Luke 1:56

KJV

And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Mary {G3137} abode {G3306} with {G4862} her {G846} about {G5616} three {G5140} months {G3376}, and {G2532} returned {G5290} to {G1519} her own {G846} house {G3624}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Miryam stayed with Elisheva for about three months and then returned home.

Berean Standard Bible

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

American Standard Version

And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned unto her house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 1:56 concisely brings to a close Mary's significant three-month visit with Elizabeth, a period marked by divine revelation, mutual encouragement, and spiritual fellowship. This verse serves as a crucial narrative transition, signaling Mary's humble return to her ordinary life in Nazareth, where she would continue to await the miraculous birth of Jesus, having been deeply nourished and confirmed in her extraordinary calling by her kinswoman.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 1:56 serves as the concluding statement to a profound narrative segment that began with Mary's Annunciation by Gabriel in [Luke 1:26-38](/luke/1-26-38 "The Annunciation of Jesus' Birth"). Following this momentous announcement, Mary embarked on a journey to the hill country of Judah to visit her kinswoman Elizabeth, who was also miraculously pregnant in her old age ([Luke 1:39](/luke/1-39 "Mary's Journey to Elizabeth")). The encounter between the two women is highly significant, marked by Elizabeth's Spirit-filled greeting and the leaping of John in her womb, confirming Mary's unique blessedness ([Luke 1:40-45](/luke/1-40-45 "Elizabeth's Prophetic Greeting")). In response, Mary offered her magnificent song of praise, the Magnificat, a profound theological declaration of God's faithfulness and justice ([Luke 1:46-55](/luke/1-46-55 "Mary's Magnificat")). Verse 56 then acts as a gentle narrative pivot, concluding Mary's stay just before the birth of John the Baptist, which is detailed immediately in [Luke 1:57-80](/luke/1-57-80 "The Birth and Naming of John the Baptist"). Her return to Nazareth sets the stage for the narrative focus to shift towards the impending birth of Jesus himself in [Luke 2](/luke/2 "The Birth of Jesus").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, extended visits between relatives, especially during significant life events like pregnancy, were common and highly valued. Mary's journey from Nazareth in Galilee to the hill country of Judah was a considerable undertaking for a young woman, highlighting her urgency and desire for spiritual connection. The duration of "about three months" strongly suggests that Mary stayed through Elizabeth's final trimester, likely culminating around the time of John the Baptist's birth. This timing would have allowed Mary to witness the miraculous birth and the subsequent events surrounding John's naming and Zechariah's restored speech ([Luke 1:57-66](/luke/1-57-66 "The Birth and Naming of John the Baptist")), further solidifying her faith and understanding of God's unfolding plan. Such a period of shared life and mutual support was culturally appropriate and spiritually enriching, providing a safe and understanding environment for both women as they navigated their unique divine callings.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Timing and Providence**. Mary's stay was not arbitrary; it was providentially timed to coincide with Elizabeth's final months of pregnancy, allowing for a period of crucial spiritual fellowship and confirmation before the births of the two pivotal figures in salvation history. Secondly, the passage highlights the **Importance of Spiritual Community and Support**. The bond between Mary and Elizabeth exemplifies how believers can offer encouragement, wisdom, and confirmation to one another, especially during times of unique calling or challenge. Elizabeth, being older and a recipient of a miracle herself, served as a vital mentor and confidante for the young Mary, affirming her calling as the mother of the Messiah ([Luke 1:43](/luke/1-43 "Elizabeth's Recognition of Mary")). Finally, Mary's simple return to her "own house" after such profound experiences illustrates the theme of **Humility and Obedience**. Despite being chosen for an unparalleled role, Mary humbly resumed her ordinary life, demonstrating her trust in God's plan and her readiness to prepare for the extraordinary birth ahead, echoing her initial declaration of being the Lord's servant in [Luke 1:38](/luke/1-38 "Mary's Response to Gabriel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **abode (Greek, _ménō'_):** From G3306, meaning "to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)." This word emphasizes Mary's intentional and sustained presence with Elizabeth. It implies more than just a brief visit; it was a period of dwelling, continuing, and remaining, suggesting deep fellowship and shared spiritual anticipation. Her "abiding" was a commitment to the relationship and the shared divine experience.
* **returned (Greek, _hypostréphō'_):** From G5290, meaning "to turn under (behind), i.e., to return (literally or figuratively)." This word signifies a physical turning back to her original location. It marks the end of a specific, divinely appointed season and the resumption of her journey towards the next phase of God's plan. It implies a completion of the purpose of her visit.
* **house (Greek, _oîkos'_):** From G3624, meaning "a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)." This term refers to Mary's physical home in Nazareth. Her return to her "own house" signifies a return to her familiar environment, her family, and the quiet preparation for the monumental event of Jesus' birth. It represents a transition from the intense spiritual fellowship with Elizabeth back to the more private, personal space where her unique calling would unfold.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Mary abode with her about three months":** This clause highlights the duration and nature of Mary's stay. The "about three months" is a significant period, strongly implying that Mary remained with Elizabeth until or just after the birth of John the Baptist, providing support and witnessing the miraculous fulfillment of God's promise to Zechariah and Elizabeth. This extended stay fostered deep spiritual bonding and mutual encouragement between the two women chosen by God for pivotal roles in salvation history.
* **"and returned to her own house":** This clause marks Mary's departure from Elizabeth's home and her journey back to Nazareth. Her return signifies the completion of the specific purpose of her visit—to confirm her faith, receive encouragement, and share in the joy of Elizabeth's pregnancy. It also prepares the narrative for the focus to shift to Mary's own impending delivery and the birth of Jesus, underscoring her humble obedience to God's plan, even as she resumed her ordinary life in extraordinary circumstances.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 1:56, though brief, functions as a significant **Narrative Transition**. It effectively closes one chapter of the story—Mary's visit to Elizabeth and the shared anticipation of their miraculous pregnancies—and prepares the reader for the next, which will detail the birth of John the Baptist and then Jesus. The phrase "about three months" is a specific **Temporal Marker**, grounding the miraculous events in a realistic timeframe and highlighting the extended period of fellowship. The simple statement of Mary's return to "her own house" employs **Understatement**; after such profound divine encounters, her quiet return emphasizes her humility and the ordinary context in which God's extraordinary plan was unfolding. It also serves as a subtle **Foreshadowing**, as her return to Nazareth precedes the most significant event in the Gospel: the birth of the Messiah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 1:56, while seemingly a simple statement of fact, carries profound theological weight. It underscores God's meticulous orchestration of events, bringing together Mary and Elizabeth for a period of mutual confirmation and spiritual strengthening. This divine appointment highlights the importance of faith-filled community in navigating God's unique callings, demonstrating that even those chosen for extraordinary purposes need the support and affirmation of fellow believers. Mary's humble return to her "own house" after experiencing such profound divine encounters speaks to the principle that spiritual experiences, no matter how grand, are meant to ground us in our daily lives and responsibilities, not detach us from them. It reflects a deep trust in God's timing and provision, as she quietly prepared for the next, even more miraculous, phase of her journey.

