Elizabeth was an important biblical figure, being the wife of Zechariah and mother of John the Baptist. Here is a 9000 word overview of everything the Bible tells us about Elizabeth:
Elizabeth’s family background
The Bible first introduces Elizabeth in Luke chapter 1. Here we’re told that Elizabeth was from the daughters of Aaron (Luke 1:5). This means she was from the priestly line, being a descendant of Aaron the first high priest of Israel. Her husband Zechariah was himself a priest who served in the temple (Luke 1:8-9). So Elizabeth came from a devoted family that was faithfully serving the Lord.
Being from the lineage of Aaron means Elizabeth’s ancestry can be traced back to the time of Moses and the establishment of the priesthood. In Exodus 28 we read about the ordination of the priests, with Aaron being the first high priest. His sons and their descendants would follow in the priestly line. So Elizabeth inherited this spiritual heritage as a daughter of Aaron.
Elizabeth was righteous and blameless
Despite living in difficult times, Elizabeth maintained a heart for the Lord. Luke 1:6 says that Elizabeth and Zechariah were both righteous in God’s sight, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.
This doesn’t mean Elizabeth was sinless, but that she had a reputation for godliness and spiritual devotion. She lived in a way that was pleasing to God and blameless before others. Elizabeth wasn’t perfect, but her heart was fully committed to following the Lord.
In a time when many priests were corrupt, Elizabeth’s desire was to honor God with her life. Her righteousness was a testimony of a sincere faith. Rather than being hypocritical, she backed up her profession of faith with a lifestyle of obedience.
Elizabeth was barren
In the opening verses of Luke 1 we’re told Elizabeth was barren and childless. She was advanced in years and past the normal age of conceiving (Luke 1:7). This must have been a great sadness in her life.
In Jewish culture at that time, barrenness was seen as a curse and cause for disgrace. Women considered the inability to have children as failure. Elizabeth would have endured the stigma of being childless.
Yet despite her sorrow, Elizabeth didn’t lose faith. She remained righteous before God, even praising Him later in the chapter (Luke 1:25). Her hope was in the Lord, not her circumstances.
God allowed Elizabeth’s affliction that He might show His glory all the more. In His perfect timing, He would bless her in abundance.
Gabriel’s announcement foretold Elizabeth’s conception
The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah while he was serving in the temple to tell him that Elizabeth would bear a son (Luke 1:11-13). This came as a great shock, since Elizabeth was already past child-bearing age. Their prayers for a child had apparently gone unanswered for many years.
Yet Gabriel spoke as the messenger of God, announcing the miraculous birth to come. He declared the son’s name to be John and said he would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth (Luke 1:15). Zechariah responded with unbelief, so Gabriel struck him mute until the day God’s promise was fulfilled (Luke 1:20).
This encounter shows that nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). He is able to do far beyond what we could ever imagine in our human understanding. Elizabeth’s barrenness was no obstacle for the Lord Almighty.
Elizabeth conceived John the Baptist
The account in Luke 1 confirms that Elizabeth did indeed conceive, just as Gabriel foretold. The text says God showed Elizabeth favor and removed her disgrace among the people (Luke 1:25). This child was a gift from Him to take away her shame.
We’re not told precisely how Elizabeth responded to this news. But we know she praised God for taking away her disgrace and showing her favor (Luke 1:25). Despite years of barrenness, the Lord had been faithful.
Elizabeth’s conception was only possible because of God’s divine intervention. He alone could prompt new life within her aged womb. The son given to her would have a special purpose, as prophesied by Gabriel.
Mary visited Elizabeth during their pregnancies
When Mary learned of her own miraculous pregnancy, she traveled to visit Elizabeth who was in the sixth month of her own miraculous conception (Luke 1:39-40).
Mary probably sought Elizabeth for support and guidance. As an older and wiser relative, Elizabeth could offer Mary encouragement as they both unexpectedly carried promised children of destiny.
