A Divine Confirmation of the Messiah’s Coming
Luke 1:39–45 (KJV)
“And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
A Moment Ordained by God
Mary’s visit to Elizabeth stands as one of the most remarkable encounters in Scripture. It is a meeting of two women, each carrying a miraculous child conceived by divine intervention. This event serves as a prophetic confirmation of the coming Messiah and a testimony of faith, obedience, and the working of the Holy Ghost.
God orchestrated this moment so that Mary would not walk alone in the early days of her calling. He provided Elizabeth—a righteous, seasoned woman of faith—as a witness, a comfort, and a prophetic voice to affirm what had been spoken to Mary by the angel Gabriel.
Mary’s Obedience and Swift Response
Luke records that Mary went “with haste” (Luke 1:39). This haste was not fear-driven but faith-driven.
Mary had just received the most astounding message ever delivered to a human: she would conceive the Son of God through the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:35). God gave her a sign—Elizabeth, her aged relative, was also miraculously with child. Mary acted immediately.
Her swift obedience demonstrates:
- Faith in God’s word — She did not delay, doubt, or debate.
- Humility — She sought the fellowship of another believer touched by God’s miraculous grace.
- Submission to divine purpose — She aligned her steps with the unfolding plan of redemption.
Mary’s journey to the hill country shows that true faith leads to decisive action.
Elizabeth: A Prophetic Witness
When Mary greeted Elizabeth, Scripture tells us that Elizabeth was “filled with the Holy Ghost” (Luke 1:41). This filling caused her to speak prophetically—confirming the identity of Mary’s unborn Child before Mary said a word.
Elizabeth declared:
- Mary’s unique blessing — “Blessed art thou among women”
- The Child’s identity — “Blessed is the fruit of thy womb”
- Revelation of the Messiah — “The mother of my Lord should come to me?”
This is the first recorded human proclamation that Jesus is Lord in the New Testament.
Elizabeth, though advanced in years, recognized the divinity of the One Mary carried. This was not human insight—it was divine revelation by the Holy Ghost.
The Leap of John: A Prophetic Sign Before Birth
In Elizabeth’s womb was John the Baptist, the prophetic forerunner of Christ. When Mary spoke, “the babe leaped in her womb for joy” (Luke 1:44). This was not ordinary fetal movement—it was prophetic fulfillment.
God declared to Zacharias that John would be “filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15). The unborn prophet responded to the presence of the unborn Savior.
This moment reveals:
- Christ’s eternal identity — Even before birth, Jesus is Lord.
- The prophetic calling of John — Even in the womb, he announces the arrival of the Messiah.
- The supernatural nature of the meeting — The Holy Ghost overshadowed both women and both children.
Heaven bore witness long before earth understood.
A Meeting Saturated With the Holy Ghost
Every element of this encounter flows under the direction of the Spirit:
- The angel’s announcement
- Mary’s obedience
- Elizabeth’s prophetic utterance
- John’s leap of joy
- Mary’s subsequent Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55)
This visit is a sanctuary of Spirit-filled revelation pointing to the advent of Christ. It shows that when God sets His plan in motion, He confirms it, establishes it, and surrounds His servants with divine encouragement.
Mary’s Faith Commended
Elizabeth concludes with a powerful statement:
“Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45).
Faith is the bridge between God’s promise and God’s performance.
Mary believed, therefore she was blessed.
In this moment, Elizabeth affirms what the angel declared—God will perform His word. The visit is both encouragement and confirmation that God’s plan for redemption is unfolding exactly as He ordained.
Conclusion
Mary’s visit to Elizabeth is more than a family encounter—it is a prophetic unveiling of God’s redemptive plan. It displays faith, obedience, spiritual affirmation, and the working of the Holy Ghost. It is the first gathering in history where Christ’s presence filled a house, even while yet unborn. In this sacred moment, God testifies that His promises are sure, His timing perfect, and His purposes unstoppable.
The meeting of Mary and Elizabeth stands as a timeless reminder:
When God speaks, He also confirms. When God calls, He also strengthens. And when God begins a work, He always brings it to fulfillment.