Luke 1:39 Meaning: Why Mary Hurried to the Hill Country
Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah;
And Mary having arisen in those days, went to the hill-country, with haste, to a city of Judea,
And Mary, rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah,
Meaning in one sentence
Discover what drove Mary to travel in haste after the angel's visit, and how her journey shows faith in action.
Context
The angel Gabriel had just left Mary with news that would change everything. She was to bear God's Son. And as a sign, the angel told her that her relative Elizabeth, long past childbearing age, was now six months pregnant. Nothing, Gabriel said, is impossible with God.
Mary's response was immediate: 'Let it be done to me according to your word.' Then, quietly, she prepared for a journey. She had to see Elizabeth. Not to check if the angel was telling the truth; she already believed. But to share in the wonder. The hill country of Judah was a rugged region south of Jerusalem, a three-to-four-day walk from Nazareth. A young woman traveling alone was unusual, even risky. Yet Mary went, and she went with haste.
Key Words
The Greek word behind 'arose' (anastasa) is the same word used for rising from sleep or standing up after kneeling. But here it means 'setting out', she got up and moved. Faith is never just a feeling; it changes your feet.
The word rendered 'haste' (spoudē) carries more than speed. In other places it means 'diligence' or 'earnestness', a focused, heartfelt effort. Mary did not wander slowly; she went eagerly. Her heart was already running ahead. And the phrase 'hill country' (oreinēn) recalls the ancient territory of Judah, the region of Hebron, a priestly city. It was a place where God's promises had taken root before.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen Mary's journey as a model of faith in action. The Reformed tradition, following Calvin, emphasizes that she went to strengthen her faith by seeing the sign God had given her, not doubting, but wanting to confirm. Catholic and Orthodox traditions honor this visit as part of the Visitation, where Mary brings Christ into Elizabeth's home, and the unborn John the Baptist leaps for joy. Wesley and Matthew Henry highlight the joy and fellowship: two women, each bearing an impossible gift from God, come together to celebrate His grace. All agree: Mary's haste is not anxiety but eager faith.
A common misunderstanding
Some read Mary's haste as worry or confusion, as if she needed to run to Elizabeth to make sure the angel's words were true. But the text shows the opposite. She had just said, 'Let it be done to me according to your word.' She believed. The haste came from joy, not doubt. In fact, she went not to verify the promise but to share in the miracle. Her feet moved because her heart was full, not because it was unsettled.
Living This Out
When God speaks a promise into your life, what do you do next? Mary shows us that faith has legs. She didn't wait for everything to make sense first. She didn't wait until it was convenient or safe. She went. This week, you may be holding onto a word from God, something you believe He has said about your future, your family, your calling. Maybe the next step is not to figure it all out, but to move. To reach out. To go to someone who can share the wonder with you. Faith moves before it sees how everything will work.
Main takeaway: Faith does not only believe what God says; it gets up and goes where God leads.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
After an angel told Mary she would have God's Son, she didn't just sit at home. She got up and went to see her cousin Elizabeth. She was so happy she hurried! When God gives you a good promise, you can move with joy too.
For ages 9, 12
Mary had just received the biggest news anyone ever heard: she would be the mother of Jesus. And what did she do next? She packed and walked for days to a town in the hill country. She didn't wait for a sign, she already had one. Her haste shows that when you really believe something, you act on it. Is there something God has whispered to your heart that you've been putting off? Maybe today is the day to take that first step.
Questions People Ask
Where exactly did Mary go in the hill country of Judah?
The Bible does not name the city, but many scholars think it was Hebron, a priestly city about twenty miles south of Jerusalem. Hebron was located in the hill country of Judah and had strong connections to the tribe of Levi, which fits since Elizabeth's husband Zechariah was a priest.
Why did Mary go 'with haste'?
The Greek word for haste (spoudē) suggests eagerness and earnestness, not frantic speed. Mary had just received the angel's announcement and the news about Elizabeth. She was eager to see God's miracle in her relative's life, to share the wonder, and to strengthen her own faith by witnessing the sign God had given her.
Did Mary tell Joseph before she left?
The Gospel of Luke does not mention that Mary told Joseph. In fact, Matthew's account suggests Joseph only learned about her pregnancy later when it became visible. Mary appears to have left quietly, trusting God to reveal the truth to Joseph in His own time. This makes her journey even more remarkable, she acted on faith without first clearing things with her betrothed.
Was it unusual for a young betrothed woman to travel alone?
Yes, it was very unusual. Unmarried or betrothed women normally did not travel alone in first-century Judea. Mary may have traveled with a group or with Joseph's permission, but the text does not say. The circumstances were extraordinary, and Luke portrays Mary as acting with bold faith rather than following social convention.
What does this passage teach us about Mary's faith?
Mary believed the angel's word immediately, and her belief produced action. She didn't wait to confirm the promise, nor did she doubt it. Her haste shows that genuine faith is not passive, it moves toward others and toward the fulfillment of God's word. She wanted to see and celebrate what God had done, and that desire drove her journey.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study