Elizabeth

Who is Elizabeth? Elizabeth is a New Testament figure known as the mother of John the Baptist, the wife of Zechariah, and Mary's relative, remembered for receiving God's promise with faith and joy.

Elizabeth is introduced in the Gospel of Luke as the mother of John the Baptist, a woman who bears a child in old age. She belongs to a priestly family through her husband Zechariah, and they are described as living righteously before God. Although she had long lived without children, her story moves toward hope rather than shame, because God gives her a son at an unexpected time. Her meeting with Mary carries joy and spiritual insight connected to the coming of both John and Jesus. Elizabeth's life makes themes of waiting, grace, and God's faithfulness visible. To explore that more closely, see the chapter reference and FAQs below.

Read the chapters

Luke 1
The opening of Luke's Gospel, recounting how the angel Gabriel announces two extraordinary births and how Mary responds to the news, setting the stage for the birth narratives.

Related places

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Reading plans

Related guides

What Is Christmas? When and Where Was Jesus Born?
What is Christmas, and how does the Bible tell of the birth of Jesus Christ? A short, neutral guide to where Jesus was born, the nativity account and the origin of Christmas.

Books

Luke

People in the Bible

People in the Bible

Why is Elizabeth important in the Bible?

Elizabeth appears in the opening scenes of the salvation story as the mother of John the Baptist. Her story shows that God fulfills his promise even in the middle of long seasons of waiting.

What is the relationship between Elizabeth and Mary?

In Luke's account, Elizabeth is Mary's relative, and Mary visits her. That meeting is an important moment that connects the two birth narratives.