Luke 1:23-25

3. The accomplishment of the promise: Luke 1:23-25. The subject of ἐγένετο, it came to pass, is all that follows to the end of Luke 1:25. Comp. a similar ἐγένετο, Acts 9:3.

The active form περιέκρυβεν ἑαυτήν, literally, she kept herself concealed, expresses a more energetic action than that designated by the middle περιεκρύψατο. Elizabeth isolated herself intentionally, rendering herself invisible to her neighbours. Her conduct has been explained in many ways. Origen and Ambrose thought that it was the result of a kind of false modesty. Paulus supposed that Elizabeth wished to obtain assurance of the reality of her happiness before speaking about it. According to De Wette, this retreat was nothing more than a precaution for her health. It was dictated, according to Bleek and Oosterzee, by a desire for meditation and by sentiments of humble gratitude. Of all these explanations, the last certainly appears the best. But it in no way accounts for the term for five months, so particularly mentioned. Further, how from this point of view are we to explain the singular expression, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me? The full meaning of this word thus is necessarily weakened by applying it in a general way to the greatness of the blessing conferred on Elizabeth, whilst this expression naturally establishes a connection between the practice she pursues towards herself from this time, and God's method of dealing with her. What is this connection? Does she not mean, “I will treat myself as God has treated my reproach. He has taken it away from me; I will therefore withdraw myself from the sight of men, so long as I run any risk of still bearing it, when I am in reality delivered from it?” Restored by God, she feels that she owes it to herself, as well as to Him who has honoured her in this way, to expose herself no more to the scornful regards of men until she can appear before them evidently honoured by the proofs of the divine favour. In this way the term five months, which she fixes for her seclusion, becomes perfectly intelligible. For it is after the fifth month that the condition of a pregnant woman becomes apparent. Therefore it is not until then that she can appear again in society, as what she really is, restored. In this conduct and declaration there is a mixture of womanly pride and humble gratitude which makes them a very exquisite expression of maternal feeling for one in such a position. We should like to know what later narrator would have invented such a delicate touch as this. But the authenticity of this single detail implies the authenticity of the whole of the preceding narrative. ῞Οτι must be taken here in the sense of because; Elizabeth wants to justify whatever is unusual in the course of conduct she has just adopted. ᾿Επεῖδεν ἀφελεῖν, “He has regarded me in a manner that takes away;” he has cast on me one of those efficacious looks which, as the Psalmist says, are deliverance itself.

On barrenness as a reproach, comp. Genesis 30:23, where, after the birth of her first-born, Rachel cries, “ God has taken away my reproach. ”

This saying of Elizabeth's discloses all the humiliations which the pious Israelite had endured from her neighbours during these long years of barrenness. This also comes out indirectly from Luke 1:36, in which the angel makes use of the expression, “Her who was called barren. ” This epithet had become a kind of sobriquet for her in the mouth of the people of the place.