Discuss Luke 1 Page 4

Please Lord continually bless David and his family in their stewardship and servitude for Your Glory. Please Holy Spirit continually guide them in prayer and Bible readings that enriches their hearts, minds and souls I pray in Jesus Christ name!

Please consider reflecting on 1 Chronicles 4:10, 2 Timothy 2:1, 2 Timothy 1:7, Luke 1:37.

God doesn't need possessions as we understand it, 'having or owning things' that are necessary for our survival or happiness. In Psalm 50:10, God says: "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills." God owns all things He has created, even the special called-out people (first Israel, then those who've come to faith in Christ) & also that special city Jerusalem (Zion). Psalm 87:2-3 says, "The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God." According to this verse, Zion is synonymous with City of God, and it is a place that God loves. Zion is Jerusalem.



Zion is first mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:7. Zion was originally an ancient Jebusite fortress in the city of Jerusalem. After David's conquest of the fortress, Jerusalem became a possession of Israel. The royal palace was built there, and Zion/Jerusalem became the seat of power in Israel's kingdom. When Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, the meaning of Zion included the temple area ( Psalm 2:6; Psalm 48:2,11,12; Psalm 132:13). Therefore, the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:6, "Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God."

Zion is also used in a spiritual sense in Scripture. In the Old Testament, Zion refers figuratively to Israel as the people of God ( Isaiah 60:14). In the New Testament, Zion refers to God's spiritual kingdom: Hebrews 12:22. Peter, quoting Isaiah 28:16, refers to Christ as the Cornerstone of Zion ( 1 Peter 2:6).

Mount Zion, as a geographical area, is now the focus of much dispute (mainly between Jews & Muslims). The Bible is clear that one day Zion will be the sole possession of the Lord Jesus, and Zion, both the nation and the city, will be restored. ( Isaiah 52:1; Isaiah 60:14). When Jesus returns to Earth, His rule will be from Jerusalem ( Zechariah 14:1-4; Luke 1:32,33). I hope you can see why Zion is so important & especially significant in God's Eyes as a special City of God (on Earth).

Read all of 2 Peter 3. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit, soon after they were driven out of the garden of Eden. It was protected with a flaming sword.

The Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) immediately set in motion the plan to retrieve the authority that Adam lost to Satan. Satan was never human. He was created by God. Only mankind is human. Earth was created for humans.

In Abraham obeying God, when he was to sacrifice Isaac on an altar, God was showing how painful it is to lose a son. He stopped the sacrifice and provided a lamb for the sacrifice. Jesus would someday be the Lamb of God.

In Luke 1:26,35 Mary is told by Gabriel that she's going to have a baby that would be the Son of the Highest, the Son of God. Jesus's powers were set aside to be born as a Human.

Jesus lived 30 years without spot or wrinkle; the sinless Lamb of God. In Luke 4:18, Jesus reads from the Torah, Isaiah 61:18-21. At that moment he was anointed by God for ministry. He received his power he had set aside. The people rejected him. Jesus set out to find His disciples.

When He went to the Cross, Satan still had not figured out the Godhead's plan in progress. He was happy When Jesus was nailed to the Cross. When Jesus was entombed Satan thought that was the end of that. He forgot all about that confrontation he had with Jesus when Jesus fasted 40 days.

Third day, Jesus was resurrected. He led over 500 resurrected saints from Satan's prison; with the keys in his hands. He had all power, all authority. Many saw Jesus. I'll stop here to show you this:

Jesus stumped on Satan's neck as prophesied in Genesis 3:15. Jesus restored Power and Authority to His Disciples and all those who would become His Believers

On Pentecost, The Holy Spirit came to the Upper Room to indwell the Disciples and Believers that were waiting as Jesus told them to.

Jesus's Believers today have received the same anointing, power and authority. Authority to defeat Satan!

Grow the Church.