* [Proverbs 27:17](/proverbs/27-17 "Iron Sharpens Iron")
* [Hebrews 10:24-25](/hebrews/10-24-25 "Do Not Neglect Meeting Together")
* [Philippians 2:3-4](/philippians/2-3-4 "Humility and Considering Others")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 1:56 offers a powerful reminder of the value of intentional, supportive relationships in our spiritual journey. Mary, though uniquely chosen, was not left to bear her extraordinary calling in isolation. She sought out Elizabeth, and their time together provided invaluable confirmation, encouragement, and a safe space to process the miraculous. In our own lives, we too need spiritual companions who can affirm God's work in us, offer wisdom, and share in our joys and challenges. This verse also teaches us about the rhythm of spiritual life: moments of intense spiritual encounter are often followed by a return to the ordinary. Mary's humble return to her "own house" after such a profound experience teaches us to integrate our spiritual insights into our daily routines, trusting that God continues to work in and through us even in the mundane. It encourages us to embrace humility, knowing that our greatest acts of faith often occur in the quiet obedience of our everyday lives, as we prepare for what God has next.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Who are the "Elizabeths" in your life who offer spiritual encouragement and confirmation, and how can you cultivate such relationships?**
* **How do you integrate profound spiritual experiences or insights into your daily life and responsibilities?**
* **What does Mary's humble return to her "own house" teach you about trusting God's timing and embracing the ordinary alongside the extraordinary?**
* **In what ways can you offer support and affirmation to others who are navigating unique callings or challenging circumstances?**

### FAQ

**Why did Mary stay with Elizabeth for "about three months"?**

Answer: Mary's stay of "about three months" was a divinely orchestrated period that likely spanned Elizabeth's final trimester of pregnancy, culminating around the time of John the Baptist's birth. This duration provided several key benefits. Spiritually, it allowed Mary to receive crucial affirmation and encouragement from Elizabeth, whose own miraculous pregnancy served as a tangible sign of God's power and faithfulness, confirming the angel Gabriel's words to Mary in [Luke 1:36-37](/luke/1-36-37 "Elizabeth's Pregnancy as a Sign"). Practically, it offered Mary, a young woman facing an unprecedented and potentially scandalous pregnancy, a safe and supportive environment with a trusted kinswoman. The timing also meant Mary would have been present for the birth of John, witnessing the fulfillment of God's promise to Zechariah and Elizabeth ([Luke 1:57-66](/luke/1-57-66 "The Birth and Naming of John the Baptist")), which would have further strengthened her faith as she awaited the birth of her own Son.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 1:56, though focused on Mary's return, subtly contributes to the unfolding narrative of Christ's incarnation and mission. Mary's three-month sojourn with Elizabeth, culminating in her return to Nazareth, was a period of profound preparation for the arrival of the Messiah. It was during this time that the two forerunners of Christ—John the Baptist (in Elizabeth's womb) and Jesus (in Mary's womb)—were in close proximity, a physical manifestation of the divine connection between the Old Covenant's prophetic culmination and the New Covenant's dawning. Mary's quiet return to her "own house" underscores the humble, unassuming context into which the King of Kings would be born, fulfilling prophecies of a Messiah who would come not with pomp and power, but in lowliness ([Isaiah 53:2-3](/isaiah/53-2-3 "The Suffering Servant")). Her obedience and trust, exemplified by her simple return, mirror the ultimate obedience of Christ, who "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Christ's Humility")). The entire episode, from Annunciation to Mary's return, sets the stage for God's redemptive plan to unfold through the person of Jesus, the Lamb of God who would ultimately take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Thus, this seemingly simple verse is a quiet yet essential step in the divine choreography leading to the world-changing birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

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.