“filled with holy spirit.” Here in Luke 1:41, there is no definite article, so the translation “holy spirit” works in this context. This holy spirit is the gift of God. In this context, “filled with holy spirit” refers to receiving revelation from God, and this becomes clear when we read the complete sentence: “And Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit and cried out with a loud voice and said….” This same meaning occurs in Luke 1:41, 67; Acts 4:8, 31; 13:9.

[For more information on the holy spirit and uses of “holy spirit,” see Appendix 11, “What is the Holy Spirit?” and also see Appendix 6: “Usages of ‘Spirit.’”]