John 20 -- Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

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

15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people

Yes, The gift of the Holy ghost was given on Pentecost, but John/Baptist was filled in his mothers womb. And Zacharias the day John was born. There is nothing that God can't do. Matthew chapter 2 is how this wonderful plan came to all the world, all people of all nations, all tongues, all colors Who so ever will let him come. Glory to God for his son Jesus

Please Lord Jesus Christ hear Patsy's prayer request for daughter for spiritual peace for her soul and her financial situation. All things are possible through You according to Your Word. Please enrich Patsy with financial blessings, her daughter with spiritual peace in receiving You as her Savior. Please Holy Spirit help and guide them in the Bible to be nourished daily I pray in Jesus Christ name!!

Please consider reflecting Luke 1:37, 2 Timothy 2:1, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalms 55:22, Psalms 46:1, Psalms 91.

There was 1st a Priesthood in: Genesis 14:18,

Another priesthood established after 400+ yrs of captivity of Israel in Egypt. Established in Exodus 28:1, described & defined & detailed in; Exodus 28, Ex. 29, Ex. 30, Ex. 31, Ex. 35, Ex. 38, Ex. 39, Ex. 40, Leviticus 1, note the Name, Aaron being in the Levi lineage= Exodus 2:1, Numbers 26:59, if you want to study the laws of the Priesthood all the chapters of Leviticus, I recommend.

Numbers 3:1-45, clarified who was allowed to be in the Priesthood. Note: Numbers 3:32, Numbers 4, breaks down duties of each family, within that tribe, separated by GOD specifically, Numbers 3:12-13, Numbers 3:41, Deuteronomy also describe the duties. This continued through the book of Joshua. King David & king Solomon, re-established the Levitical Priests; 1Chronicles 6:10, then again at the return of the Babylonian captivity re-established by Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, & all Israel that returned.

Therefore by these recorded accounts it appears the priesthood that existed during the moment your referring to in Mark 15, were traditional heirs of the priesthood as established, in Exodus. Respected & upheld by Jesus himself= Matthew 8:4, Mark 1:44, Luke 5:14,

Please read Isaiah 53, Zechariah 13:6, John 18:35,

Interestingly in: Luke 1:5, Luke 2, Hebrews 5, Hebrews 6, Jesus Our High Priest.

They swayed Pilate, Matthew 27:24, Mark 15:15, Luke 23:4-23, John 19:8-15, yet GOD ordained it & Christ allowed it, John 10:17,

I find it useful to read & study many Books of the Bible to answer my questions within one part of another Book.

Hopefully these are helpful & fully answer your questions

Conception brings together all the genetic instructions needed to create a unique, never-before-existed human being. All that is needed from this point forward is a safe and nurturing environment in which to grow. The killing of a child in the womb completely stops this natural growth process.

What grows within a woman when she becomes pregnant is a human life. According to the Bible, the taking of that life through abortion is murder based on the sixth of the Ten Commandments ( Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17).

God inspired King David to recognize that his life began at conception when he caused him to write how "wonderfully made" he was in the womb. David attributes to God his creation as a human being, in the body of his mother, at least six times in Psalm 139:13 - 16. Scripture does speak of knowing a person even before they are created (see Jeremiah 1:5, Luke 1:13 - 17, 31 - 33).

Note the following in regard to the argument that an abortion does not kill a "real" person. After God miraculously caused the conception of Jesus in Mary's womb she travelled to stay with Elizabeth ( Luke 1:56), who was six months pregnant. When she arrived the baby inside Elizabeth, upon hearing Mary's voice, leaped with joy ( Luke 1:41)!

Did you mean, Psalms 119:49-72 ?

Psalms 118, stops at verse 29,

It's believed king David wrote, Psalms 119, then:

Psalms 119:49 + 1Kings 9:5, Jeremiah 33:17, 1Kings 2:45, Psalms 132:11, Isaiah 16:5, Luke 1:32, David's throne to have an heir to reign forever, Jesus being that son of David.

2Samuel 12:13

Psalms 119:67,71, 2Samuel 12:14, 2Samuel 12:9-12,

Hopefully these are helpful

Page 2.

Even in the Bible we read the same in Luke 1:34,35: "Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, 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." Thus the answer is learned: God gave His message through the angel; God's Spirit overshadowed Mary (or, placed within her womb) God's Holy Special Seed which was to be born into humanity; therefore, "He shall be called the Son of God". As al-Qur'an also states, 'this special Birth is humanity's sign & a revelation of God's Mercy to the world.'

