King James Version
What Does Luke 1:39 Mean?
“And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;”
Context
37
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
39
And 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:
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(39) **The hill country . . . a city of Juda.**—The description is too vague to be identified with any certainty. The form of the proper noun is the same as that in “Bethlehem, of the land of Juda,” in Matthew 2:6. The city may have been one of those assigned to the priests within the limits of the tribe of Judah, and if so, it is interesting to think of the Virgin as undertaking a journey which brought her not far from the very spot in which she was to give birth to the divine Child. No city of the name of Juda is known, but there is a Juttah in Joshua 15:55; Joshua 21:16, in the neighbourhood of Maon and the Judæan Carmel, and therefore in the “hill country,” which may possibly be that which is here referred to.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Luke 1:39 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Luke 1:39
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge