Who was Elizabeth in the New Testament?

Elizabeth, a prominent figure in the New Testament, is best known as the mother of John the Baptist and the wife of Zechariah, a priest from the division of Abijah. Her story is primarily found in Luke 1, where she is portrayed as a righteous and faithful woman who played a significant role in God’s redemptive plan. Her life demonstrates God’s faithfulness, the importance of prayer, and the fulfillment of His promises. This study of her life and character, highlights her legacy and the lessons we can learn from her story.

Elizabeth’s Background and Family Lineage

Elizabeth was of priestly descent, tracing her lineage back to Aaron, the brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel:

Luke 1:5 (NKJV): “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.”

Being a descendant of Aaron, Elizabeth’s family was highly esteemed in Jewish society, as the priesthood was an honored position. This heritage underscored her religious upbringing and her connection to God’s covenant with Israel.

Marriage to Zechariah

Elizabeth was married to Zechariah, a priest who served in the temple. Their union was marked by devotion to God, both individually and as a couple:

Luke 1:6 (NKJV): “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.”

This verse highlights their godliness and commitment to obeying God’s laws, a trait that would be central to their role in His plan.

Barrenness and God’s Timing

Elizabeth’s story begins with a deep sorrow: she was barren and advanced in age, making childbearing impossible by human standards. This would have been a source of personal grief and social stigma in her time.

Luke 1:7 (NKJV): “But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.”

The Pain of Barrenness

In the Jewish culture of Elizabeth’s day, children were seen as a blessing from God, and infertility was often misunderstood as a sign of divine disfavor. However, the Bible makes it clear that Elizabeth and Zechariah were righteous and blameless before God, disproving any notion of judgment.

Psalm 127:3 (NKJV): “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.”

Elizabeth’s faith and endurance in the face of this pain demonstrate her trust in God’s sovereignty.

God’s Timing

Elizabeth’s barrenness sets the stage for God’s miraculous intervention. Her story parallels that of Sarah, Hannah, and other women in the Bible whose childbearing was delayed until God’s appointed time.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV): “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”

God used Elizabeth’s situation to demonstrate His power and glory, ultimately providing her with a son who would prepare the way for the Messiah.

The Angel’s Announcement to Zechariah

While Zechariah was serving in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him with the extraordinary announcement that Elizabeth would bear a son, despite her advanced age.

Luke 1:13 (NKJV): “But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.'”

This verse reveals that Zechariah and Elizabeth had been praying for a child, likely for many years. God’s response to their prayers shows His faithfulness to those who trust Him.

John’s Unique Role

The angel explained that their son, John, would have a special mission:

Luke 1:16-17 (NKJV): “And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 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.”

Her son would play a pivotal role in preparing the hearts of people for Jesus, the Messiah.

Pregnancy and Joy

Elizabeth conceived just as the angel had said, and she immediately recognized God’s hand in her life:

Luke 1:24-25 (NKJV): “Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, ‘Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.'”

God Removes the Reproach

Elizabeth’s words express her gratitude and relief as God lifted the burden of barrenness from her life. Her experience serves as a testimony of God’s power to transform shame into joy.

Psalm 30:11 (NKJV): “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.”

Joy in the Promise Fulfilled

Elizabeth’s response reflects her faith in God’s promises. She recognized that her son’s birth was part of a greater plan, bringing not only personal joy but also hope for Israel.

A Divine Encounter

Elizabeth’s most well-known interaction in Scripture is her meeting with Mary, the mother of Jesus. After the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would conceive the Messiah, Mary visited Elizabeth to share the news.

Luke 1:39-40 (NKJV): “Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.”

The Holy Spirit’s Revelation

When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy, and the latter woman was filled with the Holy Spirit:

Luke 1:41-42 (NKJV): “And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!'”

Her words confirm Mary’s unique role as the mother of the Messiah. The leaping of the baby in her womb signifies the recognition of Jesus’ divine nature, even before His birth.

A Prophetic Declaration

Elizabeth continued to bless Mary, affirming her faith in God’s word:

Luke 1:45 (NKJV): “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

Her prophetic insight and encouragement strengthened Mary, highlighting the importance of godly fellowship and support among believers.

The Birth of John the Baptist

When Elizabeth’s time came to give birth, her neighbors and relatives rejoiced with her:

Luke 1:57-58 (NKJV): “Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.”

Naming the Child

At the child’s circumcision, Elizabeth and Zechariah broke with tradition by naming their son John, as the angel had instructed:

Luke 1:60 (NKJV): “His mother answered and said, ‘No; he shall be called John.'”

This act of obedience reflected their faith and submission to God’s will.

Zechariah’s Prophecy

After John’s birth, Zechariah’s speech was restored, and he prophesied about his son’s mission:

Luke 1:76-77 (NKJV): “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins.”

Elizabeth’s son would grow up to fulfill this prophecy, preparing the way for Jesus through his preaching and baptism.

Lessons from Elizabeth’s Life

Elizabeth’s story offers timeless lessons for believers:

A. Faith in God’s Promises

She trusted in God’s faithfulness, even in the face of long-term disappointment. Her life reminds us to remain steadfast in faith, knowing that God’s timing is perfect.

Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV): “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

B. The Power of Prayer

Elizabeth and Zechariah’s answered prayers highlight the importance of persistent prayer and trust in God’s plan.

Matthew 7:7 (NKJV): “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

C. God’s Sovereignty

Her miraculous pregnancy demonstrates God’s power to work beyond human limitations, showing that nothing is impossible for Him.

Luke 1:37 (NKJV): “For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Conclusion

Elizabeth’s life is a testament to God’s faithfulness and the importance of trusting in His perfect timing. Despite facing the pain of barrenness and societal stigma, she remained steadfast in her faith, ultimately witnessing the miraculous fulfillment of God’s promises.

Her story encourages us to persist in prayer and to recognize God’s sovereignty over our circumstances. Through her example, we learn that God can transform our deepest sorrows into joy and that He often uses ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary purposes, as seen in the pivotal role her son, John the Baptist, would play in preparing the way for the Messiah.