You asked, the meaning of 'begotten'. I hope you can now see what it means, by God's Action: it is not a normal human-type birth, but a 'one of its kind, unique birth from God placing His special Seed into the woman. What was this special Seed? The Bible tells us, that God took His Own Word & sent it forth into the world as a human being (you can read about it in John 1:1-14). Even in Surah 3:45: "Remember when the angels proclaimed, 'O Mary! Allah gives you good news of a Word from Him, his name will be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary; honoured in this world and the hereafter, and he will be one of those nearest to Allah." (This Word from God (kalimat'ullah: God's Word), His Name will be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary).

How can anyone tell Jesus he was wrong? There isn't time or space to write all there is to say about sin on this board but it won't enter into Gods heaven.

John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, (and sin no more.)

John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: (sin no more), lest a worse thing come unto thee.

Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins

John the baptist was filled with the holy spirit in his mothers womb, because he would be the chosen one to baptise Jesus for the remission of sins. At that moment heaven was opened and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove. and a vocie from heaven said "this is my son whom i love and him i am well pleased".

Brother Giannis, thank you for your comment. As a young person attending 'Church', I was taught that Jesus was always in Heaven (from the beginning), a part of the Trinity (therefore in spirit form), & was sent to Earth to become Man to fulfil God's Plan. I think you're saying the same thing but adding that since God's Word came to the people, Jesus was also called the "Word of God".

Ordinarily, I would agree with that view. But in studying the Scriptures, the following convinces me to believe differently.

John 1:1 (He was never known by this Name Jesus - only that the Word existed within the Godhead, just as the Holy Spirit exists).

John 1:14 (that Word was given flesh - the Word's Form was changed from Spirit to flesh).

Matthew 1:21 (that humanly birthed Babe would be called Jesus - a Name not used or known before in Heaven but now given to this new Life on Earth, coming as 'Yahweh is Salvation').

Luke 1:35 (the first title used of this Babe: "The Son of God". I don't find this revealed anywhere else in the Scriptures (OT) that the Son of God existed in Heaven (i.e. as a Son) - He only became a Son through His Incarnation).

Hebrews 1:1,2 (as God's Word was given to Israel via the prophets, so through His Son now God speaks to them & us. The same Word of God: once to the prophets, now the Word made flesh to speak, not as a prophet, but as the Son of God, God's Word in the flesh).

From all this, I don't deny the existence of Jesus in Heaven before the incarnation, but don't find evidence that He was called Jesus (in Heaven) or functioned as He did on Earth while in Heaven. Rather, I'm compelled to accept "there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one" ( 1 John 5:7). The Word that always was within the Godhead is now Jesus seated as the Lord in flesh at His Father's right Hand.

Dawn:

Christ is the Angel of the Lord (the Father).

Christ is the highest ranked Angel.

Christ is Michael the Archangel.

Christ is the Prince.

Isaiah 63:9 ....and the ANGEL of HIS PRESENCE (the Father's presence, the ONLY LIFE there is) saved them.

Christ is the saviour, therefore Christ is the Angel, the messenger of the Father.

Luke 1:19 And the Angel answering him said unto him, I AM Gabriel, that stands in the presence of God ...

Anyone standing in the presence of God, has the LIFE OF GOD.

Ephesians 4:6 There is ONE GOD (ONE LIFE) and Father of ALL (standing in his presence), and above ALL, and through ALL, and IN YOU ALL.

John 14:6 I AM THE LIFE .....

Colossians 1:27 ...this mystery ....Christ in You ....

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and will rather to be absent from the body, and to be PRESENT (in the presence) of the lord (the ONLY LIFE).

Philippians 2:13 For it is GOD (the only Life) that worketh IN YOU (his body) both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.

Ephesians 4:4 There is ONE SPIRIT, and ONE BODY .....

God Bless You!

I recommend that you read the Bible & not trust the other.

If you want to know who Jesus is start with: Matthew 1:1, Mark 1:1, Luke 1:1, John 1:1, & read through each chapter.

