Luke 1 58

Luke 1:58 kjv

And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

Luke 1:58 nkjv

When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

Luke 1:58 niv

Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

Luke 1:58 esv

And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

Luke 1:58 nlt

And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her.

Luke 1 verses

Luke 1 58 Meaning

Luke 1:58 describes the communal reaction to Elizabeth's blessed childbirth. Her extended family and local community heard of God's extraordinary intervention, specifically how the Lord had demonstrated immense mercy and steadfast love towards her by granting her a child in her old age after a long period of barrenness. This divine act filled them with great joy, leading them to celebrate alongside her. It signifies the recognition of God's mighty hand and the communal sharing of spiritual blessings.

Luke 1 58 Context

Luke chapter 1 sets the stage for the fulfillment of God's long-awaited promises. It begins by introducing Zechariah and Elizabeth, a devout priestly couple, righteous before God but distressed by their old age and Elizabeth's barrenness – a deep social shame in their culture. An angel of the Lord announces that Elizabeth will bear a son, John, who will prepare the way for the Messiah. This miracle echoes Old Testament narratives of barren women (Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah) through whom God brings forth special children who play pivotal roles in salvation history. Elizabeth's hidden pregnancy (Luke 1:24) eventually becomes known. Verse 58 follows the successful, miraculous birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57) and precedes his circumcision and naming, which further underscores the miraculous nature of his birth and God's faithfulness. The rejoicing described highlights the communal validation and affirmation of God's active presence among His people, acknowledging a significant event in God's redemptive plan unfolding.

Luke 1 58 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): Connects the previous action (Elizabeth giving birth) to the community's reaction, indicating continuity and immediate consequence.
• her neighbours (οἱ περίοικοι αὐτῆς - hoi perioikoi autēs): Refers to those living around her, her immediate local community. In a close-knit ancient society, neighbors played a significant role in social and family life.
• and her cousins (καὶ οἱ συγγενεῖς αὐτῆς - kai hoi syggeneis autēs): Signifies her extended family members, kin, and relatives. The combination of "neighbours" and "cousins" indicates a broad community response—both by proximity and by blood relation.
• heard (ἤκουσαν - ēkousan): Implies they were informed or came to know about the miraculous birth. Hearing is often the first step to understanding and belief in biblical contexts. This isn't just passive hearing but active reception of significant news.
• how (ὅτι - hoti): Acts as a conjunction, introducing the reason for their joy and what they heard.
• the Lord (κύριος - Kyrios): A crucial term, referring to God. In the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament), it often translates the Hebrew YHWH (Yahweh) or Adonai, emphasizing God's sovereign power, authority, and covenant faithfulness. It underscores that this event is divine intervention, not a natural occurrence.
• had shewed great mercy (ἐμεγάλυνεν ἔλεος - emegalynen eleos): Literally, "magnified mercy."
  • ἐμεγάλυνεν (emegalynen): From μεγαλύνω (megalynō), meaning "to make great, to magnify, to highly esteem." It's more than just showing; it's displaying or demonstrating mercy in a grand, powerful, and undeniable way. It emphasizes the greatness of the act.
  • ἔλεος (eleos): A profound term denoting mercy, compassion, and pity, but crucially, it often carries the connotation of steadfast love, faithfulness, and loyalty derived from the Hebrew hesed (covenant loyalty/mercy). It's not just feeling pity but acting upon it out of a deep, committed love, especially in a covenant relationship. God's act was rooted in His covenant promises and character.
• upon her (μετ᾽ αὐτῆς - met' autēs): Literally "with her" or "towards her." Specifies the direct recipient of this magnified divine mercy. Elizabeth personally experienced God's powerful intervention.
• and they rejoiced with her (καὶ συνεχάρησαν αὐτῇ - kai synecharēsan autē):
  • συνεχάρησαν (synecharēsan): From συγχαίρω (synchairō), meaning "to rejoice with, to congratulate, to share in joy." The prefix συν- (syn-) denotes "with" or "together."
  • αὐτῇ (autē): Refers to Elizabeth. This collective rejoicing demonstrates empathy, compassion, and a shared acknowledgment of God's blessing. It highlights the importance of communal participation in the spiritual life, mirroring Paul's instruction to "rejoice with those who rejoice" (Rom 12:15).

Luke 1 58 Bonus section

The emphasis on eleos (mercy) in this verse is significant. It's not simply pity but God's steadfast, covenant love that endures and actively works for the good of His people. This concept is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where God is consistently revealed as merciful (e.g., Exod 34:6). Luke’s Gospel, more than any other, highlights this aspect of God’s character, particularly through the Magnificat (Luke 1:50) and Benedictus (Luke 1:72, 78). The community’s rejoicing in Luke 1:58 foreshadows the greater joy that will erupt over the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:10) and the spread of His message of salvation (Luke 15:7, 10), underscoring that God's blessings are meant to be shared and celebrated within the family of faith. The societal shame associated with barrenness in that culture makes God's intervention not only a personal blessing but also a public vindication and a display of His power to reverse human limitations.

Luke 1 58 Commentary

Luke 1:58 powerfully portrays the immediate and collective response to God's miraculous intervention in Elizabeth's life. The mention of both "neighbours and cousins" underscores the comprehensive societal impact of this divine act. Their joy was not a mere sympathetic reaction but a recognition that God had magnified His covenant mercy (ἔλεος). This mercy, far from passive pity, denotes God's active, faithful love, especially toward those in a perceived state of unblessedness, such as barrenness. This miracle was not isolated; it pointed back to a long history of God opening barren wombs and fulfilling seemingly impossible promises, reminding them of God's consistent hesed. The phrase "the Lord had shewed great mercy" suggests that this was clearly understood as God's doing, removing any doubt that this was a natural occurrence. The communal "rejoicing with her" emphasizes the foundational role of community in biblical faith. God's blessings, while individual, ripple outwards, becoming occasions for shared praise and reinforcing the communal nature of God's covenant with His people. It validates God's active involvement in the lives of the righteous, echoing ancient prophecies and preparing the people for the greater work of the coming Messiah. It stands as a testament to God's faithfulness, capable of turning sorrow into joy and disgrace into divine blessing, thus setting a tone of hope and anticipation for the full revelation of God's salvation.