Luke 1:41
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:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
G1096
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
2 of 23
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ὡς
that when
G5613
ὡς
that when
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
3 of 23
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Μαρίας
of Mary
G3137
Μαρίας
of Mary
Strong's:
G3137
Word #:
10 of 23
maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females
ἐσκίρτησεν
leaped
G4640
ἐσκίρτησεν
leaped
Strong's:
G4640
Word #:
11 of 23
to jump, i.e., sympathetically move (as the quickening of a fetus)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βρέφος
the babe
G1025
βρέφος
the babe
Strong's:
G1025
Word #:
13 of 23
an infant (properly, unborn) literally or figuratively
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κοιλίᾳ
womb
G2836
κοιλίᾳ
womb
Strong's:
G2836
Word #:
16 of 23
a cavity, i.e., (especially) the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart
αὐτῆς
her
G846
αὐτῆς
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπλήσθη
was filled
G4130
ἐπλήσθη
was filled
Strong's:
G4130
Word #:
19 of 23
to "fill" (literally or figuratively (imbue, influence, supply)); specially, to fulfil (time)
πνεύματος
Ghost
G4151
πνεύματος
Ghost
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
20 of 23
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
ἁγίου
with the Holy
G40
ἁγίου
with the Holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
21 of 23
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
Cross References
Luke 1:67And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,Luke 1:15For 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.Luke 1:44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.Acts 4:8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,Acts 2:4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.Acts 7:55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,Revelation 1:10I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,Psalms 22:10I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.Genesis 25:22And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.Acts 6:3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Historical Context
The Visitation likely occurred in a Judean hill country village (traditionally identified as Ein Karem, near Jerusalem) during Elizabeth's sixth month of pregnancy. The journey from Nazareth required 3-4 days travel, about 80-90 miles. Elizabeth's Spirit-inspired greeting confirms the angelic announcement without Mary having to explain her condition—providential reassurance for the young virgin facing an impossible situation.
Questions for Reflection
- What does John's prenatal recognition of Jesus teach about the personhood of the unborn?
- How does Elizabeth's Spirit-filled pronouncement validate Mary's faith and provide communal support for her calling?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Elizabeth's Spirit-filled response begins with the baby John leaping in her womb. The verb 'skirtaō' (σκιρτάω, 'leap') indicates joyful jumping, demonstrating prenatal personhood and John's prophetic recognition of the Messiah even before birth. Elizabeth's cry 'Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb' (εὐλογημένη σὺ ἐν γυναιξίν, καὶ εὐλογημένος ὁ καρπὸς τῆς κοιλίας σου) uses 'eulogeō' (εὐλογέω), meaning to speak well of or praise, not to worship. Mary is blessed because of her Son, not in herself. Elizabeth's humility—'whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?'—recognizes both Jesus' lordship and Mary's favored position.