Luke 1:32
What does Luke 1:32 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 1:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 1:32 means
Gabriel expands on Jesus’ identity: he will be great, be called the Son of the Most High, and God will give him David’s throne. This statement asserts both divine sonship and royal legitimacy. Son of the Most High stresses divine origin and authority, while the Davidic throne connects Jesus to messianic hopes rooted in Israel’s covenant promises. Luke signals that Jesus’ greatness is both spiritual and sovereign, combining heavenly sonship with earthly kingship in God’s redemptive plan.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
KJV
King James Version · 1611He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He will be great, and will be named the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his father:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862he shall be great, and Son of the Highest he shall be called, and the Lord God shall give him the throne of David his father,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He shall be great, and shall be called Son of [the] Highest; and [the] LordGod shall give him the throne of David his father;
Context
Following the naming, Gabriel situates Jesus in theological and royal categories: divine sonship and Davidic succession. The verse connects the newborn’s identity to Old Testament expectations of a Messiah who would reign. The next verse stresses the extent and permanence of his rule.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 34:23
And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
- Acts 16:17
The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation.
- Acts 7:48
Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as saith the prophet,
- John 5:21
For as the Father raiseth the dead and giveth them life, even so the Son also giveth life to whom he will.
- Jeremiah 23:5
Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
- Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.
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