Luke 1:56 (WEB)
Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
As quoted in the map (KJV)
Luke 1:56 (KJV)
And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Key words
- μῆνας τρεῖςmēnas treis · Greek
- 'three months' — the length of time the ark stayed in the house of Obed-edom (treis mēnas, 2 Samuel 6:11 LXX).
Why it matters
Mary stays with Elizabeth about three months and then returns home. Pitre's fourth Visitation parallel: the ark remained three months in a house in Judah and blessed the household. The detail seems incidental until it is set beside 2 Samuel 6, where it completes Luke's portrait of Mary as the ark of the new covenant.
Catechism · 1
Against all human hope, God promises descendants to Abraham, as the fruit of faith and of the power of the Holy Spirit. In Abraham's progeny all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
Fathers and councils · 8
Ambrose of Milan
““Blessed,” she said, “art thou who didst believe.”” — editor's note: S. Luke i. 56.
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Augustine of Hippo
“…Him, recognized Him; that Zacharias, being filled with the Holy Ghost, said many things; that Mary herself received the Holy Ghost to conceive the Lord.” — editor's note: Luke i. 35–79.
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Catena Aurea on Luke
- Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
Mary abode with Elisabeth until she had accomplished the time of her bringing forth; as it is said, And Mary abode, &c.
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
For in the sixth month of the conception of the forerunner, the Angel came to Mary, and she abode with Elisabeth three months, and so the nine months are completed.
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
Now it was not only for the sake of friendship that she abode so long, but for the increase also of so great a prophet. For if at her first coming the child had so far advanced, that at the salutation of Mary he…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
For the chaste soul which conceives a desire of the spiritual word must of necessity submit to the yoke of heavenly discipline, and sojourning for the days as it were of three months in the same place, cease not to…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
But when Elisabeth was going to bring forth, the Virgin departed, as it follows, And she returned; or, probably because of the multitude, who were about to assemble at the birth. But it became not a virgin to be…
Read the whole comment - A Greek expositorCatena Aurea on Luke
For it is the custom for virgins to go away when the pregnant woman brings forth. But when she reached her own home, she went to no other place, but abode there until she knew the time of her delivery was at hand.…
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Cross-references · 6
Cited together in Concerning Virgins II.2.
Cited together in Concerning Virgins II.2.
Cited together in Concerning Virgins II.2.
Cited together in Concerning Virgins II.2.
Cited together in Concerning Virgins II.2.
Cited together in Concerning Virgins II.2.