What does Luke 1:39 mean?

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; Luke 1:39

Explanation

Luke 1:39 describes an event shortly after the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she would conceive and bear a son, Jesus, who would be called the Son of the Most High. This verse illustrates Mary’s responsive action; she travels with haste into the hill country of Juda (Judah) to visit her relative, Elizabeth, who is also experiencing a miraculous pregnancy with John the Baptist, as prophesied by Gabriel. The journey signals Mary’s eagerness and the possible urgency to share her news with Elizabeth and perhaps seek solace, support, or confirmation of her own angelic encounter.

Historical Context

This verse is set in the first century in the region of Judea during the reign of Herod the Great. It is a time of Roman occupation of the land of Israel. Mary’s travel to the hill country indicates a journey from Nazareth in Galilee to a town likely to be south of Jerusalem. The trip would have been challenging and long, reflecting the significance of her visit. The mention of “the hill country of Juda” helps to ground the narrative in a specific geographical context that was familiar to the original audience of Luke’s gospel.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse may symbolize Mary’s faith and obedience to God’s will. It also underscores the bond between Mary and Elizabeth, who are both part of God’s salvation plan. Their encounter is not just a family reunion but a divine appointment where John the Baptist, still in his mother’s womb, leaps for joy at the presence of Jesus within Mary (as described later in Luke 1:41-44). This passage is seen as a validation of Mary’s call and a foreshadowing of the significant roles both Jesus and John would play in salvation history.

Practical Applications

In application to daily life, believers might draw from this verse the importance of community and seeking support during significant life events. The example set by Mary can inspire individuals to respond to divine encounters or personal revelations with action and share their experiences with others who can understand and provide support. It also teaches the value of humility and solidarity, as Mary, despite her own incredible news, willingly reaches out and connects with another woman in her family experiencing God’s miraculous work.

Cross-References

• Luke 1:36-37: And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
• Luke 1:56: And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
• Isaiah 40:9: O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Language Study

Significant words in the original Greek language from Luke 1:39 include:

• ἀνίστημι (anistēmi) – “arose” in the verse, implying rising up from sitting or lying, or metaphorically, to embark on an activity.
• σπουδῇ (spoudē) – translated as “with haste,” conveying promptness and eagerness.
• ὀρινήν (oreinen) – “hill country,” which suggests a geographic region characterized by hills or mountains.
• ‘Ιουδά (Iouda) – “Juda,” referring to Judah, not just as a tribal designation but as a specific region in the southern part of Israel.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The motif of a miraculous birth is common in various myths and religious narratives across different cultures. For instance, in ancient Egyptian mythology, the birth of Horus to the goddess Isis is also surrounded by supernatural elements. In the Greco-Roman world, figures such as Perseus and Hercules are born under extraordinary circumstances. Comparative mythology often examines these themes of divine interaction and miraculous births in relation to the Jesus narrative and seeks to understand their role in the context of cultural and religious belief systems.

Scientific Perspectives

Luke 1:39 by itself doesn’t directly intersect with contemporary scientific understandings. However, discussions around the possible means of travel, distance, and time it would have taken for a young woman to make such a journey on foot or by donkey are of interest to historians and archaeologists. The journey’s feasibility and the physical demands it would place on Mary, who was newly pregnant, can be better understood with insights from historical geography and the study of ancient transportation.

commentaries

Commentators through the ages have offered various perspectives on this passage:

• Early Church Fathers like John Chrysostom highlighted Mary’s haste as a virtue, showing her readiness to serve.
• Modern scholars like Raymond E. Brown have pointed to the historical and theological significance of Mary’s visitation as a moment of mutual recognition of God’s intervention in history.
• Protestant commentators may emphasize the personal faith and immediate response to God’s calling as demonstrated by Mary.
• Catholic interpretation sees this verse as an early moment in the development of deep spiritual ties between Mary, Elizabeth, and their unborn children, laying the groundwork for understanding the communion of saints.