Luke 1:56

Luke 1:56

And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

a. NLT: Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.

b. NIV: Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

c. Amplified Bible: And Mary remained with her [Elizabeth] for about three months and [then] returned to her [own] home.

d. Worrell Translation: And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her house.

1. And Mary abode with her about three months,

a. and [1161 * de] [Strong: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. Mary [3137 * Maria] [Strong: of Hebrew origin (4813); Maria or Mariam (i.e. Mirjam), the name of six Christian females:-- Mary.]

c. abode [3306 * meno] [Strong: a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):--abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own.]

d. with [4862 * syn] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting union; with or together (but much closer than 3326 or 3844), i.e. by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.:--beside, with. In composition it has similar applications, including completeness.]

e. her [846 * autos] [Strong: from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

f. about [5616 * hosei] [Strong: from 5613 and 1487; as if:--about, as (it had been, it were), like (as).]

g. three [5140 * treis] [Strong: or neuter tria tree'-ah a primary (plural) number; "three":--three.]

h. months [3376 * men] [Strong: a primary word; a month:--month.]

1). We can only imagine the conversations that went on in that household for those three months, limited of course by the fact that Zacharias could not talk and as Luke 1:62 implies, he could not hear either. Think for a moment the facts surrounding these events. An angel announces the conception and birth of Zacharias’s and Elisabeth’s child. During her pregnancy Mary, her cousin comes to visit her. As she hears Mary’s voice without seeing her face, the baby in her womb leaps for joy. The Holy Ghost then comes upon Elisabeth and she prophesies, confirming Mary’s divine pregnancy. Probably most of the conversations in that household for the next three months were about what the Scriptures said about the Messiah. Zacharias probably not only shared his knowledge of the Scriptures but he probably also asked those who were more learned than himself concerning the Scriptures foretelling the Messiah. Wow, to be able to hear those conversations.

2. “…and returned to her own house.”

a. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. returned [5290 *  huposstrepho; hupo-from; strepho-to turn] [Strong: from 5259 and 4762; to turn under (behind), i.e. to return (literally or figuratively):--come again, return (again, back again), turn back (again).]

c. to [1519 * eis] [Strong: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

d. her [846 * autos] [Strong: from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

e. house [3624 * oikos] [Strong: of uncertain affinity; a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively):--home, house(-hold), temple.]

1). It is no doubt upon Mary returning home that her pregnancy became visible and leading Joseph to divorce his espoused wife.

2). Matthew 1:18, 19 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.