Luke 1:42

KJV

And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed [art] thou among women, and blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} she spake out {G400} with a loud {G3173} voice {G5456}, and {G2532} said {G2036}, Blessed {G2127} art thou {G4771} among {G1722} women {G1135}, and {G2532} blessed {G2127} is the fruit {G2590} of thy {G4675} womb {G2836}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and spoke up in a loud voice, "How blessed are you among women! And how blessed is the child in your womb!

Berean Standard Bible

In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

American Standard Version

and she lifted up her voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 1:42 records Elizabeth's Spirit-filled exclamation upon Mary's arrival, a pivotal moment affirming the divine favor bestowed upon Mary and prophetically recognizing the unique identity of the Messiah within her womb. This spontaneous declaration serves as a powerful, Spirit-inspired confirmation of God's miraculous work in both women, highlighting the extraordinary grace and blessing that accompanies the inception of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is nestled within the opening chapters of Luke's Gospel, which meticulously detail the miraculous births of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Immediately preceding Elizabeth's outburst, Mary, having just received the annunciation from the [angel Gabriel](/luke/1-26-38 "Luke 1:26-38 - The Annunciation"), travels to visit her cousin Elizabeth. As Mary greets Elizabeth, the baby within Elizabeth's womb—John the Baptist, who was himself filled with the Holy Spirit from birth ([Luke 1:15](/luke/1-15 "Luke 1:15 - John the Baptist's Prophecy"))—leaps for joy. This physical reaction triggers Elizabeth's Spirit-filled pronouncement, serving as the first human affirmation of Jesus's identity and Mary's unique role, directly preceding Mary's own profound song of praise, the [Magnificat](/luke/1-46-55 "Luke 1:46-55 - Mary's Magnificat").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish culture, pregnancy and childbirth were considered immense blessings from God, often seen as a sign of divine favor, especially in cases of barrenness or advanced age, as with Elizabeth ([Luke 1:7](/luke/1-7 "Luke 1:7 - Zechariah and Elizabeth")). The greeting between relatives, particularly after a journey, would be a significant social event. The concept of a "loud voice" indicates a public, emphatic declaration, suggesting that Elizabeth's words were not a private whisper but a divinely inspired proclamation intended to be heard and understood. Furthermore, the idea of a child "leaping" in the womb was understood as a sign of recognition or joy, as seen in other ancient texts and even within the Old Testament, such as [Genesis 25:22-23](/genesis/25-22-23 "Genesis 25:22-23 - Jacob and Esau in the Womb"), where the struggle of Jacob and Esau in Rebekah's womb foreshadowed their future.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 1:42 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Divine Blessing and Favor**, demonstrating God's sovereign choice of Mary for an unparalleled role in salvation history, a theme echoed in [Luke 1:30](/luke/1-30 "Luke 1:30 - Mary Finds Favor with God"). The verse also highlights the theme of **Prophetic Recognition and Fulfillment**, as Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes the Messiah within Mary, even before His birth, serving as a crucial early witness to the fulfillment of centuries of Messianic prophecy. This recognition is further emphasized by the **Joy in the Holy Spirit**, as both Elizabeth and the unborn John are filled with the Spirit, leading to an outpouring of praise and affirmation, a characteristic of the Spirit's work throughout Luke-Acts. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **God's Initiative in Salvation**, showing that God orchestrates events, prepares hearts, and reveals His plan through unexpected means and humble instruments.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **anaphōnéō (Greek, _anaphōnéō'_):** Translated "spake out," this word means "to exclaim" or "to cry out." It denotes a sudden, strong, and often spontaneous utterance, indicating that Elizabeth's words were not merely a polite greeting but an involuntary, Spirit-prompted declaration of profound significance. This emphasizes the divine origin and prophetic nature of her statement.
* **eulogéō (Greek, _eulogéō'_):** Translated "blessed," this verb means "to speak well of," "to praise," or "to invoke a benediction upon." In this context, it signifies that Mary is the recipient of God's favor and blessing, not the source of it. It highlights her unique status as divinely chosen and highly favored, acknowledging the extraordinary grace bestowed upon her.
* **koilía (Greek, _koilía'_):** Translated "womb," this word literally refers to a "cavity" or "abdomen," but by implication, it specifically refers to the matrix or womb. Figuratively, it can also refer to the heart. In this verse, it directly points to the physical place where Jesus is being formed, underscoring the reality of the Incarnation—God taking on human flesh within a human body.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she spake out with a loud voice":** This phrase immediately establishes the extraordinary nature of Elizabeth's utterance. The "loud voice" (G3173 *mégas* for "loud," G5456 *phōnḗ* for "voice") signifies a powerful, public, and divinely inspired proclamation, not a quiet, personal remark. It indicates that Elizabeth was overcome by the Holy Spirit, compelling her to declare a truth that transcended normal human understanding.
* **"and said, Blessed [art] thou among women":** Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, directly addresses Mary. The term "blessed" (G2127 *eulogéō*) here is in the perfect passive participle, *eulogēmenē*, meaning "having been blessed" or "highly favored." It is a divine passive, indicating that God Himself is the one who has blessed Mary. The phrase "among women" (G1722 *en* G1135 *gynḗ*) emphasizes Mary's unique and unparalleled position among all women throughout history, chosen by God for this singular role. This is an affirmation of God's unique grace upon her, not a declaration of her inherent divinity.
* **"and blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb":** This second declaration of blessing immediately shifts the focus from Mary to the child she carries. "Fruit" (G2590 *karpós*) is a common biblical metaphor for offspring or progeny, and "womb" (G2836 *koilía*) clearly indicates the unborn child. By declaring the "fruit of thy womb" as blessed, Elizabeth, by the power of the Holy Spirit, prophetically recognizes the divine identity and significance of Jesus, even in His embryonic state. This is a profound early testimony to the Incarnation and the Messiah's sacred personhood.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 1:42 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Exclamation**, conveyed by Elizabeth "speaking out with a loud voice," which immediately signals the extraordinary, Spirit-filled nature of her utterance. This is not casual conversation but a divinely inspired **Prophetic Utterance**, as Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, declares truths about Mary and her unborn child that she could not have known naturally. The **Repetition** of "blessed" ("Blessed art thou... and blessed is the fruit of thy womb") serves to emphasize and intensify the divine favor being declared. This anaphora highlights both Mary's unique election and, more importantly, the sacred identity of Jesus. Finally, the phrase "fruit of thy womb" uses **Metonymy** or **Symbolism**, where "fruit" stands for the offspring, a common biblical idiom that here carries profound theological weight, signifying the precious and divinely ordained child, Jesus.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 1:42 is a theological cornerstone, profoundly connecting to the doctrines of the Incarnation, the Holy Spirit's active role in salvation history, and God's sovereign election. Elizabeth's Spirit-empowered declaration serves as the first human recognition of Jesus's divine personhood, affirming that the child Mary carries is indeed the promised Messiah. This moment underscores that God's redemptive plan is initiated and sustained by His divine power, not human merit. It highlights the sanctity of life from conception and the profound mystery of God becoming flesh, dwelling among us. The blessing pronounced upon Mary is a recognition of God's unique grace, setting the stage for the fulfillment of all Old Testament promises concerning the coming Savior.

