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Luke 1:39

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 1:39 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah;
Luke 1:39 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
36And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren.
37For no word from God shall be void of power.
38And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
39And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah;
40and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth.
41And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit;
42and she lifted up her voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed [art] thou among women, and blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Mary arose in those days, etc.] The Ethiopic version renders it, “in that day”; directly, immediately, as soon as the angel was gone from her; partly to know the truth of things, and to make use of the sign which had been given her, for the further confirmation of her faith, which was very right and proper for her to do; and partly to converse with Elisabeth about the great things which God had done for each of them, and to praise his name together: “and went into the hill country with haste”; the same which is called the country of the hills, and the hills, and the mountains, in (<061040>Joshua 10:40 11:2,16 16:1 18:13 <142610>2 Chronicles 26:10) where the Septuagint use the same word…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“VISIT OF MARY TO ELISABETH. (Luke 1:39-56) hill country--the mountainous tract running along the middle of Judea, from north to south [WEBSTER and WILKINSON]. with haste--transported with the announcement to herself and with the tidings, now first made known to her, of Elisabeth's condition. a city of Juda--probably Hebron (see Jos 20:7; Jos 21:11).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And Mary arose - The word “arose” here is equivalent to “setting out,” or starting on a journey. The hill country - The region in the vicinity of Jerusalem, commonly called the hill country of Judea. City of Juda - What city is meant is not known. Some have supposed it to be Jerusalem, others Hebron; but all is conjecture. It was probably a Levitical city, and the residence of Zechariah when he was not employed in the temple. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“A city of Judah - Probably Hebron, which was situated in the hill country of Judea, and belonged to the house of Aaron. Luke 1:41”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:39 The hill country of Judea was 80–100 miles away from Nazareth, at least a four-day journey.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“into: Jos 10:40, Jos 15:48-59, Jos 21:9-11 city: This was most probably Hebron, a city of the priests, and situated in the hill country of Judea ( Jos 11:21; Jos 21:11, Jos 21:13), about 25 miles south of Jerusalem, and nearly 100 from Nazareth. Such was the intense desire of Mary's mind to visit and communicate with her relative Elisabeth, that she scrupled not to undertake this long journey to effect her purpose. Luke 1:41”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification