Chapter 1:39-45 Mary Visits Elizabeth

1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 

In those days — As soon as she could conveniently fit herself out for the journey.
Hill country — Hebron, the city of the priests, Joshua 21:11, which was situated in the tribe of Judah, about forty miles south of Jerusalem, and upwards of seventy from Nazareth.
With haste — This probably refers to nothing else than the earnestness of her mind to visit her relative Elisabeth.

1:40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
We have here an interview between the two happy mothers, Elisabeth and Mary: the angel, by intimating to Mary the favor bestowed on her cousin Elisabeth, gave occasion for it;

1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost — The mother is filled with the Holy Spirit, and the child in her womb becomes sensible of the Divine influence.
The babe leaped as it were to give a signal to his mother that he was now at had whose forerunner He was to be.... it was the effect of some strong impression made upon the mother.

1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

Blessed art thou among women — Repeating the words of the angel, Luke 1:28, of which she had probably been informed by the holy virgin, in the present interview.
Therefore blessed art thou because blessed is the fruit of thy womb; thence it was that she derived this excelling dignity. 

*Elisabeth was the wife of a priest, and in years, yet she grudges not that her kinswoman, who was many years younger than she, and every way her inferior, should have the honor of conceiving in her virginity, and being the mother of the Messiah, 

*whereas the honor put upon her was much less; 

she rejoices in it, and is well pleased, as her son was afterwards, that she who cometh after her is preferred before her, John 1 27. 

Note, While we cannot but own that we are more favored of God than we deserve, let us by no means envy that others are more highly favored than we are.

Note, Those that are filled with the Holy Ghost have low thoughts of their own merits, and high thoughts of God's favors.

1:43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
The mother of my Lord — The prophetic spirit, which appears to have overshadowed Elisabeth, gave her a clear understanding in the mystery of the birth of the promised Messiah.

1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

Not only Mary, who believed the angel’s message, and was therefore blessed; but every one of us, who believes in God, may share in this benediction.

1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Blessed is she that believed; for there shall be, &c. Or, Blessed is she who hath believed that there shall be.

Believing souls are blessed souls, and will be found so at last; 

this blessedness cometh through faith, even the blessedness of being related to Christ, and having Him formed in the soul.