Luke 1:56 kjv
And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Luke 1:56 nkjv
And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.
Luke 1:56 niv
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Luke 1:56 esv
And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
Luke 1:56 nlt
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.
Luke 1 56 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Support/Fellowship | ||
| Rom 12:13 | Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. | Christian duty of hospitality and care. |
| 1 Thes 5:11 | Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are.. | Mutual edification and support among believers. |
| Gal 6:2 | Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. | Practical demonstration of Christ's love. |
| Heb 10:24-25 | and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, | Importance of fellowship and mutual encouragement. |
| Acts 2:42-47 | And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship,.. | Early Christian community sharing and support. |
| Divine Timing & Purpose | ||
| Lk 1:57-58 | Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. | Immediate context: Mary's stay covered John's birth. |
| Gal 4:4 | But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son,... | God's perfect timing in salvation history. |
| Ecc 3:1 | For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. | God orchestrates all events in due time. |
| Dan 2:21 | He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; | God's sovereign control over historical events. |
| Lk 1:20 | And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that.. | Zacharias's sign confirming the precise timing of events. |
| Lk 1:45 | And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of.. | Mary's faith confirmed by witnessing God's work. |
| Isa 55:11 | so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return.. | God's word is effective and accomplishes its purpose. |
| Jn 14:29 | And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take.. | Foretelling events to build faith when they occur. |
| Mary's Humility & Obedience | ||
| Lk 1:38 | And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me.. | Mary's humble acceptance of God's will. |
| Lk 2:39 | And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord,.. | Holy family's obedience to religious customs. |
| Phil 2:3-4 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others.. | Mary's actions reflect humility and serving others. |
| Mic 6:8 | He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require.. | Calling to walk humbly with God. |
| Prov 16:9 | The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. | Mary's plan fulfilled within God's larger design. |
| Lk 1:39 | In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country,.. | Mary's prompt obedience and selfless action. |
Luke 1 verses
Luke 1 56 Meaning
Luke 1:56 describes the completion of Mary's visit to her relative Elizabeth, during which Mary stayed for approximately three months. This period was significant as it coincided with the last trimester of Elizabeth's pregnancy, culminating in the birth of John the Baptist. Mary's prolonged stay indicates her commitment to support Elizabeth and to personally witness the fulfillment of God's promise, reinforcing her faith before she returned to her own home in Nazareth to await the further unfolding of God's plan for her.
Luke 1 56 Context
This verse immediately follows Mary's prayer, the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), a profound expression of praise and theological understanding, likely inspired and deepened by her interactions with Elizabeth and the presence of the Spirit. The preceding context is Mary's visit to Elizabeth upon learning of her miraculous pregnancy (Luke 1:39-40), a journey prompted by Gabriel's revelation that Elizabeth, her relative, was in her sixth month (Luke 1:36). Mary's stay thus strategically encompasses the period leading up to and including the birth of John the Baptist, ensuring she witnessed the miraculous fulfillment of God's word regarding Elizabeth. Historically, travel was arduous and dangerous, emphasizing Mary's devotion. Her returning "to her home" signifies a humble, obedient re-entry into her everyday life in Nazareth, ready to embrace the next phase of God's plan, still unrevealed to others regarding her own pregnancy.
Luke 1 56 Word analysis
- And: Greek
καὶ(kai). Serves as a connector, linking Mary's stay and departure to the previous events, particularly the spiritual intensity of her encounter with Elizabeth and the Magnificat. - Mary:
Μαριὰμ(Mariam). The young woman chosen by God, central to the Gospel narrative. Her identity here anchors the human side of God's redemptive plan. - remained: Greek
ἔμεινεν(emeinen). Fromμένω(menō), meaning "to stay, abide, remain, endure." It suggests a purposeful, settled stay rather than a brief visit. Her active presence signifies her devotion and willingness to serve. This word choice underscores her commitment to supporting Elizabeth during a crucial time. - with her: Elizabeth. Highlights the profound interrelationship between the mothers of the Forerunner and the Messiah. This communal aspect demonstrates support and encouragement, especially important for Elizabeth's advanced age and Mary's young age in their respective pregnancies.
- about: Greek
ὡσεὶ(hōsei). Means "as if," "about," or "approximately." It indicates an estimation but strongly implies that the stay covered the completion of Elizabeth's pregnancy and the birth of John the Baptist, which occurred at the end of her ninth month (Luke 1:57). - three months: Greek
τρεῖς μῆνας(treis mēnas). This duration is key. Since Elizabeth was in her sixth month when Mary arrived (Luke 1:36), a three-month stay means Mary was present until John's birth. This timing is a subtle but powerful confirmation of Gabriel's prophecy and of the miraculous nature of John's birth. - and returned: Greek
ὑπέστρεψεν(hypestrepsen). Fromὑποστρέφω(hypostrephō), meaning "to return, turn back, go back." This verb emphasizes her physical departure from Elizabeth's house. It marks the end of a spiritually intense period and her readiness to face her own impending public scrutiny regarding her pregnancy. - to her home: Greek
εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτῆς(eis ton oikon autēs). Refers to Mary's own dwelling place in Nazareth. This humble return highlights her obedient acceptance of her situation and trust in God, even as she faced the challenge of her own extraordinary pregnancy.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- And Mary remained with her: Emphasizes Mary's self-giving and supportive character. She chose to be present for Elizabeth during a vital time, demonstrating active love and care.
- about three months: Crucially places Mary at the time of John the Baptist's birth, fulfilling the indirect confirmation of Gabriel's words. It signifies a period of confirmation for Mary's faith, as she directly observed God's power. This period allowed Mary to experience the tangible signs of God's plan unfolding through Elizabeth.
- and returned to her home: Signals a transition from public miracle (Elizabeth's pregnancy and John's birth, witnessed by many) back to a private, potentially challenging, waiting period for Mary in Nazareth. It shows her humility, as she did not stay to celebrate fully or seek personal recognition, but simply returned to her duties, trusting in God's timing for her own unveiling. This return home highlights Mary's faith as she embraced her personal burden without seeking undue attention or dwelling in the spiritual comfort of Elizabeth's presence.
Luke 1 56 Bonus section
The approximate duration of "three months" (hōsei treis mēnas) suggests Mary left shortly after John's birth but before the subsequent events involving Zechariah's restored speech and prophecy (Luke 1:64-79) became widespread public knowledge. While she may have witnessed the birth itself, her return is placed before the larger communal recognition of John as a prophet. This detail maintains Mary's somewhat "hidden" status concerning her own miraculous pregnancy, contrasting with the more public announcement and celebration surrounding John's birth. Her visit served not only to bless Elizabeth but also as a time of spiritual growth and personal assurance for Mary, away from the inevitable public scrutiny she would soon face regarding her pregnancy in Nazareth. The physical distance between Elizabeth's home in Judah and Mary's in Nazareth underscores Mary's dedication and obedience to God's calling.
Luke 1 56 Commentary
Luke 1:56 provides a succinct close to Mary's extraordinary visit to Elizabeth. Mary's "about three months" stay ensured she was a witness to John's miraculous birth and his naming (Luke 1:57-60), which profoundly confirmed God's promises spoken by Gabriel. This period was crucial for Mary's spiritual fortitude, strengthening her faith and preparing her for her own unique and challenging journey ahead. Her quiet return to Nazareth, a humble home, showcases her profound humility and trust in God's divine timeline. It marks her departure from a context of prophetic confirmation to one of waiting and hidden expectation regarding the Christ Child. The verse exemplifies Christian service, the blessedness of witnessing God's faithfulness, and a humble heart submitting to God's leadings, whether in spiritual high points or quiet obedience.