Chapter

Luke 1:44

ESV For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
NIV As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
NASB For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.
CSB For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me.
NLT When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.
KJV For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
NKJV For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

What does Luke 1:44 mean?

The child who will one day be known as John the Baptist (Luke 3:2–3) is a few months from being born (Luke 1:36). Mary, a virgin (Luke 1:26–27) bearing the Son of God (Luke 1:31–33), has only just become pregnant. And yet, when Mary arrives at the home of Elizabeth (Luke 1:39–40), both mother and unborn child respond to her presence in dramatic ways. John "leaps" when Mary speaks, and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41–42). She is inspired to celebrate Mary's pregnancy, despite there being no sign of it, yet, and Mary having not told her the news.

Elizabeth also realizes that the Child carried by Mary is her "Lord." Her own son is predicted to be a herald of the Messiah (Luke 1:14–17). The Baby carried in Mary's womb is that Promised One (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7). She tells Mary about the way John reacted to Jesus' presence. She will continue to compliment Mary for her faithful response to this news (Luke 1:45). Elizabeth's own husband, Zechariah, initially doubted (Luke 1:18–20), while Mary reacted in humble faith (Luke 1:34, 38).
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What is the Gospel?
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