Hopefully you find that helpful.

Prophets, Prophetic, gifts of Prophecy in New Testament

Romans 12:6,

2Peter 1:16-21,

1Timothy 4:14,

Revelation 1:3,

Gifting working within the Body: 1Corinthians 12, 1Corinthians 13, direction concerning in Church: 1Corinthians 14:29-40,

Prophets yet to come: Revelation 11:3-19, false prophet yet to come: Revelation 16:12-15, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:10,

Revelation 19:10,

Revelation 22,

John the Baptist referred to as Prophet: Luke 1:76, Luke 3:4, Matthew 13:57, Mark 6:4, Luke 4:24, Luke 7:26,28, Luke 20:3-20, John 1:19-37,

Acts 3:22-26, Acts 7:35-60, Titus 1:12,

Matthew 10:41,

Jesus talking about Prophets in HIS day, referred to himself also: Matthew 21:26, Matthew 11:9, Mark 11:32, John 4:4,

Luke 13:33, Luke 24,

Paul & others acknowledged prophecy, Prophets, even Women that did Prophecy: Acts 21:8-14,

Hope these are helpful

Please God heal Rena'a son as he is suffering with difficult eating. Your Word says nothing is impossible for you. Please Holy Spirit enriched this family with Your spiritual gifts and guide them this difficult time with her son condition I ask in the name of Jesus Christ!!!

Please reflect on Luke 1:37, Psalms 23.

Please God strengthen Erma through this adversity for Your Word states all things are possible through You. Please open her husband spiritual eyes to having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Please Lord Jesus Christ continually strengthens Erma with Your grace and Holy Spirit guide her daily with patience and faithfulness I pray in Jesus Christ name!

Please consider reflecting on Luke 1:37, 2 Timothy 2:1, Psalms 18:1-2.

Kurt,

Here is a scripture I just found for you : Psalms 25:16-18

I believe you can forgive now. Matthew 6:14, Mark 11:25,

In the last few years GOD has placed forgiveness on my thoughts for people, some had already passed. Some wrongs I had forgotten but as I remembered, GOD would remind me to forgive.

There are moments we have deep regrets, especially when a loved one is passed on. I have prayed similarly as you & felt peace because nothing is impossible with GOD, Luke 1:37, Mark 10:27, Luke 18:27, Matthew 19:26,

The Kingdom of God "In our midst"

Part 1 of ?

We know there are many prophesies in the old testament of Jesus reigning and sitting on David's Throne.

Today I want to discuss a great misrepresentation of this truth starting with two of many scriptures in the old testament then we'll go into the New Testament.

1) "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Is 9:6-7.'

2) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

Malachi 4:5.

Here's the same promise given to Mary in Luke 1:32-33.

In those days When a king would go out to another country to seize it, or peacefully he would send ahead his messenger/fore runner. They didn't come by surprise. ( They came with observation ) "Keep that in mind "

John the baptist was Jesus fore runner.

Mark 1:2-3.

Matthew 11:13-14.

Israel was expecting a forerunner and king that was to come and rid them of the Romans and sit on David's Throne.

John the baptist was sent ahead to announce The King, Jesus was bringing in a heavenly kingdom not one you can observe, It wasn't going to be a March to battle. That's why Jesus said it come without observation in. They rejected their King due to blindness under the mosaic system.

Please see part 2.

Interesting question. Most excellent Theopholis in Luke 1:1-4 apparently addressed someone as a nobleman as to who the book was written to. The man who couldn't have demons cast out in Mark 9:29 addressed whichever disciples had a failed attempt to cast it out. The conversation when Jesus said you will see a man with an colt tied up and to ask his permission was recorded in Luke 19:30-34. Matthew 17:24-25 definitely shows Peter having a conversation with the tax collector. Then there is the verse in Luke 18:39 which could refer to the Disciples complaining or telling someone to be quiet; and similar references where they were mentioned to be trying to stop someone who was also doing healings and the like in Luke 9:50.

