Luke 1:42
What does Luke 1:42 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 1:42 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 1:42 means
Elisabeth lifts a loud cry, blessing Mary: “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” Her proclamation honors Mary’s unique role and recognizes the child she carries as specially favored. The exclamation is prophetic and public, acknowledging Mary’s blessedness before others. It expresses thanksgiving and awe and situates Mary within God’s saving work, while also extending blessing to the child who represents God’s coming deliverance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and she lifted up her voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and she lifted up her voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And she said with a loud voice: May blessing be on you among women, and a blessing on the child of your body.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and spake out with a loud voice, and said, `Blessed <FI>art<Fi> thou among women, and blessed <FI>is<Fi> the fruit of thy womb;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And she cried out with a loud voice and said: Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and cried out with a loud voice and said, Blessed [art] thou amongst women, and blessed the fruit of thy womb.
Context
This verse follows the Spirit-filled moment. Elisabeth’s loud cry and blessing publicly affirm the divine significance of Mary’s pregnancy. Her words prepare the ground for Mary’s hymn of praise and for the affirmation of God’s unfolding redemptive plan through both mothers.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 72:17
His name shall endure for ever; His name shall be continued as long as the sun: And men shall be blessed in him; All nations shall call him happy.
- Romans 9:5
whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
- Acts 2:26
Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope:
- Luke 19:38
saying, Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
- Hebrews 12:2
looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Genesis 22:18
and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
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