For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
For {G1063}, lo {G2400}, as soon as {G5613} the voice {G5456} of thy {G4675} salutation {G783} sounded {G1096} in {G1519} mine {G3450} ears {G3775}, the babe {G1025} leaped {G4640} in {G1722} my {G3450} womb {G2836} for {G1722} joy {G20}.
For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy!
For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
For behold, when the voice of thy salutation came into mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
No cross-references found for this verse.
In Luke 1:44, we hear Elizabeth's profound declaration to Mary, a pivotal moment in the early narrative of Jesus and John the Baptist. This verse captures the immediate, miraculous reaction of John in Elizabeth's womb to the presence of Jesus.
Context
This verse is part of Elizabeth's Spirit-filled greeting to Mary, who has just arrived at her house in the hill country of Judea. Mary has recently received the angelic annunciation that she would conceive Jesus by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35). Elizabeth, herself miraculously pregnant in old age with John the Baptist, is filled with the Holy Ghost upon hearing Mary's voice (Luke 1:41). Her exclamation in verse 44 directly follows her blessing of Mary and the unborn Jesus, revealing a divine connection between the two mothers and their unborn children.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word translated "leaped" is skirtao (σκίρταω), which means to leap, skip, or jump for joy. It conveys an intense, exuberant movement, often associated with joyous celebration or even a spirited animal's movement. It emphasizes the involuntary and profound nature of John's reaction to Jesus. The term "babe" (brephos, βρέφος) refers to a fetus or infant, underscoring that this recognition occurred even before birth, highlighting the sanctity and awareness of life in the womb.
Practical Application
The account in Luke 1:44 offers several insights for believers today:
This remarkable moment between Elizabeth and Mary serves as a powerful testament to the unique identity of both John and Jesus, orchestrated by God's perfect timing and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.