John Calvin Commentary Luke 1:24

"And after these days Elisabeth his wife conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying," — Luke 1:24 (ASV)

And hid herself: this appears very strange, as if she had been ashamed of the blessing of God. Some think that she did not venture to appear in public as long as the matter was uncertain, for fear of exposing herself to ridicule if her expectation were disappointed.

In my opinion, she was so fully convinced of the promise made to her that she had no doubt of its accomplishment. When she saw a severe punishment inflicted on her husband for “speaking unadvisedly with his lips,” (Psalms 106:33), did she, for five successive months, cherish in her mind a similar doubt? But her words show clearly that her expectation was not doubtful or uncertain. By saying, thus has the Lord done to me, she expressly and boldly affirms that his favor was ascertained.

There might be two reasons for this delay. First, until this extraordinary work of God was manifest, she might have hesitated to expose it to the varied opinions of people, as the world frequently indulges in light, rash, and irreverent talk about the works of God. Second, it might be that when she was suddenly discovered to be pregnant, people would be more powerfully stirred to praise God. For when the works of God reveal themselves gradually over time, we take less notice of them than if such a work had been accomplished suddenly, without our ever having heard of it.

It was not, therefore, for her own sake, but rather with a view to others, that Elisabeth hid herself.