Luke 1:57 (KJV)

What does Luke 1:57 mean?

Luke 1:57 describes the moment when Elizabeth, who had been waiting through her pregnancy, finally reached the time to give birth and delivered a son. This verse marks the fulfillment of the promise that Elizabeth, despite her old age, would have a child.

Luke is narrating the story of Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah, who had been unable to have children for many years. The verse signals a turning point in the story, as her long-awaited son—who will be known as John the Baptist—is born. This event is important in the larger narrative because it sets the stage for John’s role in preparing people for Jesus.

The Greek behind Luke 1:57

• πλήρης (plērēs, "full") and χρόνος (chronos, "time") together highlight that the exact period of Elizabeth’s pregnancy was completed, emphasizing the fulfillment of a specific promise or appointed time.
• ἐτελέσθη (etelesthē, "came") is often understood as “was fulfilled” or “reached completion,” stressing that this was not just any birth, but one that happened at the right, divinely appointed moment.
• ἐγέννησεν (egennēsen, "brought forth") and υἱόν (huion, "son") make clear that the child born is a son, which is significant because it fulfills the angel’s earlier message to Zechariah.

Why Luke 1:57 matters

• Luke 1:57 confirms that God’s promise to Elizabeth and Zechariah has come true, showing that even what seems impossible can happen through God’s intervention.
• This verse connects directly to earlier verses where the angel foretold John’s birth, tying the narrative together and showing that each step is happening as foretold.
• By marking the birth of John the Baptist, Luke 1:57 sets up the next important events in the story, including the reactions of Elizabeth’s neighbors and the naming of the child.