1:43 1:43

Luke 1:44

1:45 1:45

Bible Versions

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.

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

  • Divine Recognition: John the Baptist, while still in the womb, supernaturally recognizes the presence of the Messiah, Jesus. This highlights his divinely appointed role as the forerunner.
  • Joyful Anticipation: The "leaping for joy" signifies a profound, spiritual response to the proximity of the Savior. It's not merely a physical movement but an expression of spiritual elation and immediate worship.
  • The Holy Spirit's Work: Elizabeth's entire prophetic utterance, including this observation, is a direct result of being filled with the Holy Ghost, demonstrating God's active involvement even in the earliest stages of His redemptive plan.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This event foreshadows John's later ministry of preparing the way for the Lord, as foretold in passages like Malachi 3:1 and reiterated by Gabriel concerning John in Luke 1:17, establishing him as the forerunner of the Messiah.

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:

  • Responding to Christ's Presence: Just as John responded to Jesus, believers are called to respond with joy and spiritual awakening to the presence of Christ in their lives and in the world.
  • Divine Purpose from Conception: This verse beautifully illustrates that God has a plan and purpose for individuals even before birth, affirming the value and sanctity of life in the womb.
  • Spiritual Discernment: The event points to the Holy Spirit's ability to reveal Christ's presence and significance, even to those who cannot yet speak or reason. We are called to cultivate such spiritual discernment and sensitivity to God's moving.

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.

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.

No cross-references found for this verse.

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