Zacharias lived in a Levitical city in the hill country of Judah. The narrative evidently implies that there had been no previous communication between the two women of what had happened. In their greeting both were led and taught of the Spirit.
Evidently Mary was living in close familiarity with the Scriptures. Often she had been deeply moved by their radiant promises, and had pleaded that God would at last help His people and send the Savior. Now that this blessing had come to her, she voiced her thanks, not only under the express inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but in the familiar expressions of Scripture. No others would have sufficed. Compare Hannah's song of praise, under similar circumstances, 1 Samuel 2:1-10. This song is called the Magnificat, that being the first word in the Latin version. Wonder and praise, humility and exultation, adoration and congratulation-these colors chase one another in the heart of this jewel. [source]
Chapter Summary: Luke 1
1The preface of Luke to his whole gospel 5The conception of John the Baptist; 26and of Jesus 39The prophecy of Elisabeth and of Mary, concerning Jesus 57The nativity and circumcision of John 67The prophecy of Zachariah, both of Jesus, 76and of John
What do the individual words in Luke 1:53 mean?
[Those] hungeringHe has filledwith good thingsand[those] being richHe has sent awayempty