Luke 1:25 kjv

Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

Luke 1:25 nkjv

"Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."

Luke 1:25 niv

"The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."

Luke 1:25 esv

"Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."

Luke 1:25 nlt

"How kind the Lord is!" she exclaimed. "He has taken away my disgrace of having no children."

Luke 1 verses

Luke 1 25 Meaning

Elizabeth's statement in Luke 1:25 expresses profound gratitude and spiritual understanding, acknowledging God's direct and purposeful intervention in her life. She declares that the Lord Himself has acted to remove the deep social disgrace of barrenness, which was considered a significant reproach or shame in Jewish society. This divine action, occurring at a specific moment of God's attention, not only fulfilled her desire for a child but publicly affirmed His favor upon her and her household, signifying a significant moment of redemption and blessing.

Luke 1 25 Context

Luke 1:25 is situated within the "Birth Narrative of John the Baptist," following the angelic annunciation to Zechariah. Prior to this verse, the angel Gabriel had appeared to Zechariah, a priest, while he was serving in the temple, to announce that his aged, barren wife Elizabeth would conceive a son, John. Zechariah's doubt led to his temporary muteness (Lk 1:11-20). Following this, Elizabeth conceived and, recognizing the miraculous nature of her pregnancy, spent five months in seclusion (Lk 1:24). This verse marks her personal, profound reflection and initial spoken acknowledgment of God's mercy and specific action in her life. Historically and culturally, barrenness was a significant sorrow and public humiliation for women in ancient Israelite society, often perceived as a divine curse or a sign of disfavor, thus making Elizabeth's conception a powerful reversal of perceived judgment and a clear sign of God's favor.

Luke 1 25 Word analysis

• Thus: (Greek: Houtōs) This adverb indicates the manner or consequence of an action. Here, it points to the precise, deliberate, and certain way God acted, linking her current condition (pregnancy) directly to His previous unseen but now evident work. It conveys a sense of confirmation and completion regarding the divine plan.
• the Lord: (Greek: Ho Kurios) This title signifies God, specifically Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God of Israel. In Luke, Kurios often refers to God the Father, underscoring divine authority and sovereignty in orchestrating events. Elizabeth recognizes the supreme authority and personal involvement of God Himself in her situation, not just a random occurrence.
• has dealt with me: (Greek: epoiesen moi, from poiēo meaning "to do, make, act"). This verb denotes active, direct intervention. It is not passive observation or general providence, but a personal, specific action taken by God towards Elizabeth. It emphasizes the direct and intentional nature of God's work in her body and life, highlighting His care.
• in the days when He looked on me: (Greek: en tais hēmerais hais epiblepsas me, from epiblepō meaning "to look upon, consider, regard, have respect to"). This phrase is crucial. Epiblepō implies more than just seeing; it conveys an attentive, purposeful, and compassionate gaze from God. It suggests a moment of divine visitation or favor where God specifically directed His attention and intention towards her to intervene. It sets a distinct time of God's divine visitation and action, reminiscent of how God "looked upon" Sarah or Rachel in their barrenness (Gen 21:1, Gen 30:22).
• to take away: (Greek: aphelein, an aorist infinitive of aphaireō, meaning "to take off, remove, lift off, cause to disappear"). This word expresses the definite purpose and effective outcome of God's action. God acted specifically with the intention of eradicating her disgrace. The removal is complete and decisive.
• my reproach: (Greek: oneidos mou, from oneidos meaning "reproach, disgrace, shame, public dishonor"). This refers to the profound shame and public dishonor associated with barrenness in ancient Israel. It was a societal stigma, often perceived as a punishment or disfavor from God (Gen 30:1, 1 Sam 1:6, Isa 4:1). Elizabeth keenly felt this social pressure and personal humiliation.
• among people: (Greek: en anthrōpois) This phrase emphasizes the public nature of her "reproach." Her barrenness was not just a private sorrow but a visible, public, and culturally understood disgrace. Thus, God's intervention, leading to her pregnancy, served as a public vindication and removed the shame that was witnessed and judged by her community. It validated her standing not just before God but also before society.

• "Thus the Lord has dealt with me": This group of words underscores divine initiative and personal involvement. It speaks of a sovereign God who directly intervenes in the personal lives of individuals. Elizabeth isn't crediting fate or luck but a deliberate, powerful act of God. This action affirms His faithfulness to His covenant and His personal concern for His people, particularly those in a state of distress or disgrace.
• "in the days when He looked on me": This phrase highlights a specific moment of divine favor or attention. It is not just God’s general providence, but a targeted, compassionate glance that initiated the miraculous. This emphasizes God's timing and His intentionality in visiting His servants, signifying a purposeful, redemptive moment in her life. It's a reminder that God sees and remembers those whom society might overlook or dismiss.
• "to take away my reproach among people": This explains the profound impact and purpose of God's intervention. God's action directly addresses and resolves a deeply ingrained societal and personal burden. It signifies that God is one who overturns social disgrace, vindicating the righteous and demonstrating His power in ways that are visible and understood by the community. This publicly declares her renewed standing and divine blessing.

Luke 1 25 Bonus section

The motif of "opening the womb" (Gen 21:1, Gen 29:31, Gen 30:22, 1 Sam 1:5-6) is a consistent biblical theme emphasizing God's ultimate sovereignty over life and His special favor upon individuals chosen for a specific purpose within His redemptive plan. Elizabeth's miracle echoes and culminates this theme in the advent narrative of the Messiah. Furthermore, the secrecy of her first five months (Lk 1:24) can be interpreted as a period of private confirmation and awe, contrasting with Zechariah's public silencing. This quiet beginning of John the Baptist's miraculous story emphasizes the intimacy of God's dealings before the public revelation of His mighty acts. Elizabeth's focus on her "reproach" being "among people" underscores the collective, community-oriented nature of ancient society, where an individual's status was deeply intertwined with family and communal standing. Her pregnancy was not just a private joy but a public testimony to God's intervention.

Luke 1 25 Commentary

Elizabeth's utterance in Luke 1:25 is a declaration of humble, profound faith and gratitude. It's her first recorded verbal response to her miraculous conception, affirming her immediate recognition that her pregnancy is solely a divine act. Her words are not just an expression of personal joy but a theological statement about God's character: He is the One who sees the plight of His people, remembers His promises, and powerfully intervenes to reverse shame and bring honor. The "reproach" of barrenness, a common biblical motif, meant public and private humiliation. God's act therefore serves as a public vindication, restoring Elizabeth's dignity and affirming her righteousness (Lk 1:6) after years of social scrutiny. This miracle prepares the way for an even greater divine intervention: the virgin birth of Jesus, indicating that God is entering human history in a profound and unprecedented way. The story thus highlights God's compassion for the marginalized and His power to bring life from situations considered hopeless, laying groundwork for the Gospel's message of unexpected grace.

• Example 1: Like Hannah (1 Sam 1:27), Elizabeth waited many years, showing how God's timing may differ from ours, but His promises are faithful.
• Example 2: Just as Elizabeth's public reproach was removed, God works to remove the "reproach" of sin or past mistakes from believers, offering new beginnings.