Luke 1:58

And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

And {G2532} her neighbours {G4040} and {G2532} her {G846} cousins {G4773} heard {G191} how {G3754} the Lord {G2962} had shewed great {G3170} mercy {G1656}{G846} upon {G3326} her {G846}; and {G2532} they rejoiced {G4796} with her {G846}.

Her neighbors and relatives heard how good ADONAI had been to her, and they rejoiced with her.

Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.

And her neighbors and her kinsfolk heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her; and they rejoiced with her.

Commentary

Luke 1:58 beautifully illustrates the communal joy that accompanies God's miraculous intervention. This verse captures the immediate and heartwarming response of Elizabeth's community to the divine favor shown to her.

Context

This verse follows the miraculous birth of John the Baptist to Elizabeth and Zacharias, an elderly couple who had long been barren. Their advanced age and Elizabeth's previous inability to conceive made this birth a clear sign of God's power and faithfulness. The news of this extraordinary event quickly spread among their "neighbours and her cousins," who were undoubtedly aware of the couple's long-standing desire for a child.

Key Themes

  • God's Great Mercy and Faithfulness: The central message is that "the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her." This "mercy" (Greek: ἔλεος, eleos) signifies God's compassionate and active beneficence, fulfilling His promise to Elizabeth and Zacharias. It underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant people, intervening in human impossibilities.
  • Communal Joy and Witness: The response of the community—"they rejoiced with her"—highlights the shared nature of blessings in ancient Israelite society. It was not merely private joy but a public acknowledgement and celebration of God's work. Their rejoicing also served as a witness to the miraculous nature of John's birth, paving the way for understanding his unique role.
  • Overcoming Barrenness: Elizabeth's long-term barrenness, a source of social stigma and personal sorrow in that culture, made the birth of her son a profound demonstration of God's power. This theme echoes similar accounts in the Old Testament, such as God opening the womb of Sarah (Genesis 21:1-7) and Hannah (1 Samuel 1:20), emphasizing that nothing is impossible with God.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "shewed great mercy" translates the Greek verb ἐμεγάλυνεν ἔλεος (*emegalynen eleos*), literally "magnified mercy." This emphasizes the extraordinary nature of God's compassion and kindness towards Elizabeth. It was not just mercy, but mercy made great and evident for all to see.

Practical Application

Luke 1:58 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today to share in the joys of others. When we witness God's goodness and favor in someone's life, especially when He overcomes difficult circumstances, our natural response should be to rejoice with them. This act of communal celebration not only strengthens bonds within the community but also serves as a collective acknowledgment of God's active presence and power in the world. It encourages us to recognize and celebrate God's "great mercy" in all its forms.

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Cross-References

  • Luke 1:14 (4 votes)

    And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

  • Luke 1:25 (4 votes)

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

  • Romans 12:15 (4 votes)

    Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

  • Ruth 4:14 (3 votes)

    And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed [be] the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.

  • Ruth 4:17 (3 votes)

    And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he [is] the father of Jesse, the father of David.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:26 (3 votes)

    And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

  • Psalms 113:9 (3 votes)

    He maketh the barren woman to keep house, [and to be] a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.