1:36a

Look: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Look is the same word that it translates as “now” in 1:20 and as “Behold” in 1:31. This word often functions to focus attention on what follows and to indicate that this is important or amazing. Here it draws attention to the fact that Elizabeth is pregnant. This is something completely unexpected.

Some ways to translate the word in this context are:

And behold (English Standard Version)
-or-
And listen
-or-
And I tell you this too (New Jerusalem Bible)

even Elizabeth: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as even means “also.” In this context it emphasizes something amazing that is true of Elizabeth as well as of Mary. Elizabeth is another example of someone who became pregnant through God’s power, since she was too old to have children. Use a natural way in your language to express this emphasis. Other ways to do this in English are:

has herself conceived a son (Revised English Bible)
-or-
has also become pregnant with a son

your relative: The text does not say how Elizabeth and Mary were related. So it is good to translate relative in a general way. Another way to translate this is:

kinswoman (Revised English Bible)

has conceived a son: Some other ways to translate the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as has conceived a son are:

is…pregnant with a son (New Century Version)
-or-
is going to have a child (New International Version)

in her old age: The phrase in her old age means “even though she is old.” Mary already knew Elizabeth and knew that she was past the normal age of childbearing. The angel did not tell her new information concerning Elizabeth’s age.

1:36b

she who was called barren: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as she who was called barren indicates how people described Elizabeth because she did not have any children. It is also an idiom. She was not just called barren; she had actually been barren.

Some other ways to translate this are:

Everyone thought she could not have a baby (New Century Version)
-or-
She was not able to have children before (NLV)
-or-
It is said that she cannot have children (Good News Translation)

Notice that the Berean Standard Bible uses a past tense form here, but the Greek uses a present form. The Good News Translation reading quoted just above reflects this. Use a natural form in your language for this context.

barren: The word barren describes a woman who is not able to conceive or bear a child. Among the Jews it was considered disgraceful for a married woman to be barren. Many Jewish women felt ashamed if they were not able to have children. Translate using language that will be sensitive and respectful for public reading.

is in her sixth month: The phrase is in her sixth month means that Elizabeth had begun her sixth month of being pregnant.

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