What does Luke 1:43 mean?

And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Luke 1:43

Explanation

Luke 1:43 contains a statement of humility and wonder spoken by Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, when she is visited by Mary, who would become the mother of Jesus Christ. Upon hearing Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and expresses her astonishment and honor that Mary, whom she calls “the mother of my Lord,” should visit her. This verse implies a recognition of Mary’s unique role in salvation history and signals Elizabeth’s understanding of the significance of the child Mary carries. It also reflects a broader theme in the Gospel of Luke, highlighting the importance of humility, joy, and recognition of God’s workings in the world.

Historical Context

Luke 1:43 is set in the early days of Mary’s pregnancy with Jesus, after the Annunciation but before his birth. At this time, Mary visits her relative Elizabeth, who is also miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist despite being advanced in years. The setting is presumably in Judea, where Elizabeth lived.

Culturally, this was a time when the Jewish people were under Roman occupation and longing for a messiah to liberate them. The exchange between Mary and Elizabeth occurs within this atmosphere of anticipation and is steeped in the Jewish traditions and scriptural expectations of a coming savior from the line of King David.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse is loaded with significance. The title “the mother of my Lord” implies both a royal and divine acknowledgment — “Lord” could refer to a king or God Himself. In Christian theology, this is an early proclamation of Mary as the Mother of God (Theotokos), a title officially adopted by the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, which has been a point of both devotion and theological debate within Christianity.

Elizabeth’s exclamation is seen by some as a fulfillment of Old Testament Scriptures (e.g., 2 Samuel 6:9, where King David says a similar line regarding the Ark of the Covenant), suggesting that Mary is a new “Ark” carrying the presence of God.

Practical Applications

In a practical sense, this verse can inspire attitudes of humility and reverence for the ways in which God works through others. It encourages the faithful to recognize and honor the image of God in each person and to approach others with the same wonder and respect that Elizabeth shows to Mary. It also reminds believers to be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit, which Elizabeth experiences as she speaks.

Cross-References

• Luke 1:35: “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
• 2 Samuel 6:9: “And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?”
• Luke 1:41: “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.”

Language Study

• “Mother” (Greek: μήτηρ, mētēr) conveys the biological and relational aspect of Mary’s connection to Jesus.
• “Lord” (Greek: κύριος, kyrios) often used in the Greek Old Testament to translate the divine name Yahweh, and in the New Testament context, reflects the divine identity of Jesus and acknowledges his lordship and authority.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparisons can be drawn between this verse and ancient cultural practices of hospitality and veneration of significant visitors. In the Hebrew Bible, visitations by angels or divine presences were often moments of great significance and honor (e.g., Abraham’s encounter with the three visitors in Genesis 18). Religiously, parallels can be found in other traditions where the arrival of a spiritual figure brings about reverence, as seen in the Eastern traditions of honoring a visit from a holy guru or master.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the verse does not directly intersect with scientific concepts, as it deals with spiritual recognition and honor. However, modern scientific understanding of pregnancy and communication between unborn children and their mothers can shed light on the physical aspects of the encounter, such as the leap of John the Baptist in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary greets Elizabeth.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentaries focus on the theological importance of Elizabeth’s acknowledgment of Mary’s role. For instance, the Pulpit Commentary notes the significance of the phrase “mother of my Lord,” indicating the recognition of the divine nature of Mary’s child. Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes the humility and blessedness of the Virgin Mary as something that should be regarded with honor. Commentators often discuss the prophetic nature of Elizabeth’s statement, as filled and prompted by the Holy Spirit, making this encounter one of the first New Testament affirmations of Jesus’ divine sonship and Mary’s unique role in God’s redemptive plan.