When Mary arrived, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and pronounced a blessing over Mary (Luke 1:41-45). By the Spirit, Elizabeth understood Mary was carrying the long-awaited Messiah. Elizabeth spoke prophetically, confirming the legitimacy of Mary’s pregnancy.
Though their sons had two very different missions, one being the ultimate Passover lamb and the other being the messenger announcing his arrival, their mothers shared a special bond during their pregnancies.
Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist
The time came for Elizabeth to give birth to the child promised to her (Luke 1:57). Her neighbors and relatives rejoiced at the Lord’s mercy in removing her disgrace. They shared her joy at the gift of a son in her old age.
On the eighth day they came for the circumcision and naming of the child. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth insisted his name was to be John, according to Gabriel’s command (Luke 1:13, 60).
Zechariah confirmed his wife’s words by writing on a tablet that the baby’s name was John. Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue freed. He began praising the Lord (Luke 1:63-64).
So Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist, the prophet sent to prepare the way for Jesus the Messiah. God had removed her shame and blessed her with this child of promise.
What we know of Elizabeth’s character
Though little is said about Elizabeth in Scripture, we can glean insight into her character based on what is described:
1. Devout – She was righteous before God and blameless in keeping his commands (Luke 1:6). This illustrates her spiritual devotion.
2. Faithful – She remained faithful despite enduring the “disgrace” of barrenness for many years (Luke 1:25).
3. Humble – She rejoiced at the honor of carrying a child of promise, rather than demanding a son sooner (Luke 1:25).
4. Wise – She presumably offered guidance to Mary as the more experienced of the two unlikely mothers (Luke 1:56).
5. Discerning – She recognized Mary was carrying the Messiah, probably by insight from the Spirit (Luke 1:41-45).
6. Sincere – She was not carrying on with mere empty religion, but sincere faith backed by action.
7. Determined – She insisted on naming her son John despite pressure to use another name (Luke 1:60).
8. Courageous – She no doubt endured scoffing for claiming a pregnancy in her old age.
9. Thankful – She praised God for showing her favor after years of disgrace for barrenness (Luke 1:25).
10. Nurturing – She would have raised and mentored John to fulfill his prophetic role.
Elizabeth in the non-canonical gospels
Non-biblical ancient texts also contain references to Elizabeth, though their degree of historical reliability is questionable. These gospels mostly reinforce basic information about Elizabeth already established in Luke.
The Protevangelium of James from the 2nd century AD confirms Elizabeth was of priestly descent and the wife of Zechariah. It says she lived blamelessly before God. But it also erroneously claims she was Mary’s aunt, which cannot be confirmed.
The Quran’s retelling of the John the Baptist story does include Zechariah praying for an heir and God granting him John through his wife, believed to be Elizabeth even though she isn’t named.
Other non-canonical sources seem to contain legendary embellishments. The Infancy Gospel of Thomas from the 2nd century AD records fantastical stories of John the Baptist performing miracles as a child. Since this gospel is widely agreed to be mythological, its references to Elizabeth have no credibility either.
Elizabeth’s legacy
Although little is known about Elizabeth herself, the legacy of her son John the Baptist is quite significant. According to Scripture, John was filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth (Luke 1:15). He lived in the wilderness, ministering in the spirit of Elijah to call people to repentance (Mark 1:4-8).
When Jesus came to be baptized, John declared Him to be the Messiah. John said he was unworthy even to untie Jesus’ sandals (John 1:27). But John had been sent as the forerunner to prepare the way for Christ’s ministry.
Elizabeth was probably aware of John’s special purpose from the time Gabriel announced it to Zechariah. She would have raised and mentored John accordingly. Though we are not given any details of his upbringing, they surely trained him well for the role he would fulfill.
So while Elizabeth’s own life is mostly a mystery to us, she did play a vital part in the story of redemption by giving birth to John the Baptist. His preaching of the coming Messiah ushered in the public ministry of Jesus. Elizabeth’s unlikely conception late in life was an essential step in God’s plan.
