And what is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
whence.
Luke 7:7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
Ruth 2:10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
1 Samuel 25:41 And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.
my.
Luke 20:42-44 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, …
Psalm 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
John 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
that the mother of my Lord
Elizabeth's use of "my Lord" is significant, as it indicates her recognition of the divine nature of the child Mary is carrying. This is one of the earliest confessions of Jesus' lordship, even before His birth. The term "Lord" (Greek: Kyrios) is used throughout the New Testament to denote Jesus' divine authority and is a title often reserved for God. This acknowledgment aligns with Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah, such as Isaiah 9:6, which speaks of a child who will be called "Mighty God."
should come to me?
Elizabeth's question underscores the extraordinary nature of the event. In the cultural context of the time, Mary, a young woman, visiting Elizabeth, an older woman, would typically be seen as a reversal of social norms. However, Elizabeth recognizes the spiritual significance of the visit, as it fulfills God's plan. This visit also highlights the theme of God's favor and grace, as seen in the lives of other biblical women like Hannah (1 Samuel 1:11) and Sarah (Genesis 21:1-2), who were also part of God's redemptive history.
• Elizabeth has just been “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:41), and her first instinct is humble astonishment, not self-importance.
• Her attitude echoes the heart that God esteems: “To this one will I look: to the humble and contrite in spirit” (Isaiah 66:2).
• Humility has marked the faithful throughout Scripture—think of Jacob saying, “I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant” (Genesis 32:10).
• Elizabeth’s honor is rooted in God’s gracious initiative, not in her own merit, much like David’s amazement in 2 Samuel 7:18: “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?”
• By calling Mary “the mother of my Lord,” Elizabeth explicitly identifies the unborn Jesus as “Lord,” the same divine title used in Psalm 110:1: “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand…’”
• The Spirit-prompted recognition affirms both Jesus’ deity (John 1:1, 14) and His true humanity conceived in Mary’s womb (Luke 1:31, 35).
• This moment fulfills Isaiah 7:14—“Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel”—linking Mary directly to messianic prophecy.
• Elizabeth’s phrase also anticipates Thomas’s post-resurrection confession, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28), showing continuity from Jesus’ prenatal presence to His glorified state.
• Mary’s journey from Nazareth to the Judean hill country (Luke 1:39) is an act of loving service, mirroring her own later words, “He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant” (Luke 1:48).
• Elizabeth recognizes this visit as a gracious divine appointment, similar to how Mephibosheth marveled at David’s kindness: “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” (2 Samuel 9:8).
• The encounter models the joy of fellowship among believers—“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” (Psalm 133:1)—and anticipates the mutual edification described in Romans 1:11-12.
Elizabeth’s Spirit-filled exclamation layers humility, Christ-centered faith, and grateful amazement. She sees herself as unworthy, recognizes the unborn Jesus as her divine Lord, and treasures Mary’s visit as a gift of grace. Luke 1:43 invites us to the same posture: humbled by God’s favor, confident in Jesus’ lordship from the very beginning, and eager to honor Him in every relationship and encounter.
(43) Whence is this to me . . .?--The sudden inspiration bids Elizabeth, rising above all lower thoughts, to recognise that the child of Mary would be also the Son of the Highest. The contrast leaves no room for doubt that she used the word "Lord" in its highest sense. "Great "as her own son was to be (Luke 1:15) in the sight of the Lord, here was the mother of One yet greater, even of the Lord Himself.Verse 43. - And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? But the Holy Ghost (verse 41) raised Elisabeth's thoughts yet higher. Not only did she bless the mother of the coming Messiah, but the Spirit opened her eyes to see who that coming Messiah really was. Very vague indeed was the conception of the coming Messiah in Israel. The truth was, perhaps, revealed, and in rapt moments received by men like Isaiah and Ezekiel; and now and again men like David; Daniel wrote down visions and revelations respecting the Coming One, the true purport of which vision they scarcely grasped. Generally the Messianic idea among the people pictured a hero greater than Saul, a conqueror more successful than David, a sovereign more magnificent than Solomon. They pictured ever the glorious arm sustaining the coming Hero-King; but few, if any, dreamed of the "glorious arm" belonging to their future Deliverer. But here the Spirit in a moment revealed to the happy wife of the priest Zacharias that the Babe to be born of her young kinswoman was not only the promised Messiah, but was the awful Son of the Highest! Think, reader, what these simple words we are considering signify! Why am I so favored "that the mother of my Lord should come to me"? "The contrast leaves no room for doubt," well argues Dean Plumptre, "that she used the word 'Lord' in its highest sense. 'Great' as her own son was to be (verse 15) in the sight of the Lord, here was the mother of One yet greater, even of the Lord himself."