14. Exegeting Lk 1 Vv 39-45

Mary visits Elizabeth Luke 1 vv 39-45

The Text • 39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. • 42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “You are blessed by God above all other women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should visit me! 44 When you came in and greeted me, my baby jumped for joy the instant I heard your voice! 45 You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

Step 1: The Genre Gospel Narrative Note: “Gospel“ because the writer may include interpretative remarks in the narrative that point to why the narrative is Good News!

Step 2: Ideas Listed

• A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, • to the town where Zechariah lived. • She entered the house • and greeted Elizabeth. • At the sound of Mary’s greeting, • Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, • and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. • Elizabeth gave a glad cry • and exclaimed to Mary, • “You are blessed by God above all other women, • and your child is blessed. • Why am I so favoured, • that the mother of my Lord should visit me! • When you came in and greeted me, • my baby jumped for joy the instant I heard your voice! • You are blessed,

Step 3: Structure’s Shape Shown A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “You are blessed by God above all other women, and your child is blessed. What an honor this is, that the mother of my Lord should visit me! When you came in and greeted me, my baby jumped for joy the instant I heard your voice! You are blessed,

3: The Shape of the Structure

4: The Persons and Actions

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “You are blessed by God above all other women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should visit me! When you came in and greeted me, my baby jumped for joy the instant I heard your voice! You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do

Structure Shown: A A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry

Structure Shown: B “You are blessed by God above all other women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should visit me! When you came in and greeted me, my baby jumped for joy the instant I heard your voice! You are blessed,

Step 4: Analyse the Content: A A few days later MARY Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, HURRYING to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house ELIZABETH and greeted Elizabeth. GREETING At the sound of Mary’s greeting,

Step 4: Analyse the Content : B “You are blessed by God BLESSING above all other women, GOD and your child is blessed. AN UNBORN CHILD Why am I so favoured, HONOUR that the mother of my Lord should visit me! When you came in and greeted me, my baby jumped for joy RECOGNITION

B: The Shape of the Structure

C: The Persons and Actions

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, HURRY! to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. ELIZABETH At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, EXCITEMENT and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, JOY

OF

“You are blessed by God above all other women,

D. The Topics of the Passage MARY IN A

MARY GREETING

ELIZABETH’S BABY’S

ELIZABETH’S INSPIRATION ELIZABETH’S

ELIZABETH’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

MARY’S BLESSING and your child is blessed. …& OF HER CHILD’S BLESSING Why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord ELIZABETH’S SENSE OF should visit me! BEING HONOURED When you came in ELIZABETH’S ACCOUNT OF HER OWN EXPERIENCE and greeted me,

Step 5: Over-all Subject A Mothers’ Meeting + Exciting News + Elizabeth’s Reaction + Two Unborn Babies + Great Blessings + God Keeping His Promise = Either (A): Mary’s Exciting News! about What God Has Done

Step 5: Over-all Subject A Mothers’ Meeting + Exciting News + Elizabeth’s Reaction + Two Unborn Babies + Great Blessings + God Keeping His Promise Or (B): Elizabeth’s Response to Mary’s Exciting News about What God Has Done

Step 6: Teaching about O/A Subject A)

Mary’s Exciting News This Exciting News • makes the bearer travel fast! • has to be shared with others! • makes people very happy! • is extra-ordinary! • is accompanied by a filling (inspiration) of the Holy Spirit! • brings blessing! • brings honour to those who hear it!

Step 6: Teaching about O/A Subject B)

Elizabeth’s Response to Mary’s Exciting News Elizabeth’s response to Mary’s news is preceded by • her baby leaping for joy in her womb • herself being filled with the Holy Spirit (= she is inspired?) She herself responds by • becoming excited and gladdened by the news • recognising that Mary is more blessed than herself or any other woman • thinking about Mary’s baby before her own • humbly acknowledging how honoured she is by Mary’s visit • recognising Mary’s faith in what God has promised to do (through her, Mary)

Step 7: The Heart-Beat of the Passage Be excited about Jesus this Christmas

& be humbled about what God has done for you!