Event New Testament
Mary visits Elizabeth
Also known as The visitation, The Magnificat
Mary hurried to the hill country to her relative Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant with John. At Mary's greeting the child leaped in Elizabeth's womb, Elizabeth blessed Mary and her child, and Mary sang the song of praise known as the Magnificat.
Why it matters. Two mothers and two unborn sons meet, and John's ministry of pointing to Jesus begins before either is born. Mary's song echoes Hannah's and gathers up the hopes of Israel's poor.
- Primary passages
- Witnesses
Chronology confidence: medium
Luke alone records the visit. The town in the hill country of Judah is not named.
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-30 by the FaithGraph team
Connections
The annunciation to Mary precedes Mary visits Elizabeth
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceMary sets out for the hill country in the days after the angel leaves her.
Evidence:Mary visits Elizabeth precedes The birth of John the Baptist
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceMary stays about three months and returns home; Elizabeth's time to give birth then comes.
Evidence:Elizabeth participates in Mary visits Elizabeth
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceElizabeth receives Mary, is filled with the Spirit, and calls her the mother of my Lord.
Evidence:John the Baptist participates in Mary visits Elizabeth
Explicit in ScriptureMedium confidenceThe unborn John leaps in Elizabeth's womb at Mary's greeting; Luke presents this as the child's response.
Mary, mother of Jesus participates in Mary visits Elizabeth
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceMary travels to Elizabeth, is blessed by her, and sings the Magnificat.
Evidence: