paralleling the extraordinary circumstances that will soon surround Jesus' birth. The cultural context views barrenness as a social stigma or reproach (Luke 1:7, 1:25), making Elizabeth's conception a powerful reversal and sign of divine favor.

Luke 1 24 Word analysis

• And after those days: (καὶ μετὰ ταύτας τὰς ἡμέρας - kai meta tautas tas hemeras) This phrase establishes a direct temporal link to the previous narrative, specifically Zechariah's experience in the temple and his return home. It emphasizes that Elizabeth's conception happened promptly and certainly following the divine announcement, reinforcing God's faithfulness to His word.
• his wife Elizabeth: Refers to the righteous and blameless (Luke 1:6) woman, aged and previously barren (Luke 1:7). Her identity underscores the miracle: it is not a youthful or expected pregnancy, but one that transcends natural ability. Her name, Elizabeth, derived from the Hebrew Elisheva, means "God is my oath" or "God is abundance," aptly reflecting the faithfulness of God.
• conceived; (συνέλαβεν - synelaben): From the Greek verb syllambano, meaning "to conceive" a child. This is a direct, decisive action indicating the very moment pregnancy began. The term highlights the active role of God in initiating life, bypassing biological limitations. It is the miraculous opening of the womb that was long closed, a motif echoing throughout Old Testament narratives of barren women.
• and she hid herself: (καὶ περιέκρυψεν ἑαυτὴν - kai periekrypsen heauten): The verb periekryptō means "to conceal all around" or "to hide completely." This is a significant action for several reasons. It could signify humility, a period of personal reflection and worship regarding the divine wonder unfolding within her, or perhaps a desire for privacy before the reality of her pregnancy was fully confirmed or visible. It avoids the premature exposure to societal judgment or disbelief. Some scholars suggest it was to safeguard the unique, holy nature of the pregnancy, keeping it apart from mundane public life for a period of discernment. It speaks to a deep, internal response to a profound divine act.
• five months, (πέντε μῆνας - pente menas): This precise duration is crucial for the chronological progression of the narrative. It signifies a significant waiting period. This specific timeline sets the stage for the announcement to Mary, which occurs in Elizabeth's "sixth month" (Luke 1:26, 1:36), highlighting God's purposeful scheduling for the births of both John and Jesus. It provides a temporal link demonstrating the divine coordination of events.
• saying, (λέγουσα - legousa): This indicates that the seclusion of five months culminated in Elizabeth making a statement or giving expression to her heart concerning what God had done. The content of her saying is found in the very next verse (Luke 1:25), emphasizing her joy and praise to God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself: This phrase powerfully connects the miraculous conception directly to Elizabeth's unique, humble response. The physical act of conception, brought about by God, leads immediately to a period of withdrawal and private communion. It underscores Elizabeth's reverence and internal processing of the astonishing divine intervention. Her hiding suggests a deliberate act of seeking solitude to grasp the full implications of what God had done, mirroring Zechariah's imposed silence.
• hid herself five months, saying,: This indicates that the duration of her hidden state was predetermined or observed, leading to a public declaration or personal reflection at its conclusion. The waiting period before "saying" suggests a maturation of her understanding or confirmation of the pregnancy, before she openly expresses her praise, as seen in the following verse. It reflects God's often subtle work that unfolds and is understood over time.

Luke 1 24 Bonus section

• The parallel between Elizabeth's self-imposed silence/seclusion and Zechariah's God-imposed silence emphasizes a period of discernment and processing for both parents regarding the magnitude of their son's preordained role.
• The fact that Elizabeth hides for exactly five months prepares the reader for the angelic visit to Mary in the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy (Luke 1:26, 1:36). This specific timeframe is not arbitrary; it meticulously synchronizes the divine narratives of John's and Jesus's births, demonstrating God's overarching plan and timing.
• This verse counters the contemporary belief that long-term barrenness definitively indicated divine displeasure or lack of worth. God chooses and uses even those previously thought to be 'unblessed' by nature for His specific, holy purposes. Elizabeth’s hiding can be seen as an intentional withdrawal from a society that may have pitied or judged her for so long.

Luke 1 24 Commentary

Luke 1:24 provides the tangible evidence of God's direct intervention, transforming a long-held human impossibility into a miraculous reality. Elizabeth's conception of John is not just a personal blessing; it is a foundational moment in salvation history, inaugurating the final prophetic phase leading to the Messiah. Her five-month seclusion is a deeply significant, quiet period of sacred processing and protection. It reflects an intuitive response to safeguard the precious, divinely-wrought life within her, discerning its profound spiritual significance away from immediate public scrutiny. This privacy contrasts sharply with the public scandal barrenness often brought, demonstrating God's reversal of reproach into blessing (Luke 1:25). It also served as a divinely ordered interlude, chronologically positioning Elizabeth's advanced pregnancy to allow for Mary's annunciation in the subsequent month, setting the stage for the crucial interplay between the forerunner and the Messiah. This verse testifies to God's precise timing, His ability to reverse human circumstances, and the often quiet, profound beginnings of His greatest works.