Matthew Henry Commentary Luke 1:39-56

"And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth. And 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; and she lifted up her voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed [art] thou among women, and blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come unto me? For behold, when the voice of thy salutation came into mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed [is] she that believed; for there shall be a fulfilment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaid: For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name. And his mercy is unto generations and generations On them that fear him. He hath showed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. He hath put down princes from [their] thrones, And hath exalted them of low degree. The hungry he hath filled with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath given help to Israel his servant, That he might remember mercy (As he spake unto our fathers) Toward Abraham and his seed for ever. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned unto her house." — Luke 1:39-56 (ASV)

It is very good for those who have the work of grace begun in their souls to share with one another. On Mary's arrival, Elisabeth was conscious of the approach of her who was to be the mother of the great Redeemer. At the same time, she was filled with the Holy Spirit, and under his influence declared that Mary and her expected child were most blessed and happy, as peculiarly honoured by and dear to the Most High God.

Mary, animated by Elisabeth's address, and being also under the influence of the Holy Spirit, broke out into joy, admiration, and gratitude. She knew herself to be a sinner who needed a Saviour, and that she could rejoice in God in no other way than as one interested in his salvation through the promised Messiah. Those who see their need of Christ, and are desiring righteousness and life in him, he fills with good things, with the best things; and they are abundantly satisfied with the blessings he gives.

He will satisfy the desires of the poor in spirit who long for spiritual blessings, while the self-sufficient will be sent empty away.