JD Abshire

No.
There was no mix-up or change of plans!

Luke 1:5-25 tells us of Gabriel announcing to Zacharias that his wife Elizabeth who had been previously barren would conceive and have a son, John the Baptist, Christ's forerunner (John Chapter 1) 

In Luke 1:26-35 Gabriel announces to the virgin Mary that she would supernaturally conceive and give birth to Jesus, the Messiah. 
(See also Matthew 1: 20-25)

December 19 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Kelli Trujillo Supporter Minister, Mother, Grandmother, Teacher, Musician

No, Elizabeth was only told that she would give birth to John the Baptist, the one who would "go before" Jesus and announce His coming to others. Luke 1 says of Elizabeth and her husband in verses 6-7,

They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.

Verses 8-23 in Luke 1 is the account of Elizabeth's husband, Zacharias, being told that Elizabeth would soon become pregnant with this special child and they were to name him "John."

Verses 24-25 tell us about Elizabeth's response to this news:

After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she [q]kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, “This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.”

The following verses tell us about Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she had been chosen to give birth to the Messiah, and her subsequent visit to see Elizabeth. 

There is no indication from these accounts that Elizabeth was ever told first that she was supposed to give birth to Jesus instead of Mary. Her role was always to give birth to the one appointed to prepare the way for Jesus, and she was happy to do it.

December 19 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report