And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

LUKE 1:36KJV
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Luke 1:36 (KJV)

What does Luke 1:36 mean?

Luke 1:36 tells Mary that her relative Elisabeth is expecting a son, despite her old age and her earlier inability to have children. The news gives Mary a concrete example of an unexpected pregnancy as she hears the angel’s announcement about her own coming child.

The speaker is the angel Gabriel. His word “behold” draws Mary’s attention to Elisabeth’s situation, and the mention of the sixth month gives a definite point in her pregnancy. The phrase “who was called barren” recalls how Elisabeth had been known to others before she conceived.

The Greek behind Luke 1:36

  • “cousin” — συγγενής (syngenēs): This word means a relative or member of the same family. The Greek describes a family connection, though the KJV’s “cousin” may sound more specific to a modern reader.
  • “was called” — καλέω (kaleō): This word carries the sense of being named or described. Here, “barren” was a description people had applied to Elisabeth.

Why Luke 1:36 matters

  • Gabriel’s news is closely connected to Mary’s question about her own pregnancy. After Mary asks how she can have a child, Gabriel points to Elisabeth’s pregnancy and says that nothing shall be impossible with God (Luke 1:34–37).
  • Elisabeth’s pregnancy is already well along when Mary hears about it. The “sixth month” helps place Mary’s later visit to Elisabeth in the story (Luke 1:39–40).

Where else these words appear

“barren” Greek G4723 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 1:7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
  • Luke 23:29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
  • Galatians 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

“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.

“cousin” Greek G4773 · used in 12 verses

  • Mark 6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
  • Luke 14:12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
  • Romans 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

“sixth” Greek G1623 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 20:5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
  • Luke 23:44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
  • Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;