Luke 1:33
What does Luke 1:33 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 1:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 1:33 means
Gabriel foretells Jesus’ eternal reign over the house of Jacob and an unending kingdom. These words emphasize the permanence and universality of Jesus’ rule—he is not a temporary ruler but an everlasting king. The reference to Jacob (Israel) roots this reign in God’s covenant people but points beyond ethnic boundaries, as eternity and unending rule imply a scope no earthly throne can match. The verse presents Jesus as the culmination of God’s promises to Israel.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He will have rule over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he shall reign over the house of Jacob to the ages; and of his reign there shall be no end.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And of his kingdom there shall be no end.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for the ages, and of his kingdom there shall not be an end.
Context
This follows the promise of Davidic throne and finalizes the messianic claim with an eternal dimension. The language contrasts earthly kingdoms with the permanence of God’s promised reign. Mary’s question next will address the human means—how this will happen given her virginity.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 1:1
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
- Philippians 3:3
for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:
- 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.
- Daniel 7:13
I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
- Hebrews 1:8
but of the Sonhe saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; And the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
- Romans 9:6
Butit isnot as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel:
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Luke 1
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Luke 1.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Being Filled with the Spirit
The Bible encourages believers to be filled with the Spirit, a divine empowerment for Christian life and witness
Topic
Bible Verses About God's Omnipotence
God's omnipotence means He is all-powerful, sovereign, and able to do anything that is consistent with His perfect nature
Topic
Reincarnation in the Bible
The Bible does not teach reincarnation, but instead emphasizes the uniqueness of each life and the certainty of death and judgment
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Praying for Pregnancy
Verses for the long wait of trying to conceive.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Anxiety Before a Job Interview
Quiet your nerves and walk in with steady steps — six verses to pray on the way.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When Prayer Feels Empty
When the words won't come — scripture for the dry prayer life.