It seems most things were not too edifying that the disciples tried to do to interfere with what people were doing in Christ's presence. Sad commentary; but again before Pentacost many things were hidden from them. It seems there is no named individual who was mentioned; even with Christ until the trial immediately preceeding His death. We do see; however John the Baptist and his interaction which eventuallly caused him to be martyred. There were clearly interactions necessary to procure the healing of Peter's mother in law; and for Christ to give the Apostle John the care of His mother at His death.

Jeremiah 33:17-18, Jeremiah 33:19-22, Luke 1-2, note JESUS was cousin to Elizabeth whom was daughter to Aaron, Luke 1:5, making him heir also to priesthood after Aaron, it appears. Fulfillment of the law, not necessarily replacing: Matthew 5:17,18,

I believe it was to clearly point out the fulfillment of Prophecy. Please see:

Son of David prophecy : 1Kings 9:5, Jeremiah 33:17, 2Chronicles 7:18, Psalms 132:11,

The coming promise of deliverance : Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 33:15, proclaimed: Matthew 22:24,43,44,45, Matthew 1:1,

Luke 18:38, some identified JESUS as by different names for significance to themselves, healer, deliverer

Son of GOD : Genesis 6:2,4, Daniel 3:25, Matthew 8:29, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 27:54, Mark 1:1, Luke 1:35, Romans 8:14, Matthew 11:27,

Son of Man : prophecy : Daniel 7:13-14, Revelation 1, Genesis 3:15, Ezekiel 30:1-4, Job 25:4-6, Job 35:8-16, Matthew 24:30, proclaimed : Mark 14:21, John 12, Matthew 11:19,

Additionally he was called the BRANCH : Job 14:7, Psalms 80:15, Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah 14:19, Jeremiah 23:5, Zechariah 3:8, Zechariah 6:12, proclamed: John 15,

Also "shall be called Nazarene " Matthew 2:23,

Hopefully this is helpful

Matthew 21:21-22,

GOD's WORD says seek & you shall find, knock & it shall be opened, Matthew 7:7, Luke 11:9, Luke 1:37, Luke 18:27, Mark 10:27,

Ask & you shall receive, say with your mouth believe with your heart & it will happen. Mark 9:23, John 16:23,24, John 14:13,14, John 15:16,

Mark 11:22-26,

That doesn't just apply to believers GOD even gives people over Romans 1:18-32,

Matthew 17:20, Hebrews 11:6,

Mark 14:36,

James 4:3,

James 4,

Please stay within scripture, write it upon your heart. Proverbs 7:1-3, Deuteronomy 11:18, Proverbs 3:3,

Mark 7:9, Mark 7:13, Colossians 2:8,

Hopefully these are helpful & insightful

Luke 1, Luke 2, note Luke 1:15,16,17, Luke 1:41-45, Luke 1:76,

Hopefully these are helpful.

Concerning this passage Patrick, I believe that the Lord Jesus may have explained to His disciples that Elias (Elijah) who came, came in the spirit & power as was seen endued in the person of John the Baptist. The Angel of the Lord spoke to Zacharias (John's father) of the prophecy that was upon his coming son: Luke 1:17, "And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." This was not Elijah reincarnated, but the man John the Baptist who would display the same zeal & power of words & action as did Elijah.

1Timothy 5:8, please read 1Timothy 5, for context, it's not just talking about immediate family but providing for Aunts.

Titus 1:7, 1Corinthians 4:2, Luke 19, Luke 12, Matthew 25,

Matthew 27:35, John 19:24, Psalms 22:18, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, Joel 3:3, Obediah 1:11, Nahum 3:10, Esther 3:7-15, Esther 9:24,

Leviticus 16:8-10, Numbers 26:55,56, Numbers 33:54, Numbers 34:13, Jonah 1:7, Acts 1:26,

Proverbs 16:33, Proverbs 18:18, Luke 1:9,

Please read the following

Hebrews 10:1-31, Hebrews 9:1-28,

The law of Priests, regarding the Ark of The Covenant & Holy of Holies : Exodus 25:8-22, Exodus 26:33,34, Leviticus 16:1-34, Deuteronomy 10:8,

note: Hebrews 9:3-5,

1Samuel 3:1-3, 1Samuel 3:19, * 1Samuel 3:20, 1Samuel 7:15,16,17, 1Samuel 8:1, doesn't call Samuel or his sons priests, 1Samuel 9:9,10,15,19,

