Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was also pregnant. When Mary entered the house and called a greeting, Elizabeth felt her baby move within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy SpiritThe third element of the 'Trinity' (God is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit). The Holy Spirit is active as God's presence and power in the world. and said 鈥淵ou are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear!鈥 She went on to say that her baby jumped with gladness at the sound of Mary鈥檚 voice.
Understanding the text
Elizabeth is Mary鈥檚 cousin. She is now elderly and she and her husband, Zechariah, have never been able to have children. Now Elizabeth is pregnant as God has worked a miracle so they can conceive.
Their child will grow up to be John the BaptistFor Christians, the person who came to prepare the way of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and who baptised him in the River Jordan., the person whose role in life is to prepare people for Jesus.
Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth when both of them are expecting their babies. Elizabeth鈥檚 baby 鈥渓eaped in her womb鈥 when Mary entered the house and called a greeting.
This incident shows that even though they are not yet born, John acknowledges the superiority of Jesus and recognises that Jesus is God鈥檚 son.