lectionary.com

Pentecost Season · Year B

Mary's Visitation

May 31, 2027

The Visitation with Saint Nicholas and Saint Anthony Abbot, Piero di Cosimo
The Visitation with Saint Nicholas and Saint Anthony Abbot, Piero di Cosimo, c. 1490National Gallery of Art, Washington
The two women embrace in the centre while the two saints sit reading at the sides, entirely absorbed and not looking. Scenes from the nativity are painted tiny in the background.My soul magnifies the Lord: the Magnificat is spoken at this meeting, and Piero paints two men missing it completely.Piero di CosimoAn eccentric Florentine who lived on hard-boiled eggs, feared thunderstorms, and painted some of the strangest mythologies of the Renaissance.National Gallery of Art, WashingtonGiven to the United States by Andrew Mellon in 1937 on condition it carry no founder's name, so that others would give to it too.National Gallery of Art, Washington
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 1:39-57Lk 1:39-57
EpistleRom. 12:9-16bRom 12:9-16b
Old Testament1 Sam. 2:1-101 Sm 2:1-10
PsalterPs. 113Ps 113

Overview & Insights

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42)

In our first two sections of Luke’s text the angel Gabriel has announced two births to mothers who should not have been expecting a baby (one too old, the other not yet married). Before the births of John and Jesus are narrated, the two families are brought together, and we have in this domestic scene an opportunity to reflect on the significance of these two special people. The unborn John and his mother recognize the superior status of Mary’s son, and Mary speaks with delight and wonder of the incredible honor of being the mother of God’s Son. The paradoxical values expressed in Mary’s song prepare the reader for the repeated challenges to the status quo that will mark Jesus’s ministry as this Gospel will describe it.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Luke 1:39-57

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 1:39-45 [46-55]Commentary on Lk 1:39-45 [46-55] Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on the Visitation and the Magnificat.

Luke 1 (Guzik)Lk 1 (Guzik) Enduring Word · David Guzik

Guzik's verse by verse commentary on the chapter.

Luke 1 CommentaryLk 1 Commentary Precept Austin

Word studies and expository notes on Luke 1, including the Magnificat.

Luke 1:39 Parallel CommentariesLk 1:39 Parallel Commentaries BibleHub

Parallel classic commentaries collected from Luke 1:39.

Barnes' Notes on Luke 1Barnes' Notes on Lk 1 StudyLight

Barnes' Notes on the whole chapter of Luke 1.

Background & Word Study

Gospel of Luke Overview (Part 1)Gospel of Lk Overview (Part 1) BibleProject

Animated overview video on the first half of Luke's Gospel.

Luke 1:39 Greek InterlinearLk 1:39 Greek Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text of Luke 1:39 with parsing and Strong's numbers.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Luke 1Catena on Lk 1 Catena

Church fathers' comments gathered verse by verse for Luke 1.

Sermons & Reflections

A Visit and a Song Journey with Jesus

Essay on Mary's visit to Elizabeth and her subversive song.

Worship & Prayers

Worship Planning Helps UMC Discipleship

United Methodist worship and preaching planning helps for feasts and festivals.

Art & Music

Revised Common Lectionary Art Vanderbilt

Lectionary art index with images of the Visitation and the Magnificat.

Questions preachers ask

What happens when Mary visits Elizabeth?

The child leaps in Elizabeth's womb, she blesses Mary as the mother of her Lord, and Mary answers with the Magnificat, the song of the God who lifts up the lowly.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Luke 1:39-57
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.