* [Luke 1:41](/luke/1-41 "Luke 1:41 - John's Leap in the Womb")
* [Luke 1:46-55](/luke/1-46-55 "Luke 1:46-55 - The Magnificat, Mary's Song of Praise")
* [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium, First Gospel Promise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 1:42 invites us to reflect on the profound ways God works through ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. Just as Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognized and affirmed God's work in Mary, we too are called to cultivate spiritual discernment to perceive God's hand in our lives and in the lives of others. This verse reminds us of the immense value and sanctity of life from its earliest stages, as Elizabeth recognized the Messiah even in the womb. It challenges us to respond to God's blessings with joy and praise, just as Elizabeth did, and to be open to the Spirit's prompting to speak truth and encouragement. Ultimately, it calls us to recognize Jesus as the central figure of God's plan, worthy of all honor and blessing, and to align our lives with His divine purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Elizabeth's Spirit-filled recognition of Jesus challenge or affirm your understanding of His identity from conception?**
* **In what ways can we, like Elizabeth, be more attuned to the Holy Spirit's leading to recognize and affirm God's work in the lives of those around us?**
* **What does Elizabeth's "loud voice" teach us about the importance of publicly declaring God's truth and blessings?**

### FAQ
**Was Elizabeth's statement in Luke 1:42 an act of worship toward Mary?**

Answer: No, Elizabeth's statement was not an act of worship toward Mary. The Greek word *eulogéō* (blessed) indicates that Mary is the *recipient* of God's blessing and favor, not the source of it. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, was acknowledging God's unique choice and grace upon Mary, recognizing her as "highly favored" by God for the singular role of bearing the Messiah. This is a prophetic affirmation of God's work, not an elevation of Mary to a divine status. The blessing is directed at Mary *among women* and at the *fruit of her womb*, emphasizing God's action and the child's significance, rather than Mary's inherent divinity. This aligns with Mary's own response in the [Magnificat](/luke/1-46-55 "Luke 1:46-55 - Mary's Song of Praise"), where she praises God, her Savior, for His mighty deeds.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 1:42 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, the "fruit of Mary's womb," who is the source of all true blessing. Elizabeth's Spirit-inspired declaration is a foundational testimony to the Incarnation, affirming that the promised Messiah, God in human flesh, was indeed present from conception within Mary. Jesus is the blessed one, through whom all nations would be blessed, fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - Abrahamic Covenant")). He is the one through whom God's favor and grace are poured out upon humanity, as [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed in Christ") declares that believers are "blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." The "fruit of thy womb" is the very Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and the one through whom believers receive adoption as sons and daughters ([Galatians 4:4-5](/galatians/4-4-5 "Galatians 4:4-5 - Adoption as Sons")). Elizabeth's prophetic utterance thus serves as a powerful early witness to the profound truth that Jesus, the blessed one, is the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, bringing salvation and blessing to all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 5:24

¶ Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.

Luke 19:38

Saying, Blessed [be] the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

Luke 1:28

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, [thou that art] highly favoured, the Lord [is] with thee: blessed [art] thou among women.

Genesis 22:18

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Luke 1:48

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Psalms 21:6

For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.

Psalms 72:17

His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and [men] shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.