Luke 1 57

Luke 1:57 kjv

Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

Luke 1:57 nkjv

Now Elizabeth's full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son.

Luke 1:57 niv

When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.

Luke 1:57 esv

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.

Luke 1:57 nlt

When it was time for Elizabeth's baby to be born, she gave birth to a son.

Luke 1 verses

Luke 1 57 Meaning

Luke 1:57 records the precise moment when God's preordained plan for Elisabeth's child to be born came to pass. After months of hidden pregnancy following the angel Gabriel's prophecy to Zechariah, Elisabeth reached the culmination of her gestation, giving birth to a son. This event marked the visible fulfillment of a divine promise, signifying the beginning of the Messianic era with the birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner to Jesus Christ.

Luke 1 57 Context

Luke 1:57 is a pivotal verse within the opening chapter of Luke's Gospel, bridging the period of prophecy and promise to the advent of the Messiah. The preceding verses (Lk 1:5-25) introduce Zechariah, a priest, and his barren, elderly wife Elisabeth, highlighting their blameless character and long-standing desire for a child. An angel, Gabriel, appears to Zechariah in the Temple, announcing that Elisabeth will conceive a son named John, who will prepare the way for the Lord (Lk 1:13-17). Zechariah's doubt results in him being temporarily mute. Elisabeth's conception is then mentioned (Lk 1:24), followed by Mary's miraculous conception of Jesus. After five months of seclusion, Elisabeth publicly acknowledges God's mercy (Lk 1:25). Verse 57 marks the culmination of this expectant period for Elisabeth and Zechariah. Historically and culturally, barrenness was considered a significant source of shame and reproach in ancient Jewish society, and the birth of a son, especially in old age, was viewed as a direct act of divine favor, often signaling the beginning of a special divine purpose.

Luke 1 57 Word analysis

• Now (Δὲ - De): A conjunction, serving as a transition word. It signals the natural progression of events, moving the narrative forward from Elisabeth's six-month pregnancy (implied from Lk 1:36) to its conclusion.
• Elisabeth’s (τῇ Ἐλισάβετ - tei Elisabet): The Greek dative case, indicating possession or association with "her full time." Elisabeth is the central figure in this immediate event. Her name, related to "oath of God," reflects God's faithfulness in fulfilling promises.
• full time (ὁ χρόνος ἀνεπλήσθη - ho chronos anepleesthee):
  • Χρόνος (Chronos): Denotes a general span of time, or in this context, the specific, allotted duration of pregnancy. It emphasizes a determined period coming to completion.
  • ἀνεπλήσθη (anepleesthee): The aorist passive indicative of ἀναπληρόω (anapleroo), meaning "to fill up," "to complete," or "to fulfill." This isn't just time passing; it indicates that the period appointed by God had been entirely completed, leaving no doubt about the precise timing of this divine plan. This phrase underscores God's sovereignty over time and events.
• came (ἐγένετο - egeneto): Literally "it came to pass" or "it happened." This is a common Greek construction in Luke and Acts to introduce new events, emphasizing the factual occurrence.
• that she should be delivered (τοῦ τεκεῖν αὐτήν - tou tekein auten): A Greek genitive infinitive construction expressing purpose or result.
  • τεκεῖν (tekein): From τίκτω (tikto), "to give birth," "to bring forth." This clearly states the outcome for which her "full time" was appointed.
  • αὐτήν (auten): "Her," specifying Elisabeth as the one giving birth.
• and she brought forth (καὶ ἐγέννησεν - kai egennesen): The simple past tense (aorist active indicative) of γεννάω (gennao), meaning "to beget," "to give birth to." This directly describes the action of childbirth itself. The "kai" (and) connects the completion of the time to the actual delivery.
• a son (υἱόν - huion): The masculine accusative singular, denoting "son." This specific outcome, a male child, was crucial. For a Jewish family, especially a priestly line like Zechariah's, a son ensured the continuation of the family name and legacy, and in this case, a pivotal role in salvation history as John the Baptist.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered": This phrase highlights the divine orchestrating of events. It wasn't an accidental or unexpected delivery but the precise fulfillment of the divinely appointed gestation period for John's birth, previously prophesied by the angel Gabriel. This emphasizes God's sovereign timing and faithfulness to His word, particularly given Elisabeth's advanced age and former barrenness.
• "and she brought forth a son": This concise statement confirms the realization of the promise. The act of bringing forth a son, after a long period of childlessness, validates the preceding miraculous events and angelic pronouncements, setting the stage for the next phase of God's redemptive plan.

Luke 1 57 Bonus section

The birth of John the Baptist serves as a crucial theological bridge between the Old and New Testaments. His arrival, like Isaac's and Samuel's, reaffirms the consistent biblical pattern of God using the impossible to demonstrate His power and prepare His people for a significant divine act. It's a miracle designed to authenticate the preceding angelic visitation and set the stage for the even greater miracle of Christ's virgin birth, showcasing God's continued involvement in human history. The "full time" reaching its completion reflects the fulfillment not only of Gabriel's prophecy but also the long-awaited prophetic anticipations of a forerunner who would prepare the way for the Lord (Mal 3:1).

Luke 1 57 Commentary

Luke 1:57 is a concise declaration of a pivotal event in the divine narrative: the birth of John the Baptist. This verse marks the physical manifestation of God's faithfulness, concluding the miraculous conception period. Elisabeth's "full time" arriving is not merely a biological progression but a moment orchestrated by God, a testament to His precise timing in history (Lk 1:20). Like Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, and the mother of Samson in the Old Testament, Elisabeth's birth from barrenness serves as a powerful symbol of God overcoming human impossibility to achieve His purposes. This birth signals the dawning of a new era, marking the end of a long period of prophetic silence and directly paving the way for the greater birth of the Messiah. It confirms that the age of salvation history, long prophesied, is truly underway.

• Example 1: Just as Elisabeth's "full time" arrived precisely as God ordained, we can trust God's timing in our own lives, knowing that His promises are fulfilled in due season.
• Example 2: Elisabeth's experience shows that even when human circumstances seem impossible (barrenness, old age), God's power and promise can bring forth new life and fulfill His purpose.