Church Fathers Commentary Luke 1:23-25

"And it came to pass, when the days of his ministration were fulfilled, he departed unto his house. And after these days Elisabeth his wife conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, Thus hath the Lord done unto me in the days wherein he looked upon [me], to take away my reproach among men." — Luke 1:23-25 (ASV)

The Venerable Bede: During their appointed time of service, the priests of the temple were so occupied by their duties that they kept themselves not only from their wives but even from their own homes. This is why it says, And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days were accomplished... Since a priestly succession from the line of Aaron was required at that time, a period was necessarily appointed for continuing the family line. But now, since spiritual perfection is sought rather than a carnal succession, priests are commanded to observe perpetual chastity so that they might always be able to serve the altar.

The text continues: But after those days... that is, after the days of Zechariah’s priestly service were completed. These things were done in the month of September, on the twenty-second day, when the Jews were required to observe the Feast of Tabernacles. This was just before the equinox, when the nights began to grow longer than the days, because Christ must increase, but John must decrease. Those days of fasting were also significant, for repentance and mortification were to be preached to humanity through the mouth of John. The text continues: And she hid herself.

St. Ambrose of Milan: What reason was there for her concealment, except for shame? There are certain appropriate times in marriage when it is fitting to focus on having children—while one is in their prime and there is still hope of childbearing. But when old age has arrived, and that stage of life is better suited for raising children than for conceiving them, it is a shame to bear the signs of pregnancy, however lawful it may be. It is a shame to be burdened with a pregnancy that belongs to another season of life, and for the womb to swell with the fruit of a time that is not one's own.

Therefore, she felt shame because of her age. From this, we can understand why they had not come together at this time. Surely, a woman who was not ashamed to be intimate with her husband in their old age would not be ashamed of childbearing itself. And yet, she blushes at the burden of being a parent at her age, while still being unaware of the sacred mystery involved. But she who hid herself because she had conceived a son soon began to glory that she carried a prophet in her womb.

Origen of Alexandria: And so he says, Five months, that is, until Mary would conceive and her baby, leaping with joy, would prophesy.

St. Ambrose of Milan: And though she might have blushed at her pregnancy, she also rejoiced that she was free from reproach, saying, Thus has the Lord dealt with me.

St. John Chrysostom: Truly, God has released her from her barrenness; He has bestowed a supernatural gift upon her, and the unfruitful rock has produced a green shoot. He has taken away her disgrace by enabling her to conceive. This is why the text continues: in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

St. Ambrose of Milan: For it is a disgrace among women not to receive the reward of marriage, which is the very reason they marry.

St. John Chrysostom: Her joy, therefore, is twofold. The Lord has taken away from her the mark of barrenness and has also given her an illustrious offspring. In ordinary births, only the union of the parents is involved; this birth, however, was the result of heavenly grace.

The Venerable Bede: Now, mystically, Zechariah can signify the Jewish priesthood, and Elizabeth the Law itself. The Law, when well administered by the teaching of the priests, should have borne spiritual children for God, but it was unable to, because the Law made no one perfect. Both were just, because the Law is good and the priesthood of that time was holy. Both were advanced in years, because at Christ’s coming, both the Law and the priesthood were nearing their end.

Zechariah enters the temple, because it is the priest’s duty to enter the sanctuary of heavenly mysteries. A multitude was outside, because the multitude cannot penetrate mysteries. When he places incense on the altar, he learns that John will be born. For while teachers are kindled with the flame of reading Scripture, they find the grace of God flowing to them through Jesus. And this is done by an angel, for the Law was given through angels.

St. Ambrose of Milan: But in this one man, the voice of the people was silenced, because in this one man, the whole people was addressing God. For the Word of God has come to us, and He is not silent in us. He who does not understand the Law is mute. For why would you consider a man who cannot make a sound to be more mute than one who does not understand a sacred mystery? The Jewish people are like someone who beckons but cannot make his actions understood.

The Venerable Bede: And yet Elizabeth conceives John, because the deeper, internal parts of the Law are filled with the mysteries of Christ. She conceals her pregnancy for five months, because Moses set forth the mysteries of Christ in five books, or because the plan of Christ is represented by the words and deeds of the saints throughout the five ages of the world.