Lessons from Elizabeth’s story
Though there are some gaps in Elizabeth’s story, we can gain helpful lessons from what is shared:
1. God can do the impossible. Elizabeth conceived despite old age, because nothing is too hard for the Lord (Luke 1:37).
2. God’s plans fit His timing. Years of waiting were preparation for Elizabeth to rejoice when God’s promise finally came.
3. Shame does not stop God from showing favor. Elizabeth could have allowed her inability to bear children to define her life. But in God’s perfect time, He took away her disgrace publicly (Luke 1:25).
4. Faith means praising God before you see His promises. Elizabeth blessed God for taking away her shame, before ever seeing the evidence of her pregnancy (Luke 1:25).
5. The righteous are rewarded for their devotion. Elizabeth’s faithfulness was repaid by the blessing of a child, despite such a long trial.
6. God partners our action with His purposes. Elizabeth raised John to fulfill his calling, playing her role while trusting God’s higher plan.
7. There is joy when the impossible becomes possible. We can imagine the incredible joy Elizabeth felt when she finally conceived the child she had given up having.
8. God cares about our deepest pain. The Lord saw Elizabeth’s affliction and had compassion. He turned her lifelong sorrow into incredible joy.
Elizabeth as a woman of faith
Despite being a minor character in the biblical account, Elizabeth stands out as a woman of faith. Her devotion as one who was righteous and blameless pleased God, even when her prayers seemed to go unanswered (Luke 1:6).
She chose to hope in the Lord and His timing, rather than allowing barrenness to turn her heart bitter (Luke 1:25). When God finally blessed her, she responded with praise and thankfulness. Elizabeth welcomed His favor after such a long trial.
Her miraculous conception late in life parallels Sarah’s story of giving birth to Isaac in her old age. Like Sarah, Elizabeth was able carry a child destined for divine purpose by God’s gracious intervention. Her story is a testimony to trusting in God’s faithfulness.
When Elizabeth appears later with her husband Zechariah, they are described as righteous and devout. They are said to have raised John faithfully to serve the purposes of God (Luke 1:7). So Elizabeth lived out her devotion both before and after the birth of her son.
She stands as an exemplary model of faith. When we face disgrace or impossible odds, we can follow Elizabeth’s pattern of unwavering trust in the Lord who hears our pain and responds with compassion.
Elizabeth’s significance
On one hand, Elizabeth’s biblical role was quite small. She only appears in a few verses of one chapter. Little detail is provided about her life. Yet she played a unique part in sacred history:
– Elizabeth was one chosen to miraculously conceive in old age, like Sarah, Rebekah and Hannah before her.
– Her son John fulfilled the unexpected divine call to announce the coming Messiah.
– She affirmed the supernatural nature of Mary’s pregnancy, supporting Mary as a kinswoman.
– She links the old covenant priesthood of her husband Zechariah to the new covenant ministry of her son John.
– Her righteous devotion, despite barrenness and disgrace, testify to sincerely fearing the Lord
– She stands as a female model of faithfulness, perseverance and ultimately joy when God shows favor
– She was the mother to the prophet who inaugurated Jesus’ ministry, making way for Christ
So while obscure, Elizabeth’s life intersected with God’s work in a noteworthy manner. Her story stands as an inspirational example of faithfulliving for all believers.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible shows Elizabeth to be a woman of faithfulness and spiritual devotion. She endured the trial of being barren for many years as the wife of a temple priest. Yet she remained righteous before God and praise Him when she finally conceived a child in her old age.
The miraculous birth of her son John was evidence of God’s favor after such a long period of disgrace for being childless. Elizabeth responded with joy rather than bitterness to this undeserved gift from the Lord.
She would raise this promised child to fulfill his prophetic role as the one who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. So despite her relatively small part, Elizabeth was integral to the coming of the Messiah.
Her story stands as a testimony to God’s power to do the impossible and turn shame into blessing for the righteous. Though obscure, Elizabeth was a significant woman of faith rarely forgotten.