Luke 1:56 – “Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.”
Extended Explanation
This verse comes at the end of Mary’s visit with her relative Elizabeth, who was also experiencing a miraculous pregnancy with John the Baptist. Mary stayed for about three months, likely helping Elizabeth as her pregnancy progressed toward its final stages. At the same time, Mary was likely processing her own incredible news that she would give birth to the Messiah.
Mary’s extended stay wasn’t just practical—it was spiritually significant. Being with Elizabeth provided her with a safe place to reflect, pray, and receive encouragement from someone who understood what it was like to be part of God’s extraordinary plan. After about three months, Mary returned home to Nazareth, where she would face the challenges of explaining her pregnancy to her family and community.
Historical Context
In Mary’s time, family ties were central to daily life, and it was common for relatives to help one another during important events, such as childbirth. Elizabeth was much older than Mary and would have appreciated the help during the later months of her pregnancy. At the same time, Mary was likely seeking support and wisdom from someone who understood the miraculous nature of her situation.
Elizabeth’s pregnancy itself was seen as a sign of God’s intervention, as she had been unable to have children until this point. Her child, John the Baptist, would later prepare the way for Jesus. Mary’s visit to Elizabeth wasn’t just a family visit—it was part of the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan, where two key figures in salvation history were being prepared for their roles.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the importance of fellowship and spiritual encouragement. Mary and Elizabeth’s time together was not just a family gathering—it was a time of mutual support and confirmation of God’s work. Both women were experiencing miraculous events, and their time together shows how God provides encouragement through others during moments of uncertainty.
Mary’s three-month stay also reflects the idea that God’s plans are often carried out in the context of community. Even though Mary’s calling was personal, she wasn’t left to handle it alone. God provided her with someone who could affirm her faith and encourage her to trust His plan. This reminds us that faith is meant to be lived out in community, where believers can support one another.
Literary Analysis
This verse serves as a transition point between Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and the events that would follow when she returns to Nazareth. Luke’s Gospel often includes small but significant details, and this verse subtly underscores the passage of time as God’s plan continues to unfold. The three-month period emphasizes the ongoing preparation for both John the Baptist and Jesus, showing that God’s work is often gradual and requires patience.
The simplicity of the statement—“Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months”—contrasts with the profound events happening around it. This literary technique reflects a theme found throughout Scripture: God often works in the ordinary details of life to accomplish extraordinary purposes.
Biblical Cross-References
- Ruth 1:16 – Ruth’s decision to stay with Naomi shows the importance of loyalty and support during life-changing moments.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” This passage highlights the value of companionship and mutual encouragement.
- Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together.” This verse emphasizes the importance of community and encouragement in the life of faith.
- Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This verse illustrates how believers strengthen each other through relationship and support.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder that we are not meant to face life’s challenges or fulfill God’s calling alone. Just as Mary found encouragement and affirmation from Elizabeth, we too need the support of fellow believers. God often places people in our lives to walk alongside us during times of uncertainty, growth, or transition.
This verse also shows that waiting is part of God’s plan. Mary spent three months with Elizabeth, during which time she would have reflected on God’s promises and prepared for what was to come. In the same way, we are often called to be patient and trust God during seasons of waiting. Even when it seems like nothing extraordinary is happening, God is at work in the background, preparing us for what lies ahead.
Additionally, Mary’s return home reminds us that obedience to God’s call doesn’t exempt us from difficulties. She would soon face the challenge of explaining her pregnancy to Joseph and her community, but her time with Elizabeth would have strengthened her faith and resolve.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in the way He provided Mary with the support and encouragement she needed during a pivotal moment in her life. He didn’t leave her to figure things out on her own—He brought her to someone who could confirm His plan and share in her joy. This reflects God’s loving nature, as He often provides people and circumstances to reassure us when we’re walking in faith.
God’s love is also seen in the way He works through relationships. Mary and Elizabeth’s connection wasn’t accidental—it was part of God’s plan to strengthen both women and prepare them for their roles in His redemptive work. God’s love is relational, and He often demonstrates it through the people He places in our lives.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse is connected to Jesus because it highlights the preparation for His birth and the role that community played in God’s plan of salvation. Elizabeth’s child, John the Baptist, would later prepare the way for Jesus, and Mary’s time with Elizabeth was part of that preparation.
Jesus Himself later demonstrated the importance of community in His ministry. He surrounded Himself with disciples and taught them to support and encourage one another. His ministry was relational, emphasizing that following God is not a solitary journey. Jesus also affirmed that His followers are part of a spiritual family, united by faith and love (Matthew 12:48-50).
Additionally, Mary’s visit to Elizabeth foreshadows the connection between John the Baptist and Jesus. John would grow up to call people to repentance and point them to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Who has God placed in your life to encourage you and strengthen your faith? How can you seek out or deepen those relationships?
- Have you ever experienced a season of waiting, like Mary’s three-month stay with Elizabeth? What did God teach you during that time?
- How can you be an “Elizabeth” to someone else—providing support, encouragement, and affirmation of God’s work in their life?
- How does this verse challenge you to trust in God’s timing, even when things seem ordinary or uneventful?
- How does the connection between Mary and Elizabeth inspire you to view your faith as part of a larger community and story?
Luke 1:56 reminds us that God’s plans often unfold in the context of relationships and community. Just as Mary found strength and encouragement through her time with Elizabeth, we are called to support one another as we walk in faith. This verse challenges us to trust God during seasons of waiting and to recognize that even the ordinary moments of life can be part of His extraordinary plan. Through Jesus, we are invited to be part of God’s family, where we can find the support and love we need to fulfill His calling.