The writings of Luke the physician starting with his version of the gospel - Luke 1:39-56 comments: Mary visits Elisabeth

Luke 1:39 ¶  And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40  And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41  And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42  And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43  And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44  For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb

for joy. 45  And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. 46  And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47  And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48  For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49  For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50  And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 51  He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52  He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53  He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54  He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55  As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. 56  And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

 

Strong’s dictionary reports that Hebron was a city in the hill country of the tribe of Judah which was assigned to priests and Jewish tradition has John the Baptist from there.

 

John the Baptist, in his mother’s womb, moved at Mary’s greeting, leaping for joy. Remember what Luke reported earlier.

 

Luke 1:15  For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.

 

Elisabeth, too, was filled with the Holy Ghost, the mind of God.

 

For contexts where the Spirit of God or the spirit of man can be synonymous with mind please see the following;

 

Romans 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

 

1Corinthians 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 

Ephesians 4:23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

 

Philippians 1:27  Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

 

2Timothy 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 

Elisabeth blesses Mary in the Spirit, with the Holy Ghost speaking through her. Mary then praises God. Elisabeth calls Mary the mother of my Lord. Mary’s praise of God underscores how God used the lowliest of people for His purposes, not the politically powerful or the rich.

 

For verse 49 see for examples;

 

Jeremiah 10:6  Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

 

Psalm 126:3  The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

 

For verse 50 please note these verses, among others;

 

Psalm 31:19 ¶  Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

 

Psalm 103:11  For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

 

Psalm 147:11  The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

 

For verse 51 please note;

 

Psalm 89:13  Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.

 

Proverbs 16:5  Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

 

Regarding verse 52;

 

1Samuel 2:8  He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them.

 

Job 5:11  To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.

 

Job 34:24  He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.

 

And for 53 note Jesus’ words to come;

 

Luke 6:21a  Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled… 24  But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25  Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

 

Holpen is a past participle of help and is not used much anymore.

 

Mary has preached quite a sermon under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In a few words it is packed with more meaning that most hour and a half sermons from the pulpit.