* 1Samuel 4:3-11, 1Samuel 4:22, 1Samuel 5:1, 1Samuel 7:2, The Ark of The Covenant was taken,

1Samuel 8:5,6,7,19,22,

David didn't become King until after Samuel passed on. 1Samuel 25:1, while David was still hiding from Saul. 2Samuel 6:1-9, is David's 1st attempt to retrieve the Ark of The Covenant, 2Samuel 6, * 1Chronicles 13:3, Please also read 1Chronicles 15,

Significant note: Luke 1:5-23, Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45,

Kenneth,

In Matthew 11:14, when Jesus was speaking about John the Baptist, Jesus said that John the Baptist was Elijah who was to come. Jesus is referring to Malachi 4:5 that tells us that Elijah will come before Messiah comes, and Elijah will be the forerunner to the Messiah.

However, we have a problem here because in John Chapter 1, when the leadership sent people out to ask John, "Are you the Messiah?" John said, "No!" "Are you the prophet?" which by the way is also a term for the Messiah. Again, John said no. "Are you Elijah?" He said no again.



So he is John the Baptist, but he is not Elijah. But Jesus said this is Elijah who was to come. So either John didn't know who he was, or he was confused or something? Even in Matthew Chapter 17 in the Transfiguration, when they came down off the hill, the disciples understood what Jesus said about John the Baptist, that John the Baptist was Elijah. But John said he isn't.

So was he Elijah or not? The answer to that is found in Luke 1:17, when the angel came to announce to Zacharias that his wife Elizabeth was going to give birth, which would be John the Baptist. And he said that he (John) will come in the spirit and power of the Elijah, the "spirit and power" of Elijah. John the Baptist is going to have the same ministry as Elijah. He is not going to be Elijah personally, but he has the same ministry as Elijah.

Therefore, that settles our dilemma about John. He says no, I'm not Elijah, I'm John. However, the Spirit's anointing upon him was that he came in the spirit and power of Elijah. The same spirit that had anointed Elijah was the same spirit that anointed John.

Hope this helps!

Luke 1:39-45

Elizabeth is Mary's cousin. She is now elderly and she and her husband, Zechariah, have never been able to have children. Now Elizabeth is pregnant as God has worked a miracle so they can conceive. Their child will grow up to be John the Baptist , the person whose role in life is to prepare people for Jesus.

FROM: Bibleask.org

"And, behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren" ( Luke 1:36).

How were Mary and Elizabeth related?

The word "cousin" in Greek is "suggenis" which means "kinswoman" or "relative." The word "suggenis" simply implies that Mary and Elizabeth were relatives, with no indication as to degree of relationship.

The word "cousin" was first used here in Wycliffe's translation. This was during a time when the word did not have the specific meaning it does now. There is no exact term in Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic to denote what we describe today as a "cousin."

The law made provision for the intermarriage of the tribes ( Numbers 36:6), and members of the tribes of Levi and Judah often intermarried. Elizabeth was of the tribe of Levi. "and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth" ( Luke 1:5).

Mary was of the tribe of Judah. "To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary" ( Luke 1:27). If Mary was of Judah, it seems that Mary's father would also be of Judah. Therefore, it is possible that Mary's connection with Elizabeth was either through her mother or through Elizabeth's mother.

A question

Some may ask: how Elisabeth, who was one of the daughters of Aaron ( Luke 1:5) and consequently of the tribe of Levi, could be cousin to Mary, who was of the house of David, and consequently of the tribe of Judah ( Luke 1:3) because of the law ( Numbers 36:6,7)?

The answer is that the word cousin can be taken in two senses: one in a large sense as Paul called all the Jews his kinsmen ( Romans 9:3). And the other in a strict sense, for the daughters of the tribe of Levi can actually marry into any other tribes, having no inheritance to carry away, to violate the law ( Numbers 36:1-13).