Luke 1:25

Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on [me], to take away my reproach among men.

{G3754} Thus {G3779} hath {G4160} the Lord {G2962} dealt {G4160} with me {G3427} in {G1722} the days {G2250} wherein {G3739} he looked on {G1896} me, to take away {G851} my {G3450} reproach {G3681} among {G1722} men {G444}.

"ADONAI has done this for me; he has shown me favor at this time, so as to remove my public disgrace."

“The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

Thus hath the Lord done unto me in the days wherein he looked upon me, to take away my reproach among men.

Commentary

Context of Luke 1:25

Luke 1:25 records the grateful declaration of Elizabeth, the wife of Zacharias and mother of John the Baptist. This verse follows the miraculous conception of Elizabeth in her old age, after years of barrenness. In ancient Israelite society, barrenness was often considered a great reproach or shame, sometimes even seen as a sign of divine displeasure. Elizabeth had been "well stricken in years" (Luke 1:7) and had previously hidden herself for five months after conceiving. Her statement here is a profound expression of relief, joy, and thanksgiving for God's merciful intervention, which removed her long-standing social stigma.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Intervention and Faithfulness: Elizabeth's conception is a clear testament to God's power to intervene in seemingly impossible situations. It highlights His faithfulness to those who trust in Him, demonstrating that He "looks on" (epeiden) His people with compassionate attentiveness.
  • Overcoming Reproach: The central theme is the removal of shame. God transformed Elizabeth's public disgrace of barrenness into honor and joy, fulfilling His purposes through her. This act of God serves as a powerful reminder that He can turn any human perceived weakness or shame into a platform for His glory.
  • Preparation for God's Plan: Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy was not merely a personal blessing but a crucial step in God's unfolding plan for salvation, preparing the way for the Messiah through the birth of John the Baptist.

Linguistic Insights

The key phrase "take away my reproach" translates the Greek word oneidos (ὄνειδος), which signifies a public disgrace, shame, or dishonor. It emphasizes the social and emotional burden Elizabeth carried due to her inability to bear children. The phrase "he looked on [me]" comes from the Greek epeiden (ἐπεῖδεν), which literally means "to look upon" or "to visit." In this context, it implies a compassionate and purposeful gaze from God, signifying His direct and favorable intervention in her life, acknowledging her plight and acting decisively to change her circumstances.

Related Scriptures

Elizabeth's experience echoes those of other faithful women in the Old Testament who faced similar challenges, such as Sarah (Genesis 18:11) and Hannah (1 Samuel 1:5). In each case, God intervened to reverse their barrenness, demonstrating His sovereignty and care. This pattern underscores God's consistent character throughout history.

Practical Application

Luke 1:25 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that God sees our hidden struggles, our personal shames, and our seemingly impossible situations. Just as He "looked on" Elizabeth and removed her reproach, He is capable of bringing honor out of disgrace, joy out of sorrow, and life out of what seems barren. This verse encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and His compassionate intervention, knowing that He works all things for His glory and our good, often in ways that surprise us and exceed our expectations. Our perceived weaknesses can become channels for His miraculous power.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 30:22 (11 votes)

    And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.

  • Genesis 30:23 (11 votes)

    And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:

  • Isaiah 4:1 (10 votes)

    ¶ And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

  • Genesis 21:1 (9 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.

  • Genesis 21:2 (9 votes)

    For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

  • Isaiah 54:1 (9 votes)

    ¶ Sing, O barren, thou [that] didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou [that] didst not travail with child: for more [are] the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.

  • Isaiah 54:4 (9 votes)

    Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.