King James Bible
"And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;"
Mary acts immediately following Gabriel's announcement of her pregnancy and Elizabeth's miraculous conception. The phrase 'in those days' connects this journey directly to the angelic visitation, showing Mary's prompt response to the divine revelation. Mary travels urgently from Nazareth to the Judean highlands, a journey of roughly 80-100 miles. Her haste reflects both eagerness to confirm the angel's words about Elizabeth and possibly a desire to seek refuge and counsel from her relative during this extraordinary time. The destination is traditionally identified as Ain Karim near Jerusalem, where Zechariah served as a priest. This geographical detail emphasizes the movement from Galilee to Judea, symbolically bringing together the northern and southern regions in God's unfolding plan.