Elizabeth
By Mary Jane Chaignot
Categories: Women in the New Testament
- Elizabeth and Anna lived during the reign
of Herod the Great (37-4BCE).
- Herod was a Jew, but cooperated with the Roman
occupiers. The Jews hated him, and in an effort
to win them over, he had the temple rebuilt.
- Most Jews were expecting some sort of "deliverer,"
or "anointed one," or "Messiah,"
or "Christ." The words are synonymous.
- Elizabeth means "one to whom God has
sworn."
- Elizabeth was of priestly descent.
- She was obedient to God's commands, devout.
- Barrenness was considered to be a sign of
God's disfavor.
- Elizabeth was late in years, probably menopausal
(Sort of reminds us of Abraham and Sarah's situation).
- Her pregnancy was miraculous.
- We don't know why Elizabeth remained in seclusion
for 5 months after she became pregnant.
- When Mary came to visit her, Elizabeth was
filled with the Holy Spirit.
- Acting as a prophet (God's spokesperson),
she blessed Mary.
- Mary stayed for three months, but left before
John was born.
- Elizabeth named John because Zechariah was
still struck dumb.
Bibliography
Aland, Kurt. Synopsis of the Four Gospels. Germany: Bible Society Stuttgart, 1972.
Beare, F.W. The Gospel According to Matthew. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1981.
Brown, Raymond. The Birth of the Messiah. New York: Doubleday, 1993.
Gaventa, Beverly. Mary: Glimpses of the Mother of Jesus. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1999.
Geldenhuys, Norval. Commentary on the Gospel of Luke. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm B Eerdmans, 1977.
Griffith-Jones, Robin. The Four Witnesses. San Francisco: Harper Collins, 2000.
Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Gospel of Luke. Sacra Pagina Series. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1991.
Sallberg Kam, Rose. Their Stories, Our Stories. New York: Continuum Publishing, 1995.
Summers, Ray. Commentary on Luke. Waco, TX: Word Books, 1972. |
