Elizabeth

Elizabeth was the wife of the priest Zechariah and a relative of Mary, recognized in Scripture as a righteous woman who remained faithful despite lifelong barrenness and advanced age. In Luke 1, the angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah that Elizabeth would conceive a son named John, who would serve as the prophesied forerunner to the Messiah, and she miraculously became pregnant, giving birth after her period of seclusion. During Mary’s visit, the unborn John leaped in Elizabeth’s womb, prompting her to be filled with the Holy Spirit and bless Mary as the mother of her Lord. Her account demonstrates God’s pattern of intervening in human impossibility, fulfills Old Testament prophecies such as Malachi 3:1 and 4:5-6, and marks the transition to the New Testament era through the births of John and Jesus.

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Biography

Tribe: Levi (priestly family)
Spouse: Zechariah
Children: John the Baptist
Era: New Testament (c. 6 BC)
Nationality: Jewish

Family

Elizabeth ⚭ Zechariah (Father of John the Baptist)

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Children

John the Baptist

New Testament New Testament Era Woman Luke

Did You Know?

Elizabeth belonged to the priestly lineage as a descendant of Aaron, making her marriage to Zechariah a union within the tribe of Levi that underscored their shared dedication to temple service.

After conceiving in old age, Elizabeth secluded herself for five months, a detail suggesting deliberate withdrawal to meditate on the angelic prophecy rather than immediate public announcement.

When Mary visited, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and became the first person in the New Testament to refer to Jesus as Lord, recognizing the unborn child's identity through divine revelation.

Against prevailing Jewish custom of naming a son after his father or kin, Elizabeth overruled her relatives by declaring the child's name John, directly obeying the angel's instruction.

Her pregnancy at an advanced age echoed the miraculous births to Sarah and Hannah but uniquely positioned her son as the prophetic forerunner, linking Old Testament promises to the New Testament era.

Key Passages

Angel's Announcement

Luke 1:5-25

This passage shows how God tenderly fulfills long-held hopes of the faithful, preparing the way for greater joy and purpose.

T⁵here was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

⁶ And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. ⁷ And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. ⁸ And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, ⁹ According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. ¹⁰ And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. ¹¹ And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 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. ¹⁶ And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 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. ¹⁸ And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. ¹⁹ And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. ²⁰ And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. ²¹ And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. ²² And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. ²³ And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. ²⁴ And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, ²⁵ Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

Read full chapter: Luke 1 →

Mary Visits Elizabeth

Luke 1:39-45

This passage reveals how the Holy Spirit sparks joyful confirmation of God’s promises, strengthening faith through shared blessing and recognition.

A³⁹nd Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

⁴⁰ And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 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: ⁴² And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. ⁴³ And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. ⁴⁵ And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.