And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

LUKE 1:24KJV
Know the Bible

Luke 1:24 (KJV)

What does Luke 1:24 mean?

Luke 1:24 describes Elisabeth’s pregnancy after a long period without children. Following the angel’s promise to her husband Zacharias, Elisabeth becomes pregnant and spends five months in seclusion. The verse marks the beginning of what the angel said would happen.

“After those days” places the event after Zacharias returns home from his temple service. The sentence ends with “saying,” leading into Elisabeth’s own words in verse 25. She speaks about how she understands what has happened to her.

The Greek behind Luke 1:24

  • “hid” — περιέκρυβεν (periekryben): This word carries the sense of keeping oneself concealed or out of sight. Here it pictures Elisabeth withdrawing from public view for a period of time.

Why Luke 1:24 matters

  • The pregnancy answers an earlier concern in the story. Luke 1:7 says Elisabeth and Zacharias had no child and were both advanced in years.
  • Elisabeth becomes a speaker in the story, not simply someone others speak about. Her words in verse 25 explain that she sees the pregnancy as the Lord’s act of taking away her disgrace among people.
  • The five months help place the events that follow. In verse 26, the angel Gabriel comes to Mary in the sixth month, and verse 36 connects that timing with Elisabeth’s pregnancy.

Where else these words appear

“Elisabeth” Greek G1665 · used in 8 verses

  • Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
  • Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
  • Luke 1:40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

“conceived” Greek G4815 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 26:55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
  • Luke 5:7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
  • Acts 12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also.(Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

“months” Greek G3376 · used in 18 verses

  • Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
  • Acts 18:11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
  • Revelation 9:5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.

“those” Greek G5025 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 13:53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
  • Luke 23:7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
  • Acts 11:27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.